SEO is constantly changing, and there are so many new and evolving trends that it can be hard to keep up. Learn more about current best practices from Marketing Essentials’ SEO expert, Rachel.
Do Keywords Still Matter?
Do keywords still matter for SEO?
In short? Yes!
But today, keywords mean more than just how many times you use a term on a page or keyword density. You’ll want to focus on keywords that tap into how your customers or users search and then use those terms naturally on your website.
Be sure you have Google Search Console set up to track and monitor the keywords that are performing for you. It's a free platform that can help identify exactly how your website appears in search.
There is a lot of valuable information in Search Console that can be overwhelming, and that's where an expert SEO program can help you understand the data and uncover the best opportunities.
Related: Marketing Essentials’ SEO checklist >>
How Is the Way People Search Online Changing?
We’re seeing users become more conversational with search engines because responses are becoming more conversational.
If you were born in the 90s, you were likely taught a specific way to use search engines using keywords.
For example, if you wanted to find an assisted living community near you that administers medication to residents, you might search for something like “assisted living community medication.” It’s not the way we would talk, but the idea was to make it simple for search engines to parse the results using keywords.
However, that’s all changing. You will see fewer searchers searching in “keywords” and more of what we’d call “long tail” unique searches. With the example above, you could now search more conversationally — something like “what assisted living communities near me administer medication?” This may make monthly search volume slightly less relevant, but empathy and understanding your customer are more important!
What Is the #1 Tip for Businesses to Show Up in Search in 2024?
Fully comprehensive content is the key to showing up in search where you want to be and where your customers are looking for you.
Google wants to reward websites that exhibit experience, expertise, authority and trust (or E-E-A-T for short). In the past, less was more regarding site content, but not anymore!
AI will fill in the blanks if you don’t, so it is increasingly important to share all the details about your product or service in the text on your website.
Consider what information you are feeding the search engine or generative AI to share with the world and make it as accurate and comprehensive as possible.
SEO Is Confusing. We Can Help.
SEO still matters, but it’s not always easy to figure out. If your website is experiencing fewer conversions from search engines, lower rankings for certain terms, or difficulty attracting attention to a specific product or service, an SEO strategy could help.
Learn more about our SEO services and process here.
