OMA Comp

Web Design & Development

search engine optimization

Do I Need the Hreflang Attribute for Google to Display the Correct Language?

OMA Comp Hreflang Attribute for Google

Some websites consist of multiple versions intended for different geographic regions or languages. This makes the site accessible to people across the world. In the past, pages would have to tell Google what language to display using the hreflang attribute.

What Is the Hreflang Attribute?

The hreflang attribute is code that is added to a website to tell Google which language is being used on that page. It would look something like rel=”alternate” hreflang=”x” and would be placed in the HTTP header, on-page markup, or on the sitemap.

This function was introduced in 2011 to help search engines identify the relationships between pages that could be displayed in alternate languages. It allowed sites to offer a localized experience for different audiences. This tool didn’t influence search results ranking specifically, but was intended to ensure that each visitor sees content that is relevant to them.

Does the Hreflang Attribute Still Apply In 2018?

Search engines are getting smarter. Google webmaster trends analyst John Mueller was asked on Twitter on April 25th, 2018 if hreflang tags are needed to display different languages. Mueller responded by stating that “If it’s in a different language, usually Google can figure that out without hreflang. Most queries are clearly in one language, so we can send users to that version of the page.”

It’s still important to include hreflang because Google doesn’t always choose the alternate page. However, some sites may no longer need this element to get the search engine to display the correct content. If you’re ready to learn more or build a fully-optimized, multi-language site, let us know. We’re available in Southeast Michigan to provide website building and SEO services that utilize current best practices all around the globe.

Google Trends: The Rise of Featured Snippets

OMA Comp Featured Snippets SEO

There are many things influencing SEO this year, but one of the biggest rising stars is the featured snippet. You have likely come across this search engine feature at least once or twice in the recent past. A snippet is a piece of content taken from a website that’s presented on the search results page.

Anatomy of a Featured Snippet

What makes a featured snippet different from results on a search page? They are reversed from the usual display format. A section of content is displayed at the top, sometimes with a related image. The page name and URL appears below.

Featured snippets are prominently displayed, so that they are easy for the internet user to see before delving into the search results. The idea is that the snippet appears when Google believes that it will provide a better answer based on the search text.

Why Are Featured Snippets Important?

Voice searching is on the rise, with one in five mobile queries utilizing voice. This has a direct impact on the featured snippet, which is often returned as a response to questions asked using voice search. A recent study conducted by Stone Temple Consulting included 1.4 million queries. Approximately 30% of those queries were shown a featured snippet. The trend has been moving steadily upward since at least December of 2014.

Optimizing Your Featured Snippet

The highest ranking pages tend to get more snippet results, so the better your SEO is, the higher your chances will be of getting featured. Multiple studies have revealed that long-tail keywords are more likely to produce a featured snippet. If you need help increasing your chances of getting featured on Google, contact OMA Comp today. We can help you get noticed with improved SEO strategies.

Does My Website Need an RSS Feed for SEO?

OMA Comp Websites RSS Feeds and SEO

RSS, which stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, is a type of web feed that provides updates to content. The feed consists of a text file that allows subscribers to see content for a period of time after its updated. Does having an RSS feed on your website boost your SEO?

Google Weighs In On RSS Feeds and SRP Ranking

When it comes to your search results page ranking, RSS feeds won’t help according to John Mueller, webmaster trends analyst at Google. A question appeared on his Twitter feed on April 10th, 2018 asking if RSS feeds help rank better in Google. John’s straightforward response was a simple “No.” The question was geared toward news websites, but the answer applies to all sites.

This isn’t new, but it is something that many website owners did not know in 2018. Mueller participated in a video hangout with blogger Jennifer Slegg back in 2015. He is quoted as stating “if you are looking for a ranking boost by having an RSS feed, that’s not going to happen.” He went on to explain that “there’s no direct ranking boost for the website itself.”

RSS Feeds and Search Engine Indexing

The RSS feed is considered a technical tool, so it is still beneficial to have on your site. It can assist with page crawling and indexing. That means new content could be indexed faster and more accurately with an RSS feed. While it doesn’t provide a direct boost to your search engine results page ranking, it can still help. If you have questions about SEO or RSS feeds, contact OMA Comp to learn more.

 

OMA Comp Websites

OMA Comp Germack website design

Competing in today’s markets requires an online presence. Design, construction and maintenance of websites takes more than effort but knowledge of the continuously changing industry. Currently, there has been changes implemented by the search engines on what they look for with your website for SEO (search engine optimization). The latest requirements in website design is mobile first.

Design Excellence

Your business’s website is a digital representation which often creates a first opinion for a potential consumer. An outdated, poorly designed website is now likened to a dismantled office façade. Our graphic design and web programming expertise helps us create a world-class online experience for restaurants, service providers, retail stores, engineering firms, medical practices, spas and more!

A beautiful website can help you win sales and reach new customers. If you pair your website with an online store, you will convert new visitors into paying customers much easier.

Speed and Reliability

OMA Comp builds incredibly fast websites that respond well across different browsers and devices. Page load time significantly effects how visitors and search engines interpret your website. Many people will even abandon a website if it loads too slowly. Our dedicated support provides excellent site up-time and will keep your e-mail functioning 24/7. By deploying advanced security measures, we ensure your critical information remains secure.

Cost Savings

Our website and e-mail hosting solutions are competitively priced. We are happy to explore a variety of term options to find the best partnership possible. Engaging a large audience online does not have to cost an arm and a leg. OMA Comp’s SEO techniques help place our websites high on search engines naturally.

If you need help with hosting, SEO or building your next professional website, give OMA Comp a call to learn how we help businesses achieve remarkable results.

 

New Website by OMA Comp

Israel Celebration Tours website

Check out our newest website. For Israel Celebration Tours, we created an optimized,  responsive website incorporating a call to action for their travel services. The easy to use navigation guides potential customers directly to the information they need to find out about tours that match their interest.

OMA COMP AT THE MOVIES!

OMA Comp Golden Shoes

Not only did OMA Comp have the pleasure to design, optimize and implement the upcoming soccer movie Golden Shoes website and continue to serve as part of their marketing team but spent time on set interviewing  the actors in the film; Eric Roberts, John Rhys-Davies, David DeLuise, Vivica A. Fox, Dina Meyer, Christian Koza and Aedin Mincks. Read more…