Do you want to improve your website’s ranking on Google in 2017? Want to know the key trends you should be taking advantage of?

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to maintaining and improving your website’s Google rankings. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a dynamic field, with strategies and trends constantly evolving. To achieve higher Google rankings in 2017, it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends and adapt your SEO strategy accordingly.

This blog post will explore seven SEO trends that were gaining momentum in 2017 and how you can take advantage of them to boost your website’s rankings.

KOL share their SEO trends for 2017 in this infographic.

 

Mobile-First Indexing

Mobile-first indexing marked a significant shift in Google’s approach to ranking websites. In March 2017, Google announced that it would prioritize mobile versions of websites when determining search rankings. This move reflected the increasing prevalence of mobile device usage for web browsing.

To take advantage of mobile-first indexing:

• Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive.
• Optimize your site’s loading speed on mobile devices.
• Focus on delivering a seamless user experience across all screen sizes.
• Use responsive design and dynamic serving to adapt content for different devices.

By prioritizing mobile optimization, you can improve your website’s ranking in Google’s search results, especially for users searching on mobile devices.

Voice Search Optimization

Voice search was gaining popularity in 2017, thanks to the rise of virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa. Voice search queries differ from traditional text-based searches, making it necessary to adapt your SEO strategy.

Here’s how you can optimize for voice search:

• Target long-tail keywords and natural language queries.
• Create content that answers common questions concisely.
• Use structured data markup to provide context for search engines.
• Optimize for local searches since voice searches often have a local intent.

By tailoring your SEO efforts to accommodate voice search, you can tap into a growing segment of users and improve your website’s visibility.

Content Quality and Relevance

High-quality content has always been a cornerstone of effective SEO, and in 2017, it was more important than ever. Google’s algorithms had become increasingly sophisticated at assessing the quality and relevance of content.

To excel in content quality and relevance:

• Conduct thorough keyword research to identify user intent.
• Create comprehensive, informative, and engaging content.
• Use relevant keywords naturally in your content.
• Update and refresh older content to keep it current and valuable.

Investing in content that provides real value to your audience not only improves your Google rankings but also enhances user satisfaction and engagement.

Featured Snippets and Structured Data

Featured snippets are the concise answers that appear at the top of some search results pages, providing users with quick information without clicking on a link. Structured data markup helps search engines understand the content on your pages, increasing the chances of your content being featured.

To target featured snippets and structured data:

• Identify common questions or queries in your niche.
• Structure your content to answer those questions clearly.
• Implement structured data markup using schema.org or other markup languages.
• Monitor your rankings and adjust your content as needed to compete for featured snippets.

By optimizing for featured snippets and structured data, you can position your content as a trusted source of information, potentially earning a coveted spot at the top of search results.

User Experience (UX) and Page Speed

User experience and page speed were critical factors in SEO rankings in 2017. Google prioritizes websites that provide a seamless and fast-loading experience for users.

Here’s how to enhance UX and page speed:

• Minimize page load times by optimizing images and code.
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) to distribute your site’s content.
• Ensure your site is secure with HTTPS encryption.
• Create a clean and intuitive website design that’s easy to navigate.

By improving user experience and page speed, you can reduce bounce rates, increase user engagement, and boost your Google rankings.

Social Signals

While the direct impact of social signals on SEO rankings remains a topic of debate, social media engagement can indirectly influence your website’s visibility in search results. In 2017, social signals were a part of the broader SEO landscape.

To leverage social signals:

• Maintain an active and engaging presence on social media platforms.
• Share your content and engage with your audience.
• Encourage social sharing of your content through sharing buttons and calls to action.
• Monitor and analyze social metrics to identify trends and opportunities.

While social signals themselves may not be a direct ranking factor, they can drive traffic to your site, increase brand visibility, and indirectly impact your SEO efforts.

User Intent and RankBrain

Google’s RankBrain, a machine learning algorithm, plays a significant role in determining search rankings by better understanding user intent. It focuses on providing users with the most relevant results based on the context of their queries.

To align with RankBrain and user intent:

• Analyze the intent behind specific keywords and queries.
• Tailor your content to match user intent, addressing their needs comprehensively.
• Monitor and adjust your content strategy based on user behavior and feedback.
• Consider user engagement metrics like click-through rate (CTR) and dwell time.

Understanding and catering to user intent is a fundamental aspect of modern SEO, helping you create content that resonates with your target audience.

Conclusion

In 2017, SEO was undergoing significant changes, driven by mobile-first indexing, voice search, and the increasing importance of user experience and content quality. To achieve higher Google rankings, website owners needed to adapt to these evolving trends.

By focusing on mobile optimization, voice search, content quality, structured data, user experience, social signals, and user intent, you could position your website for success in the competitive world of SEO.

While these trends were prevalent in 2017, it’s crucial to note that the SEO landscape is continually evolving. To maintain and improve your website’s rankings, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and adapt your strategy accordingly. SEO is a long-term game, and by staying informed and proactive, you can continue to drive organic traffic and enhance your online presence.