by Cara Callaghan

Google’s algorithm at work

For those of you who have often wondered how Google’s algorithm works and what goes on behind the scenes, then this excellent video sums it all up nicely.

The importance of Social for Search

Social is becoming even more important in the SEO arena. Until recently real-time results from Twitter appeared in Google search results. Then Google’s introduction of the +1 button, allowing for e web pages, articles, images etc to be +1’d by users and collected by Google, has enabled the search engine to understand the popularity and value individuals attribute to sites and their content. In July, the Google+ social network was launched in an attempt to rival Facebook , and has already accumulated 10 million users. With great features including Circles, Sparks and Hangouts it has a lot of appeal to users who value their privacy.

Social Media is revolutionizing the web and is already having an impact on your rankings with more emphasis to come on this area. The integration of ‘Live Feeds’ in to search results has a direct impact on rankings and placements. Therefore, the emphasis given by Google to social results will ensure the +1 will change the search results landscape.

Expanded and improved Sitelinks on Google

Sitelinks on Google have been around for a while but until recently they consisted of a single row of four links. This has all changed recently and sitelinks are now full-size links with a URL and one line of snippet text—similar to regular results—making it even easier for users to find the section of the site they want. Google has also increased the maximum number of sitelinks per query from 8 to 12 as shown in the screenshot below.

All results from the top-ranked site will be nested within the first result as sitelinks, and all results from other sites will appear below them.

Google hotel pricing in Google search results

This has been around for a few months but some of you may not have noticed it until now. Google is displaying hotel price ads with booking functionality within organic search results as well as on Google Maps. You can book a hotel room via any of the engines that appear in the drop down menu as highlighted below. You will always see the hotel’s own website at the bottom of the list. This is charged for on a cost per click (CPC) basis and is also based on the price of the proposed stay in the hotel.