The Future of Search Engine Optimisation: What Can You Expect?

6th December, 2021
By Elliot McHugh
SEO is a constantly changing industry. There are new rules and regulations, new Google updates, and new strategies that need to be created every month. With the never-ending changes, it can be difficult to know what you should do next. If you need professional SEO services in the UK, please get in touch with us: info@ejmwebdesign.co.uk.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of some predictions for the future of search engine optimisation. If you want to know what’s ahead in the world of web design, see our other blog.
Here are five things you can expect from SEO in 2022:
1) You will need to focus more on your social media presence – you can use social media management services UK to do this.
2) AI will begin to play a large role in our everyday lives
3) Celebrity influencer marketing will likely grow
4) More affordable search engine marketing services
5) Increased focus on quality links

What is Search Engine Optimisation?
Search engine optimisation, or SEO for short, is a method of improving how your website ranks in search results from sites like Google and Bing.
It’s not just about getting your site to rank high on search engines. It’s also about getting people to click on the result of the search and visit your site.
There are multiple elements to SEO, including backlinks, off-page SEO and on-page performance. However, recently, there has been an emphasis placed on usability – you want your target audience to be able to find the best company that offers their needs without too much difficulty.
Search engine optimisation can be a valuable asset for any business looking to grow its online presence.
How SEO has Changed in the Past Decade
Since around 2010, SEO has changed significantly. Search engines have become more sophisticated, algorithms have changed, and people’s behaviors have also changed. This means that SEO strategies must change too.
In the early 2000s, search engines were mostly driven by keyword relevancy – you could stuff a load of words on a page and it would rank. The goal was to get your pages to rank for specific keywords that people were using to search for what you offer.
Today, Google is smarter than ever before – a lot smarter. They’ve developed their own artificial intelligence (AI) that makes it much more difficult for companies to game the system and rank well organically (without paying). Now, there is a focus on creating relevant content around specific topics rather than keywords alone. The types of content you create should be relevant to your brand and provide value to the reader.
Search engines are also looking at things like page loading speed as a ranking factor, which means there’s even more pressure on businesses needing to optimize their sites for mobile devices too!
There are still ways that you can rank well organically using methods like good link building or good quality content creation, but it will take time and effort!

Social Media Presence and SEO
Search engine optimisation is also now more than just a website. It’s about how you use your social media presence to reach potential customers and generate interest in your business.
If you don’t have a social media presence, now is the time to start building one. Make sure all of your social media accounts are updated with content that’s relevant to your business and current on the web – platforms like Instagram and Tiktok are popular among the younger audience.
Businesses will need to take advantage of every single channel they have at their disposal – yes that includes LinkedIn and Pinterest!

The role of AI in digital marketing
Recent artificial intelligence (AI) advancements have made computers more capable than ever. AI is now more accessible, and search engines will likely use it in the future to better understand your content, rank your site, and serve up the most relevant results to you.
This is making SEO even more competitive. You’ll need to focus on creating engaging content that ranks higher in the SERP when it’s ready by AI tools.
Make sure to stay up-to-date on new tehcnologies.
Celebrity Influencer Marketing
It’s no surprise that influencer marketing is on the rise. In fact, it’s predicted to become a £10 billion industry by 2022. This type of marketing is an effective way for brands to reach their target audience and drive awareness of their products and services.
The reason for its success is simple: Influencers have a strong following and people trust them. Many people view celebrities as experts in their field and notice that they often endorse products or promote brands on social media. Celebrities often have millions of followers, which gives them the power to influence people’s purchasing decisions including those made by companies.
What does this mean for SEO? Brands will need to focus more on celebrity influencer marketing as a way to increase brand awareness. To be successful, you’ll need to find someone with a large following who aligns with your product or service and targets the same demographic as your ideal customer base.

More Affordable Search Engine Marketing Services
It’s no secret that SEO is an expensive undertaking for most small businesses. It takes time, expertise, and resources to be successful in today’s constantly changing marketplace. As a result, many small businesses are hesitant to invest in SEO strategies because they don’t want to commit the necessary time and capital.
Fortunately, there are several affordable SEO services out there that make it possible for brands of all sizes to reap the benefits of this life-changing strategy.
Increased Focus on Quality backlinks
For years, SEO experts have warned businesses to avoid buying links. Google has repeatedly made it clear that they don’t want businesses to pay for backlinks, but many companies continue to do so.
When you purchase a link, you’re telling Google that you don’t trust organic search engine optimization (SEO) enough to grow your business. Organic SEO (i.e natural links and good content) is your best bet since your rankings are based on how well other people like your content – not how much you pay to increase your rankings.
If you want quality results in the future, focus on growing an organic following now!
Conclusion
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably been thinking about how to grow your business. One way is by investing in SEO for your website.