9 Emerging SEO Trends to Follow in 2024 (Beyond AI)

Unless you’re living in a cave, you know there have been many changes in SEO. From Google implementing AI in its search results to using ChatGPT to create SEO content, marketers, companies, and content creators are on the run.

For example, in early 2023, Google released guidance about AI-generated content. Earlier SEOs were skeptical that their content efforts would be banished with AI usage; however, Google made it clear that they reward quality no matter how you produce it.

There are similar SEO trends that you should be aware of. In this blog post, we are listing 9 best-emerging SEO trends/SEO parameters you should follow in 2024. 

Do take note of the information we will share here and make an informed decision for crafting and updating your content in the upcoming months.

1. Voice Search Optimization

Fact: Voice search results pages comprise 70.4% of HTTPS websites.

Voice search has exploded in popularity thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant that are built into smart devices. Even the average time for voice search results to load is 4.6 seconds, which is 52% faster than the average page load time.

With more people searching by voice, optimizing content for conversational, long-form queries is now more important than ever. Websites need to match the casual tone and syntax of spoken requests. 

Implementing structured data markup is also essential, as this helps search engines better comprehend and index pages for voice users.

Additionally, using long-tail keywords aids voice search accuracy. Optimizing for featured snippets is also crucial since voice assistants rely on them for concise answers.

Example of Voice Search Optimization 

Someone asks their voice assistant, “What are the best restaurants for Italian food near me?” The long-tail keyword here is “best restaurants for Italian food near me.” So, if you’re a restaurant serving Italian foods, you could optimize for this keyword to get suggested by voice assistants.

2. Generative AI and Machine Learning in SEO

According to a Gartner poll, 55% of organizations use generative AI to grow their businesses. This will be a new add-on in SEO new trends in 2024.

Speaking of artificial intelligence, generative AI and machine learning will reshape SEO strategies in major ways. These transformative technologies give search engines enhanced abilities to grasp the intent and relevance of content truly.

In 2024, leveraging AI-powered solutions will likely become a prerequisite for gaining a competitive advantage in SEO.

Examples of Using Generative AI and Machine Learning in SEO

You can use an AI writing website to create outlines for your blog posts, identify content gaps in your current blog post, or simply ask for suggestions to improve it for humans. Similarly, if you’re out of ideas or inspiration for your next content piece, generative AI tools can break free your imagination.

3. Core Web Vitals and Page Experience

With its emphasis on Core Web Vitals, Google has clarified that user experience is paramount. As per Google, your page must load in under 2.5 seconds to provide a good user experience. 

Core Web Vitals consist of three specific metrics: LCP: Largest Contentful Paint (measuring loading performance), FID: First Input Delay (measuring interactivity), and CLS: Cumulative Layout Shift (measuring visual stability).

Page speed, interactivity, and visual stability directly impact search rankings by determining how seamlessly a site performs for real visitors. To improve these metrics, consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

Example for Improving Core Web Vitals and Page Experience

If you’ve not been actively using a CDN, do that first. CDN or content delivery networks simply keep the copy of your web pages to the nearest end-user server. Since this decreases the load time, it improves the LCP in Core Web Vitals. 

Similarly, you can optimize images (remove their metadata and re-size for proper fitting) to impact LCP and FID.

4. Mobile-First Indexing

Another game changer in SEO trends is Google’s switch to mobile-first indexing. Since most traffic comes from smartphones, Google indexes and ranks sites based on their mobile version. Also, Google uses a smartphone, Googlebot, to crawl web pages for mobile indexation.

Therefore, having a responsive design, seamless mobile usability, and excellent user experience on phones/tablets is now essential. Ignoring the mobile experience can severely hurt rankings and cause a loss in organic traffic.

Example of Improving Mobile-first Indexing

Use the Lighthouse extension for Chrome to generate a report for the mobile site of your page. The report will show scores for different metrics such as SEO, performance, and accessibility. You can click on the report to get into the details and optimize per your specifics.

Here’s a snapshot of the Lighthouse report generated for DigitalAnyway:

As you can see, we clearly need to have a talk with our SEO person.

5. Content Quality and Personalized User Experience

High-quality content has always been fundamental for SEO success over the years. In 2024, offering a personalized user experience, along with SEO based content writing, will be equally important.

Taking the time to truly understand your target audience and craft content that speaks directly to their unique needs, interests, and preferences is key. To achieve this, consider the following:

• Segmented Audience: Leverage user data to segment your audience based on preferences and behaviors.
• Targeted Content: Craft content tailored to these segments, addressing their unique needs and interests.

59% of consumers say they want business experiences to be tailored to their stated preferred products. AI-powered personalization helps keep users more engaged and willing to stay on sites longer.

Example of Creating Personalized User Experience with Your Content

Suppose you’re a travel company, and your target audience group includes solo travelers, adventure enthusiasts, and tourist travelers. Create content specific for each type of traveler group. For instance, your writing tone and terminologies will be different when addressing solo travelers and tourists (who are more laid-back).

6. Video and Visual Search Optimization

Interesting Fact: The human brain receives 90% of its information as visual data.

Visual content like videos, gifs, and photos is surging across the web. To stand out in 2024, you must optimize for visual search using descriptive filenames, alt text, and structured data markup.

For video SEO, effective tactics include providing transcripts and optimizing titles. Efforts like these help improve visibility and placement not just on Google but across social media platforms.

Example of Video and Visual Search Optimization

Let’s say your company has a YouTube channel that shares some educational content on various topics of your industry. Simply by adding captions to your videos, you’re enabling the viewer to watch your videos without turning the sound on. Now, someone could be watching your video without an earphone from a crowded place. 

7. Google’s E-E-A-T and Trustworthiness

E-E-A-T, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, has long been a priority in Google’s ranking algorithms. In other words, it is a part of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines.

Demonstrating deep experience & expertise, an authoritative voice, and a commitment to trustworthiness through rigorously researched content from credible sources will be vital for SEO success in 2024. 

To strengthen E-A-T and ensure SEO success in 2024, consider these tips:

• Credible Source Links: Back your content with links to authoritative sources, demonstrating trustworthiness and expertise.
• Authoritative Voice: Maintain an authoritative tone, emphasizing deep expertise and experience.
• Rigorous Research: Produce content rooted in rigorous research to bolster your reputation and authority in your field.

Example for Developing Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness

One of our clients is Misfit Wanderers, a popular travel blog from India. A few months ago, they acquired a link from Wikipedia to one of their blog posts. Apparently, Wikipedia considers them as a credible source of information for “a particular place.” 

Since Wikipedia is a reputed site in the eyes of people and Google, Misfit Wanderers’ credibility has increased twofold, even though the link they got is no-follow.

8. Local SEO and Google My Business

Do you know that 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses? Also, 86% use Google Maps to locate a business nearby.

For businesses with physical locations looking to attract local customers, local SEO remains a potent strategy.

Ensuring your Google My Business listing is fully optimized with up-to-date info, encouraging customer reviews, and using relevant local keywords will be critical. For the best local SEO results, businesses must invest time and resources. 

To excel in local SEO:

• Customer Review Engagement: Responding to customer reviews fosters trust and reputation management.
• Google Posts Utilization: Use Google Posts to promote your business, engage with customers, and share timely updates.

Example on Improving Your Local SEO

One of the things you can do to improve your local SEO efforts is to be active on your GMB profile. For instance, if you promptly and regularly reply to queries on your business page, Google will likely put you ahead. Additionally, you’re also improving the user experience for your business and Google, which gives you benefits from every corner.

9. Technical SEO and Site Speed

The foundational framework of technical SEO underlies how well your website performs in search. For example, 82% of users claim poor page loads influence their buying choice.

Technical elements like a well-structured website, clear URLs, XML sitemaps, and canonical tags will still be crucial in 2024, just as they were in years past.

The speed of the website is crucial, especially on mobile devices. So, focus on improving your site’s performance and loading times to give users a seamless experience.

For strong technical SEO and site speed:

• Sitemaps and Canonical Tags: Employ XML sitemaps and canonical tags to enhance search visibility and content organization.
• Caching Plugin: Utilize a caching plugin to boost website loading times, especially on mobile devices.

Example on Improving Technical SEO

Suppose you’re a small business with a WordPress site. You can install a caching plugin on your website, improving the loading time/speed for the users who frequently visit your site. Some plugins for WordPress we can suggest are W3 Total Cache and WP Rocket.

Key Takeaways

SEO in 2024 will be an exciting challenge for businesses seeking visibility. While change brings uncertainty, adapting quickly to innovations, as mentioned below, promises significant rewards.

• Optimizing for voice search and virtual assistants
• Using AI for content and analysis
• Prioritizing mobile-first indexing
• Improving page experience and Core Web Vitals
• Creating high-quality, personalized content
• Optimizing video and visual assets
• Strengthening authority and trust signals
• Doubling down on local SEO
• Maintaining technical SEO best practices

As the digital landscape evolves, embracing fresh strategies will keep websites ranking highly. The future of SEO is bright for those who can keep up.

Prioritizing these trends will help you set your website for success and guarantee it will continue to rank highly throughout the upcoming year.

If you accept and master these SEO trends in 2024, it will be dynamic, difficult, and rewarding.

FAQs on Emerging SEO Trends

If you need any assistance in SEO or SEO based content writing services, we are here to help you.