Ten Key Things Search Engine Experts Need to Know

search engine experts

Search engine experts. Over 66% of marketers prioritize search engine optimization, or SEO, to reach customers. However, you're bound to miss out on opportunities in the new year without a strong SEO strategy.

Now's your chance to increase your SEO tactics and sales!

With these 10 SEO concepts for search engine experts, you can improve your marketing efforts for 2020. Without these tactics, you're letting your competitors capture customers before you can.

Set yourself up for success in 2020 with these 10 SEO trends:

1. Understand User Intent

Search engine experts research their current customers when developing a solid SEO strategy. Who is your target audience? What questions are they asking that you're qualified to answer?

User intent tells you what your audience is looking for when they start a search. When you understand their goal, you can determine what content to create. Your content should consider what topics to cover and the format (video versus a podcast).

Google is also getting more competent when it comes to understanding search queries. It's not enough to have a list of keywords anymore. Now, you need to understand what your customers expect to find during a search.

Otherwise, they'll look to your competitors for the content they need.

Creating content that aligns with their user intent will ensure you appear knowledgeable and eager to help. In addition, you can lead your audience further down the sales funnel by anticipating your audience's needs. As a result, you're able to turn curious readers into buying customers.

2. Don't Fear Featured Snippets

To help its users, Google is now displaying more snippets at the top of search pages. These snippets give readers quick answers to the content they're searching for answers. Snippets show in several ways, such as Q&A format or recipes.

Start using structured data to provide potential customers with immediate answers to their questions.

Instead of wasting time skim-reading your content, potential customers can find what they need straight from Google. When customers know you have the answers, they'll learn to trust your brand in the future.

More search engine experts are looking into structured data and schema to respond to this trend.

Using metadata, structured markups, and tags, changing how you display your content can help your readers find what they're searching for.

3. The Dominance of Voice Search

Instead of typing search queries, consumers use Alexa, Siri, and "Okay Google" more often to search.

To keep up with the emergence of voice searches, companies are changing how they format content. For example, you might consider starting a blog post with a question your clients often ask. Then, you can provide a brief answer before following up with more depth.

The content should also appear more conversational and personable in tone.

Adapting to this SEO trend will help you stand out in search engines and keep up with consumer questions.

4. Amplify Influencers

Instead of handling SEO alone, search engine experts also leverage influencers for help. Instead of using intrusive, prominent ads, influencers give marketing a personal approach.

Influencer marketing involves partnering with someone your consumers already know and trust. If they enjoy using your brand, they can discuss their experience with their existing audience. Influencers can then link back to your website to amplify your reach.

By partnering with an influencer, you can build brand trust and traffic to your site.

5. Step Up Security

Google prioritizes its users. To provide them with a safe experience, Google looks for secure websites when determining page ranking. A website that isn't secure can scare off visitors if they think their private information is at risk.

To make the most of these 2020 SEO trends, ensure your site and clients display "HTTPS" in front of the URL.

Otherwise, Google and your customers will look elsewhere.

6. Mobile Matters

With more people checking their smartphones for information—whether they're home or on the go—Google decided to answer in turn. So now, Google uses mobile-first indexing to determine a website's search engine ranking.

Make sure your website performs well for mobile users.

That means altering how your site displays on smaller screens. Remove pop-ups and make sure your site is easy to use. Otherwise, a complicated online user experience can scare site visitors away.

7. More Videos

Instead of reading lengthy blog posts, more people prefer to watch videos for the information they need.

To effectively use video content, it's essential to make sure your videos are optimized. Don't forget to include your target keyword in the headline, title, and description.

You can also include a transcript to help anyone who watches your videos find the information they need.

8. See to CTR & Dwell Time

Click-through rates and dwells time can indicate how well your content provides readers with the answers they need. In addition, the longer people stay on the page, and the more they click around, the more satisfied they are with your content. Google uses both of these factors when determining page rankings.

By studying this data and heat maps, search engine experts can find new ways to improve their website design.

9. Personalize with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also impacting many SEO trends in 2020. For example, AI can make a blog post valuable in Google's algorithm. By understanding AI better, you can alter your content to provide consumers with a more personalized and unique user experience.

10. High-Quality Content is Key

It's no longer enough to use keywords and post to a blog. Instead, you need to ensure your content effectively provides users with what they're searching for answers to.

Make sure your content is unique, relevant, and timely.

Your audience will look elsewhere if your content reads like a sales pitch.

The SEO 411: Ten SEO Concepts for Search Engine Experts to Know

A new year full of new opportunities is fast approaching! Search engine experts can prepare their marketing for the new year by using these SEO trends. Otherwise, you're missing out on a chance to reach new customers.

Explore our latest SEO-related posts for more helpful tips! If you are looking for SEO experts near me, contact Quick Web Designs today!