18 Jul The Top SEO Trends to look out for in 2023

The digital revolution is in a full swing and digital trends are popping up left, right and centre. It’s no secret that your business needs to have a strong online presence, but with search engines constantly evolving to keep up with the demands of its users, it can be tough to develop a successful SEO strategy. 

With the ever-changing digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial to ensuring your brand beats out the competition. Here are the top SEO trends for 2023 that could help your business do just that:

Image Optimisation is Vital 

They say a picture holds a thousand words, and that’s exactly the case when it comes to your website’s images and search engines. It’s no secret that having vibrant images on your website is a great way to attract the eye of potential customers, but it’s pointless if they can’t find you. 

Optimising images for search engines should be on every business’ SEO checklist as it’s an underutilised practice that not everyone does, giving you a competitive advantage while ensuring more visibility online. Image optimisation also allows you to improve user experience as larger images tend to slow down your website. For more tips, check out our blog post.

Optimise for Voice Search 

Labelled the “future of online search,” don’t be surprised if voice optimisation features in your SEO strategy in 2023. Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant have all become a key part of the user’s journey. Therefore, it’s no surprise that search engines are capitalising on this in a big way as it aims to answer a user’s query quickly and accurately. Technology has come a long way, especially with regard to advancements in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. These technologies are now capable of interpreting intent and the context of a user’s search through Natural Language Processing (NLP). 

In addition to this, Google announced the release of its LaMDA 2 (Language Model for Dialogue Applications), a technology that allows the machine to engage in casual conversation with users, interpreting human expression in order to answer a query naturally. With so much technology available at our fingertips, voice search will play a major part in 2023. 

Examples of how you can optimise for voice searches include, targeting conversational keywords, utilising Google My Business, and optimising for mobile search. 

Semantically Related Keywords 

Keywords are still king, and Google is continuing to improve its approach to keyword searches. Semantically related keywords are similar relevant keywords that help users expand their search query. Google not only connects users to their relevant search phrases, but also provides them with similar and relevant keywords during their search. Therefore, including semantically related keywords on your website or blog can improve your chances for ranking higher on Google.

Adding similar keywords also helps improve the user’s experience, adding value and providing additional context. A great way to get started is by considering relevant questions users may have regarding your product or service. Start with your core topic and then generate content related to its semantically related keywords, which can help improve your search rankings. 

The Power of Video Marketing 

YouTube and TikTok have taken the world by storm, and it’s changing the way we market. Nearly 50% of consumers use video to help them make a purchasing decision, with video marketing said to improve your conversion rate by 86%. Utilising video is also an enticing and easy way to relay information to potential customers, and with Google hopping on the bandwagon, video marketing is likely to play an important role in 2023. 

While video may be more time-consuming and pricey, 54% of customers stated they would like to see more videos from their favourite brands. Whether it’s showcasing your products and services through tutorials or vlogs, the need to consume short video content is growing and brands have the opportunity to fill the gap.

Optimise for Online Shopping 

Who needs to leave the comfort of your home when you can shop online? The digital revolution was always headed towards customers swiping their cards online, but the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated the transition. A recent study conducted by Mastercard revealed that ecommerce sales in South Africa are currently sitting at R55 billion in 2022, a number that is only expected to increase in 2023. From personal hygiene products to groceries, consumers have turned to online shopping to get their goods, and businesses have the opportunity to reap the rewards of this trend. Optimising keywords within your product list, taking advantage of alt text to appear in image searches, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly are all great ways to optimise for online shopping. 

Keeping these SEO trends in mind when creating your digital marketing strategy is a great way to achieve business success in 2023. But with the future of SEO evolving, it’s always helpful to have an experienced SEO Agency working alongside you. As a leading Digital Marketing Agency in South Africa, we’re here to help your business soar to new heights. Check out our SEO Services for information on how we can help your business reach new heights!