Google Introduces Hummingbird

­Once upon an SEO journey, while we pondered keywords and referring queries,Over many a volume of blog posts and data, suddenly there came a tapping—”’Tis some visitor…” In came a fast and precise hummingbird.

What is hummingbird?

Hummingbird is a brand-new algorithm from Google. While Google makes updates to its algorithm all the time (these are like tinkering with a car’s existing engine), Hummingbird is a whole new engine.

This Hummingbird algorithm helps Google serve answers in the search engine results page through its Knowledge Graph, and helps Google attribute further meaning behind words.

It also reflects current search behavior. Ten years ago, people performed basic, research-intent searches and were presented with ten blue links.

Now, people search for anything and everything on their computers and mobile devices in what’s being called “conversational search.”

They want to know “where to buy iphone 5s” and “what time do the tigers play” and so on.

How does Hummingbird affect SEO?

Google launched Hummingbird privately one month ago and announced it days ago. If you experienced a decrease in traffic starting in late August, it could be related to this update.

Moving ahead, however, we expect to see the quality of search results improve because Hummingbird rewards sites with solid, content marketing pieces that are brand-oriented.

It’s a welcome improvement, as many brands have had to compete with lower-quality sites. The advent of Hummingbird also emphasizes the importance of creating website content that addresses what your audience is thinking and, likely, typing into a search engine.

So those who ask, “Is SEO dead?”

Nevermore.