SEO Trends in 2024 focuses on user-oriented, honest, and human content. AI-powered search experiences like Google’s SGE are evolving to disrupt traditional SEO practices.
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SEO TREND 1: AI Boosts Scale, but Moreover Makes It More Critical to Supply Unique Esteem
AI is both an opportunity and a danger in content creation. While AI can create bland content based on existing content from the SERP, the real risk lies in overusing AI to fill web journals with content based on previously distributed content. AI writing companies like Jarvis recognize this and have started enlisting independent scholars to create content for their sites. However, it is essential to remember that human creativity and knowledge are fundamental.
Despite the rise of AI in content creation, the demand for and rates of senior journalists have expanded. Therefore, it is crucial to balance the use of AI with human creativity and knowledge to ensure a diverse and effective content ecosystem.
SEO TREND 2 : The Key to Writing Great Content That AI Couldn’t Is First-Hand Experience
First-hand encounters with content are crucial for users to understand and relate to, aligning with Google’s priorities of authenticity and depth. As Google’s EEAT rules were updated in December 2022, first-hand encounters have become a key factor in content reliability.
They provide users with real-world experiences, which differentiate between non-specific and high-quality content. Focusing on first-hand experiences allows for more authentic and relatable content, which resonates more with users.
This approach is not limited to written content, as users seek genuine conclusions and experiences on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit. This approach is a stark contrast to traditional search engines, where content may feel more indifferent or non-exclusive.
SEO TREND 3: Author entities have more value than ever.
Google faces a significant challenge in adapting to the rise of AI-generated content, as legitimate sites have been found to create fake author profiles to distribute AI articles.
This raises concerns for search engines, as relying solely on the site’s specialist could lead to low-quality AI-generated content. Google is considering partnering with creators to distinguish and assess AI-written content, as connecting content to a recognized creator with significant experience and information adds a layer of credibility and expertise.
This approach improves the validity of the content and aligns with Google’s preference for content created by knowledgeable and legitimate individuals. This approach strengthens the credibility and relevance of content in the eyes of both clients and search engines.
SEO TREND 4 : Matching Search Intent Is Growing in Importance
Matching search intent is a crucial aspect of Google’s quality rating rules, and it is becoming increasingly important. If a user searches for “best-running shoes,” they may find a product page offering a specific combination of running shoes, but the search is incomplete.
To improve search rankings, users should focus on matching search intent and avoid overlapping pages. This can lead to a higher bounce rate, indicating that the page did not meet the user’s look expectation. Therefore, Google will prioritize other pages that match the user’s search intent.
SEO TREND 5: Voice and Visual Search Are More Mature
Voice and visual search are becoming increasingly popular in today’s digital landscape. Voice search, which has evolved since the days of Siri and Alexa, is used for quick fact checks, nearby shopping searches, and hands-free assistance. It is particularly useful when people are using their hands, such as during cooking or driving.
Backlinko found that the main factor in ranking for voice search is content quality, with most voice search results being higher than Google’s. To optimize for voice search, it is recommended to focus on optimizing your content for Google’s standard search. Visual search is also beneficial for various purposes, such as shopping, identifying points of interest, neighborhood trade audits, interpretation formulas, and sustainability data.
SEO TREND 6: SEOs Now Focus on Optimizing User Signals Directly
Google’s antitrust case revealed that the company heavily relies on customer signals to rank content, rather than thorough substance investigation. They are better at determining customer satisfaction and understanding their feelings about a product than the content itself. This suggests that SEO is shifting towards optimizing for customer engagement and satisfaction. Google’s antitrust case revealed that a company that annoyed customers by creating backlinks by asking them to share information about the company was quickly discovered and removed from location rankings.
Currently, Google is analyzing how users engage with a page to determine its significance and value, with systems in place to detect negative links and penalize accordingly. This suggests that while customer signals are crucial, it is not fair to rely solely on location rankings and brand perceptions on the internet.
SEO TREND 7 :Local Search Results Are Richer and More Mature
Local search has become a mature area of SEO, with 98% of consumers finding local businesses online in 2022, up from 90% in 2019. Businesses are increasingly using targeted advertising within local search results, focusing on review management, rating, and schema coverage. Social media platforms like TikTok are emerging as local search competitors, especially among Gen Z. To optimize for local search, businesses should focus on making their Google Business Profile (GBP) lively, building a system for encouraging 5-star reviews, and implementing local business schema.
By focusing on these aspects, businesses can improve their visibility in local search results and attract more customers. They should choose the right business category, add a well-crafted description, upload appealing photos, and add business hours. Encouraging 5-star reviews and actively engaging with customers can help businesses reach a wider audience.
Implementing local business schemas, such as including specific information like business hours, location, services offered, and reviews, can help search engines better understand and index your site. Additionally, businesses should be present on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, including their business details and actively publishing content that would attract customers. By focusing on these strategies, businesses can enhance their visibility and attract more customers in the mature local search area.