As we move on into 2024, the SEO trend game has changed rapidly with the further development and integrations of AI, video marketing and the rise of mobile users on the internet. While targeting keywords remains a crucial factor, SEO now encompasses a broader range of factors due to this.
For staying ahead of the competition, increasing your brand visibility, and building a well-founded digital presence, here are the 7 must-know SEO trends for brands to dominate in 2024.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly changing the way we approach SEO. With the latest iterations for search algorithms, understanding user queries and responding to these search queries are becoming more sophisticated.
As Google’s Search Generative Experience evolves, focus on creating content that directly addresses common user queries and provides clear, concise answers. And with the utilization of Natural Language Processing (NLP) like Google BERT for search algorithms, understanding the audience’s needs and wants and how AI search algorithms works would be better off than relying on keywords research and trending topics alone for better rankings.
Google has prioritized user experience by the introduction of Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor. This means that your website loading speed, interactive experience, and visual stability are now also considered one of the core ranking experiences for SEO.
Brands that prioritizes a seamless user experience such as fast-loading web pages, optimized images, and leveraging browser caching and responsiveness would improve Core Web Vitals thereby improving SEO ranking. You should also regularly audit your website with various tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse to identify and resolve performance issues.
As we said earlier on the blog, the number of mobile users such as smartphones and tablets is growing exponentially. It even surpasses desktop users. And what’s important is that Google also uses the mobile version of the website for indexing and ranking for SEO. So, mobile optimization for your website is of utmost importance now if you want the best ranking.
Optimize for mobile effectively with using responsive design and templates, improving site speed, and ensuring easy navigation for small screens with better visibility. Consider testing your website regularly with various screen sizes to provide a consistent and engaging experience for mobile users.
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The rise of smart home speakers and voice-activated devices popularity means that voice search queries are also important for SEO optimization. By 2024, more than half of the search queries will be voice-based. Unlike text-based searches, voice search queries are typically longer and conversational so long-tail keywords and human-like language should be focused, too.
When writing blogs, articles, or creating knowledgeable contents, consider adding Q&A and answer specific questions directly.
Moreover, in 2024, Google still has an added focus on E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This consists of the representation of knowledgeable authors, provision of precise information, and trustworthy content. Therefore, posting frequently should not result in higher SEO ranking, even if you are able to find keywords and sentences that users are searching for. Research your content on building E-E-A-T for your brand and provide in-depth information, be authoritative, cite reputable resources, and earn trusted backlinks from reputed resources.
Due to the fact that more and more users are looking for services and products in their area, local SEO is becoming one of the most prominent ways of optimizing your online presence. In this respect, businesses having physical locations should be optimizing their Google My Business listing, getting reviews from their customers, and optimizing their website for local search queries. This will involve location-specific keywords and consistent business details across the internet. A strong local SEO remarkably exposes a brand to its local customers.
Zero-click searches are becoming more common, where users get what they need right on the search results page, so there is no need to click on any website. Hence, brands should aim to provide concise, informative content so their content gets featured in snippets, knowledge panels, and other search features. This will provide the dual advantage of giving the brand better visibility and also be more authoritative.
Staying ahead in SEO means keeping up with changes and learning new things all the time. Sure ways through which brands can stay strong online in 2024 include adopting AI-powered tools, optimizing for voice search and mobile, giving attention to user experience, and delivering quality content. Embracing these trends will not only improve your search rankings but also create a better experience for your users—ultimately a driver of growth and success for your brand.
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