In this post you'll find some very useful items related to Google trends in the early part of 2016. I hope, if you work online or rely on organic search traffic in any part of your life, that this helps you in some way!
Google changes the way it ranks web sites dozens, if not 100s of times every year. The previous couple of years have been fairly violent, with many changes to the way to the launch dates along with the lack of Matt Cutts (who seemed to be more straight to the point) being around due to extended leave. Therefore, we're left asking ourselves: which SEO trends can online companies expect in 2016?
1/. Mobile Search and Optimisation
Each year, Search engine optimisation specialists appear to say, “Mobile will be important next year.” The reality is that being mobile friendly is already a huge deal in terms of the users arriving on your website via mobile - consider the growth in the past year and that's not slowing down!. Much more customers prefer to search with their mobile phones instead of their desktops.
2/. Real-Time Google Updates
We already understand that, in early 2016, Google may launch a real-time update to Penguin instead of a timed-release update. Real-time updates will probably be a great and a bad change for Search engine optimisation. Around the positive aspect, website owners previously penalised through Penguin updates will hopefully see their rankings bounce back rapidly once they fix all the site’s issues. Impacted web sites will not need to wait 12 to 14 months to recover-that recovery will occur in real time.
3/. Greater Impact of Onsite Content over Link Building
I have been following the impact of link building carefully this year. Once I started in the industry in 2008, companies received the greater Effect from On-site Content material above Link Building. You can get just about any site to rank along with sufficient high quality links. Over the years, I've observed that link has become less and less impactful and this is something Google has been saying for years now and that I believe this trend will carry on.
4/. Increased Significance of Local Search Engine Optimisation
2016 will bring much more possibilities for local companies. Almost 50% of all Google queries are created with local intent-when users search, they would like to find the best solution that is related to their location. Google cannot disregard the necessity to show local companies in search engine results, so I feel the search engine giant will highlight local ranking outcomes and create many more methods for local businesses to stand out. Our SEO Sydney client base rank locally for phrases like 'wholesale diamonds' in the top 3, but when checking from a Brisbane IP, it's a completely different story. There's a huge shift coming, so watch this space!
5/. More Emphasis on Safety (HTTPS)
More than a year ago, Google launched HTTPS and safety as ranking indicators. Within their initial statement, Google said that HTTPS would have less weight as being a ranking sign whilst Google gave web site owners time to change to some safe, encrypted connection.
6/. Potential Lack of Organic Maps
Right now, you have to work hard to enhance your companies local listing in order to rank in the local maps, however, fairly quickly, you will be able to spend for it. Google is testing paid ads for local maps. In mid-2015, we noticed Google shift local packs, and that I think these modifications laid the groundwork for additional widespread modifications in 2016. I could see Google eliminating organic maps as well as replacing all of them with paid advertising.
As long as your chosen digital marketing agency is a company that masters the abilities of creating multi-dimensional web development and advertising services for their prestigious customers, then their campaigns shouldn't suffer!
Final Word
As 2016 is already moving extremely fast, make sure you're prepared for anything Google has to throw your way. There are plenty more avenues for traffic online that aren't owned by Google, which means it's time to think outside the box ;-)
