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Latest Update on SEO
Many of my co-workers and friends who own and operate mortgage websites have taken a major SEO penalty on the search engines from Google. This SEO Google Penalty is not just from one or two mortgage website owner but ALL LOAN OFFICERS across the board, FROM THE EAST, MIDWEST, and WEST COAST. Can anyone who is an expert on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) give us the most recent Google Algorithm Updates? What do we have to do to get our RANKINGS back to first page on the SEARCH ENGINES? Who is an expert in SEO? I hired sel-proclaimed SEO GURU NEIL PATEL (My Mortgage Company) and Neil Patel is absolutely 💯 WORTHLESS. DON’T recommend Neil Patel. Neil Patel is a glorified used car salesman who is only a marketer of Neil Patel and a trash compactor of your hard earned dollars. Any answers to my questions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
gcaforums.com
The Importance of SEO | Search Engine Optimization
SEO is the technique of optimizing a website or online content to improve its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).
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3 Replies
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You and your peers are dealing with significant SEO challenges, likely due to a recent Google Algorithm Update that has impacted many mortgage websites. Here’s a Breakdown of the Situation and Steps to Recover:
Recent Google Algorithm Updates
Google frequently updates its algorithms, focusing on delivering better user search results.
Major updates in recent years include:
Helpful Content Updates:
- Emphasizes useful, people-first content and not overly optimized for search engines.
- Penalizes sites with thin, low-quality, or repetitive content.
Core Web Vitals Update:
- Prioritizes websites with good user experience metrics, like fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and interactivity.
Spam Updates:
- Target websites using black-hat SEO tactics, like keyword stuffing, link spamming, or cloaking.
E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness):
- Google evaluates content based on the credibility of the author and the domain.
- Mortgage websites must demonstrate industry expertise and accurate financial information.
Product Review Updates:
- Affects sites with content related to reviews, services, or products, rewarding detailed, original, and insightful information.
Why Mortgage Websites Were Hit
Duplicate Content:
- Many mortgage websites rely on templated, syndicated, or duplicate content.
- Google penalizes sites with non-original material.
Aggressive Keyword Targeting:
- Over-optimized mortgage content often focuses excessively on “money keywords,” which Google flags.
Lack of Authority Signals:
- Google prioritizes content from credible and established authors.
- If the authorship is unclear or the site lacks backlinks from trusted domains, it can hurt rankings.
Poor User Experience:
- Slow load times, intrusive ads, or non-responsive designs can result in penalties.
Thin or Outdated Content:
- Many mortgage websites have outdated loan guidelines, inaccurate rates, or irrelevant information.
Steps to Recover Rankings
Audit Your Content:
- Review every page for quality, originality, and user intent.
- Update outdated mortgage loan programs, rates, and guidelines.
- Remove or rewrite low-quality, duplicate, or overly promotional content.
Focus on E-A-T:
- Add author bios with credentials (e.g., licensed loan officer, mortgage broker).
- Provide accurate, detailed information backed by credible sources.
- Build backlinks from reputable financial websites.
Improve Core Web Vitals:
- Optimize page load speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and free of technical errors.
Diversify Keywords:
- Target long-tail keywords and local search terms (e.g., “FHA loans in [city/state]”).
- Avoid repetitive keywords and focus on natural language.
Strengthen Backlinks:
- Obtain links from local business directories, industry websites, and professional organizations (e.g., NAMB).
- Avoid link farms or low-quality link schemes.
Refresh SEO Practices:
- Add structured data (schema) for mortgage rates, reviews, and FAQ sections.
- Regularly update your blog with educational, actionable content (e.g., “How to Qualify for a VA Loan”).
- Engage users with multimedia (e.g., videos, infographics).
Monitor Analytics:
- Use tools like Google Search Console to track which pages lost traffic.
- Identify specific keywords or pages penalized and adjust content accordingly.
Build Trust Signals:
- Incorporate reviews, testimonials, and case studies.
- Ensure your site has an SSL certificate (HTTPS) and a privacy policy.
Finding an SEO ExpertAvoid Self-Proclaimed Gurus:
- Neil Patel and similar “gurus” often focus more on marketing themselves than achieving results.
Hire a Proven Specialist:
- Look for agencies or consultants with expertise in case studies and financial or real estate niches.
- Ask for referrals from peers in the mortgage or real estate industry.
Recommended Tools for DIY SEO:
- Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz for keyword research, backlink analysis, and performance tracking.
Additional Resources
- Google’s Search Central Blog: Updates on algorithm changes.
- Ahrefs SEO Blog: Tips on recovering from penalties.
- SEO Communities: Join forums like Reddit’s r/SEO or Search Engine Land for insights.
Would you like help with specific SEO strategies for your mortgage website? I can also assist with identifying top SEO experts or agencies specializing in mortgage and financial services.
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What are the best SEO techniques for a mortgage and real estate website to go viral and get a high Domain Authority and a large number of daily unique visitors. What is the best way to get a national audience of viewers for a mortgage and real estate website?
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Here are the measures that create an impact on your SEO about growing the national outreach of a mortgage and real estate website:
Content Strategy
- Produce well-researched and rich explainers on things like mortgages, types of loans, and investments in real estate.
- Create guides for different states that deal with their respective housing markets and housing laws.
- Write about the changing trends in the housing industry, adjust rates, and other relative news.
- Conducted original studies, statistics, and market analysis research and used them to write more content.
- Make helpful interactive “how to” guides and also mortgage calculators.
Guarantee that whatever content has been created is accurate and trustworthy.
Technical SEO
- Enhance the responsiveness and loading speed of the mobile site.
- Implement correct structure of titles (H1, H2, etc.) and meta labels.
- Develop a sitemap in XML format and a robots.txt document.
- Use schema markup for financial and real estate information.
- Guarantee the use of HTTPS security and solve broken links/404 problems.
- Establish concise keyword-relevant URL syntaxes.
Link Building
- Pitch for guest posts to realtors and mortgage professionals with whom you already have a relationship.
- Receive articles on important news platforms and industry magazines.
- Develop survey papers, infographics, and other original work that has the potential to generate links.
- Collaborate with people who blog about and influence the finance and real estate world.
- Send expert opinions to the appropriate media.
- Create partnerships with other businesses that have a similar target market.
User Experience
- Make sure there is no complication in getting to the main page due to easy categorization. Have clear instructions instead.
- Provide CTAs upfront for the most sought-after services.
Developing a Search Function
- Add Search Functionalities
- To Make It Easier To Find Content
- Make Sure The Platform Is Responsive
Always Include Trust Enabling Indicators Like Certifications
- Content Distribution
- Begin Using Social Media For Content Sharing
- Diversify Your Email Newsletter To Include Market Changes
- Utilize Video Formats To Illustrate Complex Issues
- Conduct Webinars On Topics Such As Homebuying And Mortgages
- Make Infographics For Social Sharing
- Engage In Cross Promotion With Stakeholders
- Local SEO For National Audiences
- Build Web Pages That Are Limited Within Major Markets Only
- Make Sure To Optimize Google Business Profile Listings
- Join Online Directories For Local Businesses
- Encourage Clients To Leave Reviews
- Collaborate With Local Real Estate Business People
- Target Audience By Creating Content For Local Markets
Keyword Strategy
- Focus On Both Informational And Transactional Keywords
- Target Lengthy Terms Used In the Real Estate And Mortage Industry
- Strategically Use Monthly Keyword Variations
- Incorporate Keywords Related To The Location
- Naturally, Include Keyword Variations To Content
- Constantly Check Rankings And Update Strategy
- Study Target Keywords Used By Competitors
Trust Building
- Publish Client Reviews And Testimonials
- Display All Industry Related Licenses And Certifications
- Make “About Us” Pages More Detailed
- Display Profound Memberships And Awards
- Always Citat NAP Accurately
- Use Media Mentions And Coverage
Analytics & Optimization
- Remain Updated On Important Metrics Using Google Analytics
- Monitor Search Console Activities
- Conduct A/B Tests On Landing Pages And CTAs
- Analyze And Change User Behaviors
Check Conversion Rates On Every Channel
Evaluate the outcomes of SEO investments.
Would you like me to discuss these strategies in detail or give you details on implementing specific mortgage and real estate websites?