What is in store for SEO in 2017?

2017 is here.

2016 brought in a range of new SEO features, these of which will infiltrate into 2017.

To begin with, one of the major and apparent shifts in 2016 was the alteration of websites being viewed on a desktop to being viewed on a mobile device.  Google is steadily moving to a mobile only friendly world. This means that more people are viewing web contact on their mobile device and as a result Google forced a change in this mindset. Accelerated mobile pages is a new Google initiative to build a more mobile friendly Web by introducing a “standard” of rules that equal to a better and more simple version of HTML. This in turn means that the pages will load quicker. This was launched in 2016 and has been the most talked about SEO trend since then.

However, this does not mean that we should completely neglect a websites desktop design; this would be an incredible fault, especially if the website is that of an e-commerce website.

Are Keywords still relevant in 2017?

‘Yes’ you need to research and be clear with the keyword you are using to promote your site as using a few different words for the sake of it is not going to bring you the audience you want.Re looking at your site with fresh eyes to see what changes you may need to make for the new year.If there is something you want to focus on more for your business then again research and find out what direction you are going to take.

Further on from this, voice search seems to be a popular method for audiences to search for content on the web.  Google’s Assistant, a voice activated digital assistant allows you to voice your commands, allowing users to carry out everyday tasks like booking an appointment. Voice queries are in turn changing the way SEO works in that users are more likely to search for longer terms, resulting in their search being increasingly more filtered. For instance, a user may type into Google “blue coat” but with voice searching techniques they may limit down their search, as they are likely to be more specific in their search.  In turn to keep up with this change you should ensure that your website is up to date with the searches questions, as well as, looking out for phrases to include in your website that users are likely to use when voice searching.

In 2017, we should expect a return of interest in image marketing, especially in Google search. This in turn will alter SEO techniques, as this means websites should have tags on all of their images in order to be recognised on Google images.  This trend could start the monetizing of images.

What is on the agenda for 2017?

• Mobile-first indexing
• Making the content on both the mobile and desktop platform the same
• Google’s AMP
• More efficient Voice Searching techniques
• Image marketing