2024 Hot SEO Topics… so far!
SEO is an ever-changing topic, with new tools, techniques, and methods arriving regularly on the scene. Though the basics of good SEO remain largely unchanged, the subjects being discussed online regarding SEO do shift depending on changes to Google algorithms, new advances, and new techniques or tools, so here we cover what’s hot in the world of SEO.
1. Google Search Generative Experience (SGE)
Undoubtedly the biggest SEO shake-up recently is Google Search Generative Experience. Understanding how SGE impacts search results, content creation, and user experience is crucial. Bing chat will have a similar impact, and this lends search to answering questions more itself using AI, rather than users needing to always click through to a website to get the answer they need. It’s early days for this new tech at the moment, and it’s far from perfect, but it’s advancing fast!
2. Core Web Vitals
Google introduced Core Web Vitals on May 28, 2020, and these metrics were officially incorporated as a ranking factor in June 2021. Improvements in page load speed, interactivity, and visual stability remain essential for SEO success, and with Google fully committed to Mobile First indexing since July 5th, 2024, checking and improving website core web vitals is now more vital than ever before for improving your website SEO.
Learn more about Google Mobile First Indexing Policy
3. AI and SEO
The integration of AI in SEO tools and strategies to both engage and enhance website traffic is accelerating. Topics like AI-generated content, AI-powered SEO audits, and AI-driven keyword research are gaining traction, and though they still need a human touch to keep them on track and check their work, they are evolving and improving at an incredible speed.
Learn more about AI use in SEO and Digital Marketing
4. Google Bard and Search
Google’s experimental conversational AI chatbot designed to provide informative and comprehensive answers to user queries. Powered by advanced language models, Bard aims to offer a more interactive and engaging search experience, which lends itself well to the growing trend of voice search too.
The integration of Bard into Google Search could revolutionise how we interact with search engines such as getting direct answers instead of links, your search may become more of a conversation than a few words and clicks, and the results you get could give richer more complete information rather than only the answer you were seeking, so understanding its potential impact on search results and user behavior is vital to ensure your content plays well into this.
5. Video SEO
Platforms like YouTube and TikTok continue to gain immense popularity, and are now regarded as search engines in their own right, as well as offering shopping experiences as well as information and of course video content. Optimising videos for search engines has become a critical aspect of any SEO strategy.
Learn how to optimise your videos for SEO
6. E-E-A-T and YMYL
Google’s focus on Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), especially for Your Money Your Life (YMYL) topics, continues to be a priority, as misinformation in these areas can have serious consequences.
So Google wants to ensure that users find accurate and reliable information when searching for topics that could significantly impact their lives. By focusing on E-E-A-T, website owners can improve their chances of ranking well for YMYL keywords.
7. Local SEO
Despite more people shopping online, local places, services and product suppliers still garner huge search volumes, and with the increasing importance of mobile search and voice search, local SEO remains a crucial area for businesses to focus on.
Even for companies that operate online, nationally or even internationally, having that online presence can really help bring traffic to your website, so it’s always worth looking closer to home for SEO opportunities, as well as further afield, and knowing how to do local SEO is a critical skill.
8. SEO for Generative AI Tools
As AI content generation tools become more prominent and sophisticated, understanding how to both use and optimise content created by these tools for search engines is a growing concern. Knowing how the tools work, where the data is being sourced from, avoiding plagiarism and ensuring AI generated content doesn’t appear to be generated by a computer are critical to ensuring your content is correct, authentic and engaging and not just a re-hash of someone elses website.
Knowing how to correctly write and adapt prompts for the various AI tools is a key part of being able to get good content from them in the first place, but adding the human touch too can make all the difference to the finished result, and crucually to whether anyone will read it!
Learn how to embrace the power of AI for SEO Success
9. Search Engine Updates
Google and other search engines frequently release updates. Staying informed about these updates and their impact on search rankings is essential.
Often the algorithm changes are minimal but even when the changes are larger, as we found from the recent largest Google Search Algorithm leak in History, there are no quick hacks to be had to take advantage of the search engines, and the core principles of SEO remain. However that doesn’t mean we should ignore them, and being up to date and informed is essential.
Read the Google Search Central Blog for the latest Google Search core algorithm updates
10. User Experience (UX)
Of course User Experience (UX) is not a new concept, but UX continues to be a vital component of SEO. Providing a seamless user experience can positively impact rankings and user engagement.
SEO on it’s own may bring your website visitors, but if they have a terrible experience when they arrive, they probably aren’t going to stay long enough to buy whatever you are selling!
Alongside Google’s mobile first policy, ensuring your website is mobile friendly, lightning fast and built with a “mobile first” viewpoint, can really help the majority of your visitors to have a good user experience on your site.
Learn more about Mobile First Website Building
Note: This list is based on recent trends and may not be exhaustive. It’s essential to stay updated on the latest developments in the SEO industry through reliable sources and industry experts.
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