Data-driven Proof That SEO Thrives in 2023

Is SEO dead?

It's a common question, but let's analyze the data and clarify the value for your business.

In a span of just nine years, from 2010 to 2019, the Google algorithm underwent a significant transformation with a total of 13 major updates dedicated to SEO. Fast forward to 2021 and 2022, and we witnessed the advent of game-changing updates such as the Page Experience Update, Multitask United Model, and Helpful Content. These updates revolutionized our perspective and engagement with search results.

Google is constantly making changes to its algorithms, like more than a dozen times a day! That means you can't just go around trying to manipulate or game the system anymore. It's gotten way harder. With all these updates, you might be wondering if SEO is still worth it. I mean, how can the old tricks still work when Google keeps changing everything?

Let's look at the data and see what it says. I'll break it down for you and show you what you need to know.

Do you know how many searches take place on Google each day?

As Google continues to dominate the search engine landscape, it's worth noting that approximately 8.5 billion searches are conducted on the platform each day.

With?over 99,000 searches per second , Google has come a long way since the late 1990s.

Further, with?about 600 million blogs ?on the web, there is excessive content on almost any topic you can think of.

Let's consider the long-tail search phrase "best hiking trails in California." While this specific query may have a moderate search volume, around 5,000 monthly searches, the competition to rank for this term is remarkably fierce. Despite the seemingly niche topic, there are an astonishing 2.5 million web pages vying to provide the most relevant and helpful information on the best hiking trails in California. This example highlights the intense competition that exists even for specific long-tail search queries on popular topics, emphasizing the importance of effective SEO practices to gain visibility and attract organic traffic.

Another popular phrase "best smartphone under $500" gets 20,000 monthly searches, but there are an astounding 5 million web pages offering helpful information on the best smartphones available under the $500 price range.

In other words, the supply is much greater than the demand in both of these cases.

Is this the reality for every search term?

No, you can still find search terms with more searches than content available. But overall, there's a trend where there's more content being created than people searching for it.

Additionally, Google is transforming into an answer engine, providing answers to questions directly on the search results page instead of making users click on websites.

According to?Dejan SEO , they saw CTRs drastically decrease once Google started answering questions.?

Before featured snippets, websites providing tutorials on tying a tie received about 25% of clicks for the search term "how to tie a tie." But with featured snippets displaying step-by-step instructions on Google's search results page, the click-through rate for tie-tying websites dropped to just 3%.

Changes in Google search are driven by the rise of "zero-click content," which provides valuable insights directly on the search page. Google has adjusted to users' preference for quick answers by enhancing its search results with more features. Essentially, with zero-click searches, users can find the information they need without having to visit additional webpages, as Google presents the answers right on its search page.

This trend has become so common it decreased the?percentage of traffic Google drives to organic listings ?(SEO results).

As zero-click searches increase and SEO results become less successful, it's understandable that people may view it as a major setback for SEO overall. However, upon closer examination, we can see that SEO remains a powerful tool for brands when utilized effectively. Rather than assuming SEO is dead, we should explore how it operates in today's landscape alongside these emerging trends.

An example that SEO is still breathing.

It's evident that people continue to rely on Google as their preferred search engine, but their usage habits are constantly evolving.

Google and Instagram have shifted in how people use them. For example, in the past, Google was mainly used for purchasing (commerce), while Instagram served as a platform for discovery. Instagram has become a valuable commerce channel, while Google primarily serves as a discovery engine.

While Google provides abundant product information and links to online stores, most users don't intend to make direct purchases through Google itself. Rather, they utilize Google as a gateway to reach the specific pages they want to visit, such as online shops or company stores.

The way people choose to engage with these platforms has implications for AI algorithm updates and significant features like rich or featured snippets. Moreover, it should shape how brands strategize to connect with consumers.

When developing your content, approach it as a conversational dialogue rather than a straightforward sales pitch.

Emphasize meaningful engagement and connection instead of solely focusing on product promotion.

A great case study?by Olay reinforces this truth.

When they shifted their ads to focus on educating users, their return on investment (ROI) soared. Instead of pushing for immediate purchases, people were eager to learn how to reduce dark circles.

By prioritizing educational content and incorporating sales within the content, they achieved impressive results:

• Click-throughs increased by 87%.
• Cost per click decreased by 30%.
• Conversions saw a 100% increase.

This case study highlights how more people are using Google as a discovery engine rather than a direct purchasing platform. To maximize benefits, brands must adapt and stay mindful of these evolving trends.

SEO is not dying; it's undergoing changes.

It's important to remember a few key points when developing SEO campaigns for success. Keep in mind that Google serves as a discovery engine for both paid and organic listings.

Here's what you need to know to dominate SERPs and make an informed decision on investing in SEO.

SEO is all about what matters most to you.

Your website showing up when people search for relevant terms. Forget about backlinks and technical jargon - Google cares about what users want.

If a site doesn't provide useful, valuable content or meet user expectations, it won't rank well. Remember, users determine Google's rankings.

So, investing in SEO means making your site appealing, user-friendly, and catered to what people are searching for. You want your website to be the one people find and love.

Google understands that you spend a substantial amount of time on various websites and apps, not just on their platform.

When determining rankings, Google looks beyond its own data and considers other online sources like social media. This approach is aimed at delivering better search results.

As younger audiences increasingly rely on social media and videos for information, Google continues to evolve to cater to user preferences. Investing in SEO can help your business gain visibility and attract potential customers.

Google's broad data sources result in more reliable search results across diverse topics, making it a valuable investment for your business.

Be niche heavy.

By honing in on a specific target audience and offering, you position yourself as an industry expert. This approach is favored by Google and preferred by users.

For example, would you rather read medical advice on a blog that covers various topics or on a platform like WebMD?

To make a significant impact in today's SEO landscape, concentrate on a specific offering and establish yourself as an authority.

Segmentation is sexy.

When you search on Google, have you ever noticed that the results you see are different from those of your friends? It's because Google personalizes the results based on your activity.

This means that Google gathers data from your searches and other factors to provide more specific results that align with your preferences and location. So, every time you visit a place with your smartphone (especially if it's an Android), Google can potentially use that data to show you search results that it thinks you would be interested in.

This is why investing in personalization is crucial to improve your website's visibility and rank higher.

In conclusion, it is clear that SEO is far from dead.

Thanks to Google's continuous improvements, reaching your ideal audience through SEO or paid ads has become easier than ever before.

While it is true that SEO constantly evolves due to changing search trends and algorithms, it remains an indispensable tool for delivering personalized search results. Instead of being discouraged by uncontrollable factors, it is crucial to adapt and modify your SEO strategies when necessary.

Remember, SEO will continue to thrive as long as search engines exist, providing valuable insights and helping individuals find exactly what they're looking for.