Are you looking for ways to improve your website’s ranking on Google? Want to know the latest SEO trends and techniques you should consider in 2017?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has always been a rapidly evolving field, and 2017 was no exception. With Google’s ever-changing algorithms and the increasing importance of user experience, staying ahead of the curve in the SEO game was crucial for businesses and website owners.

In this blog post, we’ll explore ten SEO trends and techniques that were instrumental in achieving higher rankings in 2017.

Branex share all in this infographic.

SEO in 2017 10 Trends & Techniques to Consider for Higher Rankings

 

Mobile Optimization

In 2017, mobile devices had firmly established themselves as the preferred method of internet access for a significant portion of the population. Google recognized this shift and introduced mobile-first indexing, which meant that Google primarily used the mobile version of the content for ranking and indexing. Therefore, optimizing your website for mobile became a top priority.

Responsive web design, ensuring fast loading times on mobile, and providing a seamless user experience were essential. Mobile optimization wasn’t just about making your site look good on smaller screens; it was also about improving its overall performance, as page speed and mobile-friendliness played critical roles in ranking factors.

Voice Search Optimization

The rise of voice-activated digital assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa changed the way people search for information online. Voice search introduced a conversational aspect to SEO, as people tend to phrase their queries differently when speaking compared to typing.

To adapt to this trend, businesses needed to optimize their content for voice search. This involved using natural language and long-tail keywords, providing concise answers to frequently asked questions, and structuring content in a way that would be easily understood by voice-activated devices.

Content Quality and Relevance

While content has always been a fundamental aspect of SEO, 2017 saw a shift towards quality and relevance over quantity. Google’s algorithms became more sophisticated at assessing the value of content, looking at factors such as depth, accuracy, and engagement.

To succeed in SEO in 2017, it was crucial to focus on creating high-quality, informative, and relevant content that genuinely addressed the needs of your target audience. Keyword stuffing and thin, low-value content were no longer effective strategies and could even lead to penalties.

Featured Snippets

Google’s featured snippets, which provide direct answers to search queries at the top of search results, gained prominence in 2017. Websites that appeared in these featured snippets enjoyed a significant boost in visibility and traffic.

To optimize for featured snippets, content creators needed to identify common questions in their niche and provide clear and concise answers in their content. Structured data markup and using bullet points or numbered lists also increased the chances of being featured.

User Experience (UX) and Page Speed

User experience became a more prominent factor in SEO rankings in 2017. Google started giving more weight to factors like page speed, mobile-friendliness, and overall usability. A slow-loading website or a poorly designed mobile experience could negatively impact your rankings.

To improve UX, website owners had to invest in optimizing their sites for speed, ensuring easy navigation, and providing a user-friendly interface. This not only helped with SEO but also enhanced the overall satisfaction of visitors, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.

Secure Websites (SSL/HTTPS)

In 2017, Google began labeling non-secure websites (HTTP) as “Not Secure” in the Chrome browser. This move aimed to encourage website owners to adopt SSL certificates and migrate to the more secure HTTPS protocol.

Having a secure website not only inspired trust in visitors but also contributed positively to SEO rankings. It became essential for all websites, especially those handling sensitive information, to make the transition to HTTPS.

Social Signals and Branding

Social signals, such as social media shares and engagement, had been considered indirect ranking factors for some time. However, in 2017, their influence on SEO became more pronounced.

Establishing a strong presence on social media platforms and creating shareable content could boost your website’s visibility and indirectly affect your rankings. Moreover, building a brand with a consistent online presence became increasingly important, as Google recognized reputable brands and often ranked them higher.

Video Content and YouTube SEO

Video content continued to gain popularity in 2017, and YouTube remained a dominant platform for video consumption. Video SEO, which focused on optimizing video content for search engines, became a valuable strategy.

To rank well on YouTube and Google, content creators had to pay attention to video titles, descriptions, tags, and engagement metrics. Producing high-quality videos that catered to the needs of their audience was crucial for success.

Local SEO

Local SEO remained a vital component for businesses with physical locations or those serving specific geographic areas. Google’s local search results (the “Local Pack”) played a significant role in helping users find nearby businesses.

Optimizing your website for local SEO involved creating and optimizing a Google My Business listing, getting online reviews, and ensuring accurate business information (name, address, phone number) across all online directories. Consistency in NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information was crucial for ranking in local search results.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and RankBrain

Google’s RankBrain, powered by artificial intelligence, continued to evolve and shape search results in 2017. RankBrain helped Google understand the context and intent behind user queries, allowing it to provide more relevant results.

To adapt to this trend, SEOs needed to focus on user intent and create content that addressed the specific needs and questions of their target audience. Keyword research became more about understanding user intent rather than just finding high-volume keywords.

Conclusion

SEO in 2017 was a dynamic and exciting field, marked by significant changes in technology and user behavior. Mobile optimization, voice search, high-quality content, featured snippets, user experience, secure websites, social signals, video SEO, local SEO, and artificial intelligence all played pivotal roles in achieving higher rankings.

To succeed in SEO in 2017, website owners and marketers had to adapt to these trends and techniques. By staying up-to-date with the latest developments and continuously optimizing their websites and content, they could ride the wave of SEO changes and enjoy improved visibility and rankings in search engine results.

As we’ve explored these trends and techniques from 2017, it’s important to remember that the world of SEO is ever-evolving. What worked in 2017 may not be as effective today, so it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest SEO developments to maintain and improve your website’s rankings in the present and future.

 

Mark Walker-Ford

Director, Red Website Design