As a local business, you want to be out there and be noticed. Local SEO helps you do just that. But there are a thousand things that are changing in search every year, and it’s easy to lose sight of some crucial developments. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered – we did the googling, asked the right experts, and consolidated a list of top Local SEO trends rising in 2024.
To list one of the very few, we have…
Google’s new Nearby Events and Deals
A feature that was spotted by a couple of SEO enthusiasts on Twitter. Google seemed to have announced a new feature in its SERPs showcasing nearby events and deals. The most exciting part? That this is purely for all the local businesses out there. Further, this feature has only been reported to be visible on mobile devices and is not available on Google Maps, as of yet.
Here’s what the feature looks like.
Now, coming to the question of how does this feature work?
So far, this feature only seems to work when someone is looking up food and restaurant businesses and is only limited to cities in North America (US and Canada). Barring food and restaurants, this feature doesn’t show up yet. So, as far as food and restaurant businesses are concerned, using Google Business is a MUST and cannot be overlooked. But in general, businesses should make use of it to keep up with the recent trends and also to get featured in Google’s latest features including this one.
Another trend that might take the internet by the storm is..
Voice-Search Optimisation
People really enjoy the convenience of getting information just by asking out loud, thanks to voice assistants like Siri, Bing, Alexa, and many others who are now part of our daily lives. It’s just so much simpler to speak your question into the air than to stop and type it all out. So, it’s pretty crucial to make sure your local brand pops up when folks are using these voice searches to find what they need.
Therefore, making sure your local brand shows up in voice searches is important.
How can you go about this, you ask?
- Optimise your featured snippets, as this information is more likely to be pulled up by the voice assistant, thereby increasing the likelihood of your brand being noticed.
- Have a list of long-tail keywords that you use while recording your voice snippets; this will help with more visibility.
- Ensure that your business is listed on Google My Business, Just Dial, and any other such directories. This will increase the chances your business will be surfaced in voice searches.
- Do a proper hygiene check to ensure that your business identity is consistent throughout and is updated regularly with your correct business name, address, and phone number.
- In order to know what’s working and what’s not, keep monitoring your website performance in voice search results and make adjustments as and when necessary.
Because your google search results can make it or break your business!
All the more reasons for businesses to ensure that they keep-up with their Google Business Profiles.
Speaking of GBP’s..
Google Reviews also play a HUGE role in deciding whether your business is doing well or needs improvement in certain areas.
You know, as search keeps evolving, it’s clear that the good ol’ traditional SEO metrics we’ve been relying on might not cut it anymore, especially with this new Search Generative Experience rolling out. It’s like the whole landscape is shifting.
Nowadays, organic listings seem to be getting pushed further down the search results page, making room for more engaging stuff, like local results packed with images, posts, reviews, you name it. It’s like Google’s making sure you get the whole experience right there on the results page.
Google also seems to be pushing the top local search results far more than any other search results, which is why it is all the more important to make sure that people have their NAP’s (Business Name, Address and Phone Number) in place. Also make sure it is consistent throughout.
As you can see,
The top clinics with the highest number of ratings are the only ones that are actually visible while carrying out a local search.
So, you know how when you search for something on Google, you see those little snippets with all the important info right there? Like business hours, reviews, and where it’s located? Well, that’s thanks to something called..
Structured Data Markup or Schema.org.
Basically, it’s like giving Google a cheat sheet about your business so it can show off the most important details to people searching. So, when someone’s looking for what you offer, they can find all the info they need in a snap and, hopefully, choose you!
By adding this markup to your website’s HTML, you can help search engines better understand your content, which can lead to enhanced search results, including rich snippets, knowledge graph panels, and other rich features in search engine results pages (SERPs). In simpler terms, it’s a way to make your website more visible and informative to search engines, ultimately helping your site attract more relevant traffic.
Next, let’s get the ball rolling on AI!
Now AI as we all know has the capability to grow ten-folds in the next few years or so.
Be it AR, Chat-GPT, DALL-E and SORA with their ability to create hyper realistic videos, the world is moving fast. And we need to keep up with it.
Looking at it from an SEO perspective, a lot’s changing too.
For example, with Augmented Reality will be HUGE for local businesses especially, local stores
Picture this: Let’s say someone points their phone at your shop, and boom, they see what’s inside, reviews, or today’s special. It’s not just cool; it’s futuristic cool. AR could really change the game for grabbing attention locally. It’s like Pokemon-Go but IRL.
AI can be further used to track mentions on the internet, reviews and social media comments. This will act as a huge driving force to attract customers and gain the algorithm’s attention. With this, businesses might be able to manage, track and identify fake reviews and get rid of those. This is exactly what is a MAJOR trend for local SEO in 2024! Through this trend, SMBs can leverage the power of social proof for their local businesses.
Read More: How AI is transforming SEO
Another significant trend is the emphasis on..
Hyperlocal Content
As GPS technology becomes more precise, search engines are prioritizing content that caters to very specific locations or neighborhoods. This means businesses will need to create content that not only focuses on their city or region but also on the neighborhoods they serve. Tailoring content to these micro-locations can significantly boost a business’s visibility in search results.
Here’s how you can provide a more personalized experience to your visitors:
- Get to know your website visitors by collecting data about their interests and preferences.
- Customize your website content to match the needs and interests of different visitor segments.
- Invest in tools that automate personalization tasks, making it easier to deliver targeted content.
- Experiment with different personalization strategies and adjust based on what works best for your audience.
To sum up,
These SEO trends are all about focusing on local strategies and being adaptable online. By prioritizing local SEO, businesses can boost their visibility, attract the right customers, and increase website traffic without spending a fortune on ads. This not only builds trust and drives sales but also keeps them ahead of the competition.
And the best part? SEO is more cost-effective than traditional marketing methods. By teaming up with local businesses and staying updated, companies can overcome challenges and strengthen their online presence.
So, think out of the box because local SEO has a long way to go!
