Top SEO Trends to Watch Out for in 2024 and Beyond

Forget staying ahead – 2024 SEO is about dominating search.

Factors like rapidly evolving user behavior and better Artificial Intelligence (AI) penetration are reshaping the landscape.

Public relations agencies (PR agencies) in the Philippines, especially those offering digital marketing services, can actually help local businesses discover the key SEO trends they need to know to flow with the changes.

Here’s all you need to understand so that you can dominate the SEO game in your industry.

Core Web Vitals and User Experience (UX)

What are they?

Core Web Vitals are specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage’s overall user experience. These metrics measure a page’s speed, responsiveness, and visual stability, providing a quantifiable measure of its performance.

User experience (UX), meanwhile, has become a cornerstone of SEO. Search engines now prioritize sites that offer a seamless, engaging user experience. The more user-friendly the site is, the better. UX optimization is crucial for improving search rankings!

How to Improve Core Web Vitals and UX

Short of studying all these from scratch on your own, the easiest way to improve your business’s online presence this way is to outsource. Digital marketing agencies can help with image optimization, caching, and code improvements to enhance Core Web Vitals and UX.

AI and Machine Learning in SEO

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing how content is created and optimized for search engines. AI tools can help:

Identify keyword opportunities,
Generate content ideas and;
Write preliminary content drafts.

On the flip side, predictive search algorithms use past search data to predict future search queries. Combined with machine learning, this allows search engines to deliver more personalized search results.

These two are making search algorithms smarter and more efficient. Use this to your advantage! Better understand user intent and deliver more relevant search results so that your SEO becomes more complex and dynamic, and you are better equipped to optimize search for your business success.

Voice Search Optimization

Think voice search is only useful when you want to find your favorite shows on your smart TVs? Your business might benefit from this, too — as long as you optimize!

Growth of Voice Search and Smart Speakers

With the popularity of voice search and smart speakers on the rise, optimizing for voice search is essential. Our quick tip? Focus on natural language and question-based queries.

Natural language means using everyday words and phrases that people speak in conversation.

Question-based queries mean searches phrased as questions. Examples are “What is the capital of Sudan?” or “How do I make ube champorado?“

More Tips for Optimizing for Voice Search

To optimize for voice search:

Include long-tail keywords
Focus on local SEO and
Structure content to answer direct questions

Long-tail Keywords and Conversational Queries

Long-tail keywords and conversational queries are essential for voice search optimization. They align with the natural language used in voice searches, improving the chances of ranking higher.

Long tail keywords are more specific search phrases, typically longer than 3 words.

Conversational queries are searches phrased like questions or how-to statements that mimic natural conversation.

Some examples:

Long-tail keyword: best vegan protein powder for weight loss
Conversational query: “Hey Google, what’s the healthiest protein powder for vegans who want to lose weight?”
Long-tail keyword: hiking trails near Mount Apo with waterfalls
Conversational query: “Can you recommend any scenic hikes with waterfalls near Mount Arayat National Park?”

Video Content and SEO

Videos can improve engagement metrics and keep visitors on your site longer, positively impacting search rankings. According to Social Pilot, viewers claim they retain 95% of the information in videos.

Best Practices for Video Optimization

Optimizing video content involves many things, but if you’re just starting, try these:

Use relevant keywords in titles and descriptions, but avoid keyword stuffing. Focus on naturally incorporating keywords throughout the title and description while keeping it informative and engaging for viewers.
Create engaging thumbnails and use clear, high-resolution images that reflect your video content accurately. Consider including text overlays and contrasting colors to grab attention.
Ensure videos are accessible and load quickly. Aim for a load time of under 10 seconds. This is especially important for mobile viewers, where slower connections can cause frustration.

Video as a Search Engine Ranking Factor

Did you know search engines increasingly prioritize video content? Well-optimized video content can enhance visibility and drive traffic!

Try searching for a popular recipe, like chocolate chip cookies. The top results will likely include both written instructions and video!

Mobile-First Indexing

Google’s Mobile-First Indexing Explained

Google now primarily uses the mobile version of the content for indexing and ranking. This means you need to invest in having a mobile-friendly website.

Optimization Tips for Mobile SEO

Optimizing for mobile SEO involves:

Having a responsive design (see UX!);
Improving site speed;
Ensuring easy navigation on smaller screens and;
Optimizing for local search – that is, local businesses get preference!

Local Search Ranking Factors

Factors influencing local search rankings include:

The relevance and accuracy of your business information,
The number and quality of reviews, and
Your engagement with customers on the platform

E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)

E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It’s a framework used by Google to assess the quality of content and its sources, impacting search rankings.

Improving your site’s E-A-T involves:

Creating high-quality, authoritative content – content that you’re an expert on and that your audience will keep coming back to.
Securing reputable backlinks – how many other websites out there are using your website as an authority in your niche?
Ensuring your site is secure and trustworthy – is your customers’ data safe within your website?

Sustainable and Ethical SEO Practices

Sustainable digital marketing focuses on long-term strategies that are ethical and environmentally friendly. It’s about creating content that remains relevant and valuable over time.

Meanwhile, ethical SEO practices, such as avoiding manipulative tactics and focusing on providing value to users, are crucial for building trust and credibility with users and search engines.

With more and more consumers caring about the impact they have when they shop or engage, sustainable and ethical practices are the future!

Avoiding Black-Hat SEO Techniques

Black-hat SEO techniques can result in penalties and damage your site’s long-term performance. Focusing on ethical, white-hat strategies is essential for sustainable SEO success.

Integration of SEO with Other Digital Marketing Strategies

SEO and content marketing work hand in hand. High-quality, optimized content can drive traffic and improve SEO, while effective SEO research can inform content strategy.

The Role of Social Media in SEO

While social media signals don’t directly impact SEO rankings, social media can amplify your content’s reach, driving more traffic to your site and potentially improving SEO outcomes.

Combining SEO with Email Marketing and PPC

Integrating SEO with email marketing and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can create a cohesive digital marketing strategy that maximizes visibility and conversion opportunities.

Other Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on SEO

The Role of Blockchain in SEO

Blockchain technology can potentially change how we trust and verify online content, with SEO and digital marketing implications.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in SEO

AR and VR offer new ways to engage users and could influence SEO by creating new types of content and experiences optimized for search.

Internet of Things (IoT) and SEO Implications

The IoT connects everyday objects to the internet, generating data and interactions that could influence search trends and SEO strategies.

Final Thoughts

The SEO landscape in 2024 promises significant transformations driven by technological advancements, evolving user behavior, and ongoing search engine algorithm updates. To navigate this dynamic environment, businesses must prioritize staying informed about these trends and adapting their SEO strategies accordingly.

Proactive adoption will be key to securing a competitive edge and ensuring your business remains adaptable and a leader in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Contact one of the best PR agencies in the Philippines, NGP-IMC, for reliable digital marketing services that can take your SEO strategy to the next level.