Here are the top SEO trends to watch for this year:

1. AI-Based Search and Writing 

Due to advent of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, content creation process is going to become optimized and AI first. Search engines are also applying AI into their algorithms (such as BERT and MUM tools used by Google) so content has to be user oriented, contextually useful, and full of semantic meanings. AI will impact on keywords identification and selection, content generation, selection of SEO tools and others.

2. Voice Search Optimization

Since the usage of voice interactions (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.) are bound to stay it will also continue to be important to optimize for them. Requests by voice are more extensive than written or typed text, and content creation should include long-tail keywords and questions to succeed in ranking for voice queries.

3. E-A-T and Expertise in Content

It is evident that Google’s guidelines to E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) still influence the ranking. In 2024, there will be a shift to create more authoritative content, and most especially, trust content for YMYL topics that include health, finance, and legal. It means the information on the website should be provided by professionals, the sources used should be trustworthy, and practices such as backlinks and user testimonials should be present.

4. Improving Web Page Core

Web Vitals and User Experience Another trend of 2024 that is to follow Google is that user experience will remain a priority. When it comes to Google, Core Web Vitals that center around the general areas of page speed, interactivity, and access to the content, will stay important for SEO. It is crucial to keep up rankings by having a fast website that is mobile-friendly and that offers the user a logical user experience

5. Zero click searches or Featured snippets

Organic click-through rates will further decline as more searches will provide answers right on the SERP no matter how long the tail. Becoming a featured snippet, a rich snippet, and a knowledge graph panel can help to occupy such a valuable space on the search results’ page.

6. Video SEO

Video content will take on an even greater part in SEO in the year 2024. Sites such as YouTube and TikTok remain popular and video results are being delivered in Google search more often than before. The titles, descriptions, tags and usage of video schema markup will be critical features for enhancing the ranking within video vertical search results.

7. They include; Search Intent and the Semantic Search. Search intent and context behind users’ queries are on the gradual rise and are better understood by Google algorithms. Beside keywords, SEO in 2024 will need optimization according to the user need, which can be informative, navigational, transactional or commercial. General and specific matters will need to be considered for understanding and managing semantic search to be able to rank well.

8. Local SEO and Hyperlocal Content Due to the increasing number of searches with local significance, local SEO will continue being essential to companies with physical outlets. Businesses which keep a good google my business listing, collect local reviews and have locally relevant content will perform well in these searches. Local and hyperlocal content – topics targeting specific neighborhoods or groups of people – will prove to be more effective as well.