If 2011 saw several changes in Google’s search algorithm, 2012 will see further updates in the same. For instance, this year Google plans to implement an algorithm to measure ad-to-content ratio. In fact, sources from Google have reportedly said that they have changed their algorithm over 500 times in 2011! Needless to say, some are bound to reap the benefits of these changes and some businesses are likely to see a disruption in their traffic.

Just like 2011, 2012 is going to keep SEO marketers on their toes. Of course, all these changes are only to ensure that you as an internet surfer have access to the best and most relevant sources of information.

Here’s what to expect from Google in 2012:

• While Google+ might not have recorded the phenomenal numbers it had initially targeted, it continues to remain a great platform for conversations with Google Webmasters. In 2012 expect to get great advice from Google through their webmaster hangouts on Google+. It’s a great place to get advice from the horse’s mouth.
• In 2011, Google tried a lot of new things with regard to webmaster support. They gave us webmaster hangouts in a variety of languages. In the coming year, expect more innovative support methods, more webmaster hangouts and more detailed examples for your SEO queries.
• With hundreds of changes in Google’s search algorithm, the plans of many SEO strategists have gone haywire. For many SEO strategists, the year has been marked crazy year of algorithm changes. A number of Googlers are requesting for detailed case studies about websites who managed to recover from various penalties. If Google accepts these requests, there’s going to be loads of information relating to why penalties were slapped and how websites recovered from them.
• Expect Mobile SEO to increase further in 2012. You would need to ensure that Google finds your website or services suitable for Mobile SERPs. This is a market waiting to be explored further in the coming year.
• Expect Social Media Integration to play a much stronger role in 2012. Google+ is slated to play a much stronger role on this front and it will—in one way or another—help you get better visibility on Google. It’s time to tweak your Facebook, Liknkedln and Twitter profiles.

While these are just a few pointers about the times to come, it’s also the time to brace up for some surprise packages from Google. 2012 promises to give search engine marketers much more to think about. On our part, we at Futurism IMBC are already gearing up to help you prepare for any bolt from the blue. For more details on how you can strengthen your SEO strategies in 2012, visit us at www.futurismimbc.com.