BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) is a cutting-edge language processing technique developed by Google that has transformed the way search engines understand and interpret user queries. Incorporating BERT guidelines into your technical SEO strategy is crucial for success in 2023. Here are the top 3 BERT guidelines to follow in detail:
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William W. Purkey
1. Utilize Natural Language Processing
BERT allows search engines to better comprehend the context and meaning behind user queries, so it's important to use natural language processing in your content. This involves writing in a conversational tone, avoiding keyword stuffing, and incorporating synonyms and related terms in your content. The goal is to create content that sounds like it was written by a human, not a machine.
When creating content, think about the questions your target audience might have and write your content in a way that answers those questions. Use subheadings, bullet points, and other formatting techniques to make your content easy to read and scan. Additionally, use variations of your target keywords in a natural way throughout the content, but don't overdo it - keyword stuffing will only harm your SEO efforts.
2. Create Topic Clusters
BERT places a strong emphasis on the relationship between different pages on a website, so it's crucial to create topic clusters. This involves developing pillar content that covers a specific topic in-depth, and then linking to related pieces of content on your website to reinforce the connections between pages.
For example, if you run a blog about cooking, you might create a pillar post about "healthy eating habits" and then link to related blog posts about specific healthy recipes. By linking these related posts to the pillar post, you're showing search engines the relationships between the pieces of content and helping them understand the context of each piece of content on your website.
3. Prioritize User Intent
BERT allows search engines to better understand the intent behind user queries, so it's essential to prioritize user intent when creating and optimizing content. This involves understanding the needs and goals of your target audience and crafting content that aligns with those needs and goals.
For example, if someone searches for "best running shoes for flat feet", the user's intent is to find running shoes that are suitable for their specific foot type. When creating content for this search query, make sure you're focusing on providing information and recommendations specifically for runners with flat feet, rather than just a general overview of running shoes.
By prioritizing user intent, you can create content that's more relevant and useful to your target audience, which in turn can help improve your website's visibility and ranking in search results.
