In 2012, we saw Google and other search engines making revolutionary changes to their algorithms. Sticking to Google only, we saw the company rolling out major updates to their deadly algorithms that landed several thousand websites in the dust. Google continuously updated and terrified Webmasters with Google Panda and Google Penguin updates and refreshes.
Almost everybody around the internet world was worried about being penalized by Google Panda or Google Penguin, many people even left the online world and moved out from the community. But it doesn't mean that we should stop working online.
Actually, I take these algorithms as a challenge to me, and you should too!
Even I have lost several projects and visionary blogs, due to my lack of Search Engine Optimization, and by completely ignoring what Google was saying. 
Post Penguin SEO Trends
No doubts that Google and most of search engine experts say that it is not suitable to use excessive search engine optimization. But believe me, there is no success level without any kind of optimization and working on the guidelines.
So I'm not telling you to go mad on SEO, and stop relying on other tactics. But in 2012, SEO became really tricky, and in every case it turned out to be different from next. Before all the major changes to the algorithms, we all used to create a number of back links through bookmarking, and article marketing of our content to get high ranks in SERP.
However, in 2012 things changed. And they will also change more in 2013! Google has already announced that its Web Spam team is coming with revolutionary changes to search algorithms. Everyone seems to be worried once again about their online ventures, and tries to follow several tips and tricks to stay safe. Google has already hinted at major Google Penguin 2.0 roll out, and more SERP results powered with Google Author Rank.
I have been working very closely with search engine algorithms in several forums, and do regular analytics and lots of split testing. Yeah! Search Engine Optimization Split Testing!
Let’s come back to the point, and discuss which things are going to stay in 2013 Search Engine Optimization Trends:
5 Search Engine Optimization Tactics To Must Follow in 2013
1. Stop Relying On Social Signals
In late 2012, you may have seen many talking about the social signals and social networking playing part in the search engine optimization. Google tricked everybody in 2012, and start following the social signals to rank SERP higher than others. Many of us have seen unstable rankings, and some of us got kicked out of the game. But in 2013, things are going to get complicated with Social Signals. Google will surely follow the Social Signals, but not to only rank higher but to also judge whether you are doing it right or manipulating the system.
Social boosts are good, and everyone wants his / her post going viral on the social media networks. But, what if someone is manipulating the system and keeps throwing poor-content in social streams – including Facebook? Google is playing their part and trying to minimize the impact of social media boosts in order to keep the game safe.
With the launch of Google+, and authorship, Google rolled out many things that were not visible to everyone but somehow they were tracking and monitoring to come up with big results. Google+ Authorship helped a lot in getting higher ranks, and a significant improve in the CTR rate from SERP page.
2. Authority Rules The Games
As I have mentioned above, the social signals are going to lose their value but it doesn't mean that it will stop working for everyone. It is working, and it will work in future for everyone who is playing the game fairly. The authority of the people, and interaction rate will impact the search engine results – alternatively you can say that Google has got its own “EdgeRank” to filter the content.
The numbers will not bring you on top, but the influence of powerful users can easily pop-up your post in search engine results. In 2012, everyone start flooding the social media with its content and established several fake profiles to get quick retweets, shares and Google +1 votes. But with 2013 search engine trends, everything is going to change.
Google will only count those shares, votes, and retweets that come from some authority profile or high-authority source.
So it is the very best time to stop spending your time on fake social media hype, and start targeting real profiles.
3. Say Final Good-Bye To Manipulated Press Releases
Press Releases remain one of the best ways to reach the internet market. But perhaps this is starting to change. Matt Cutts, of Google has already expressed the feeling on press releases and in the upcoming months we will see many people losing their ranks due to their past involvements in the press releases. Google plans to stifle some press releases networks and websites who might be promoting spam content.
In 2012, we have noticed Google stopped paying attention to big press release networks like PRWeb, and started highlighting their network to ignore the value of links. Many say you put your links carefully in a press release, but I would say you should avoid using your link in Press Release. If you seriously want to reach some audience, and not looking for backlinks then try some content marketing, and strategy to highlight your web within content without linking back to your website.
4. Adopt Latest Development Trends
If you ask, you will find thousands of webmasters who claim that Google is not playing a fair game with them in certain niches. No doubts that Google isn't playing fair, they are here to do business, but do you know what kind of business they are up to. Well, maybe not!
Many big publishers are always seen beating out their competition easily in SERP without any hard work, and most of us think that they are ruling us because they hold more exposure than us. But I don't agree with this point! Without any doubts they hold major exposure in their pockets to reach the internet, but seriously? Is major exposure is the only reason behind all this super-charged SERP? Maybe or maybe not.
But according to many, and even according to Mashable, they are ruling the game because they always adopt the latest trends on the internet. They follow the latest development guidelines to improve their content. They try to come up with best development skills, and put their faith in upcoming revolutionary things.
I do remember, when Yoast released his WordPress SEO plugin. Many doubted his skills, but Mashable adopted the plugin and implemented in their system without thinking.
Your content is not enough to rank you better in search engines, it is your development skills, and CMS that can rank your content higher in search.
5. Don’t Underestimate Google Author Ranking
It is not the first time that I am saying to focus on Google Authorship. In the past, I have already expressed my vision on Google Author Rank.
I have personally experienced how Google treats the links in SERP which appear with an author profile image. It depends on your Google+ Profile, and your authority on certain subjects.
Here's what Matt Cutts from Google has to say on the topic of rel=author:
I have already shared what I wanted to tell my readers, friends, and buddies all around the world. No doubts that you are doing great in your niche, but still I would like to say that you have to stay up-to-date, if you want to stay on top of the SERPs.
What do you think about this? Can you add anything to what I've shared here about SEO trends post penguin?