Searchmetrics' annual study of top Google ranking factors undergoes radical format shift to match industry-specific needs and resultsSAN MATEO, Calif., December 13, 2016 - Today's search results are shifting dramatically to match answers to the perceived intent of a search, as Google and other search engines increasingly employ deep learning techniques to understand the motivation behind a query, according to key findings in a new Searchmetrics study.
Findings from the latest Searchmetrics Ranking Factors study, "Rebooting for Relevance," suggest marketers face new challenges as Google deemphasizes traditional ranking factors such as collecting more backlinks and employing enough focus keywords in text. As technical SEO factors become table stakes in online content strategies, marketers in various industries will be forced to adopt new techniques to succeed," said Marcus Tober, Searchmetrics founder and CTO.