Optimization tips for Google Universal Search

Google Universal Search is the new and advanced version of Google search. Unlike the previous version of Google Search, Google Universal Search indexes videos, 23 document types, and images. Search engine optimization has evolved to include optimization of web elements like videos and images. Here are few tips for optimizing your content and web elements for Google Universal Search.

Opimizing images
Before you upload any image on your website, make sure the image is optimized for web viewing. Although Google can cache large images, the rate at which Google indexes images is influenced by the size of the image. Use an image editing software to optimize your images for ‘web viewing’. Also make sure that all your images are properly tagged using the “ALT” tag. If you are using Google Webmasters, enable ‘enhanced image search’. This will ensure that your images are indexed by Google and show up for relevant keywords.

Optimizing documents
Google actively indexes documents, spreadsheets and PDF files from websites. Unlike, enhanced image search, there is no option for indexing and caching of documents. To make sure your documents are easily indexed by Google, give all your documents relevant names. For example, instead of naming a whitepaper ‘technical paper’, you should name the whitepaper ‘microprocessor X34 whitepaper’. In addition, make sure that all documents have proper titles and are compatible with Google Universal Search.
To ensure easy indexing, convert all documents to PDF format. Apart from word documents you can also convert spreadsheets and other content to PDF format, this will ensure that all your documents are read only and are not edited without prior consent. Although Google can index nearly 23 document formats, PDF documents are ideal.

Optimizing Videos
Like images, make sure all your videos are surrounded by content. You can add a video transcript on each page to ensure the video is properly indexed for the keyword you are targeting. In addition, you should make sure that your videos are uploaded on Google Videos, Yahoo, AOL and YouTube. Google’s acquisition of YouTube has increased the popularity and importance of YouTube for SEO experts.

Once you have uploaded your videos with the sites mentioned earlier, make sure your videos are optimized for quick loading and size. Although, Google is capable of caching large files, make sure all your videos are optimized for quick upload/download. To increase the popularity of your videos, make sure all videos are meaningful and well made. You don’t need to hire a professional filming crew, but a meaningful video will be viewed by a large number of users and will ensure the video shows up for relevant keywords.

Allow users and webmasters to embed your videos on their blogs, web pages and websites. YouTube allows users to insert videos on their site by copy pasting code. If possible, make sure your website allows users to embed your videos by copy and pasting code.

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