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SEO in 2024 SEO

Most online companies are now fully aware of the importance of strong SEO on their website. Some were perhaps dragged kicking and screaming into 2024 with a whole new SEM approach they don't entirely understand. Others will welcome the chance to adapt and create sites with the best rankings. Whichever camp you belong to, you need to accept the fact that 2024 will offer whole new challenges and opportunities in Search Engine Optimisation and marketing. The landscape is ever-evolving and online businesses and website developers need to keep up. Those that stick with their 2023 plan may fall behind. So what 2024 SEO trends should you use?

Below are 7 top tips for how to use SEO effectively in 2024. Each point is discussed in more detail throughout this guide. We will also talk about the key reasons why you need to adapt your SEO and digital media strategies for 2024. Also, we will discuss the global spending forecasts for the year ahead.

These 7 hot tips are:

• embrace mobile optimisation if you haven't already done s
• alter your search terms in favour of voice search
• make sure that those search results are as relevant as possible
• make sure that your content is engaging enough for visitors to stick around
• pay attention to the quality and richness of the content across your sit
• consider an omni-channel marketing approach for social media
• accept the fact that Google will only get smarter through 2024.

So why is it so important that we evolve our SEO strategies in 2024?

As we mentioned above, it is important to appreciate the on-going evolution of SEO and adapt to it. This evolution is largely the result of two influences: the new technology used by those searching for information and the intelligence of Google. AI plays an important role in both. New assistive technologies, smart software and algorithms create a more efficient process that works in the consumer's favour. Developers may not be as keen on some of these changes because of the amount of extra work on their plates. But, those that work with the changes can improve the user experience on their website, make more conversions and improve their rankings overall.

Google is getting smarter.

Yes, there are more search engines out there than Google. There are probably some people that prefer Yahoo and maybe some that like Bing. However, Google is the major player that website developers need to impress. Google is the one with the smart ranking systems and algorithms that can determine the fate of your site. If they like your content and place you at the top of the page for a search term this can increase your visitor count significantly. Screw up with some silly SEO marketing mistakes and they will drop you. Google is getting smarter with these algorithms and its use of AI. This will only continue into 2024.

AI Technology is advancing at a rapid pace.

Show a Generation-Z kid a cellphone from the 90s and they will look at you with disbelief. There is nothing smart about the tech. There isn't even wireless connectivity or an app in sight. There is no way they could use it to search for any products or information. It can only really make calls, send text and offer a few games, so what is the point? Today's models are miniature computers with AI assistants, reliable connectivity, social media apps and instant access to Google. The landscape has changed so much in 20 years. Even the iPhones and Galaxy Phones of a couple of years ago seem obsolete now. Then there are all the other smart devices to consider in our internet of things. We don't know what the gadgets of 2024 are capable of.

Therefore, we need to take a closer look at the SEO trends of 2024 to prepare ourselves for what is to come. This means embracing all that modern tech, especially voice commands, and improving the quality of your content so visitors won't stray to other sites.

Embrace mobile optimisation â if you haven' already done so.

Mobile optimisation is an important part of SEO and website development these days. More and more of us search for information using our mobile devices. This means both smartphones and tablets. The laptop and desktop still generate their fair share. Yet, there is a trend towards mobile searches. This has gone beyond a few simple searches for local information while out in a new town. Voice assistants and Wi-Fi connectivity give us reliable access to all kinds of information.

A well-designed, mobile-friendly website is also essential so we can make bookings and order products with ease. It is surprising just how many people will even book holidays and search for properties on mobile devices now. This trend led Google to improve its indexing in favour of mobile-first indexing. This basically means that those sites with mobile optimisation will rank higher. This is now a default setting for new websites added to Google. Therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure your site is optimised.

Alter your search terms in favour of voice searches.

That increased use of mobile tech means more voice searches. We can ask our ever-helpful AI friend to look things up for us without having to type into a search engine. It saves time and effort for those happy to talk to their inanimate devices. Stats show that only 20% of questions in 2016 were asked verbally. This figure is expected to rise to 30%-50% in 2024. The improved intelligence of these AI assistants allows for some good results. Google is also trying to help these users by improving search results to meet these terms. Many of these search terms are articulated as a question. Where is the nearest Chinese restaurant?What time is the next showing of latest Marvel movie at the cinema? Therefore, Google can now favour search results that answer these questions.

Make sure that those search results are as relevant as possible.

In other words, it helps to make sure that your search terms and keywords are as relevant as possible. They need to rank for the queries posed in voice searches and tell users exactly what they need to know. There was a time when you could get away with awkward phrasing in SEO content. Gym near me? or best bar New York? These don't sound natural in a sentence but they used to work. Now, you can't get away with this phrasing so easily.

Google likes natural-sounding content and will rank pages with similar, better phrasing. Long-tail keywords will also come into play more next year to help with this. This will be more important than ever with SEO trends in 2024. Predict specific questions that consumers will ask regarding local content. Be that authoritative page that answers it directly with lots of important, engaging information. On that note, you do need to ensure that visitors stay engaged at all times.

Make sure that your content is engaging enough for visitors to stick around.

In 2024, website visitors and consumers will expect quality content with the best visual media and written articles. They are smart enough to tell when you have taken the time to create something worthwhile and when you have thrown something together for the sake of adding pages. Each page of your website must have a purpose and content that satisfies the consumer. Either they learn something new, get more familiar with a product or build trust wit your brand. However, you need to do enough to keep them on your site.

Google is beginning to pay more attention to bounce rates and time spent on websites. This could be a deciding factor when outranking your competitors in 2024. You can also work to speed up the site loading time. Too slow and visitors will close the page and go elsewhere. Don't forget that Google does offer a free speed test tool. This provides data on current speed scores, ways to improve and comparisons with your immediate competition.

Pay attention to the quality and richness of the content across your site.

Another way to keep visitors around is to improve the visual appeal of the homepage. Add quality images and strong design features in all the right places. Avoid excessive visual media and pop-ups and this can increase your bounce rate. A high-quality landing page immediately suggests that you are someone that visitors can trust. Trust is going to be very important online in 2024. There is a feeling of distrust online in 2023 where we are surrounded by allegations of fake news, questions over the use of data and lots of internet trolls, and AI deep fake content. It would be nice if we could all find safer, happier spaces online in 2024.

Also, make sure that this quality continues across the site with lots of helpful content. Take time to update your blog with tips and promotions. Create pages with local SEO terms for improved marketing in your area. If your website provides products or services, you may also consider adding a chatbot to your site. Some website owners may be reluctant because of the robotic responses compared to a real human. But, these AI bots are there to help visitors at any time of day. They can keep users on-site by answering further questions and directing them to content. It is more convenient for the user than writing a message on a contact form and waiting for a response. These bots will be more common in 2024 and your competitors may take advantage of them soon.

Consider an omni-channel marketing approach for social media.

Social media is an important part of digital marketing. It is a great way to bring traffic to your site by promoting deals, products and services. There are so many platforms to utilise these days. You can connect with a local community through Facebook, share images of events and product launches on Instagram and jump on national trends with Twitter hashtags. Some brands even make use of Pinterest because of the longevity of the pins and the core demographic of users. At the moment, many companies stick with a multi-channel approach where each platform has its own purpose. But, in 2024, you may benefit from switching to an omni-channel approach.

Omni-channel means using all of these channels in a more cohesive way to maximise your social reach. One marketing department should oversee each platform to ensure that the message is the same throughout. You can also link different platforms together for a better user experience. For example, all channels could focus on one promotion for a national holiday. You can post a video about it on YouTube and promote this on Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter site can also use the same hashtags as the Instagram page to hammer home the message.

Accept the fact that Google will only get smarter through 2024.

We mentioned the increased intelligence of Google in 2024. But, this point is worth reiterating. If you think it's smart now, wait until this time next year. In the next 12 months, it will contain even more algorithms and clever AI tech to improve the ranking systems. Therefore, the final and perhaps most important tip for SEO and SEM tools in 2024 is to stay on your toes. Don't assume that you have everything figured out for the whole of 2024 by the end of April. You will need to make changes throughout the year, carry out regular SEO audits and adapt your digital marketing strategies.

SEO is big business and is only going to get bigger in 2024.

With so much to consider, and so many sites to compete with, it is no surprise that businesses in the US spend so much money on SEO services. In 2018, Forbes reported that there would be an estimated spend of $72 billion by the end of the year. The same report forecast spending of $80 billion by 2024. The figure keeps rising as companies understand the significance of the best tools and approaches. You really do need to spend money to make money with SEO but it is worthwhile.

In short, take the time to adjust your SEO strategies with a more fluid approach in 2024. Work on creating quality content with realistic search terms that reflect voice searches. Make sure to work on mobile-optimisation for inclusion in Google’s new index. Consider that omni-channel approach to your social media campaigns. Finally, accept the fact that Google will always find smarter ways to test our sites and rank us.