Earlier this year, many search engine optimization (SEO) experts around the world were of the opinion that traditional SEO methods were becoming obsolete due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
The headline read, “SEO is dead.” “Long live AO'' and “Will SEO disappear in 2024? A shocking fact has been revealed! ”
Is SEO really dead? At Flow Communications, we believe that traditional SEO methods are still necessary, but can be enhanced and faster with advances in AI.
SEO is constantly evolving to improve the user experience online. But even as the technological tools behind the search experience improve, basics like creating quality content, optimizing images, checking link health, and understanding Google's ongoing experiments are still important.
So, if you are new to SEO, this article is for you. We manage numerous websites for our clients, and part of that process is ensuring that their sites have a healthy SEO footprint. Here are 10 easy tips to improve your website's SEO.
1. SEO solution using AI
Search engines like Google already use AI tools to improve the search experience for users. According to Search Engine Journal, “Google is experimenting with AI-powered Circle to Search, search generation experiences (SGE), and tools to boost creativity and productivity.” [Search] Laboratory. ”
Don’t be afraid to use AI solutions when implementing SEO best practices on your website. Use tools like ChatGPT to come up with keyword ideas and phrases, or consider using Grammarly's free writing tools to help you review your content as you write. Always check your AI-generated content before publishing it to make sure it's factual and useful to your audience.
2. Understand SGE
Search Generative Experience (SGE) is still in its experimental stages, but if we know anything about Google, it's that it's about improving the human search experience. In January 2024, Google explained that using generative AI during searches will give users better results. For example, if someone is looking for a specific recipe, AI will show them some of the best options and a short summary.
“SGE is a more interactive experience than traditional search,” Semrush explains. “Google suggests not only relevant questions, but also logical follow-ups to his queries so that users can get relevant and detailed information in just a few clicks.”
For now, understanding how SEO works and how it affects SGE will help your website rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). Watch this space!
3. Know your brand
If you know your brand, you will have no problem sourcing or coming up with quality keywords for your website. What is a keyword? SEO website Moz.com says: “Keywords are ideas or topics that define what your content is about. From an SEO perspective, they are the words or phrases that searchers type into a search engine to find your content, also known as 'search queries.' . ”
If you understand what your customers want and what information they need, you should be able to develop a strong keyword strategy.
4. Create great content
“Regardless of how niche or mainstream your market is, great content remains a key focus for SEO,” said Christopher Jones, founder of LSEO. Masu. He's right. Good content will not only help improve his SEO, but will also bring quality leads to your website. And if things go well, these leads can turn into conversions and clients.
Don't write content that you think will influence Google's algorithms. Write for people who might find your service or content useful.
5. Check your website's top 100 pages
Make it a habit to check and update the SEO of your website's top 100 pages every quarter. Download data for your site's top 100 pages from Google Analytics and check everything from hyperlinks within articles to headlines, copy, images, and backend metadata.
You're looking for broken links, low-quality images that need changing, or better keyword usage on your pages. And in general, see if users find the page useful and easy to navigate.
6. Eliminate dangerous links
Please fix broken links as often as possible. Use free tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to review and fix links that no longer work.
It's all about user experience. If a user clicks on a broken link, they are more likely to leave your site. The more people Google leaves your page (due to broken links), the more likely you are to lose your position in the SERPs.
7. Images are the forgotten gem of SEO
If you take anything away from this article, it's that you should strive for quality content on your website. This includes using high-resolution images and having good image SEO on the backend of your site.
Easy methods include using keywords in image file names and alt text. When adding keywords, write them naturally and clearly describe what the image contains. Here are some examples of good image SEO:
8. Check your website speed
We live in a fast-paced world where speed of service matters. If your website takes too long to load, users may choose to move to another website. Hire a developer to speed up your site. Also make sure the image is not too large. Large images slow down your website. Here's a great cheat sheet for resizing images.
9. Optimize video SEO too
If you have videos on your website, be sure to optimize them as well as your text and image content. Create great video content that is helpful to your users, answers their questions, is visually appealing, and isn't too long. Create a good thumbnail using footage. Make sure your headline and video description include your keywords. If possible, host your videos on platforms like YouTube.
10. Stay informed about the current state of SEO.
Stay up to date with the latest in SEO by following and consulting trusted sources. Here are some useful resources to get you started.
Nadia Moore is Head of Marketing. flow communicationone of South Africa's leading independent marketing and communications agencies, has a permanent team of over 60 professional staff.