Navigating the Future: SEO Trends & Strategies for 2024

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Read time: 6 minutesHey, Shane here,As we ride the digital wave into 2024, it's more important than ever to ride the emerging trends than catch up on them later! Buckle up, I’m about to share the SEO strategies and trends that’ll help you rule the 2024 SERPs.Get ready to redefine your approach to digital marketing success.

What you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

• 2024 SEO trends and strategies

• This week’s featured tool

• What’s new on the blog?

A special thanks to  our sponsors Semrush who keep this newsletter free: Semrush is my go-to all-in-one SEO tool. I use it daily for keyword research, competitive analysis, rank tracking, and even content quality checking.

SEO Trends & Strategies for 2024

With the last three months of 2023 packed with Google updates, 2024 will be an interesting time for SEO and digital marketing. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the most interesting things that will impact SEO in 2024 and how you can prepare for them.Let’s dive in!

1. Google Search Generative Experience (SGE)

Insights: SGE, an AI-driven search experience, transforms user interactions with instant, AI-generated results. Although still in its infancy, SGE and AI, in general, will shape the future of Google searches.

How to prepare for this: Although it’s early for SGE optimization, prioritize content that directly addresses user queries, incorporating expert analysis and maintaining topical authority.

2. Zero-Click SearchesInsights: The surge in zero-click searches is significant with 57% of mobile searches and a quarter of desktop searchers leaving the SERP without clicking on results. This makes getting the top-ranking position or featured snippet even more important than ever.

How to prepare for this: Secure featured snippets for relevant queries and diversify traffic sources through social media and email marketing, ensuring a holistic approach. An effective SEO content strategy will help you win positions in SERP features.

3. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)Insights: With more than 50% of adults using voice search daily, AEO has become an important part of content optimization.AEO centers on creating content that provides direct answers to user queries, ensuring readability and crawlability for AI assistants. The process entails identifying common questions posed to AI bots and voice assistants and leveraging this data to shape and structure your digital content strategy effectively.How to prepare for this: Develop a strategy for answer-based queries, employing a Q&A-style format. Align AEO with traditional SEO practices for a comprehensive impact.4. Topical AuthoritativenessInsights: Topical authority refers to the perceived expertise and credibility that a website or content possesses on a specific subject or topic. In the realm of search engine optimization (SEO), search engines aim to deliver the most relevant and trustworthy results to users.How to prepare for this: Establish authority in your niche by creating expert content, building a catalog, and employing effective site architecture. Leverage tools like Semrush's Topic Research for topic identification and build topic clusters.Also, participate in expert roundups, give interviews, and speak at events related to your area of expertise.5. Video SEOInsights: Video content is gaining prominence. The digital video viewership is expected to reach nearly 3.5 billion viewers by the end of this month.

How to prepare for this: Formulate a video SEO strategy that involves keyword research, thumbnail design, transcription, and metadata optimization. Stay ahead with a well-structured plan for optimizing your videos for search results pages on Google as well as on YouTube searches.

6. Evolving Search Engine Ranking FactorsInsights: Ranking factors evolve to prioritize trustworthy, expert content and seamless user experience.How to prepare for this: Root your SEO strategy in user-centric content, optimize your website for Core Web Vitals, and consistently deliver valuable information. If you’re unsure about what Google expects from your website, follow their SEO starter guide for beginners.7. Regular Content UpdatesInsights: Simply changing the “Last updated” dates of your existing content doesn’t count as an actual content update. Genuinely updating your content pieces with the latest stats, examples, and tips is important.This is especially true if that content isn’t ranking well. Regularly updating your content pieces is imperative amidst increased competition and content velocity. 

How to prepare for this:  Use tools like Semrush’s Position Tracking to monitor rankings, refresh or optimize pages exhibiting fluctuations, and adopt a strategic approach to maintain relevance.8. User Search IntentInsights: We have seen a recent shift in user search intent toward transactional and commercial queries as evidenced by the upward trend in these keyword groups.How to prepare for this: Understand the evolving search intent and optimize for transactional queries. Use Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool to gain real-time insights into promising keywords based on their search volume and ranking difficulty. Adapting to these trends will ensure you navigate the dynamic SEO landscape effectively. Strategize, monitor data in real-time, and leverage powerful tools to optimize your content and website.