Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the best ways to make sure your target audience can find your business quickly on the web. However, search engines like Google are constantly refining their algorithms to deliver their users the best, most relevant content. Staying competitive in a constantly-evolving digital landscape means paying attention to the latest SEO trends. Gauge Digital Media has you covered.
Voice Search Continues to Rise
As more Americans start to rely on Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant for household queries, voice search will continue to impact website traffic. When optimizing for voice search, websites should think about using phrases that people speak in natural conversation. When users are typing, they often try to do less work. This means that a phrase like “Mexican Restaurant Baltimore” might be perfect for traditional search SEO. When optimizing for voice search, you might optimize a longer, more naturally spoken phrase like “Where is the best Mexican restaurant in Baltimore?”
Mobile Optimization Takes Priority
Two years ago, Google started using mobile-first indexing. This means that they primarily use the mobile version of a website to determine where it should be placed in search results. Because the majority of users are making searches on their phones, Google wants to make sure it is offering up websites that are mobile-optimized. These SEO trends aren’t going anywhere, as Google is still prioritizing websites that are optimized for mobile devices.
Featured Snippets Can Get You to the Top
Google has been using featured snippets to quickly answer questions on the search page since 2017. These are paragraph or sentence-long answers that Google has selected to feature prominently below a question. If you have a snippet featured, you get a major boost in traffic and get the most out of your website. Question-based content that is rich with keywords can help you to take advantage of this SEO trend.
Images Have Higher Standards
Another one of the biggest SEO trends for 2021 is an increased emphasis on optimized images. Many businesses are surprised to learn that just having images on their website is not enough to reap the benefits from a search engine optimization perspective. While Google has encouraged websites to take care of image optimization for a while, they are going to begin place increased importance on properly optimized images. All of your images should be high-quality, relevant and have customized file names that indicate the content of the photo or page. Always use alt-tags so that images can be quickly classified. We can assist in evaluating existing images on your website and ensuring that all of them meet Google’s rigorous standards.
Enrich Your Keywords
Keywords are nothing new when it comes to SEO trends, but semantically-related and secondary keywords are growing in value. Search engines are branching out and not only looking for specific words in a specific order, but also associated secondary keywords. Your content should be created with not only the basic keywords in mind, but also other things people are searching for. The right digital content partner like Gauge Digital Media can
Local Search Listings Are Critical
While the internet is an international, sprawling place, that doesn’t mean that all of your content should be designed to target the entire globe. The vast majority of users are looking for goods and services right near them, and local search helps you to take advantage of that. Local SEO can ensure that you are in a great position when a member of your target audience is searching for your product or service near you.
Data Is Key
The more that you know about how your content and website are performing, the more that you are able to adapt to the latest SEO trends. Working with Gauge Digital Media ensures that you have access to advanced statistics that inform your digital strategy. From seeing which URLs are being crawled the most to analyzing referral sources, we know how to gather accurate data and interpret it for the benefit of your website. No comprehensive digital strategy can adapt to changing SEO trends without extensive data. As the algorithm changes and shifts, your back-end data helps us to keep your website high in the search results for your keywords.
Be Prepared for the Latest SEO Trends in 2021
Working with a professional digital marketing company is the best way to make the most of your website and all that search engine optimization trends have to offer. To learn more about the best digital marketing strategies for your company and reach a bigger audience than ever before, work with Gauge Digital Media. For a quote or to schedule a call, call us at 410-376-7709.
