Is Data Mining in SEO the New Way in 2024?

There are many rumors and whispers on the internet about this latest term, data mining and how it affects search engine optimization (SEO). The basic concept of data mining in SEO is both a new concept and an old one.

This is fairly new, as the wording is tied to Google's data point patent, which was issued in June 2022. However, it's also old-fashioned because it goes back to a concept that Google has been asking content creators since the dawn of the internet: Create unique content.

Google has pushed this concept for decades, stating the law in other popular words such as “Content is King” and the “EEAT” way to create valuable content. Now, Google is back at it, trying to move writers away from artificial intelligence and instead creating content that is unique and stands out in search engine results pages (SERPS).

We'll take a look at this term and how it can improve your online strategy. Keep reading to learn more!

Definition of data mining in SEO

Access to information is a measure of how unique your content is to the consensus content on the web.

Imagine all the articles that come up for a particular search term in a search engine, then take all those articles and run an average content analysis.

See what content is common between all these top pages and then remove it – anything similar between general information and articles. Delete them all, what are you left with? What unique addition is left to make each article unique?

This remaining information will be considered “information gain”. This supplement, factor X, is a special ingredient.

Work with information to earn points

Google's patent describes a concept that SEO professionals should be aware of: Data acquisition score. It describes the user journey. Let's look at it in a step-by-step format:

1. User “do cats laugh?” searches for a search term such as A list of search results appears and the user clicks on the first one in Purina.

2. However, perhaps the first search did not satisfy the user and they asked for a second opinion. They scroll down and select the second search result from BBC Earth.

3. This is where the point of gaining information comes in. The user will view the page and see if there is more information win more than the first page. If the user finds it, that's the end of their journey and they move on. Otherwise, they will move on to other search results. And Google is busy giving points to these articles based on the additional information they provide.

If content creators only look at the first five articles of a search, compose a new article from it, and then publish it, no additional information or unique content is added. Therefore, the score that Google will give to that article is low.

An example of this is “the best hats in the world”. Currently, articles about SERPs can cover the top 10 top hats. If you mentioned the first 15, your article would give the user a five-hat data profit, so you're likely to get better results (not guaranteed!).

Be careful here because more doesn't always mean more. A longer article full of information that is not useful to the user is considered less valuable than a shorter but quality article. It's all about who better answers the user's search query.

What does SEO mean for content?

The assumption is that SEO and data mining algorithms are all about separating regurgitates of copycats like mass-produced AI-generated content and content farms on the Internet from real experts and specialists creating quality content.

Content farms are companies that employ large numbers of freelance writers to create large amounts of low-quality content, often with the help of automated tools. They are not experts or expert content writers.

Search engines also do not penalize or prohibit the use of AI content. Problems arise when content creators use it extensively because it reduces the quality, reliability and validity of the content.

The result of these SEO and data mining algorithms is that researchers will have to spend more time creating content to ensure they bring something unique to the table. While looking at what's currently available in the SERPs for targeted keywords can give a writer a starting point and even inspiration, it should only provide the skeleton of an outline at best.

You need to think about what the user wants from the keyword or search term. What is the purpose of your article? You'll need to give it a unique spin, an interesting perspective, or perhaps an unusual opinion – all backed up with some credibility.

If you are currently outsourcing your content, you need to make sure that those content writers know what they are doing and also know your industry. For example, at companies like WebFX, we have over 100 specialized writers who have experience writing in specific industries and know how to create effective content.

5 Strategies to Increase Data Earnings in SEO and Content

Authenticity is key here with SEO and data mining concepts. You need to look at your business and content strategy to think about how you can deliver content in a unique, fresh way, but also include your brand's voice. You don't want to suddenly get on a soapbox and deliver strong opinion pieces when your business needs sensitivity.

There are a few great ways you can get this received information In your SEO strategy:

1. Share first-hand experiences

Nothing beats uniqueness like a first-hand experience. Don't be afraid to share your content with first-person pronouns. The great thing about this strategy is that yes, you're giving a personal experience to make the search engine algorithm happy, but the reader will love it too. Users relate to personal experience more than facts or figures.

2. Humanize content with emotion

Emotion can win a customer over to you more than any logic. This is something that consumer brands often use in their advertising to associate a person with their products. If your business has a social impact or you feel strongly about your customer service, share it. Give your audience something to relate to and connect with, and you'll add a unique twist to your content.

3. Find new content to share

Instead of looking at what all the other websites are doing in the SERPs, look at your customers for content. Reviews and customer reviews are a treasure trove of unique information that you can write content about. See frequently asked questions or topics you can write about in your review.

Another great resource is creating case studies. No other company would have had the same experience with that customer. It is completely unique to your company and its expertise and you can share it on the web.

4. Uniquely search and get other information

If you're looking for interesting information to add to your article, consider checking out the 'Google Grid'. While most people search for information and statistics on Google, consider using a different search engine to get fresh information.

You can search magazines, articles or news websites. You might even consider going off the grid entirely and looking at non-electronic formats. Contact an expert and get their thoughts on the topic. You can ask colleagues, peers, or other industry professionals to provide their unique insights to provide a fresh perspective on your content.

5. Rich media

Maybe your twist isn't about thinking about information in a new way, but about presenting it in a new, different way. Consider thinking outside the (copy) box and using other interactive formats such as audio, podcasts, video, infographics, or perhaps interactive media to showcase information. Check out our interactive content tools to help you get started.

Get ready to learn SEO with content created by WebFX experts

Need help creating unique and original content so you're ready to get the word out? The content marketing experts at WebFX are here to help.

With 25+ years of experience and a team of 100+ specialized content writers, all focused on writing for your industry, you can be sure that originality is the focus of your content.

Get ready to learn online or by contacting us 888-601-5359 today!