According to BrightEdge research, 68% of online experiences start with a Google search. And that number isn’t going to come down in 2023. So now that you are sitting with your yearly calendar in front of you, planning for the upcoming year, make sure you don’t forget search engine optimization

A dynamic niche, search engine optimization, continues to see various changes. Google’s algorithms get updated, what was once considered fine becomes a black hat practice, and of course, the end users continue to have their high expectations in terms of ease and experience.

Thus, it becomes extremely important for you to keep up with the latest happenings and trends in the world of SEO. 

While no one can certainly say which new trends will emerge in 2023, we can certainly tell you about 5 SEO trends that will continue going strong.

If you prepare your strategies based on these trends, the next year will bring high rankings and better conversions for your business. 

Read on and start strategizing. 

5 Trends That Will Rule The SEO World In 2023 And Beyond

1. Focus On Understanding The User’s Search Intent

User intentWhen you search for “coffee near me” you want to just grab a cup of coffee. But when you Google “how to make filter coffee at home” you have the ingredients and want to know the recipe. Similarly, if you need coffee beans, you’d search for “buy coffee online”. 

Your intent is crystal clear from your search query. And Google has become smart enough to understand user intent. And thus, it shows only the most relevant results in SERPs. 

Now, if you want to create content that ranks well, it is important to understand user intent. Google divides search intent into 3 broad categories:

  1. Buying search intent
  2. Informational search intent
  3. How-to search intent

You should target your keywords and create content based on either of these intents. Google’s algorithms will only get stronger in 2023 and beyond. So understanding the user’s search intent and creating content that keeps it in mind is a strategy that will take you very far (hopefully on top of the SERPs).

2. Local SEO

Local SEOA couple of years ago, people flipped through the yellow pages to find local businesses. Now, they just do a quick Google search. So even if your business is physical, SEO should become a prominent factor in your marketing strategy. 

With local search engine optimization, you can not just get visibility online but also drive real traffic to your site. Not sure how that happens? Check out our detailed guide on local SEO best practices for driving in real traffic to understand the nitty-gritty of local SEO

But remember: Local SEO is not child’s play. You’ll need to engage with experts to plan, strategize, and implement a local SEO strategy.

3. Visual SEO

visual seoThe human brain is extremely visual. 90% of the information we receive is visual. And search engines have been prompt in realizing the importance of visual search results.

From Google images to YouTube videos, you’ll see a lot of visual content pop up even when you carry out a text-based search. Often, these results are better solutions for the query too. 

And of course, Google Image Search and YouTube, are worthy search engines in their own right. 

To make sure your website/business shows up in visual searches as well, what you need to do is carry out visual SEO. Yes, you can optimize your image and video inventory to show up for relevant queries.

  • Start by creating a visual inventory. 
  • You can also submit an image sitemap in your XML file.
  • And Pinterest is a reliable social media platform to leverage for acing the trend of visual searches. 

Start your visual SEO journey today by engaging with a team of designers and search engine optimization specialists.

4. Smarter SERPs (Featured snippet, Rich snippet, People also ask)

Featured snippetsLong gone are the days when search results included plain and boring links. Now, you get featured snippets, rich snippets, and even People Also Ask segments. 

These smarter elements on SERPs make finding the right answers faster and easier for users. 

For you, smart SERPs are a goldmine of opportunity that you can exploit in 2023. All you need to do is create content based on Google’s guidelines and get features in the smart SERPs.

Beware though. It is up to Google’s sole discretion to decide which search result will find a spot in rich snippets, People Also Ask, and featured snippets. So instead of firing arrows in the dark, consider getting in touch with experts for SEO content creation. 

5. Powerful Yet Responsible Analytics

AnalyticsData analysis has been a prominent aspect of digital marketing. And in 2023, the emphasis on analyzing digital engagement, customer interactions, experiences, and conversions will become even more prominent. 

Tools like Google Analytics are expected to be even more powerful than they are today. So you might want to onboard digital marketing experts who have analytics as their strong suit. 

But that’s not all. With growing concerns about privacy and data protection legislation, it will become important for businesses to be responsible in the way they handle and analyze consumer data. 

Bonus – Responsiveness

You have little control over what device a user is using to access the web and visit your website. In fact, in the past couple of years, we have seen mobile becoming the most-used device for web searches. 

Thus, the emphasis on cross-device responsiveness is likely to continue in 2023 and beyond. You should consider SEO-friendly and responsive web design for all future web development projects and consider website revamp to ensure responsiveness, if needed. 

The Right Time To Prepare Your 2023 SEO Plan – NOW

It is not even Christmas yet! Do I need to prepare for 2023 right now?
Absolutely. 

SEO doesn’t work with the flick of a magic wand that you can see instant results. It takes a lot of effort and time (sometimes months!) to properly strategize and implement SEO plans. 

So the right time to prepare your 2023 SEO plan is now. Only then will you be able to enter the new year with a proper strategy that can yield tangible results. 

Also, you might want to consider hiring experts for the job as SEO strategies aren’t as easy to formulate and implement as it seems. 

You need an in-depth understanding of Google’s algorithms, hands-on experience, and adaptability to deal with whatever gets thrown in front of you. Our team of search engine optimization executives at SynergyTop can help you with that. We have worked with several clients in the past and delivered visible results for them in terms of better search rankings, more qualified traffic, and even conversions. 

You can check out how our SEO services helped one of our clients in the restaurant food ordering industry here.

Want similar results? Check out our SEO services and schedule a call with our experts today!