Last One There Loses Traffic! How the Seo Trends of 2018 Will Change Next Year

Now that the average small business spends around $75,000 a year on digital marketing, every company is looking for a way around that line item.

Every dollar counts when it comes to marketing, so making use of SEO is a way to make each of those dollars stretch. Starting with the SEO trends of 2018, there are some changes to expect in the future.

Here are five things to expect as SEO changes in the coming year.

1. Voice Search Taking Over

As voice search and virtual assistants take over, contextual voice search is quickly becoming the top way people are searching for things. Words like “where”, “why”, or “how”, are fast becoming a part of the way that you have to frame searches. With these terms in mind, you’ll better capture your audience in the future.

If you’re running a blog, you need to frame most of your posts around these kinds of questions. In order for your audience to come across your blog, they’re going to need to see that you have the answers that they’re looking for.

Most people interact with their virtual assistants by either asking a question or barking a command. If you want to be a part of the future of voice search, you’re going to need to frame your search terms around the kind of questions that you get.

When you’re trying to come up with terms to use, think like someone searching for your products and services. Come up with the kinds of questions that people ask about your products and services and then frame your posts as an answer. This will tell search engines that you’re listening to your audience.

2. Blogs Need To Be Reputable

With the rise of criticism around fake news on sites like Facebook and Google, it’s more important than ever to source your posts. Where once sites would post links to whatever was trending, they are starting to change their framework to avoid promoting fake news. In order to avoid getting caught up in spam or fake news filters, you need to build a stronger reputation.

While this might seem irrelevant to you if you’re selling products, the number one way people are improving their SEO is via blogs. When people use a search engine, they’re either looking for a specific product or the answer to a question. With the help of a blog, you can answer questions, providing your products or services as the solution.

However, it’s a tough dance to cover both sides of the fence. You need to promote your products but you also need to source your articles

Avoid being fake news by writing about real issues surrounding your industry. TAlk about your products and services in the context of the real world, how people use them, and how they relate to what’s going on in your region.

3. Keywords Need Context

Keywords are still the backbone of SEO, but they’re not as valuable as they used to be. More important the number of keywords is the way that keywords are used. Keywords in context are more important than keywords being used over and over with little purpose.

When you’re putting together your keywords, put them in your blog or articles in ways that make sense. Use them in new and creative ways, to answer questions or address concerns around your industry.

Giving your keywords context adds heft to your content. It ensures that you’re offering real and useful content to your readers. Couch keywords in phrases that reference news items or items of local interest.

Avoid spamming your readers so that you can build a better reputation. Combine reputable writing with clear usefulness and you’ll get your articles shared on social media. By offering contextually valuable content, you won’t get snagged by social media filters.

4. Reviews Continue To Matter

The reviews that you get online have a lot to do with where you rank on search engines. If you gather a lot of positive reviews from past clients, you’ll get to the top[ of search results and stay there.

The place to start is by getting control of your business listings online. Once you’ve seized control of your listings. You’ll get the opportunity to give your customers all the information they need up front.

You get the chance to show them photos, give them contact information, and let them know how to find you in the real world. Once you’ve seized your listings, reach out to your best customers and clients to get some reviews. Those reviews will beget more positive reviews and buffer you against any negative reviews in the future.

5. Local SEO and Map Results Are Big

One of the best methods to prepare yourself for the future of SEO is to use local SEO. Local search engine results are ensured by adding geographical terms, your city name, and neighborhood to your posts and content.

The more information that you give about where you’re located, the better that search engines can lead local searches to you. Google Maps, Yelp, and other location-based searches are now major players in thoe search game.

When you search for “pizza”, you don’t get the history of pizza or information on how to make it. You’ll get information at the top of your search results on the pizzerias nearest to you. Having these searches directed toward a specific location gives users what they’re looking for and offers you the chance to build your base where it matters.

If you’re struggling with SEO, SEO services that are outsourced provide a big help.

SEO Trends of 2018 Are Changing

The SEO trends of 2018 have relied more and more on new and emerging technology. As more devices and tools hit the market, expect more things to change.

To ensure that your site is SEO friendly, follow our guide to success.