Being in search engine optimization Game (SEO) for nearly a decade, I'm often asked what trends I foresee that could drive the success of SEO strategies for websites. One thing I can say is that trends are always evolving and not all trends are equally important.

However, some of my top picks for the current year are covered in more detail below. I cannot overstate the importance of staying up to date with SEO industry trends. Doing so is a surefire way to stay relevant, successful and competitive online.

So without further ado, let me present my picks of the top SEO trends for 2024 to help you up your game and make sure you're getting the most out of your SEO efforts.

Connected: The Future of SEO – 3 Trends Every CEO Should Know

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in SEO

AI and ML can be considered two parts of the same coin. They both use large structured, semi-structured and unstructured datasets to help us SEO experts do our job with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

While you probably already know what AI and ML are and what they can do, it's important to understand that using these tools and technologies is becoming an indispensable part of an SEO specialist's toolbox.

How can AI and ML be used to give you powerful results to optimize your web presence? There are many paths you can take. However, you can use these technologies to “pick the AI's brain” and get help with aspects such as content generation (think titles and meta descriptions) as well as keyword research.

But – as the cliché goes – that's not all. AI SEO Tools it can also help with voice search (for more on this, see below), hyper-personalization, mobile optimization, providing headline and headline suggestions, analyzing data, identifying trends, generating ideas and outlines of articles and much more.

Voice Search and Natural Language Processing (NLP)

One thing we can all agree on is that people are busy. Less time to complete small tasks means looking for solutions to help speed up processes. Sign in voice search in the mix. Voice search is a relatively simple concept, but it can be difficult to pull off. It's when a person uses a smart device and instead of typing their search query, they talk directly to the smart assistant and ask it for results. It's also about the SEO experts who make it happen.

While the concept may be fairly straightforward, it requires some adaptation. For example, when people speak off-type, they tend to use more natural language and long keywords when submitting their questions.

So, to ensure that your website or online content meets these searches, you need to ensure that:

• Implement structured data

• Improve yours page speed

• Understand your users' search intent

• Target long tail keywords

And when you incorporate NLP into the mix, which uses speech-to-text parameters, you're much more likely to cater to your audience, delivering faster and more accurate results.

Connected: Why (and how) you should optimize your website for voice search

Mobile-first indexing and responsive design

In addition to people being busy, they also tend to take their mobile devices with them wherever they go. It's not uncommon for people to have their smartphones with them while they sleep, not to mention taking them with them to meetings, lunches, work, gyms, social events and everything in between. What does this have to do with SEO?

The answer is clear: with people using their smartphones for many different functions and keeping them close at hand almost at all times, mobile searches are becoming a critical part of SEO specialists' efforts to keep up with the changing times.

Having your website indexed for mobile search results means lower inflation ratesgreater customer engagement and satisfaction, as well as higher levels of loyalty and trust in your brand, as you provide them with ease, convenience and, of course, the opportunity to convert them into paying customers.

All this happens with the help of mobile-first indexing and responsive design, which is the ability and approach of adapting your website or online content to different platforms, devices, screen sizes, audience environments, layouts and orientations – and focusing on different user behaviors as you aim to cater to a wider market.

Content Marketing and Storytelling

The last trend that I think should be highlighted is the role of story telling in content marketing. Regardless of how your business started or how your business mission developed, there are so many ways to create compelling content that entices and engages as opposed to sounding sterile and conventional.

To that end, you need to consider proper storytelling techniques when creating content. These techniques can range from defining the hero, false start, forewarning, suspense, making it personal and many more. One thing they all have in common is that you can use them to weave a story around your brand engage your readers and conquered them.

Connected: Digital Storytelling: How Brands Can Use Authenticity and Emotional Connection to Stand Out Online

There are many ways to capture the attention of your audience online. But the trick is to keep at it. For this reason, you need to up your SEO game in 2024 by following the trends I mentioned above and implementing them in SEO strategy.

Unlike fashion, where trends come and go, SEO trends are a sound investment and preparation for the future of online searches. If you're able to master them, you'll stay on top of your game, helping your business reach the top.