Return Of The Long Tail Traffic

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The recent Google update that I’ve mentioned a few times in the last couple weeks is now starting to “firm up”, based on what I observe in my logfiles. As I’ve explained before, I’m not an SEO Scientist, but rather an SEO Chef. I don’t study SEO on a detailed basis, but rather make my moves based on observation. I’d liken the way I approach SEO to the way I approach driving a car: I don’t know how a gas engine really works, but it’s never stopped me from being a skilled driver.

The Google “black box” is a mystery to me. I say that with all humility, despite rankings for myriad keywords in many of the internet’s major keyword categories. I really, truly don’t think anyone has to make an exact study of SEO, but the people who do, do so because it makes them feel more comfortable with their craft. Now these guys love analyzing every change at Google, and dissecting each and every burp of the SERP.

In any event, my observations are that Google made some pretty massive changes to their “algo” this time. They’ve effectively discounted numerous links that used to be considered natural, or “okay”, and they’ve moved farther in the direction that they headed in for the last year, at least.

Despite these changes, whatever Google has been doing appears to be slowing down, and many pages that have been buried for a few weeks are rising to the top again. The long tail is sharp, and the web surfers are becoming more targeted. Adsense seems to be slightly out of sync, but my best guess is by Wednesday of this week people will also start reporting a sharp rise in revenues.

April has been one topsy turvy month as far as Google rankings go, but there’s still hope the changes will be for the better.

What kind of changes are you observing, as it relates to Google?

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