Search engines are constantly changing the way in which they index and rank websites. This is done to improve the relevancy of their search results for users. After all, users expect to find the most relevant listings when searching for a particular term. If the search engine delivers irrelevant results, they’ll probably choose a different search engine the next time they seek information online. So, what kind of search engine optimization (SEO) trends can you expect to see more of in 2017?
Mobile-First
It’s no secret that many people today use their smartphones or tablets to access the Internet. In fact, more than half of all Internet traffic comes from mobile devices. This has led many digital marketers to follow a “mobile-first” strategy, which basically entitles creating we-based content that’s tailored for mobile visitors. If visitors can only access your website on a desktop computer, you’ll get left in the dust by your competitors — it’s just that simple. Follow a mobile-first strategy with your SEO efforts in 2017.
User Intent
Following Google’s recent “Hummingbird” algorithm update, there’s now a greater focus on user intent in regards to search optimization. Search engines, for instance, are now trying to determine what exactly the user is trying to find when performing a search. This correlates specifically to content marketing, as high-quality content typically provides the answer. The bottom line is that you need to place yourself in the shoes of a typical user and ask yourself: what is he or she searching for? Only then can you provide the best possible content for your site’s visitors.
Accelerated Mobile Pages
If you perform Google searches on a smartphone or mobile device, you’ve probably seen pages labeled as “Accelerated Mobile Page.” Also known as AMP, this is a format developed by Google to encourage faster and lighter webpages that load more quickly on mobile devices. Google initially launched AMP back in February 2016. Since then, it’s become a greater component of Google’s ranking algorithm. When asked about AMP, Google’s Adam Greenberg said “Google now links to AMP pages in all its search results, which shows the project is now pretty central to the company’s plans.”
Backlinks
Ever since the dawn of Google, backlinks have remained a fundamental component in determining where and how to rank websites. While search engines are constantly evolving, backlinks are expected to remain a highly influential ranking factor. If a website has a large number of high-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative sources, it will have an easier time ranking for its target keywords.
