The Future of SEO as I See It

You’re about to learn about the future of SEO and search engine ranking factors 2015 in less than 10 minutes.

With the many Google algorithm changes over the last 18-24 months, understanding the future of search marketing, website and search engine optimization is a huge competitive advantage for your business.

Mobile search and local search optimization will be major tactics that smart digital marketers and growing companies should be implementing.

If you’re in-house marketing team, or outsourced digital agency doesn’t have a mobile SEO strategy in place, here’s a few facts you as the business owner needs to know. Google says the following:

• 90% of mobile searches lead to action. More than half lead to sales. (source)
• 46% of Searchers Now Use Mobile Exclusively to Research (source)
• Local Searches Lead 50% of Mobile Users to Visit Stores (source)
• 80% of Local Searches on Mobile Phones Convert (source)

Are you convinced that your local business needs a comprehensive mobile SEO strategy?

Do I have you convinced that mobile marketing should be a high priority for you?

Do you want your business on Page 1 of the search results pages (SERPs) for your targeted search topics and keywords?

If so read on…we have the latest updates on the 2015 Google Ranking Factors.

Search Engine Ranking Factors: Moz Survey

What are the main SEO ranking factors that your business should be concerned about as we get close to the end of 2015? If you’ve been reading carefully, you already mobile is going to be a big one. Lets take a look and the other ranking factors for 2016.

Inbound marketing and analytics SaaS experts, Moz, does a super duper report every 2 years. They survey a bunch of the smartest search marketers and also run correlation studies so they can better understand how Google’s search engine algorithms actually work.

For this year’s survey, Moz spoke with 150+ expert search marketers who provided valuable insights to over 90 ranking factors.

The Infographic below, originally found here, provides any SEO, search marketer, website developer, and business owner with some valuable SEO and website optimization tips. One thing to note though, as Moz says;

“Note that these factors are not “proof” of what search engines use to rank websites, but simply show the characteristics of web pages that tend to rank higher. Combining this understanding with both experience and knowledge of search engine algorithms can help lead to better SEO practices.”

User Experience is the Future of SEO

Ever since the Panda algorithm update, savvy content marketers have known that producing and publishing relevant, high quality content, is the key to social media and search marketing.

If you need a refresher on the last 2 Panda algorithm updates, read about Panda 4.1 here and Panda 4.2 here.

However, by the results of the Moz survey, the future of SEO is firmly planted in the user experience. I’d go so far as to say the mobile user experience.

Not surprisingly, pretty much all of the factors that are expected to have the most influence of search engine rankings, revolve around user experience.

• Mobile-friendliness
• Perceived value
• Readability

It seems that more traditional ranking signals, like links (internal & outbound) and URL structures, would likely stay flat. Black-hat and manipulative SEO tactics like paid links and over optimized anchor text are said to lose influence.

For me, I  strongly believe in external linking to quality, relevant sources, as well as deep internal linking to your website content. The more relevant and quality links associated with your website, the better your search engine rankings.

2015 Ranking Factors: The Future of Search Marketing & SEO

On a scale of 1-10, the MOZ survey asked respondents to weight the importance of the different search engine ranking factors within Google’s current ranking algorithm. You’ll see that info presented in the second infographic below.

It’s important for us search marketers, SEOs, and business owners to understand just what ranking factors are vitally important. This way we can craft a search marketing strategy where all efforts working to improve the search rankings and website presence.

Read the full study from Moz here or scroll through the illustrated findings below.

Weighted: Key Ranking Factors 

The Wrap

What’s the future of SEO in 2015, 2016, and beyond? Experts are sure user experience will be a primary ranking factor for Google’s algorithms moving forward.

A mobile-friendly website that loads in under 3 seconds and is populated with optimized high quality content, that is being shared via social media platforms, is the key to your company’s digital marketing and SEO success.

Does your website need an SEO Audit?

Does your website optimization strategy need a serious refresh?

Do you need a mobile-friendly and responsive website?

We can help you craft your digital strategy starting today. Contact me.