Have you logged into Google Analytics lately? Have you noticed that a certain variable seems to be missing? It’s not a computer glitch. Business owners, webmasters and professional SEOs have descended into panic mode in light of Google’s decision to stop providing keyword data in its analytics. In other words, it’s now far more difficult for you to see which keywords people are using to access your website. My Los Angeles SEO firm has been inundated with concerned calls from clients, and I have spent quite a bit of time researching and analyzing the ramifications of the change. After much consideration, the shift is definitely annoying, but it’s not all bad news.
The Pros
If you’re the type of person who constantly likes to refresh your analytics data, you are probably sickened by the “100% Not Provided” message that now mocks and ridicules you without mercy. How are you supposed to conduct the necessary market research if Google won’t even tell you how people are finding your site? Well, believe it or not, there is an upside here. If you have a quality product or service, and you publish stellar content on your site, you’re in a much better position to see those efforts reap their due rewards. No longer can unsavory SEOs capitalize on raw keyword data to manipulate the search engines and acquire an unfair advantage over your superior content. If you’re committed to true, ethical SEO, your day has arrived.
Furthermore, you as a consumer now have a bit more privacy when you surf the Web. In this age of round-the-clock data collection, a little more privacy might actually be a good thing. Of course, there are exceptions to this privacy rule (particularly if you click on sponsored links), but every little bit helps.
The Cons
And now for the bad. Obviously this change makes life very difficult for those of us who are just trying to optimize our efforts according to the demands and interests of our visitors. Furthermore, it can be much trickier to find a reputable SEO company who actually understands the changes and knows to masterfully weather the storms. Surprisingly, many SEOs are still playing by the old rules and hoping for the best. This is a recipe for disaster. Finally, the change makes it more difficult for you as a business owner to gauge how your SEO firm is actually performing, based on the progress of individual keywords. You need to be more proactive than ever before when it comes to charting your own progress.
Coalition Technologies – Not Just Another Los Angeles SEO Firm
Coalition Technologies is a Los Angeles SEO firm that understands the evolving face of search engine optimization. When other businesses saw dramatic declines in traffic and revenue as a result of Google’s Hummingbird algorithm update, our clients continued to thrive and enjoy consistent growth. Call us for a free quote at 1-888-800-9101 for a free quote, and let us show you how our Los Angeles SEO firm can benefit your business even in light of the new challenges.