SEO
What Is Programmatic Advertising? How Does It Work?
Programmatic advertising has been a buzzword in the marketing industry for quite some time. But what does programmatic actually do? And how does it differ from traditional display marketing?
Programmatic advertising is a perfect realm where precision meets automation, and where your ads reach their perfect audience – almost as if by magic.
Gone are the days of casting wide audience nets and hoping for the best returns. In a digitally dynamic world, programmatic stands out as a blend of efficiency and effectiveness.
Ready to learn more? Read on to learn everything you need to know to be successful and harness the power of programmatic advertising.
What Is Programmatic Advertising?
Programmatic advertising uses automated technology and algorithmic tools for media buying. The term programmatic relates to the process of how ads are bought and sold in the advertising space.
Programmatic advertising differs from more traditional media buying methods in its use of automation.
It analyzes many user signals to ensure that ads serve the right person, in the right place, at the right time.
Essentially, it automates the decision-making process of ad placement – without having to manually negotiate prices or placements like other platforms.
This means your ads aren’t just thrown out into the digital void of the internet, hoping your audience will notice.
Instead, they’re strategically positioned when and where they’ll make the most impact.
Think of programmatic as the umbrella in this category, where different types of programmatic buying are categorized beneath it.
Read more: 7 Power Benefits Of Using PPC Advertising
What’s The Difference Between Programmatic And Display Ads?
It’s easy to confuse display and programmatic ads, especially with the strides that Google has made in its automated and real-time bidding capabilities.
The largest difference between programmatic and display is:
- Programmatic refers to how ads are bought.
- Display refers to the format in which ads appear.
Display ads are typically colorful banners, videos, or other interactive media that catch your attention on websites and apps.
Programmatic advertising, on the other hand, is considered the “behind-the-scenes” expert. It’s the technology-driven process behind the ads that decides which display ads you see, based on a whole host of factors such as:
- Interests.
- Behaviors.
- Demographics.
- Time of day.
- And more.
The second biggest difference between display and programmatic is the ability to buy ads across platforms.
Display ads are more commonly referred to when placing ads within one specific ad network, such as the Google Display Network. Programmatic advertising, on the other hand, takes display media to the next level.
Multiple platforms exist for programmatic, such as sell-side platforms (SSPs) and demand-side platforms (DSPs), allowing advertisers to buy ad inventory across an open network of platforms.
With both programmatic and display, advertisers typically have control over the following:
- Audience.
- Bidding strategy.
- Budget.
- Creative and assets.
- Placements.
Read more: How To Develop Your PPC Strategy
Programmatic Advertising Platforms
Automated technology has made significant strides throughout the years.
In the early days, programmatic platforms offered basic automation and targeting capabilities using simple data points.
As the digital landscape grew, so did the complexity and capabilities of these platforms.
These days, programmatic platforms are mostly powered by advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
To go even further, there are many types of programmatic platforms available today.
The three main types of platforms are:
- Sell-side platform. Also known as a “supply-side platform,” this platform allows publishers to sell their ad impressions to advertisers in real-time. This platform encompasses both DSPs and ad exchanges. They’re equipped with technology that allows publishers to set minimum prices for their inventory, choose which ads appear on their site, and block ads from certain advertisers – if needed.
- Demand-side platform. This platform allows advertisers to purchase ad inventory across multiple platforms at once. This is where most advertisers fit into this landscape. DSPs enable advertisers to manage their ad inventory bidding and target specific audiences using sophisticated data sources.
- Ad exchanges. This is how SSPs flow their ad inventory to DSPs. DSPs connect to an ad exchanger, where ad prices fluctuate based on the competitiveness of that inventory. Think of the ad exchange as the neutral ground where transactions between SSPs and DSPs occur.
Understanding the key differences between SSPs, DSPs, and ad exchanges is crucial for navigating the programmatic landscape.
To familiarize yourself with the different platform types, let’s take a look at some of the major players in each category.
Sell-Side Platforms
A comprehensive list of SSPs for publishers includes:
- Google Ad Manager.
- Amazon Publisher Services.
- OpenX.
- SpotX.
- Sovrn.
- TripleLift.
- PubMatic.
- Adform.
- Xandr (Microsoft).
- Index Exchange.
- Magnite.
- Media.net.
- Sharethrough.
- StackAdapt.
If you’re looking for a video SSP, some of the leading companies include:
- SpotX.
- Teads.
- SpringServe.
- Verizon Media.
While there are many more available to publishers, these are companies you may have heard of but might not have associated with programmatic technology.
Demand-Side Platforms
If you’re a media buyer, this list is for you.
Like SSPs, these company names may ring a bell and offer DSPs.
Some of the top DSPs include:
- Display & Video 360 (Google).
- The Trade Desk.
- Amazon Advertising.
- MediaMath.
- Xandr.
- LiveRamp.
- Adobe Advertising Cloud.
- StackAdapt.
- PubMatic.
- Quantcast.
- AdRoll.
- Simpli.fi.
- RhythmOne.
- Criteo.
- DemandBase.
Some of the larger DSPs for Connected TV and video include:
- Display & Video 360 (Google)
- OneView (Roku).
- MediaMath.
Again, there are many more DSPs available to advertisers. It’s important to choose a DSP with the features and inventory you are looking for.
Some DSPs offer self-serve advertising, while others offer both self-serve and full-managed service (likely to larger advertisers or agencies).
Ad Exchanges
Some of the more well-known ad exchanges available to publishers include:
- Xandr (Microsoft).
- Verizon Media.
- OpenX.
- PubMatic.
- Google Ad Exchange.
- Index Exchange.
- Magnite.
- Smaato.
- AdRoll.
- InMobi.
- Amazon.
Remember: not all ad exchanges are equal.
It’s important for publishers to research options carefully and choose platforms that align with their goals.
Read more: The 8 Best PPC Ad Networks
How Much Does Programmatic Advertising Cost?
Simply put, programmatic advertising can cost as little or as much as your budget allows.
It’s a common misconception that small businesses can’t benefit from programmatic technologies – but we’re here to correct that.
Programmatic ads are typically bought on a cost-per-thousand-impressions (CPM) basis. This means advertisers pay a set amount for every 1,000 impressions their ad receives.
CPMs typically range between $0.50 and $2.00; however, premium inventory can be upwards of $50 and more.
These prices are based on factors such as:
- Which DSP you chose.
- Your target audience and specificity.
- Ad inventory quality.
- Ad format.
- Bidding strategy.
- The level of competitiveness and demand.
A good rule of thumb for programmatic ad cost: the more niche your audience, the higher CPM you will pay.
So, whether you’re a multi-million dollar advertiser or a small business just getting started, you can likely fit programmatic into your advertising budget.
What Are The Benefits Of Programmatic Advertising?
There are many benefits to incorporating programmatic advertising into your marketing strategy.
Some of the top benefits include:
- Large-scale audience reach.
- Efficient and low-cost awareness.
- Real-time data and analysis.
- Ability to utilize first-party data.
- Opportunities for cross-device campaign strategies.
Large-Scale Audience Reach
Arguably the biggest benefit of programmatic advertising is the ability to grow and scale.
Programmatic is the best way to buy ad inventory to reach the masses due to the abundance of cross-platform inventory.
Advertisers can also quickly adjust their audience strategies to capitalize on what is or isn’t working, ensuring their ads are always optimized.
Not only is it easier to scale your audience, but you can do so much more efficiently thanks to more precise factors like weather or time of day, coupled with real-time bidding.
Efficient And Low-Cost Awareness
Related to the above benefit of scaling reach, programmatic is one of the most cost-effective types of advertising that exists today.
Earlier, we discussed average CPMs for programmatic averaging between $0.50-$2.00.
Even with a small budget, your marketing dollars can go a long way toward reaching your target audience and increasing awareness of your product or service.
You can then take that audience further by setting up retargeting campaigns to guide users down their purchase journey, increasing incremental purchases and leads.
Real-Time Data And Analysis
Because programmatic platforms rely on real-time bidding, advertisers reap the benefit of receiving near real-time data.
Why does this matter?
Real-time data allows for faster decisions and pivots. It also puts you in a proactive rather than reactive mode.
Bids and strategies can be adjusted in real time based on immediate performance or even market conditions, which maximizes the chances of their ads being seen at the right time.
Utilizing First-Party Data
Another benefit of programmatic advertising is the type of data segments available to advertisers.
For example, advertisers can upload owned first-party data in a secure way and target those people directly using real-time bidding signals.
This avenue opens the door to finding new customers similar to current ones.
Cross-Device Campaign Strategy
It’s important to note that programmatic advertising is typically seen as an awareness tactic.
Because of this, companies that look solely at last-click success often overlook the true potential of programmatic advertising.
So, how does programmatic fit into a cross-device campaign?
The key is to capture that initial awareness to users through programmatic ads.
That initial awareness touchpoint can be run across multiple channels and formats like:
- Display.
- Video.
- Mobile.
- Social media.
- Out-of-home.
Likely, a user won’t purchase a product or service after the first interaction with a brand.
Once a user’s interest is peaked, you have the ability to remarket to them on other platforms based on their interaction or engagement with that initial ad.
Marrying that data together from the first interaction to the eventual purchase is key to determining the success of your programmatic strategy.
Types Of Programmatic Advertising
There are different types of programmatic advertising.
These should not be confused with the programmatic platforms themselves.
The types of programmatic advertising are simply how an advertiser purchases ad inventory.
The four most common types are:
- Real-time bidding. This type of bidding is open to all advertisers and most common form, where ad auctions happen in real time. This is also known as the “open marketplace.” Because it’s an open marketplace, it is naturally a highly competitive and dynamic space.
- Private marketplace. Also known as PMPs, this bidding happens when publishers have invite-only agreements with a limited number of advertisers. These websites typically offer premium pricing because of the coveted ad space. There’s usually limited scale compared to RTB since inventory is restricted to that particular marketplace.
- Preferred deals. Also known as “Spot Buying” or “Non-Guaranteed Premium,” this is a lesser-known type of programmatic advertising. Advertisers choose ad spots before they go on the private or open market. If the advertiser chooses not to buy the inventory, it can then be offered in a PMP or via RTB.
- Programmatic guaranteed. Similar to a preferred deal, but there is no auction bidding. The publisher and advertiser have a direct agreement on a fixed price for ad inventory. It guarantees the advertiser a certain amount of inventory and guarantees the publisher revenue for that inventory.
Read more: What’s The Best PPC Bidding Strategy?
Programmatic Advertising Examples
Programmatic ads come in all shapes and sizes.
The beauty of using programmatic ads is tailoring the content to your chosen target audience.
A few well-executed programmatic campaigns include:
Amanda Foundation
The Amanda Foundation is a non-profit animal hospital and shelter rescue in the Los Angeles area.
It created a campaign to help at-risk shelter animals find a home during their final days.
Specifically, it leveraged programmatic signals like location, demographics, and browsing behavior to tailor specific animal images to its audience.
If users were interested in large dogs, they would be served a banner ad with large dogs instead of smaller dogs.
As you can see, messages and images were tailored to the individual’s behavior and interests.
Geico Insurance
You’ve most likely seen or heard some version of a Geico ad.
Have you ever thought about the different ads Geico targets for you, though?
Geico uses such ad formats as TV commercials, website banner ads, social media ads, and more to create a true cross-platform awareness campaign.
The brand carefully chooses its content based on the platform it serves on, the target audience and demographics, and more.
Its commercials are so popular, in fact, that Geico has dedicated a resource page on its website where users can view their favorite commercials.
Progressive Insurance
While we’re on the topic of insurance, it would be remiss not to talk about Progressive’s use of programmatic ad targeting.
If you’re considered a Millennial or Gen Xer, you probably know what I mean.
Progressive created a series of commercials around the portrayal of young homeowners becoming like their parents.
As a homeowner myself, I’ve caught these commercials in the wild on my smart TV and within streaming services like Hulu.
Even further, their advanced targeting capabilities have caught my attention as I’m watching home shows like HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.”
Like Geico, Progressive hosts a dedicated page on its website of the famous character, Dr. Rick, and his videos on how to “un-become your parents.”
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a leader in the fine jewelry space, with both physical locations and a strong online presence.
They’ve done a great job targeting different messages based on who was viewing items on their site.
In the example below, I visited their website and browsed different products.
A while later, I was served a subtle ad with an accompanying subtle message of “Drop a Hint.”
The brand had identified that I had been browsing rings but understands, based on user signals, that I may not be the one purchasing this item.
Its messaging based on these advanced signals is a great example of sending the right message to the right user at the right time.
Programmatic Can Ensure That Advertising Budget Is Spent Wisely
The basics and benefits of programmatic advertising can help guide your existing programmatic strategy, or if you’re just getting started, create a new strategy that incorporates programmatic.
The evolution of programmatic platforms, with their sophisticated algorithms and data-driven strategies, has empowered advertisers to deliver their messages to the right people, in the right context, and with precision that was once only dreamed of.
The precision of programmatic advertising, married with efficiency and scalability, ensures that advertising dollars are being spent wisely, maximizing return on investment and driving meaningful engagement.
Understanding the functionality and features of each platform will be a critical component of your programmatic success.
More resources:
Featured Image: ArtemisDiana/Shutterstock
SEO
Snapchat Is Testing 2 New Advertising Placements
The Snapchat ad ecosystem just expanded with two new placement options.
On Tuesday, Snap announced they started testing on two new placements:
- Sponsored Snaps
- Promoted Places
While not available to the general public yet, Snap provided information on the test, including their launch partners and more about the ad placements.
The goal of these placements are for brands to expand their reach across some of the most widely adopted parts of the platform.
Sponsored Snaps Ad Placement
Snapchat is testing a new Sponsored Snaps placement with Disney, in the announcement from October 8th.
The Sponsored Snaps placement shows a full-screen vertical video to users on Snapchat.
Users can then opt-in to opening the Snap, with options to engage with the advertiser in one of two ways:
- Sending a direct message to the advertiser by replying
- Use the call-to-action to open the link chosen by the advertiser.
Sponsored Snaps aren’t delivered via a push notification and will appear differently than other Snaps in a user’s inbox.
After a certain amount of time, any unopened Sponsored Snaps disappear from a user’s inbox.
Promoted Places Ad Placement
Snap partnered with two other brands for their Promoted Places ad placement test: McDonalds and Taco Bell.
This new ad placement shows on the Snap Map, which is meant to help users discover new places they may want to visit.
Promoted Places will highlight sponsored placements of interest within the Snap Map.
In early testing, Snap said they’ve found adding places as “Top Picks” drives a typical visitation lift of 17.6% for frequent Snapchat users.
They also mentioned the possibility of exploring ideas around customer loyalty on the Snap Map in future phases.
Summary
Snap hasn’t yet announced how long these ad placement tests will run, or when they’ll be available for broader advertisers.
Snap said the Sponsored Snaps and Promoted Places placements will evolve from feedback within the Snapchat community and the brands partnered with them at launch.
In the future, there’s possibility of integrating features like CRM systems and AI chatbot support to make communication more streamlined between brands and Snapchat users.
SEO
The 11 Best SEO Books You Must Read Today
SEO is a rapidly evolving field, making it important for professionals to continuously expand their knowledge and skills.
We’ve put together a list of essential SEO books suitable for readers at various levels.
Some books on this list provide a foundation in core concepts, while more advanced practitioners can explore topics such as entity optimization.
The list includes specialized resources tailored to specific areas of SEO. For example, some books offer strategies for businesses targeting local audiences, while others serve as comprehensive guides to link building tactics.
For those interested in Google’s perspective, another book provides insights into the company’s philosophies and principles.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, this list caters to diverse interests and skill levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Books On Search Engine Optimization
1. SEO For Beginners: An Introduction To SEO Basics
Published by Search Engine Journal, this is a comprehensive guide to SEO. It covers everything from link building and SEO history to busting common myths and offering expert tips.
While it’s for beginners, veterans can also gain new insights. The book breaks down complex ideas into bite-sized pieces, making it a great starting point.
It’s well-structured, with each chapter tackling a different SEO aspect – from search engine mechanics to the latest algorithm updates.
The authors don’t just stick to theory. They provide real-world examples and case studies to show how these concepts work in practice. This mix of theory and application makes the book a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their SEO.
Key reasons to give it a read:
- Get a solid grasp of SEO basics from industry pros.
- Easy-to-follow explanations of tricky concepts.
- Practical advice you can apply to your SEO strategies.
- Stay in the loop with current SEO trends and Google updates.
- Benefit from the collective wisdom of top SEO experts.
2. Entity SEO: Moving From Strings To Things
By Dixon Jones, CEO of InLinks
Dixon Jones’ book “Entity SEO: Moving from Strings to Things” explains the shift from old-school keyword SEO to modern entity-based optimization.
It explains how search engines now use the Knowledge Graph to understand relationships between concepts and offers practical advice on adapting your SEO strategy.
Key points:
- Making your brand an “entity” in your niche.
- Using structured data effectively.
- Getting quality links and mentions.
- Creating content rich in entity information.
The book uses real examples to show how these concepts work in practice. It’s meant to help SEO professionals at all levels understand and prepare for where search is heading.
Worth reading if you want to:
- Get a solid grip on entity SEO.
- Learn actionable entity optimization tactics.
- Establish your brand as a recognized entity.
- Master the use of structured data for SEO.
- Future-proof your SEO strategy.
3. The Art Of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization
by Eric Enge of Stone Temple Consulting, Stephan Spencer, and Jessie C. Stricchiola
Covering everything from SEO 101 to advanced tactics, this book starts with the basics of how search engines work and then dives into the meat of SEO: keyword research, on-page optimization, technical SEO, and link building.
The authors break down complex strategies into actionable steps, making implementation a breeze.
What sets this book apart is its holistic approach. It’s not just about ranking; it’s about aligning SEO with your business goals and integrating it into your digital strategy. The book also discusses the role of content marketing and social media in boosting SEO performance.
Reasons to read this book:
- Get a complete SEO education, from basics to advanced strategies.
- Learn to align SEO with your business objectives.
- Access practical, step-by-step guides for implementing SEO tactics.
- Understand how to integrate SEO with content marketing and social media.
- Benefit from the collective wisdom of three renowned SEO experts.
4. The Psychology Of A Website: Mastering Cognitive Biases, Conversion Triggers And Modern SEO To Achieve Massive Results
Matthew Capala’s “The Psychology of a Website” offers a fresh take on website optimization. Instead of focusing on technical aspects, it dives into the psychology behind user behavior and conversions.
Capala, a seasoned digital marketer, shares actionable tips for creating websites that perform well in search results and keep visitors engaged and more likely to convert.
The book kicks off by exploring how our brains work when we browse websites. Capala then gets into the nitty-gritty of optimizing different website elements, from how they look to what they say.
A big focus throughout is user experience (UX). Capala stresses that a great website isn’t just about ranking high on Google – it needs to be easy and enjoyable for people to use.
While UX is key, Capala doesn’t ignore SEO. He offers practical advice on keyword research, on-page optimization, and building links while keeping the focus on creating content that actually connects with users.
By blending psychological insights with practical digital marketing strategies, Capala offers a well-rounded approach to website optimization that can lead to significant improvements.
Reasons to read this book:
- Gain insights into the psychology driving user behavior and conversions.
- Learn to create websites that not only rank well but also engage visitors.
- Get practical strategies for optimizing design, content, and calls-to-action.
- Discover how to enhance user experience and mobile performance.
- Learn to integrate SEO best practices with a focus on user engagement.
- Benefit from real-world examples and expert insights from a seasoned digital marketer.
5. The Best Damn Website & Ecommerce Marketing And Optimization Guide, Period
SEO veteran Stoney DeGeyter’s book “The Best Damn Website & Ecommerce Marketing And Optimization Guide, Period” covers SEO basics to advanced tactics for websites and online stores.
It starts with SEO essentials and then dives into advanced topics. The book’s standout feature is its focus on ecommerce, addressing product pages, category optimization, and effective product descriptions.
DeGeyter emphasizes a holistic SEO approach that aligns with business goals and user experience. He also covers analytics for strategy refinement.
This guide suits both small business owners and ecommerce marketers.
Reasons to read:
- Master SEO fundamentals and advanced strategies.
- Learn ecommerce-specific optimization tactics.
- Discover product page and description best practices.
- Understand user-generated content’s SEO impact.
- Align SEO efforts with business objectives.
- Benefit from decades of industry expertise.
6. Ecommerce SEO Mastery: 10 Huge SEO Wins For Any Online Store
Kristina Azarenko’s “Ecommerce SEO Mastery” offers 10 key strategies for online stores. The book tackles common ecommerce SEO challenges like thin content and complex site structures.
Azarenko breaks down each “SEO win” with practical advice on implementation.
Topics include:
- Ecommerce keyword research.
- Product & category page optimization.
- Leveraging user-generated content.
- Building quality backlinks.
- Site speed and mobile optimization.
- Structured data.
The book provides real-world examples and emphasizes data-driven SEO. It guides readers through using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track progress.
Reasons to read:
- Learn 10 powerful ecommerce-specific SEO strategies.
- Gain insights from a renowned SEO expert.
- Discover how to optimize product and category pages.
- Leverage user-generated content for SEO benefits.
- Learn to build high-quality backlinks.
- Apply real-world examples and case studies.
- Adopt a data-driven approach to ecommerce SEO.
7. Product-Led SEO: The Why Behind Building Your Organic Growth Strategy
by Eli Schwartz
Eli Schwartz’s “Product-Led SEO” offers a fresh take on SEO strategy, emphasizing business goals and sustainable organic growth.
Drawing from his work with major brands, Schwartz presents a framework that integrates SEO with overall company strategy.
The book challenges traditional SEO tactics, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes user value.
Key topics include:
- User intent optimization.
- Content strategy for the full customer journey.
- Measuring SEO’s business impact.
Schwartz focuses on the strategic “why” behind SEO tactics, encouraging critical thinking and adaptable strategies for long-term success.
Reasons to read this book:
- Gain a strategic perspective on SEO that aligns with business objectives.
- Learn to create sustainable organic growth through user-centric approaches.
- Discover how to optimize for the entire customer journey.
- Understand methods for measuring and communicating SEO’s business impact.
- Access real-world case studies and examples from major brands.
- Benefit from the author’s extensive experience in driving impactful SEO results.
Books On Link Building
8. The Link Building Book
by Paddy Moogan
Paddy Moogan’s “The Link Building Book” is a comprehensive, free online guide.
It covers link building basics, tactics for acquiring high-authority backlinks, content creation, and practical steps for planning and executing campaigns.
The book emphasizes white-hat techniques and quality over quantity, making it valuable for both SEO novices and pros.
Reasons to read:
- Master link building fundamentals and best practices.
- Learn diverse tactics for acquiring high-quality, relevant links.
- Understand how to assess potential linking websites.
- Discover content strategies that naturally attract links.
- Learn to plan and execute effective link building campaigns.
- Benefit from practical advice and real-world examples.
- Access updated, valuable insights at no cost.
Books On Local SEO
9. Local SEO Secrets: 20 Local SEO Strategies You Should Be Using NOW
by Roger Bryan
“Local SEO Secrets” by Roger Bryan is a must-read for businesses targeting local customers. It offers 20 proven strategies to boost local search visibility and drive growth.
Key topics include:
- Local SEO fundamentals and how it differs from traditional SEO.
- Optimizing Google Business Profile listings.
- Building local citations and leveraging structured data.
- Creating local content and managing online reputation.
- Implementing and tracking local SEO strategies.
The book provides actionable advice, real-world examples, and step-by-step instructions. It’s valuable for small business owners, marketers, and SEO consultants working with local clients.
Reasons to read:
- Learn 20 proven strategies for improving local search visibility.
- Understand key local ranking factors like Google Business Profile, reviews, and citations.
- Master GBP optimization for local SEO success.
- Discover how to use structured data and local content effectively.
- Learn reputation management best practices.
- Get practical, easy-to-implement instructions and examples.
- Learn to measure local SEO performance with analytics tools.
Books On Search Engines
10. How Google Works
by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
“How Google Works” by ex-Google execs Schmidt and Rosenberg offers an insider’s view of the search giant. While not focused on SEO, it provides valuable insights for digital marketers and business leaders.
The book offers practical advice and real-world examples applicable to businesses of all sizes.
Understanding Google’s philosophy can inform more effective, customer-focused digital marketing strategies.
Reasons to read:
- Get an insider’s view of Google’s success principles.
- Understand how to create a user-centric business strategy.
- Discover ways to foster innovation and experimentation in your organization.
- Gain insights into data-driven decision-making processes.
11. Entity-Oriented Search
“Entity-Oriented Search” by Krisztian Balog is a deep dive into modern search engine tech. It focuses on entities, knowledge graphs, and semantic search and is aimed at readers with a background in information retrieval (IR).
A key strength is its coverage of cutting-edge research, like neural entity representations and knowledge-based language models. While tech-heavy, it touches on applications in QA, recommender systems, and digital assistants and discusses future trends.
It’s essential reading for IR, natural language processing (NLP), and artificial intelligence (AI) pros seeking in-depth knowledge of modern search engines.
Reasons to read:
- Deep dive into entity-oriented and semantic search tech.
- Research on knowledge graphs and semantic understanding.
- A detailed look at entity extraction, linking, and ranking algorithms.
- Insights on neural entity representations and knowledge-based language models.
- Expert knowledge from a renowned IR and search engine specialist.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Next Book
These 11 SEO books have got you covered – whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
For beginners, “SEO for Beginners” and “The Art of SEO” are solid starter packs that’ll teach you the SEO fundamentals.
As you level up, books like “Entity SEO” and “Product-Led SEO” explore more advanced topics like optimizing for entities and aligning SEO with business goals.
Several books focus on specific areas:
- “Local SEO Secrets” is a must-read if you’re targeting local customers.
- “Ecommerce SEO Mastery” zeroes in on ecommerce SEO.
- “The Link Building Book” is your starting point to master link building.
On the technical side, “Entity-Oriented Search” dives deep into semantic search and cutting-edge search engine tech. “How Google Works” gives you the inside scoop on Google’s mindset.
The key is picking books that match your skill level and areas of interest. Whether you want to learn SEO from scratch, level up your game, or specialize, there’s a book for you.
The Amazon links in this post are not affiliate links, and SEJ does not receive compensation when you click or make a purchase through these links.
More SEO & Marketing Books Worth Your Time:
Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock
SEO
The 100 Most Searched People on Google in 2024
These are the 100 most searched people, along with their monthly search volumes.
# | Keyword | Search volume |
---|---|---|
1 | donald trump | 7450000 |
2 | taylor swift | 7300000 |
3 | travis kelce | 4970000 |
4 | matthew perry | 3790000 |
5 | kamala harris | 2730000 |
6 | joe biden | 2480000 |
7 | caitlin clark | 2400000 |
8 | olivia rodrigo | 2100000 |
9 | jd vance | 2060000 |
10 | billie eilish | 1720000 |
11 | sabrina carpenter | 1680000 |
12 | kate middleton | 1660000 |
13 | patrick mahomes | 1570000 |
14 | gypsy rose | 1520000 |
15 | jason kelce | 1490000 |
16 | mihály csíkszentmihályi | 1460000 |
17 | timothee chalamet | 1450000 |
18 | tyreek hill | 1380000 |
19 | lola beltrán | 1350000 |
20 | lebron james | 1330000 |
21 | lauren boebert | 1310000 |
22 | barry keoghan | 1300000 |
23 | brock purdy | 1280000 |
24 | drake | 1250000 |
25 | griselda blanco | 1210000 |
26 | ryan reynolds | 1200000 |
27 | zendaya | 1180000 |
28 | scottie scheffler | 1170000 |
29 | aaron rodgers | 1170000 |
30 | casimir funk | 1170000 |
31 | zach bryan | 1150000 |
32 | tom brady | 1150000 |
33 | jacob elordi | 1140000 |
34 | blake lively | 1130000 |
35 | millie bobby brown | 1120000 |
36 | margot robbie | 1110000 |
37 | luisa moreno | 1110000 |
38 | bruce willis | 1090000 |
39 | v | 1090000 |
40 | eminem | 1050000 |
41 | cillian murphy | 1040000 |
42 | anthony edwards | 1020000 |
43 | peso pluma | 1000000 |
44 | fani willis | 1000000 |
45 | etel adnan | 1000000 |
46 | dua lipa | 991000 |
47 | jennifer aniston | 986000 |
48 | bianca censori | 983000 |
49 | megan fox | 982000 |
50 | shannen doherty | 977000 |
51 | mike tyson | 973000 |
52 | megan thee stallion | 971000 |
53 | ariana grande | 960000 |
54 | james baldwin | 958000 |
55 | britney spears | 954000 |
56 | oj simpson | 941000 |
57 | lainey wilson | 937000 |
58 | dan schneider | 933000 |
59 | emma stone | 932000 |
60 | raoul a. cortez | 930000 |
61 | dolly parton | 926000 |
62 | joe burrow | 925000 |
63 | anya taylor-joy | 925000 |
64 | amanda bynes | 924000 |
65 | danny masterson | 920000 |
66 | matt rife | 918000 |
67 | kendrick lamar | 912000 |
68 | messi | 901000 |
69 | bronny james | 901000 |
70 | adam sandler | 898000 |
71 | james earl jones | 897000 |
72 | coco gauff | 892000 |
73 | michael jackson | 884000 |
74 | victor wembanyama | 870000 |
75 | pink | 865000 |
76 | luka doncic | 861000 |
77 | selena gomez | 861000 |
78 | jelly roll | 861000 |
79 | jonathan majors | 840000 |
80 | justin fields | 824000 |
81 | meghan markle | 821000 |
82 | florence pugh | 819000 |
83 | post malone | 813000 |
84 | jayson tatum | 808000 |
85 | diddy | 804000 |
86 | justin jefferson | 799000 |
87 | sza | 794000 |
88 | ana de armas | 793000 |
89 | cj stroud | 790000 |
90 | ben affleck | 788000 |
91 | jake paul | 786000 |
92 | zac efron | 783000 |
93 | scarlett johansson | 779000 |
94 | deion sanders | 771000 |
95 | dr. victor chang | 760000 |
96 | andrew tate | 759000 |
97 | jason momoa | 756000 |
98 | pedro pascal | 755000 |
99 | bad bunny | 744000 |
100 | christian mccaffrey | 735000 |
# | Keyword | Search volume |
---|---|---|
1 | taylor swift | 17000000 |
2 | trump | 12400000 |
3 | matthew perry | 9100000 |
4 | sydney sweeney | 8500000 |
5 | travis kelce | 7500000 |
6 | oppenheimer | 7300000 |
7 | messi | 7000000 |
8 | elon musk | 6500000 |
9 | sinner | 6300000 |
10 | cristiano ronaldo | 6100000 |
11 | kate middleton | 5900000 |
12 | billie eilish | 5200000 |
13 | joe biden | 5000000 |
14 | xxxtentacion | 5000000 |
15 | 大谷翔平 | 4900000 |
16 | virat kohli | 4800000 |
17 | jenna ortega | 4700000 |
18 | v | 4600000 |
19 | ronaldo | 4600000 |
20 | kamala harris | 4300000 |
21 | olivia rodrigo | 4200000 |
22 | griselda blanco | 4000000 |
23 | margot robbie | 4000000 |
24 | cillian murphy | 3800000 |
25 | carlos alcaraz | 3600000 |
26 | dua lipa | 3600000 |
27 | zendaya | 3600000 |
28 | djokovic | 3500000 |
29 | bianca censori | 3500000 |
30 | jude bellingham | 3400000 |
31 | alcaraz | 3400000 |
32 | millie bobby brown | 3400000 |
33 | ana de armas | 3300000 |
34 | sabrina carpenter | 3300000 |
35 | henry cavill | 3300000 |
36 | ryan reynolds | 3200000 |
37 | ice spice | 3200000 |
38 | anne hathaway | 3100000 |
39 | timothée chalamet | 3100000 |
40 | putin | 3100000 |
41 | barry keoghan | 3000000 |
42 | lana rhoades | 3000000 |
43 | michael jackson | 3000000 |
44 | peso pluma | 3000000 |
45 | ariana grande | 3000000 |
46 | jacob elordi | 3000000 |
47 | lebron james | 3000000 |
48 | blake lively | 2900000 |
49 | bruce willis | 2900000 |
50 | lamine yamal | 2900000 |
51 | emma stone | 2900000 |
52 | shubman gill | 2900000 |
53 | simone biles | 2900000 |
54 | rohit sharma | 2900000 |
55 | brad pitt | 2900000 |
56 | eminem | 2900000 |
57 | jennifer aniston | 2800000 |
58 | timothee chalamet | 2800000 |
59 | mike tyson | 2700000 |
60 | megan fox | 2700000 |
61 | lola beltrán | 2700000 |
62 | caitlin clark | 2700000 |
63 | leonardo dicaprio | 2700000 |
64 | johnny depp | 2600000 |
65 | scarlett johansson | 2600000 |
66 | selena gomez | 2600000 |
67 | drake | 2600000 |
68 | mihály csíkszentmihályi | 2600000 |
69 | anya taylor-joy | 2500000 |
70 | madonna | 2500000 |
71 | britney spears | 2500000 |
72 | max verstappen | 2500000 |
73 | jeremy allen white | 2500000 |
74 | gypsy rose | 2500000 |
75 | andrew tate | 2500000 |
76 | kylie jenner | 2500000 |
77 | travis scott | 2400000 |
78 | fabrizio romano | 2400000 |
79 | jennifer lawrence | 2400000 |
80 | meghan markle | 2400000 |
81 | hardik pandya | 2400000 |
82 | keanu reeves | 2400000 |
83 | angelina jolie | 2400000 |
84 | glen powell | 2400000 |
85 | jd vance | 2400000 |
86 | shannen doherty | 2300000 |
87 | jungkook | 2300000 |
88 | jason momoa | 2300000 |
89 | jennifer lopez | 2300000 |
90 | bellingham | 2200000 |
91 | jeffrey epstein | 2200000 |
92 | justin bieber | 2200000 |
93 | florence pugh | 2200000 |
94 | kim kardashian | 2200000 |
95 | ben affleck | 2200000 |
96 | haaland | 2200000 |
97 | zac efron | 2200000 |
98 | tyson fury | 2200000 |
99 | imane khelif | 2100000 |
100 | adam sandler | 2100000 |
In almost every industry, there are celebrities, professionals, or influencers that other people want to emulate. For example, an amateur tennis player might want to know which tennis racket Novak Djokovic uses. Or a football player might want to know the shoes Trent Alexander-Arnold wears.
In fact, Equipboard has taken this idea seriously and created a site around the gear used by professional musicians.
You can do the same for your industry too.
Here’s how:
- Go to Keywords Explorer
- Enter the names of famous people in your niche
- Go to the Matching terms report
- Filter for keywords related to gears using the Include filter
For example, if I entered the names of professional tennis players (Roger Federer, Emma Radacanu, Rafael Nadal) and filtered for tennis gear keywords (e.g., shoes, racket, wristband, shorts), I see 960 potential keywords I could target. If I were a tennis site, I could create a category page for each celebrity and list out all their preferred equipment.
Another way is to enter a relevant keyword into Keywords Explorer, go to the Matching terms report, and observe keyword patterns. For example, if I were a fitness site, I could enter “weight loss” into Keywords Explorer.
The first thing I’ll notice is that many people are actually interested in how certain celebrities lost their weight. The second thing I notice is that the keywords all form a pattern: [first name][last name] weight loss.
As such, I can use the Word count filter to look for keywords that have 4 words, which gives me a list of celebrity-related weight loss keywords:
Want to do keyword research for your site? Sign up for Keywords Explorer.
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