12 Surprising SEO Facts That Will Change Your Approach to Online Marketing

Intro

Have you ever considered the core objective of your website? If you aim to sell products, your primary goal is likely to achieve your desired sales targets. However, your website must attract many visitors to attain those sales goals.

This is where the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) becomes evident. However, SEO continues to conceal its mysteries from many beginners, but even seasoned users must stay consistently informed about the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing.

The world of SEO is like a treasure trove, packed with facts and figures, some you know well, others hidden in the shadows. Our goal? To serve up many mind-blowing SEO pieces that might flip your view of the search engine game. From the influential role of Google's RankBrain to the surging prevalence of voice search, we are about unleashing the real SEO gems that can supercharge your SEO game and level up your online marketing strategy.

Whether you're a seasoned SEO pro or a newcomer to the field, these facts will empower you to excel in the dynamic world of search engine optimization.

Let's embark on a journey to explore these intriguing SEO secrets. How to evaluate your seo work.

Fact 1: Google's RankBrain is a game changer.

Google's RankBrain is an artificial intelligence system that determines search rankings. This sophisticated AI system constantly evolves by assimilating user interactions, refining its comprehension of search query nuances. This leads to significantly improved search result relevance, a paramount aspect for SEO practitioners.

Understanding just how important RankBrain can make a huge difference in creating content that clicks with users and search engines. When you've got the hang of this AI-powered system, it gives SEO pros the tools they need to navigate the ever-changing world of online visibility, ensuring their content connects with the audience and grabs those top search spots.

Fact 2: Voice search is on the rise.

With all those voice-activated gadgets around, voice searches have taken off. To get the most out of it, you've got to switch up your game regarding keywords and what folks are looking for. Think more like you're chatting with someone, and you'll ride this hot trend's wave.

The ability to provide informative and accessible answers to queries like "Can you get your teaching degree online?" through voice-activated devices can significantly enhance the user experience. It not only simplifies the information-seeking process for potential students but also positions educational institutions as leaders in the online education space.

Fact 3: Mobile-first indexing is mandatory.

When optimizing your web pages for search engines, assessing their performance on mobile devices is crucial. Google not only relies on your mobile site for indexing but also because most internet users prefer browsing on mobile devices. In the second quarter of 2022, a staggering 59% of all global internet traffic originated from mobile devices, according to Statista.

Google's all about mobile-first indexing these days. That means they mainly use the mobile version of your website to figure out where you should rank. So, having a mobile-friendly site isn't just a choice anymore – it's a must to ace the SEO game.

Fact 4: Page speed matters more than you think.

Page speed wields immense influence over user experience and SEO performance. The recent Google Core Web Vitals update has elevated the significance of rapid website loading. Implementing strategies like image optimization, efficient browser caching, and reducing server response times are pivotal for enhancing page speed. Image optimization involves compressing images to reduce file sizes, ensuring faster load times and a smoother user experience.

When you make the most of browser caching, you're keeping commonly used stuff saved on the user's device, which makes your pages load faster. And remember, trimming down how long your server takes to respond with smart coding and good hosting is also super important. All these moves add up to happier users and might give your website a nice little boost in those Google rankings.

Source: Search Engine Journal

Fact 5: Content quality trumps quantity.

Gone are the days of churning out mediocre content for the sake of quantity. Google's all about the good stuff – high-quality, trustworthy content that serves users. That's where E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) comes in.

Expertise means your content should come from people or groups who know their stuff. Authoritativeness is about proving you're a credible source and a leader in your field. And trustworthiness? Well, that's all about ensuring your info is rock-solid and reliable. Stick to these principles, and your content will hit the mark.

Implementing the E-A-T framework ensures the creation of valuable, informative content and aligns with Google's algorithms, potentially elevating your website's visibility and ranking. In today's digital landscape, quality triumphs over quantity, and E-A-T is the guiding light to achieve it.

Fact 6: Structured data enhances visibility.

Structured data markup, such as the schema.org standard, offers a powerful tool to furnish search engines with contextual information about your content. By tagging elements on your website with structured data, you enable search engines to understand better the nature of your content, its relationships, and its significance.

Have you noticed those cool extras in search results, like star ratings, reviews, or event info? Those are rich snippets, like little nuggets of info that make your listings pop. They're a game-changer for users because they get a sneak peek without clicking. Plus, thanks to these nifty additions, your website gets more eyeballs, clicks, and a higher spot in search results. It's a win-win for everyone!

Fact 7: User experience is a ranking factor.

User experience (UX) is a pivotal ranking factor beyond mere aesthetics. Google actively favors websites prioritizing user-friendly design elements, mobile responsiveness, and seamless navigation. A positive UX enhances user satisfaction and aligns with search engine optimization (SEO) strategies.

When your website gives users an awesome experience, it's like hitting the jackpot. Your search rankings increase, and you get more free traffic from search engines. Tweaking your UX is like supercharging your SEO. It's all about making your visitors happy and meeting Google's standards for ranking. Everyone wins – your users and you as a website owner.

Fact 8: Featured snippets are SEO gold.

Source: Smart Insights

Featured snippets, those coveted boxed information snippets atop search results, hold immense potential for boosting organic traffic. Crafting content to secure a spot in these snippets can yield substantial benefits. To achieve this, prioritize delivering concise, informative answers to prevalent user queries.

Featured snippets often respond quickly and directly to users' needs, making them a prime target for SEO strategies. By aligning your content to feature in these snippets, you enhance visibility and establish your website as a go-to source for immediate and valuable information, potentially driving more organic traffic and elevating your online presence.

Fact 9: Backlinks are still important.

Despite algorithm updates, backlinks and link building tools remain critical to SEO success. Quality matters more than quantity, and modern link-building strategies should focus on building natural, relevant, and authoritative backlinks.

For instance, if your website aims to guide students in their quest to find the best affordable colleges for psychology, a practical approach will involve attracting high-quality backlinks from reputable educational institutions, scholarly resources, and industry experts. Such links convey trustworthiness and relevance to search engines and offer valuable information and guidance to individuals seeking affordable psychology programs.

This way, the convergence of SEO principles and the quest for the best affordable colleges for psychology serves both the website's visibility and the needs of prospective students.

Fact 10: Google My Business impacts local SEO.

Were you aware that Google receives a staggering 8.5 billion searches daily? According to Similar Web, this resulted in a whopping 3.1 trillion searches in 2022 alone. In perspective, that's an astonishing 98,380 searches Google processes every second.

Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool for businesses targeting local audiences. Optimizing your GMB profile, acquiring positive customer reviews, and maintaining accurate business information can improve your local SEO efforts.

Source: Google Business Profile

Fact 11: Video content is gaining prominence.

Video content is becoming increasingly prominent in search results. A recent Wyzowl study found that 91% of consumers actively seek increased online video content brands produce. This surging demand for video has prompted numerous industry influencers to proactively create various video content to fulfill this growing desire.

If you jump on this trend, you'll reach more people and make awesome video content while giving it some search engine love. Search engines, especially Google, love videos now and show them off more.

So, when you're creating videos, be smart about it. Use the right keywords, give them good descriptions, and use the right tags. That way, you'll show up higher in search results and grab the attention of a bigger crowd.

Fact 12: Long-form content performs well.

Long-form content offers substantial advantages in the realm of online content creation. Although shorter blog posts have their merits, longer, in-depth articles consistently excel in various aspects. Thanks to their comprehensive nature, they secure higher rankings on search engines, which satisfies user intent more effectively.

If you create longer content, you can become a go-to expert. People love getting tons of useful info all in one place. Plus, when your content goes deep, it catches the eye of other websites and influencers. They should link to your awesome stuff, making it even more trustworthy and ranking higher in search results. So, long-form content is like your secret weapon for rocking it online!

Stay ahead of the SEO curve

SEO is a dynamic field that requires constant adaptation. The 12 less-explored insights underscore the ongoing evolution of SEO and emphasize the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that considers user experience, content excellence, and emerging trends. By remaining well-informed and implementing these tactics, you can enhance your website's prominence and cultivate organic traffic throughout 2023 and beyond.