I usually refrain from making predictions, but this year has been so overwhelming that I decided to break my own rule.
2024 will likely be even more challenging for businesses struggling to keep up with AI technology and changing online visibility.
- “Human touch” businesses will gain in popularity and demand. We saw this during Covid: The more technology prevailed, the more people were striving for contacts with real people. No amount of virtual technology could replace face-to-face interactions. AI technology is going to be an opportunity for small businesses to stand out and win customers by being human.
- First-hand experience will be even more important for findability. AI-driven content repurposing will push more and more people to look for real stories, and Google will learn to surface them.
- Mature SEO will be in more demand than ever. Getting found will become even more challenging, so businesses will look for SEO professionals who can plan and execute a long-term SEO strategy that goes beyond on-page tweaks and links.
- “Creators’ economy” will thrive even more. More businesses will start developing their own channels in an effort to gain online visibility. Creative AI-generated content (images and videos) will be required. Without using AI technology, you will fail to keep up.
- SGE will be launched to the public. Businesses will lose a huge percentage of traffic to it but those that invest into entity-based SEO will survive and thrive. Google will continue sending clicks to publishers and will struggle to monetize AI snapshots using the old click-based model they have been relying on. It will be a lot of figuring out and adjusting from both Google and publishers.
- Deepfakes and AI-driven crimes will go crazy. To fight these, AI technology will be severely regulated. This will slow things down.
Overall, the long-lasting impact of AI technology is impossible to predict. Next year is going to be a fun one!
From my previous newsletters, here are a few more ideas on how to prepare!
PPC Strategy Consultant ? Digital Marketing ? Google Ads ? GA4 Customization ????? Columnist, Search Engine Journal ? ?? International Speaker ? YouTube Ads
9 个月I love the first bullet "Human touch businesses" especially in PPC we see the ad platforms provide recommendations that don't consider context and searcher intent in queries that trigger ads. Great insights Ann Smarty! ??
SEO Specialist + Podcast Host | International SEO Project Consultant/Manager | Director of SEO | Organic sales for your Online Store - Agency Account Manager
9 个月People want to work with people. This is my belief as I begin my career in SEO. AI is a supporting tool for businesses, but it is not the sole determinant of their success. Anyhow, Ann, shared amazing insights in this article. Love your work and happy new year :)
SEO and Web Presence Company India - WebPro Technologies LLP
9 个月Hi Ann, Hope you are doing well! Absolutely! Agree to all the points Ann! The year '24 going to be the year of the SEO! Hope after that there won't be any posts on 'SEO IS DEAD" ?? Have written about SGE myself too on: https://www.webpro.in/seo-in-the-age-of-ai-and-sge-search-generative-experience/ Wish you a Very Happy New Year!
Helping clients build quality tech products
9 个月Good predictionions, pretty insightful
Co-Founder of Smarty Marketing, the boutique SEO agency based in NY
9 个月A few sharable quotes here if you feel like tweeting! https://twitter.com/seosmarty/status/1740442267792576587