February 28, 2017

SEO Trends 2017

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Michael Jenkins
Michael Jenkins

CEO - Shout Agency
[email protected]

Overview

Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing is akin to embarking on a journey through uncharted territories. In 2017, the realm of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) underwent a metamorphosis that forever altered the way brands engaged with online audiences. As we delve into the annals of time, we unearth a treasure trove of insights from the past that continue to shape the present and future of SEO strategies.

The year 2017 marked a pivotal moment when SEO leapt from mere keyword optimization to a holistic approach, intertwining technical prowess with user-centric experiences. Shout Digital invites you on a retrospective expedition to rediscover the seismic shifts that redefined SEO in 2017. In this voyage, we navigate the intricacies of voice search, mobile optimization, content quality, and the significance of user intent.

Peering into the past, we unearth not only trends but timeless principles that stand as the bedrock of SEO success. Join us in this exploration of SEO trends from 2017 – a compass that not only directs our understanding of the past but also illuminates the path forward in the ever-advancing world of digital marketing.

SEO is always changing. Therefore, for businesses to understand the best methods to improve their search results this year, they need to understand the SEO trends for 2017.

SEO Trends for 2017

1. User Intent

Search engines are better than ever at understanding consumers’ intent with their searches. The ability to put context to user queries extends from local to voice to other types of search.

The Schema mark-up of web pages makes it possible to understand your website properly. This means that when you use Schema on your website, Google can read your website and include it in results for the relevant user intent.

Because of the tools available on various content management systems, it is easier than ever to use Schema on WordPress, Joomla, and Wix websites. More websites will use it in 2017.

2. Mobile First Searches

Google realises that over 50% of all searches come from mobile devices. That is because the use of smartphones and other mobile devices has increased exponentially over the past few years.

One of the biggest changes in the past year that will continue to affect mobile searches in 2017 is the mobile-first indexing of websites. This means that Google indexes the mobile site first, because it often has less content than the desktop version of the website.

As a result, in 2017, you will see an increase in content for mobile sites.

Another change was the implementation of Accelerated Mobile Pages. These new pages are cached versions of the traditional website for visitors to view on mobile devices.

Currently, over 700,000 domains and over 600 million published pages have used AMP. This number will continue to grow as more and more websites see the benefits of applying the mobile project to their mobile websites.

3. Voice Search

This is the next big step in search engines. It is why Amazon created Alexa, iPhone has Siri, and Android uses Google Now to improve the value of search.

Using searches based on voice recognition provides new and useful ways for searches within context. By using longer and more engaging voice searches, it provides more personalised results to users.

If you are not sure about how to improve your voice search marketing strategies, then feel free to contact us for more information.

4. User Experience

Speed matters with search engines. It has for a few years now, but with new server speeds, lighter HTML and CSS, and AMP usage, sites can load much faster than before.

That is why Google has put a greater emphasis on this aspect of search engine optimisation over the past few years. It is because user experiences affect a wide range of search factors, such as time on site and number of pages visited.

Google has seen that the better a website presents itself to its users, the more likely they will stay on the site due to the relevant content. This trend will continue in 2017 as sites load faster and deliver a wider range of video and audio content.

5. Cross-channel marketing

This is not just an SEO trend for 2017, but one that must be continued if businesses wish to get more out of their optimization efforts. Just fixing the technical or content angles of your website is no longer enough to get search traffic.

To get significant search traffic, cross-channel marketing is needed. That means using social media to gain valuable connections who share your content, including videos that can be played on YouTube and other video sharing sites.

Also, building your search traffic with email marketing can be beneficial. Email marketing brings more interested visitors to a website. That leads to more comments, more shares, and more time spent on the site.

These bring a lot of intrinsic benefits that Google looks for when ranking websites. They know that their results do not exist in a cloud. Determining the best results on search engines, requires utilising a wide array of resources.

Final Thoughts

While it is still early to do too many SEO predictions for this year, the SEO trends for 2017 will continue to build upon the developments of the past few years.

With a continuation of mobile marketing and contextual understanding of searches, this year will see even more steps away from the traditional search engine strategies to user experience-based search engine optimisation.

If you still have questions about how to keep up with the SEO trends for 2017, we would be more than happy to talk with you about the best approach your business can take in 2017.

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        Shout logo in grey

        As Founder and Director of Shout Web Strategy, Michael Jenkins is at the forefront of digital marketing. Since it’s inception in 2009, Shout has built a strong reputation as one of Australia’s leading strategic SEO agencies, assisting online businesses to formulate, implement and track successful marketing strategies. Michael is a respected thought leader and digital strategist, specialising in online strategy, corporate SEO, Google retargeting, email and conversion rate optimisation, and online reputation management. Follow Michael on Google+, connect with him through LinkedIn or visit the Shout Web Strategy website.

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