Wednesday / February 02, 2022

The world of Search Engine Optimisation changes constantly. It’s on the cards that 2022 will become an exciting year for the industry.

2021 saw numerous major Google algorithm updates, including the Core Web Vitals Update and the Page Experience Update, and there are more coming up in 2022.

It’s a perfect time now for you to commence planning your digital marketing campaigns over the next few months.

However, what worked in the past for increasing your website’s ranking in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Positions) isn’t exactly what is going to get you through 2022.

Google has proclaimed that they’re working to get rid of spam and increase the number of links with engaging and informative content that offers a positive user experience.

Accordingly, your best chances of ensuring success in terms of the amount and type of traffic your website receives from Google are in adjusting your tactics now.

Here are 09 SEO Trends that could help you boost your rankings in 2022.

• First-Party Data Collection
• Improved Page Speed
• Expanded User Experience
• Refreshed Existing Content
• More Evergreen Content
• Better Focus on User Intent
• Google Discover Optimization

1. First-Party Data Collection

In the past few years, Google has brought about radical change by pushing to retire third-party cookies.

From a consumer’s perspective, this is a brilliant move that enhances personal data privacy.

As they say, one man’s meat is another’s poison; so, unsurprisingly, for marketers, it can feel like getting shot in the foot.

So creating a first-party data collection plan is at the top of everyone’s SEO to-do list in 2022.

How does this work?

Fundamentally what happens here is that website owners work to draw in plenty of new customers and potential leads to their website via search engines like Google and Bing.

From there, they can offer incentives for individuals to request quotes, sign up for an email list, or any other captive strategy to help gather contact information on a first-party basis.

This is an important concept that all digital marketers need to focus on right now as the ability to lean on third-party cookies and other information to reach your target market is swiftly coming to an end.

2. Enhanced Page-loading Speed

You’re not incorrect in your supposition that page speed is perennially present in all SEO trends. But trust our word that it’s there for good reasons.

Consider it for a moment. New Android and iPhone models come out every year. And so do the latest tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, too.

These devices have better processors, meaning they pull up websites faster than before. Provided you aren’t playing your part to ensure your website is ready, you could be putting off your audience.

Also, Google has already made it loud and clear that page speed is a factor reckoned for ranking.

This means improving your website helps both the overall user experience the visitors to it and your potential to land a coveted page one spot in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Positions).

3. Expanded User Experience

Well, expanded user experiences are not necessarily a trend that will come and go as time elapses.

But, focusing on giving your site visitors the best possible user experience when they’re on your page is picking up momentum as a driving force for search marketing.

To grasp this concept, we must break it down.

First, bear in mind that a website with loads of errors, an aged or soulless aesthetic, and a messy navigation structure is one that people will likely hit the back button on the moment they arrive.

Next, you must remember that Google tracks and pays serious attention to the amount of time spent on a website when linked from search.

If visitors leave as soon as they visit it or just a few moments, later on, Google takes it as a sign that something isn’t quite right about your site. Usually, this is the case where the visitors conclude that what they’re looking for is nowhere to be found there or that even if it’s there it may be next to impossible to locate it.

And, as we already know, those are two things that can turn off Google in terms of selecting links for that much-coveted first page of results.

That means people clicking off right away because of poor UX does indeed hurt your chances of ranking high in the Google SERPs.

So, how do you fix this?

Start by going through and using your website as a visitor would. If you find anything annoying or generally hassling in the process, don’t be afraid to alter it

Likewise, a new site design for a new year might also be a wise idea, depending on the current status of your page.

4. Refreshed Existing Content

Before the advent of the Internet, making changes to a story or news article was prohibitively expensive.

At that time, publishers had to take into account material costs, distribution issues, and then get that refreshed information into the hands of readers.

In stark contrast to that, the internet is changeable at any time.

This means that all website owners should go back and assess their current content to make room for additional details, longer copies, or more focused keywords and also ensure the currency of your content.

Think of it as your way of taking the really good stuff that’s already there and improving it for a bigger and better version.

The result is the ability to rank higher and outdo the competition for organic traffic in 2022.

5. Add More Evergreen Content

It goes without saying that content is still the king of the SEO trends, no matter what the year is.

This means you cannot rely solely on just your existing content to bring in new traffic for you this year.

Instead, draw up a plan to add more evergreen content to the framework of your website.

After all, the more pages you have with different keyword focuses, the easier it is for someone to find the information you provide.

When you provide accurate and insightful information, you position your brand or company as an expert, authority in your field.

Experts in a given industry are considered more trustworthy, making it easier to collect first-party information like quote requests, lead generation forms, and email marketing signups.

6. Better Focus on User Intent

User intent is anything but new. But, it does show up on the list of 2022’s most important SEO trends as well. That means it’s pretty much so important.

Why, because people searching the web are looking for a very specific answer to a very specific issue, question, or problem.

Your job as a digital marketer and content creator is to think about:

• How these individuals are going to look for that solution
• How you can format your content to give them what they need.

Focusing on how to make your solution the best for their needs is going to draw in more organic traffic, ensure they stay longer on your website, and help cement trust with your target audience.

Besides that, Google is already starting to expand search to accommodate more AI-driven and intuitive results.

While that might not happen in 2022, it is best to get ready now by angling your content with this mindset.

7. Google Discover Optimization

A notable addition to this list of SEO trends for 2022 is the inclusion of Google Discover.

What is Google Discover? Well, it is a feed that gathers relevant information based on what an individual typically searches for and places it at the top of the search page.

Consider it a so-called friendless feed that brings you the latest stories, articles, media, videos, and more based on topics that are either trending in your area or fall in line with many of your general search interests.

As a digital marketer working on boosting search visibility, it is important to include a visual photo that relates to your topic and keyword.

Google Discover always includes this image as part of the search listing, which makes it 100% vital if you’re trying to rank in this capacity.

Finally, you want to continue creating great content that fits the interests and needs of your audience.

When you do this, Google is much more likely to add your page to Google Discover, which will bring in more organic traffic than the other basic SEO techniques.

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