The world of digital marketing and Search Engine Optimization is always changing. It is consumers’ shifting needs and behaviors that drive that change, and it is evident in the way Google continues to adapt its ranking algorithm. If you want to prosper in 2022 and beyond, you need to know what is happening in the industry and what SEO trends to follow. Here are some of the most important ones you need to consider this year!
1. Passage Ranking
As a small business or a newcomer, it can be difficult to rank an entire page for a particular keyword. However, Google’s passage indexing, which was first introduced in late 2020, offers you an opportunity to rank for a specific excerpt of a page instead of the entire page. To increase your chances of ranking, make sure to use proper headings (with your target keyword/s in them), to-the-point language, quality visuals, and original content.
2. Voice Search
By 2022, nearly 55% of American households will have at least one smart speaker. This means that more and more people will be using voice search to look for products and services. To meet that growing demand, Google introduces its latest update, called LaMDA.
LaMDA stands for Language Model for Dialogue Applications, and its goal is to offer better and more wholesome results to voice searches. We are yet to see how this update will affect search queries on a global scale, and how voice search will evolve in time.
3. The Role of AI Intensifies
If Google’s latest AI-powered updates (LaMDA, MUM, Shopping Graph, etc.) can teach us anything, it is that the search engine is primarily focusing on leveraging AI to improve user experience. The best way to use this to your advantage is to follow Google’s best practices as they are the guiding principles behind its ranking algorithm. Keep in mind that these practices are not a constant value, and they adapt as the algorithm evolves.
To learn more about upcoming trends and important statistics, check our Complete SEO Trends in 2022 Guide!