Latest SEO Trends and Updates to Watch Out For in 2018
New SEO trends, updates, and Google changes are expected in 2018. Now is the best time to reflect on these recent updates, examine how they’ve evolved and what we can expect from them in the future. Here are the latest SEO trends and updates to watch out for in 2018.
Voice Search
Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, announced that about 20% of mobile searches are voice searches. By the looks of it, this new search method won’t fade away anytime soon since it is naturally easier for individuals to use voice search when on the go. As Google improves their voice recognition technology, more people will find it more and more convenient.
How will SEO change with voice search? It will require SEO experts to target their keywords differently because individuals speak differently than they type. They end up using more natural patterns of languages than the average search engine queries. However, this makes the optimization highly intuitive and opens up more keyword targeting opportunity, such as long tail search terms.
Mobile-First Indexing
It was in the works several years ago, but just recently, Gary Illyes, Google spokesperson, announced that mobile-first indexing would be rolling out in 2018. In other words, Google will now be using your exclusive mobile content to identify your ranking to a much higher degree.
Gary Illyes revealed that you are solid if your website or domain is mobile friendly and responsive. Only those sites that are not mobile responsive will be affected by mobile-first indexing updates.
Search AI and RankBrain
Think of these as machines that are trying hard to think like humans, utilizing every possible and available piece of information-browser footprint, social, click patterns, user-generated, and more at its disposal. The purpose behind this is to match people’s searches to the best possible answers to their queries.
Google revealed that if RankBrain sees a phrase or word that it is not familiar with, this machine can guess the phrases or words that may have the same meaning and then filter the result accordingly. These predictions make handling searches and query easier and more effective.
If you are serious about your Search Engine Optimization or SEO, you better optimize for RankBrain mainly because this is one of the most important ranking signals. Targeting related keywords of those currently under your radar is a required.
Highly-Personalized SERPs
Personalization of SERP has been a known thing way back in 2007. Still, just recently, Google has become very sophisticated with its algorithm by serving results based on your search history, local geography, activities, and interests across other Google apps. With this data, users will have a more personalized and unique search experience.
Get ready for search engines aiming to rank your service pages to solve a users needs or updating the map pack for more location based result page.
These are the big trends coming our way. Although these updates seem to be a bigger leap forward on on Google’s behalf, adjustment is nothing new to an SEO. Every year there are new challenges coming our way. The best approach isn’t to panic or to quite. In marketing, even in 2018, we must respect the trend and turn it into value.
How to move forward?
These are the big trends coming our way. Although these updates seem to be a bigger leap forward on on Google’s behalf, adjustment is nothing new to an SEO. Every year, there are new challenges coming our way. The best approach isn’t to panic or to quit. In marketing, even in 2018, we must respect the trend and turn it into value.
