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Many people aim to keep their websites at the forefront of online visibility through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). However, a common challenge is that not everyone is aware of the latest search trends that search engines are prioritizing to rank websites.
In this article, I will discuss the top SEO strategies that are currently effective. I will also guide you on how to incorporate these strategies to enhance your website's visibility on search engines such as Google and Bing. This, in turn, can help you drive sales, gain recognition, and achieve other goals.
Top 5 SEO Strategies to Focus on in 2023 & 2024
1. Long-form content
Long-form content has demonstrated its effectiveness by being more engaging, easily shareable, and highly beneficial for SEO. Research consistently reveals that longer content not only captures readers' attention but also contributes to achieving higher search rankings. In fact, studies consistently show that longer content dominates the top positions on search engine results pages, making it a valuable strategy for website owners and content creators.
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| SerpIQ conducted a study that tracked the top 10 search results based on content length |
In fact, Google, in particular, has been increasingly prioritizing content that comprehensively addresses users' needs. In fact, their algorithm updates have consistently emphasized their commitment to user satisfaction. To underscore their seriousness about this, they reiterated this focus in August and December 2022 and followed up with further beneficial content updates in September 2023.
Simply writing 500 to 700 words on a topic where your competitors are producing 2000 to 2500 words of high-quality content may not be sufficient to outrank them. Do you understand?
If your website has thin or shallow content, you might see a drop in its search ranking
While long-form content is often associated with higher search engine rankings, it's important to note that Google doesn't determine a page's ranking solely based on its word count. It's also essential to be aware that a higher quantity of content alone, without quality, does not guarantee your page a higher rank.
For content to address the needs of each of your users, the updates point out the following:
1. The content must be versatile: This means the content must touch all the areas of the topic in question.
2. Original: The content provides original information, reporting, research, or analysis.
3. Free from automated-generated content and plagiarism: While Google accepts content that is enhanced by automated machines, they are totally against full-page content generated by AI or copied.
2. E. E. A. T
E-E-A-T, previously known as E-A-T, has been updated to align with the evolving digital landscape. It places a renewed emphasis on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, recognizing their vital role in delivering reliable and valuable content to users.
E-E-A-T, an acronym representing Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, holds a central position in the world of SEO. It involves establishing your credibility with search engines by creating high-quality content, securing backlinks from reputable sources, and upholding a strong online reputation.
Experience signifies that authors should have firsthand knowledge of the content they publish on their site. Expertise implies that the content's author is an authority in the field they cover. Authoritativeness denotes that your content wields a strong influence over its audience, while trustworthiness means that Google can trust you as an expert in the topic you cover.
Among these aspects, Google places the greatest importance on trust. The search engine utilizes these four criteria—experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness—to evaluate the relevance of a website's content.
Although E-E-A-T isn't a specific ranking factor, Google relies on it to determine which content to rank in search results. For instance, Google gives more weight to content that significantly impacts people's health, financial stability, safety, or the welfare of society.
Read more about what Google says about this in this article
3. Mobile-first indexing
Mobile-first indexing is already in practice, and its significance will continue to grow. This shift towards mobile-first internet usage is driven by the rising affordability and popularity of smartphones and tablets, the widespread availability of high-speed mobile internet, and the increasing use of mobile apps for various tasks, including web browsing, email, and social media.
The importance of mobile-first indexing can be summarized as follows:
1. User Behavior: Mobile devices have become the primary choice for internet access, with users favoring the convenience of smartphones and tablets. Mobile search traffic has been consistently on the rise, making it a significant portion of overall web traffic.
2. Google's Focus: Google, the leading search engine, has placed a strong emphasis on mobile-first indexing. This means Google gives priority to the mobile version of a webpage for ranking and indexing, aligning with the way people use the internet today.
3. SEO Impact: To perform well in search results, websites must be mobile-friendly and offer a smooth user experience on mobile devices. Neglecting this can result in lower search rankings and reduced visibility.
4. Mobile-Friendly Ranking: Google considers mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. If your website isn't mobile-friendly, it may not rank as high in search results, affecting its visibility to mobile users.
5. Enhanced User Experience: Prioritizing mobile-first design and optimization enhances the user experience, potentially leading to increased engagement, longer time spent on your site, and improved conversion rates.
In summary, mobile-first indexing is essential because it aligns with current user behavior and is a key factor in how your website performs in search results. It's a reflection of the modern internet landscape, where mobile devices are at the forefront of online activities.
Recommend reading: 3 Major Reasons Your Website Is Slow and How to Fix It
4. Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals are making a big splash in the world of website ranking. Search engines are using them to figure out how good or bad a website is for users. Many website owners, like publishers and businesses, are trying to make their sites better to get a higher ranking on Google.
Core Web Vitals are like a set of tools that measure how fast a website loads. If your site loads quickly, it's more likely to rank higher. But if your site is slow, people might leave, and that's not good for Google's ranking.
It's important to know that Core Web Vitals are just one part of SEO, which is all about making your website do well in search results. Other things like good content, mobile-friendliness, and links from other sites also matter a lot. So, it's about finding the right balance between Core Web Vitals and these other factors to get a good search ranking.
5. Google Business Profile For Local SEO
Recent research from SEMrush tells us that Google Business Profile (GBP) is a hot topic on social media, with over 1 million mentions every month. It's clear that a lot of folks are talking about it.
Google Trends, another tool, shows us that interest in GBP has been growing steadily in recent years. In 2023, it's up by 15% compared to 2022. This shows that many people want to learn more about GBP and how it can help their businesses.
Why is it trending? Well, GBP is like a secret weapon for local businesses online. When you search for a business on Google, GBP listings often pop up at the very top of the results. Google really likes GBP and uses it to decide which local businesses to show first.
GBP also helps businesses connect with new customers. With GBP listings, businesses can share all the important info about what they offer, when they're open, and where they're located. This helps people decide where to spend their money.
And the best part is, that GBP is totally free. Any business can use it to look good on the internet and reach more people. Small businesses and startups, in particular, love it because they don't have to spend a dime to get noticed online.
Conclusion
In the dynamic world of online visibility and SEO, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. The SEO landscape is evolving, with key trends and strategies taking center stage in 2023 and beyond. From the power of long-form content to the ever-increasing importance of E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), from the pivotal role of mobile-first indexing to the rise of Core Web Vitals, it's clear that adapting to these changes is essential. The trending discussion around Google Business Profile (GBP) underscores its significance in the world of local SEO, offering businesses a free and potent tool to connect with customers. As these trends shape the digital realm, website owners and marketers have the opportunity to enhance their online presence, drive engagement, and achieve their goals.