The Biggest Online Trends and SEO Updates of 2014

As 2015 gets off to a rapid start, we’re taking a look back on the year that was 2014. Come with us as we take you through the biggest Google updates, online trends, Twitter New Year’s resolutions and our pick of the top marketing resources from 2014.

Google Updates

Google has a habit of changing its search algorithms on a regular basis. Sometimes these changes are minor (thank goodness, since each year sees around 500 of them), while other times they have a significant impact on website search engine rankings. Here are some of the big-uns of 2014:

May 19: Panda 4.0

June 28: Authorship Photo Drop

July 24: Pigeon

August 6: Google announces HTTPS is a ranking factor

August 28: Authorship removed

September 23: Panda 4.1

October 17: Penguin 3.0

December 2, 5, 6: More Penguin Updates: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3

December 9: Pigeon rolls out in United States

What did we care about in 2014?

Global

Searches:

1. Robin Williams
2. World Cup
3. Ebola
4. Malaysia Airlines
5. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

People:

1. Jennifer Lawrence
2. Kim Kardashian
3. Julie Gayet
4. Tracey Morgan
5. Renee Zellweger

Global News

1. Ebola
2. ISIS
3. Malaysia Airlines
4. Crimea / Ukraine
5. Ferguson

In United States we wanted to know

How to…

1. Draw
2. Kiss
3. Crochet
4. Meditate
5. Knit

Who is…?

1. Jesus
2. ISIS
3. Banksy
4. Redfoo
5. Ultron

What is…?

1. Ebola
2. ALS
3. Love
4. Gluten
5. Tinder

Where is…?

1. Sochi
2. MH370
3. Perth
4. Glasgow
5. Gallipoli

To check out more stats visit Google Trends.

Our Favourite Online Marketing Resources from 2014

Choosing your favourite resources is no easy task when you have a year’s worth of industry experts' knowledge and insights to choose from. Luckily we like a good challenge, so, without further ado, here are our top picks of the year.

UX Crash Course: User Psychology

Joel Marsh has done an incredible job putting together this 31-part online course to help people understand user psychology and improve user experience. Kudos, Joel.

Quick SEO Wins: 31 Ideas from the Experts

Although most search strategies are long-term, there are some quick wins that can be used early on in the campaign. We asked 31 expert SEOs to share their quick wins – here’s what they said.

Announcing the All-New Beginner's Guide to Link Building

Whether you’re an expert or new to the online marketing industry, this guide is well worth a read. In the extensive 7-part guide, Paddy Moogan takes you from the basics right through to advanced strategies and ideas.

No Words Wasted: A Guide to Creating Focused Content

Get into the intricate details of wordsmithing with this comprehensive guide from Kyra Kuik and Harriet Cummings at Distilled.

Problogger Conference 2014

We had a ball learning from some of the best minds in the business at the Problogger conference. This article is just a slice of content from the information packed weekend!

Youtube Trends

The top 5 trending YouTube Videos of 2014

1. Mutant Giant Spider Dog (SA Wardega)
2. Nike Football: Winner Stays. ft. Ronaldo…
3. FIRST KISS
4. The Voice IT | Serie 2 | Blind 2 | Suor Cristina …
5. iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test

Top New Year’s Resolutions on Twitter

As the New Year rolled around, all the usual suspects turned up in Twitter as resolutions rolled in thick and fast – from fitness to quitting smoking and cutting back on technology (I think we’d struggle with that last one).

Here's the most popular 2015 New Year's Resolutions on Twitter:

1. Work out
2. Be happy
3. Lose weight
4. Stop smoking
5. Unplug
6. Be the best (at...)
7. Stop drinking
8. Love Myself
9. Work harder
10. Don't f--k it up

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2015?

We hope you enjoy looking back on 2014 and seeing what Google and the world have been up to behind the screen. Join us in keeping up to date with the latest industry news by following us on Facebook or Twitter.