7 SEO Trends to Watch Out for in 2018

Search engine optimization is largely decided by a constantly changing, highly sought algorithm. Its formula keeps those of us in the industry on our toes, as new factors emerge, and others fade into the background.

Trying to keep up with the latest picks dominating Google’s equation can be a tricky, and time-consuming, task. And, it’s no wonder we are on a constant quest to unravel the string of factors included at any given moment.

Google changes their algorithm between 500 and 600 times in a year and has launched at least nine major updates over the last two years.

Want to know which SEO trends will lead in 2018?

We’re taking the guesswork out of SEO and sharing the factors that you should focus on right now.

Read on for your personal guide to the SEO trends that will dominate online rankings this year.

The Search Engine Puzzle

If you’re in the digital marketing industry, Google’s ranking factors are likely to be one of the most valuable sources that stand to impact your job.

Unfortunately, trying to decipher the method to Google’s madness is a mystery to all of us outsiders. That’s because the internet king of rankings doesn’t actually publish their algorithm and the factors that it relies upon publicly. What do we really know about the ranking algorithm?

Based on prior algorithm factors Google has used in the past, and future tech trends, statistics, and other data, analyzers make assumptions to hypothesize the current formula to the best of their ability.

Many of the experts analyzing Google’s future behavior are very good at what they do. Therefore, the conclusions drawn are widely accepted and published throughout the tech industry.

However, at the end of the day, the reality is that Google alone has the secret formula that keeps the rest of us SEO detectives grappling for answers.

2018’s 7 Top SEO Trends to Know

How can we use what we do know to determine current SEO trends?

We’ve got you covered. Rather than sift through all of the relevant data yourselves, we’ve done the research for you.

After analyzing the most trusted sources and theories, we’ve come up with the all-important SEO trends that you can count on to guide you towards success this year.

Here’s what we comprised as the top seven SEO trends in 2018.

1. Mobile Matters

As more and more searches are completed using Google’s voice feature, it’s more important than ever to increase mobile friendliness and stay on top of your site’s mobile capabilities.

2. Longer Tail Keywords

As a direct effect of increased voice searches, there will be a tendency towards longer tail keywords. Marketers should focus on longer-tail keyword searches with stronger intent and a higher mobile conversion rate.

3. Video and Image Search Takes the Stage

In the digital marketing arena, as well as throughout the varied social media platforms, people have shown a preference for image-rich content and videos.

Start-ups acquired by Google, including Moodcrunch and Eyefluence, are seeking to recognize visual elements accurately and watching how users are interacting with videos and images. Their goal is to improve the user experience in regards to these media outlets.

This implies that Google will begin building a greater focus on images and videos as well and using them to determine some part of their ranking components.

4. Traditional Ranking Factors Continue to Shrink While Relevance is on the Rise

The factors that Google has relied on in the past are becoming less significant, rendering many obsolete as the reigning search engine seeks relevancy.

The more experienced Google has had plenty of practice sifting through content.

As the ranking experts mature, they expect improved content that provides above average, useful, significant information to users. Not only that but the high-quality content with incorporated unique features which apply will emerge as first page candidates.

5. SEO Expands to Include a Wider Range of Search Engines

Although Google continues to dominate among search engines, with Bing holding steady behind them, there are new options entering the race.

Smaller players such as Amazon and Yelp have become contending search engines in their own right.

6. Focus Shifts from Link Building to Brand Building

Backlinks have been a major factor in recent years. But, now link building is making room for brand based SEO marketing.

Now, non-linked mentions will begin impacting on-page SEO as the brand gains prominence with search engines.

7. Machine Learning Becomes More Prominent

It’s expected that machine learning will become a greater influencer during 2018. One reason for this belief is that Google’s parent company has invested heavily in machine learning updates.

Meanwhile, the algorithm updates that have been running the show up to this point will begin to fade into the distance. This may even lead to a complete dependence on machine learning updates in the years to come.

Get Optimized in 2018!

To make sure your site is at the top of its game, you need to keep up with all of the most current SEO trends.

However, with the ever-changing realm of ranking factors, it can be a challenge to stay up to date. But, don’t despair. We’re here to help you navigate the maze of trending web techniques.

Don’t let your marketing mojo die when new trends make their way into the arena.

Keep your SEO-know-how in shape by learning the latest and greatest news and SEO trends.

Need help creating a successful SEO strategy? We can help make sure you have the knowledge you need to be your best.

Contact us today to create super-powered SEO for your site!

You can never quit. Winners never quit, and quitters never win

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