SEO is always changing, which can make it hard to keep up with the latest trends. But if you want your website to rank high in search engine results, it’s important to stay on top of the latest SEO trends. Here are some of the upcoming SEO trends that you should be on the lookout for. From voice search to visual search and more, read on to learn about the latest SEO trends and how you can use them to your advantage.
Consistent Evolution of SEO
As we all know, SEO is constantly evolving. What worked yesterday may not work today, and what works today may not work tomorrow. That's why it's important to always be on the lookout for new trends so you can stay ahead of the curve. Here are some upcoming SEO trends to watch out for:
1. The Rise in Voice Search
With the rise of digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, voice search is becoming more and more popular. And as more people use voice search, businesses need to optimize their content for it. That means using natural language and long-tail keywords reflecting the way people talk, not only how they type.
Voice search is one of the most significant SEO trends in recent years. It is a fast and convenient way for users to find information, and it is only going to become more popular in the years to come. Here are some things to keep in mind about voice search:
- Make sure your website is optimized for voice search by using natural language and long-tail keywords, as well as structuring your content in an easily navigable way.
- Think about how people will be searching for your content. Voice search queries are often different from those typed into a search engine, so it's important to anticipate what kinds of questions people will be asking.
- Consider creating separate content for voice search. That could mean creating short, answer-focused pieces known as microblogs that address common questions people might ask.
By keeping these things in mind, you can make sure your website is ready for the rising tide of voice search traffic.
2. Visual Search
Another trend on the rise is visual search. This is where users search for something using an image instead of text. Google's Image Search is a good example of this. So if you want your website to show up in results for visual searches, make sure you're using high-quality images with relevant alt text.
3. Mobile-First Indexing
With more and more people using mobile devices to access the internet, it's no surprise that Google is now prioritizing mobile-friendly content in its search results. This change is called "mobile-first indexing," and it means that Google will crawl and index the mobile version of your website before the desktop version.
If you're not already optimizing your website for mobile users, now is the time to start. Make sure your site is responsive so that it looks good on all screen sizes, and use clear and concise language that's easy to read on a small screen. You should also focus on creating valuable content that provides a good user experience on mobile devices.
4. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to play a big role in SEO. Google's RankBrain algorithm is one example of this. AI can help you optimize your website for search engines and also provide insights into what users are really looking for. So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, start incorporating AI into your SEO strategy.
5. Local SEO
As more people use the internet to find local businesses, local SEO is becoming more important. If you want your business to show up in search results for people in your area, make sure you're using local keywords and your website has a Google Business Profile and other local directories.
6. User Intent
One of the most important trends in SEO is user intent. This is all about understanding what someone is trying to accomplish when they perform a search. Then, you need to optimize your website and content to match their intent. For example, if someone searches for "buy shoes," they're probably looking to make a purchase. So, if you sell shoes, your website should be optimized to sell them. On the other hand, if someone searches for "shoe styles," they might be looking for information or inspiration. So, if you have a blog about fashion, your articles should be optimized to provide that information or inspiration.
7. Structured Data
Structured data is another important trend in SEO. This is code that you can add to your website to help search engines better understand your content. It can also help your website show up in rich results, which are featured snippets that appear at the top of the search results. If you want your website to be eligible for rich results, you need to use structured data.
8. Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are a type of rich result that appears at the top of the search results. They're designed to give users quick answers to their questions. So, if you want your website to show up in featured snippets, you need to optimize your content for them. That means using short, concise answers that address the user's question directly.
9. User Experience
Another important trend in SEO is user experience (UX). This is all about making sure your website is easy to use and provides a good experience for users. Google takes UX into account when ranking websites, so it's important to make sure yours is up to par. Some things you can do to improve your UX include making your website responsive, using easy-to-understand language, and providing helpful and relevant information.
Increasing Focus on Local SEO
As the world of SEO continues to evolve, we are seeing a shift in focus from traditional SEO tactics to more localized SEO strategies. This is in response to the growing trend of consumers using search engines to find local businesses.
To stay ahead of the curve, businesses need to make sure they are optimizing their website for local search. This includes claiming their listing on directories like Google Business Profile and Yelp, as well as making sure their website is mobile-friendly and contains keyword-rich content.
In addition to optimizing their website, businesses should also be active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. By creating relevant and engaging content, businesses can attract new customers and build loyalty with existing ones. Applying these local SEO trends allows businesses to ensure they are visible to consumers who are searching for them online.
Increased Focus on Video Content
Another major trend we are seeing in SEO is the increased focus on video content. As more and more people consume content online, businesses are turning to video to reach their target audience.
Video is an incredibly powerful marketing tool because it allows businesses to tell their story in a visually engaging way. In addition, video is highly shareable, making it easy for businesses to reach a larger audience.
To make the most of video, businesses should create compelling content that tells their story and showcases their products or services. They should also promote their videos across social media and other online channels to ensure they are reaching as many people as possible. By investing in video content, businesses can reach a wider audience and build brand awareness.
SERP Features
Search Engine Results Pages (SERP) feature snippets are a rich source of information for users and an important ranking factor for websites. Here are some upcoming SEO trends to watch out for:
- Google is constantly updating its algorithms, so it's important to keep up with the latest changes.
- Voice search is becoming more popular, so optimizing your content for voice search is essential.
- Rich results are becoming more common, so it's important to make sure your website is optimized for them.
- Personalization is also becoming more important, so you need to make sure your website can be personalized for each user.
- Finally, mobile optimization is crucial since more and more people are using mobile devices to search the web.
Shortening the Meta Description?
It's no secret that SEO is constantly evolving. What got results yesterday could be a bust today, and tomorrow may even be penalized. That’s why businesses need to adapt their SEO strategies constantly, staying ahead of upcoming trends.
One trend that appears to be on the horizon is the shortening of the meta description. Meta descriptions are the short summaries that appear under a website's URL in search results. They give users a brief overview of what they can expect to find on a given website.
While meta descriptions have been a staple of SEO for years, it seems that Google may be moving away from their traditional lengths. In recent months, the search engine has started truncating meta descriptions in search results. This means that users are only seeing a small portion of what businesses are trying to say about their websites.
Although nothing is confirmed, it seems possible that Google could eventually stop using meta descriptions altogether. If this happens, businesses will need to find other ways to capture users' attention in search results. So, while shorter meta descriptions may be on the horizon, there's no need to panic just yet.
The Return of Keywords
The return of keywords means that SEO practitioners need to start paying attention to them again. In the past, keywords were used excessively to get ranked higher in search results. However, with Google's algorithm updates, keywords have become much less important. As a result, many SEOs have stopped paying as much attention to them.
However, there is evidence that keywords are becoming important again. Google's Hummingbird algorithm update placed more emphasis on query understanding, which led to an increase in the use of long-tail keywords. In addition, Google has started giving more weight to structured data and conversational search queries, both of which are heavily reliant on keywords.
As a result, it's important for SEOs to start paying very close attention to keywords again. Here are some tips for doing keyword research:
- Use reliable keyword research tools to find relevant keywords for your website.
- Look for long-tail keywords that are specific to your niche or industry. These will be less competitive and easier to rank for than generic terms.
- Target local keywords if you're targeting a local audience. This can be done by including your city or region in your keyword phrases.
- Make sure your website content is relevant and informative. This will help you rank for your chosen keywords as well as improve the user experience on your site.
More Intrusive Pop-Ups
Pop-ups are one of the most intrusive forms of advertising, and they’re only getting worse. In the past, pop-ups were mostly used by shady websites trying to sell you something. Now, even major websites are using them to promote their products and services.
There are two types of pop-ups: those that appear when you’re trying to leave a website, and those that appear while you’re browsing a website. The latter are far more common.
While these are not the best things to have on your website, to many, they are essential to having income. If you need them on your website, the best option you have is to minimize the impact they have on your visitors. They want a good experience when they visit your website, so do what you can to provide that for them.
BroadVision Marketing Is Paying Attention to Upcoming SEO Trends to Benefit Your Business
As SEO continues to evolve, it's important to stay on top of the latest trends in order to ensure that your website is as visible as possible. If you need help with SEO, turn to the experienced professionals of BroadVision Marketing. We know how agile you must be to stay ahead of the trends, and our experts can make that your reality. Contact BroadVision Marketing today to learn more!
