How will technical SEO change in 2024?

Core Web Vitals and User Experience Signals

As we look towards 2024, technical SEO continues to evolve, and one critical component that will remain at the forefront is the emphasis on Core Web Vitals and user experience signals. At JEMSU, we recognize that the primary aim of search engines is to provide users with the most relevant and user-friendly results. This means that websites that prioritize the page experience will likely see an improvement in rankings over those that do not.

Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage’s overall user experience. These include metrics such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which measures loading performance; First Input Delay (FID), which measures interactivity; and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which measures visual stability. As search engines continue to refine their algorithms, we at JEMSU anticipate that these metrics will play an even more significant role. In fact, a study by SEMrush found that pages ranking in the top positions on Google search results have a 10% higher LCP score than those ranking from positions 11 to 20, highlighting the importance of optimizing for these factors.

But Core Web Vitals aren’t the only user experience signals that are important. Other aspects such as mobile-friendliness, safe browsing, HTTPS, and intrusive interstitial guidelines are all part of the Page Experience signals that Google takes into account. To draw an analogy, one can think of a website as a retail store; just as a store would be designed to allow customers to find what they need with ease and convenience, so too should a website be designed to facilitate a seamless user experience.

JEMSU is already advising clients to treat these user experience metrics not just as a checklist for compliance, but as a roadmap for building a site that truly engages and satisfies users. For example, a business that optimizes its images and dynamic content for quick loading times is akin to a shopkeeper ensuring the aisles are clear and products are easy to reach – both are fundamental to a positive experience.

As we move closer to 2024, JEMSU continues to integrate the latest best practices related to Core Web Vitals and user experience signals into our clients’ SEO strategies. By doing so, we aim to not only improve their search engine rankings but also to provide their users with high-quality experiences that drive engagement and conversions.

Mobile-First Indexing and Mobile Usability

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technical SEO, Mobile-First Indexing and Mobile Usability are set to become even more significant in 2024. With mobile devices accounting for approximately 54.8% of global website traffic in the second quarter of 2021, it’s clear that optimizing for mobile is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the way users interact with the web.

JEMSU, as a leader in digital advertising, understands the importance of staying ahead in the game. For businesses seeking to thrive online, ensuring their websites are optimized for mobile use is not just a box to tick; it’s a critical strategy for improving search engine rankings and providing a seamless user experience. Google has already been prioritizing mobile-friendly websites since the introduction of Mobile-First Indexing, and this trend is expected to continue, if not intensify, in 2024.

Imagine walking into a store where the aisles are too narrow for your cart, or the shelves are so high you can’t reach the products. This is analogous to a poor mobile user experience where buttons are too small to click, content is difficult to read on a small screen, or pages take too long to load. JEMSU helps businesses avoid these pitfalls by crafting responsive web designs that adapt fluidly to various screen sizes, ensuring fast loading times, and making navigation intuitive for mobile users.

Additionally, with Google’s Page Experience update, which includes Core Web Vitals as ranking signals, mobile usability is more quantifiable and, therefore, more actionable than ever before. Metrics such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) offer concrete data on the user experience. JEMSU leverages these insights to optimize websites, aiming to surpass the thresholds set by Google and provide a competitive edge to its clients.

In the pursuit of excellence in mobile usability, JEMSU not only focuses on the technical aspects but also emphasizes the importance of content. It’s not just about how quickly a page loads on a mobile device, but also about how the content is presented. Is it easily consumable on a smaller screen? Is the most important information accessible with minimal scrolling? JEMSU’s expertise in content strategy ensures that mobile sites meet user expectations and search engine requirements alike.

As the horizon of technical SEO expands, Mobile-First Indexing and Mobile Usability will be at the forefront of optimization efforts. JEMSU is poised to guide businesses through these changes, ensuring that their digital presence is not only mobile-friendly but also poised for success in the search engine rankings of 2024 and beyond.

AI and Machine Learning in Search Algorithms

As technical SEO evolves, a significant development that is shaping the future is the integration of AI and Machine Learning (ML) in search algorithms. At JEMSU, we closely monitor how these technologies are being implemented to better understand and optimize for the shifts in search engine strategies.

AI and machine learning algorithms are increasingly sophisticated, learning from vast amounts of data to improve the search experience for users. For instance, Google’s AI algorithm, RankBrain, has been a crucial component in interpreting search queries, especially those that are complex or haven’t been seen before. As we approach 2024, we can anticipate that search engines will lean even more heavily on these technologies to refine their understanding of user intent, context, and the relevance of content.

One of the stats that highlight the significance of AI in search is that, according to Google, RankBrain is one of the top three ranking factors in their search algorithm. This shows the weight that AI holds in the search engine’s decision-making process on what constitutes quality and relevant content.

Search engines like Google have always aimed to mimic human understanding as closely as possible, and the analogy that fits well here is that AI and machine learning serve as the brain’s constantly evolving neural network, getting smarter and more intuitive with every search query processed. This means that at JEMSU, we must adapt our SEO strategies to be more dynamic and predictive, anticipating changes and trends as they are learned by these algorithms.

An example of how AI and ML have already impacted search can be seen in the auto-suggestions and auto-complete features in search engines. These features are constantly improving and providing more accurate predictions of what a user might be looking for, all thanks to the learning capabilities of AI.

As a digital advertising agency, JEMSU understands the importance of staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technical SEO. We prepare for the implications of AI and machine learning not only by optimizing content for relevance and user intent but also by ensuring we are flexible and ready to adapt to the new ways these technologies interpret and rank content. With AI’s integration into search algorithms, the digital marketing landscape is bound to become more complex, and our strategies must evolve accordingly to maintain and improve our clients’ search engine visibility.

Structured Data and Schema Markup Evolution

At JEMSU, we understand the critical role that structured data and schema markup play in technical SEO and how they are set to evolve in 2024. Structured data refers to a standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying the page content. When webmasters implement schema markup, a form of structured data, they essentially provide search engines with a detailed roadmap of the content on their websites. This roadmap allows search engines to display rich snippets, such as star ratings, prices, and author information, directly in the search results.

As we move towards 2024, we anticipate an evolution in structured data and schema markup that will be even more sophisticated and nuanced. Search engines like Google are expected to expand their understanding of the context and relationships between different types of data. For instance, we might see a greater emphasis on marking up content that demonstrates expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T), which are factors that Google has already highlighted as important for search rankings.

Imagine walking into a library where every book is meticulously categorized, not just by genre but by themes, subplots, and the credentials of the author. This level of organization would make finding the exact type of book you’re looking for a breeze. Similarly, as schema markup evolves, search engines will be able to provide more targeted and relevant results to users, which could lead to a better user experience and potentially higher click-through rates for optimized websites.

To give an example, let’s say a recipe website uses structured data to mark up its content. In 2024, this website might be able to provide even more detailed information within its markup, such as whether a recipe aligns with certain dietary restrictions or includes specific nutrients that are beneficial for certain health conditions. This granular level of detail can help the website stand out in search results when users are looking for very specific dietary information.

JEMSU is dedicated to staying at the forefront of these changes. We are continuously updating our strategies to ensure that our clients’ websites are leveraging the most advanced SEO practices. By doing so, we help to enhance their online visibility and ensure that they remain competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As structured data and schema markup become more intricate, JEMSU will be there to guide our clients through the complexities of technical SEO, ensuring their content is perfectly positioned for the search engines of tomorrow.

Voice Search and Natural Language Processing

As we look to the future of technical SEO in 2024, it’s evident that Voice Search and Natural Language Processing (NLP) will continue to significantly influence how digital marketing agencies like JEMSU adapt their strategies. With the increasing prevalence of smart speakers and virtual assistants, voice search has become an integral part of the user experience. The statistics are telling; according to a study by Juniper Research, it is predicted that there will be 8 billion digital voice assistants in use by 2023, a number that is likely to grow in 2024.

JEMSU recognizes the importance of optimizing for voice search, which relies heavily on NLP technology to understand and process human language in a way that machines can interpret. This is a shift from the traditional keyword-focused search to a more conversational approach, where long-tail keywords and natural, spoken language become crucial in content creation and SEO strategies.

Consider the analogy of a librarian. In the past, searching for information was like asking a librarian to find a book with a specific title. Now, with advancements in NLP, it’s more akin to describing the plot of the story or the feeling you got from reading it. The librarian (in this case, the search engine) must now understand the context and nuances of your request to provide the right book. Similarly, JEMSU leverages NLP to ensure that clients’ content is the “right book” that search engines deliver in response to increasingly complex voice queries.

One example of how JEMSU might optimize for voice search is by incorporating questions and answers into website content, as people often use questions during voice searches. By anticipating and directly addressing these questions, JEMSU helps clients improve their chances of appearing in voice search results, which are often presented as a single answer rather than a list of links.

As voice search and natural language processing evolve, JEMSU stays ahead of the curve, ensuring clients’ websites are not only found but also chosen as the primary source for information, products, and services in their industries. This forward-thinking approach positions JEMSU and its clients for success in an increasingly voice-oriented online landscape.

Security and Privacy (HTTPS, SameSite Cookies)

As we delve into the realm of technical SEO for 2024, a critical subtopic that takes precedence is the emphasis on security and privacy, specifically HTTPS and SameSite cookies. For businesses like JEMSU, staying ahead in the digital advertising space means not only optimizing for search engines but also ensuring that user data is protected and website security is tight.

The transition to HTTPS has become more than just a recommendation; it’s a necessity for websites that wish to rank well and maintain user trust. As a digital advertising agency, JEMSU understands that Google has been using HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014, and this trend is only gaining momentum. Websites that have not transitioned to HTTPS may be flagged as insecure, which can deter users from visiting, thus decreasing traffic and potential conversions. The implementation of HTTPS encrypts data between the user’s browser and the server, providing a secure channel for information exchange. This is akin to having a secure conversation in a room with soundproof walls, where outside parties cannot eavesdrop.

Moreover, with the introduction of SameSite cookie attributes, JEMSU is at the forefront of adapting its clients’ websites to comply with new standards for handling cookies. These attributes enhance security by allowing developers to assert control over which cookies are allowed to function across sites. This change is significant as it helps prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks, where unauthorized commands are transmitted from a user that the web application trusts. By analogy, imagine SameSite cookies as a VIP list at an exclusive event — only the names on the list (first-party cookies) are allowed in, keeping the event (the website) secure from uninvited guests (third-party cookies).

In the context of statistics, according to a survey conducted by the cybersecurity firm Cybint, 88% of UK companies suffered data breaches in 2021. This statistic highlights the importance of robust security measures for maintaining SEO rankings and user trust. As technical SEO evolves, JEMSU stays vigilant in its efforts to incorporate the latest security and privacy practices to safeguard against threats and align with search engine guidelines, thereby ensuring their clients’ websites are not just optimized for visibility, but also for safety and reliability.

FAQS – How will technical SEO change in 2024?

As of my knowledge cutoff in early 2023, I can’t predict the exact state of technical SEO in 2024, but I can provide educated guesses based on current trends. Here are hypothetical frequently asked questions and their answers:

1. **What new technologies will affect technical SEO in 2024?**
– In 2024, emerging technologies like AI and machine learning are likely to play an even bigger role in technical SEO, with search engines becoming more sophisticated in understanding user intent and content relevance. Voice search and visual search could also influence SEO strategies.

2. **How will Core Web Vitals impact SEO rankings in 2024?**
– Core Web Vitals, which are a set of performance metrics related to speed, responsiveness, and visual stability, will likely continue to be important for SEO rankings in 2024. Websites will need to ensure they meet these metrics to maintain or improve their search rankings.

3. **Will mobile-first indexing still be relevant in 2024?**
– Mobile-first indexing is expected to remain relevant in 2024 as mobile usage continues to dominate web traffic. Websites not optimized for mobile devices may suffer in search rankings.

4. **How important will schema markup be for SEO in 2024?**
– Schema markup will probably become even more crucial for SEO as it helps search engines understand the context of content. Enhanced and more specific schema types may be introduced, allowing for richer results and better user experiences.

5. **What role will artificial intelligence play in technical SEO in 2024?**
– AI may be increasingly used for tasks such as content optimization, search intent analysis, and predictive analytics. Search engines might also use AI to refine their algorithms and provide more personalized search results.

6. **Will the importance of HTTPS increase by 2024?**
– The importance of HTTPS as a ranking signal is likely to either remain significant or grow as internet security becomes a more pressing issue. Users and search engines prefer secure and encrypted connections, which HTTPS provides.

7. **How will voice search optimization change in 2024?**
– As voice search becomes more prevalent, optimizing for conversational queries and long-tail keywords may become more important. Structured data and clear, concise answers to common questions will likely be key for voice search optimization.

8. **What new search engine algorithms could change technical SEO in 2024?**
– It is difficult to predict specific algorithms; however, search engines will likely continue to update their algorithms to focus on user experience, content quality, and to combat spammy practices.

9. **Could changes in user behavior impact technical SEO in 2024?**
– Yes, as user behavior evolves, so does technical SEO. The way users interact with devices and content can lead to changes in how search engines rank websites, emphasizing the need for adaptive and user-centered SEO strategies.

10. **How will international SEO be affected in 2024?**
– International SEO may see changes with the introduction of new language processing capabilities, better localization techniques, and perhaps more region-specific ranking factors in search engine algorithms.

Please note that these answers are speculative and based on the continuation of current trends in SEO as of early 2023. The actual state of technical SEO in 2024 could be influenced by a variety of unforeseen factors and technological advancements.