Google Matched Content Beta

Google very recently began a Beta test program called "Matched Content," where 'related' pages within the website are displayed in a scrollable banner format. Hyperlinks to the pages are provided. I just installed it yesterday (Sunday) and it seems to be working very well. The format is very colorful and attractive as you can see by a screen capture below (and a 'live' version at the bottom of the page). Part of Google's Page Rank algorithm gives credit for cross-linking to other related pages within your own website, so I wonder whether this counts, as opposed to actually placing internal hyperlinks within the page content; it would be nice if it does.

Google is limiting the Beta to websites it deems high quality enough based on size, popularity (amount of traffic), and content. Fortunately, RF Cafe qualified, but my hobby website, Airplanes and Rockets, did not probably because it only has about 1/10 the content and traffic as RF Cafe. I, along with Melanie's clerical help, have put a LOT of effort into optimizing both websites by implementing recommended SEO features. Creating and submitting a new XML sitemap is a key action for letting the search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) know about all your pages, rather than depending on their robots to find and register everything. There is a lot of competition for people's readership, so every little bit helps.

Example of a Google "Matched Content" banner strip

Posted on  April 27, 2015