A Dgital SEO colours themed trend line for SEO being analysed through a looking glass in the right half and the text 'SEO Trends' in Green and 'That will rule the roost in 2022' in blue placed left centre, with the stately logo of DigitalSEO placed in top left corner.

Let’s have a big drumroll, folks! It’s time to announce the SEO trends that will grab headlines in 2022.

What’s Up With SEO in 2022?

While the fundamental principle of SEO or Search Engine Optimisation remains the same, the strategies and tactics change every year. Hey, don’t blame us! SEO trends are driven by algorithm updates and search trends.

And let’s tell you at the outset that the trends listed here are based on worldwide speculation. Why speculations? Until Google makes a grand revelation of all the ranking factors (which they will not), SEO rides on 50% speculation and 50% data.

So, let’s not wait for Google to reveal the trends. Given below are the top 8 SEO trends to expect this year. Being an SEO agency with years of experience, we at Digital SEO suggest paying attention to these trends and using them in your strategies. It will keep your web traffic and search engine rankings trending upward.

8 Trends That Will Impact SEO In 2022

1. Passage Indexing

Passage Indexing is the new kid on the block. If you think your web content is plagued with long, boring writing, this trend could bring in a much-needed whiff of fresh air.

What is Passage Indexing? It is a new technology by Google’s algorithm that can rank individual passages within the page. In plain words, a particular passage or section of a lengthy article could now show up in search results for relevant search queries. With Passage Indexing, Google will now be able to find that “needle-in-the-haystack information” you are looking for.

Passage Indexing takes the top spot on our list because experts say it affects 7% of search queries in all languages. This algorithm is more or less like BERT, which was announced in 2018. But, it is more of an internal ranking system and will have a bigger impact on SERP results.

2. Page Speed

With new Android and iPhones emerging every year, it is no surprise that page speed still shows up on the trends list. The iPhone you buy in 2022 will have a better processor than the phone you bought in 2021. This means your new iPhone is a tad more efficient in pulling up websites.

If your website isn’t up to speed, you could lose your target audience. Besides, page speed is not just a trend. It is a practice. All website owners and SEO marketers know that page speed improves the overall user experience.

However, if you are still struggling, you can turn to SEO plugins for WordPress. There are also a host of platforms that will help you pinpoint the technicalities that need improvisation. If none of these ideas improve your page speed, you may have to opt for a better plan with your web host.

3. Mobile and Voice Search

How often have you clicked on the mic logo on your smartphone and asked for directions or initiated a call? Whether you know it or not, you are using a mobile and a voice search which are trends-turned-habits. Then why are they still on this list, you ask? That’s because they’ve been trending since 2015.

Let’s take you back to 2015 when Google switched its priorities to the Mobile-First index because mobile search was the top trend in more than ten countries, including the US. Going with the trend, Google has, ever since, used mobile and desktop search for indexing and ranking. Besides, mobile and voice search trends are intrinsically connected because:

  • In both contexts, the user is likely to seek answers while in the middle of a task.
  • The top result, usually a featured snippet, is really what matters for both searches.

So, we are now vying for the top results rather than competing for the top 5 positions we used to a few years ago.

4. User Intent

The SEO focus in 2022 will be more on “user intent.” As the name implies, user intent refers to what users are looking for when they conduct a search query. Therefore, to capitalise on user intent, digital marketers have four things to do:

  • Format the content to deliver what the user wants (it could be information, purchasing a product, or finding a certain website)
  • Focus on providing the best solutions for their needs
  • Ensure they stay longer on your website
  • Build trust with the target audience

Since Google is planning to expand search to include AI-driven, intuitive results, it’s best to revamp your content with user intent in mind.

5. People Also Ask

Type a query and hit the search button. You will find a separate section titled “People also ask” just below the first or second SERP result on the results page.

A recent study says that the People Also Ask section shows up in 48.6% of 2.5 million search queries. This coveted placement is now the cynosure of all eyes, and to get there, you need to:

  • Provide answers to common content by prioritising long-tail question keywords
  • Include the questions in your Htags or add a FAQ section

Use these strategies to bring the spotlight to your website. It will help you gain more visibility even if the page ranks low.

6. First-party Data Collection

Google’s stand in retiring third-party cookies hasn’t been advantageous for marketers. Therefore the focus is now on creating a first-party collection. To collect first-party information, website owners can attract customers and potential leads by offering incentives and requesting quotes. They can also ask visitors to sign up for an email list.

This is the time to make the most of first-party data collection because Google will draw the curtains on third-party cookies and other sources of information.

7. AI-generated Content

2022 will herald the use of AI copywriting tools by content teams. When the third-generation Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT3) was made available last year, it opened the doors to AI-driven SEO content tools. Currently, Headline, Jarvis, and CopyAI are proving highly beneficial. Content writing teams use these tools to generate entire articles, headlines, and Htags with just a few inputs.

8. Keyword Clustering

Google’s NLP (Natural Language Processing) technology is far more advanced than what it was a few years ago. Since NLP drives keyword usage, our days relying on single keyword targets are over. Google now ranks our landing pages on multiple keywords or keyword clusters.

Keyword clustering involves identifying multiple keywords with similar search intent and prioritising those clusters in your web pages. So, there’s no place for single keywords in 2022. Keyword clustering is the “key” to boost your webpage ranks and establish your authority in important topics.

Move Ahead With Digital SEO

Running a business, operating a website, keeping track of evolving SEO trends, and implementing them in your SEO strategies sounds overwhelming. Why burden yourself when you can entrust Digital SEO, Chennai, to take care of your SEO strategies? Give us a call today, and let’s get going.

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I’m Eivine Renny, a content marketer who believes that words spell magic and trusts in the power of words above all! As a content marketer in the endless galaxy of contents, i can lend a helping hand in making your contents shine with a sparkle that captures attention!

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