Search engine optimization (SEO) is a tricky field. Just when you think you’ve got it down, Google is going to change the algorithm and what used to work doesn’t work as well anymore. or there is a new element to add to your SEO bag.
While you may want to write this off as a “cost of doing business” in SEO, these constant changes actually have a good reason: Google is always trying to get a better understanding of how people use the internet.
Changes to search algorithms are made with the aim of providing users with better, more relevant information.
And while this is great for users, it also means that SEO professionals need to be constantly on top of the latest changes and best practices. And that in itself can be a major investment of time.
But fear not, we are here to help.
Tips For Staying On Top Of SEO Trends
Whether you’re an experienced SEO professional or just starting out in your career, here are some ways you can stay on top of what’s happening in the industry.
Subscribe To Leading SEO Blogs And Email Newsletters
It’s no secret that Google is the top dog when it comes to search engines.
As of February 2022, it accounts for a whopping 92% of search engine market share – which you would probably expect from a company whose name has become a verb meaning “to look up.”
And because Google is such a giant in the field, any SEO professional worth their salt should make sure to regularly check the Google Search Central blog.
Run by the search engine giant itself; Here you’ll find official updates to the Google Search Core algorithm, announcements about new search features, and articles on SEO best practices.
While Google’s blog is the gospel through which search engine optimization is performed, there are several other valuable resources on the web written by digital marketing experts.
We would of course be remiss if we hadn’t put ourselves first on the list. Search Engine Journal exists solely to keep busy SEO people informed.
And while we humbly consider ourselves a top resource, other blogs and email newsletters you should read are Kevin Indig’s, Moz, SEO Fomo, and Yoast.
For your convenience, we’ve put together a list of 38 other resources that you may find helpful.
Join Communities And Forums
SEO is a community and professionals like to share their knowledge. It was my participation in two or three communities that led to the launch of SEJ nearly 19 years ago.
Gathering as much knowledge as possible will make your strategies effective and get you the page rank you want.
One of the best ways to do this is to read and participate in forums on this topic.
One of the most popular communities for SEO (and just about everything else) is on Reddit. Users can create posts, ask questions and share articles.
The content on this social platform is “upvoted” or “downvoted” depending on the community’s opinion of it. This encourages quality posts to rise to the top, while bad posts disappear quickly.
The SEO subreddit can be used for everything from job hunting to troubleshooting, and serves as a strategic sounding board for following new developments in the field.
For those with specific questions, Quora is an excellent resource.
Designed as a place to share knowledge, it allows users to ask questions, which in turn are answered by the community.
Update Your News Feed And Follow Thought Leaders On Social Media
Love it or hate it, there is no doubt that social media has changed the world.
And while the downside is that it allows your quirky uncle to share his thoughts on the connection between sasquatch, aliens, and the JFK assassination, it also allows you to connect with humans like never before.
And if you don’t use this professionally, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Twitter, LinkedIn and yes, even Facebook give you unparalleled access to professionals who have built their careers by sharing their experience.
With a few clicks, you can get the SEO thoughts from the likes of Danny Sullivan and John Mueller. In addition to Danny & John, here are 202 SEO experts we think you should follow on Twitter and other social channels.
Updating your news feed to include these people will not only benefit you from the vast level of knowledge they share, but ensure that you stay on top of all the developments within the SEO world.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best SEO experts that you should follow here.
Listen To Podcasts
Do you have many other obligations and don’t always have hours to scour the internet to keep up with the latest best practices?
Again, modern technology to the rescue.
Podcasts are a great way to get trusted tips straight from leading industry experts.
And you can use them anywhere from the train on your commute to the treadmill during your workout.
Not sure which podcasts to listen to? Don’t worry, we’ve put together a handy list of 17 of the best SEO podcasts in the industry.
And no list would ever be complete without mentioning our very own Search Engine Journal Show, where we talk about everything SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing and digital marketing with the best experts and authorities in the industry.
Watch YouTube Videos And SEO Webinars
Are you old enough to remember what life was like before the internet?
If so, you probably remember the frustration that came with figuring things out on your own, rather than picking up your phone and watching a short tutorial video.
Fortunately, the bad old days are behind us and we now have access to an unprecedented amount of information, including helpful videos on platforms like YouTube and webinars hosted by experts.
Many SEO frontrunners have YouTube channels where they regularly upload content.
These mostly short videos are a great way to get quick tips and find solutions to problems you are facing.
Channels worth following include The SEO Video Show, Ahrefs, Matt Diggity (more of a casual, Mr. Beast feel) and, of course, Search Engine Journal.
If you have a little more time to devote to your SEO education, webinars are a great way to expand your knowledge.
For top quality SEO learning, there are three main contributors: Semrush, BrightEdge and, you guessed it, Search Engine Journal.
Usually available on-demand if you miss the live presentation, this is an effective way to keep up to date with what’s happening in the field.
Attend Conferences And Build Your Network
The most valuable resource for any organization is its people. That’s why there’s an entire department called “human resources.”
But you don’t have to work in the same office, organization, or even country to take advantage of the knowledge of other SEO professionals.
To ensure your continued success in search engine optimization, it is important to expand your network.
By getting to know other people in the industry, you can mimic their successful strategies, learn from their failures, and stay on top of what’s trending — and one of the best places to do it is at SEO conferences.
In a pre-pandemic world, there was no better way to get your finger on the pulse of the world of search engine rankings and connect with industry leaders than on the floor of a summit or during the evening cocktail hour. And it was also a great way to make new friends.
While Covid-19 has put a temporary limit on in-person meetings, they’re starting to pick up again, meaning attendees can once again expand their networks and gain a better understanding of how top SEO professionals get results.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read this far, hopefully we’ve made it clear to you the importance of staying on top of the constantly changing world of search engine optimization and provided you with some resources you can use to do so.
But even if you are someone who loves your job, you undoubtedly have other obligations in your life.
And staying on top of the latest best practices can be a full-time job in itself.
You just don’t have time to spend all day following the latest trends and best practices. And even if you could, it wouldn’t give you the bandwidth to implement these new strategies.
But that’s why we created this piece: to show you the many ways you can learn and follow what’s happening in SEO.
Maybe it’s part of your morning routine, where after checking your email, you spend some time reading the latest articles.
Perhaps you regularly listen to our podcast while stuck in traffic. Or maybe you prefer lunch-and-learns, where you watch webinars while you take your lunch break.
There is a wealth of SEO information available from many experts that can help you take your rankings to the next level.
It’s up to you how you use their information, tips, and tricks to get the most out of it.
Featured Image: GaudiLab/Shutterstock
Is SEO a growing field?
As an SEO you will earn a median of $42,931, and you will work in a career that is growing rapidly with multiple areas to branch your career into.
Is SEO in high demand? Is SEO a growing field? Yes, SEO is a growing field, with SEO skills and digital marketing still in high demand. According to LinkedIn, there were more than 47,000 job openings matching the keyword “SEO” in 2019 alone, and given the increased digitization of 2020, these numbers are likely to increase.
Is SEO still a good career?
‘ Yes. SEO is a good career option as it is one of the most sought after careers in digital marketing. There are several organizations around the world that hire SEO professionals to generate better content and thus generate more business leads.
Are SEO jobs well paid?
The median salary for a US based SEO professional is $60,548 per year. 2. Companies based in CA, CT, NY and NJ pay the highest annual salaries for SEO professionals (average salary of $72.6k/year). Those in UT, PA, and IL pay the least (average salary of $48.7k/year).
Can SEO be a good career?
SEO is an excellent career choice if you have a passion for digital marketing and all things internet. It is certainly a career of continuous learning and development, great financial reward potential and attractive to those with a competitive streak.
Are SEO jobs in demand?
SEO professionals are in high demand as businesses need search optimization to compete in most niches.
Does SEO have a future?
The future of SEO will be brand integrity and the use of partnerships and relationships to build credibility and popularity. The importance of PR and gaining traction online through other websites and media hubs will be valuable to SEO success.
Does SEO have a future?
The future of SEO will be brand integrity and the use of partnerships and relationships to build credibility and popularity. The importance of PR and gaining traction online through other websites and media hubs will be valuable to SEO success.
Is SEO worth it in 2022?
Local SEO will thrive in search results: Local SEO will be effective in online marketing by 2022 and even if the pandemic subsides, studies and surveys say people prefer to work and study from home and are likely to do so even after the pandemic.
Will SEO exist in 5 years?
SEO will not go away in the next five years as social media and search engines will most likely merge. Facebook has already started doing this: they average more than 1.5 billion searches per day. Twitter has done the same; they joined in partnership with Google.
Is SEO a good career 2021?
Yes, SEO is a good career in 2022 because it gives you access to various opportunities. You can work in-house, hire clients, and even start and grow websites you own. In addition, the three most popular websites Google.com, YouTube.com and Amazon.com are also the largest search engines.
Is SEO worth it in 2021?
The short answer is that SEO is very effective – not only for generating traffic, but also for generating leads and sales. Do not worry. The long answer involves research and data, not just empty statements. Most SEOs get too caught up in search-specific metrics like SERPs (search engine results page), rankings, and organic traffic.
Is SEO a good career choice?
SEO is an excellent career choice if you have a passion for digital marketing and all things internet. It is certainly a career of continuous learning and development, great financial reward potential and attractive to those with a competitive streak.
What is the most effective SEO tactic?
- 12 SEO Techniques You Should Be Using in 2022. †
- Find your competitors’ best performing pages. †
- Inform your content strategy using a Keyword Gap analysis. †
- Use digital PR to earn authority links. †
- Improve your organic CTR using PPC testing. †
- Optimize for ‘People also ask’…
- Steal your competitor’s broken backlinks.
What is the most underused SEO tactic or strategy? Dorian, SEO Strategy Leader: Internal Links One of the most underused and neglected website strategic tools is hiding right under your nose: internal links. Often internal linking is implemented without much thought or strategy – an afterthought while writing a blog or creating a page.
What is RankBrain update?
RankBrain is part of Google’s core algorithm that uses machine learning (the ability of machines to teach themselves from data input) to determine the most relevant results for search engine queries. Pre-RankBrain Google used its basic algorithm to determine which results to show for a particular query.
What is RankBrain used for? RankBrain is a machine learning-based search engine algorithm, whose use was confirmed by Google on October 26, 2015. It helps Google process search results and deliver more relevant search results to users.
What is RankBrain and why does it matter?
RankBrain is an artificial intelligence system applied to and used with Google’s current search engine algorithms to provide better results for user searches.
Is RankBrain an AI?
RankBrain is Google’s name for a machine-learning artificial intelligence system used to process search results, as reported by Bloomberg and also confirmed to us by Google.
Is RankBrain a ranking factor?
Well, Google recently announced that RankBrain is Google’s third most important ranking signal. And it becomes more important every day.
Why did Google introduce RankBrain?
Why did Google introduce RankBrain? RankBrain was initially rolled out to solve a simple but big problem. Google hadn’t seen 15% of searches being used and as such had no context for them, nor previous analytics to determine if their results were good or not meeting the user’s intent. Enter RankBrain.
Is RankBrain a ranking factor?
Well, Google recently announced that RankBrain is Google’s third most important ranking signal. And it becomes more important every day.
Does Google still use RankBrain?
At the outset, RankBrain was applied to searches that Google hadn’t encountered before, and which then and still account for about 15% of all searches.
What are rank factors?
The term “Ranking Factors†describes the criteria used by search engines when evaluating web pages to build the ranking of their search results.
Does Google still use RankBrain?
At the outset, RankBrain was applied to searches that Google hadn’t encountered before, and which then and still account for about 15% of all searches.
Does Google use Bert?
Google itself used BERT in its search system. In October 2019, Google announced its biggest update of recent times: the adoption of BERT in its search algorithm. Google had already adopted models for understanding human language, but this update was heralded as one of the most significant leaps in search engine history.
Why did Google introduce RankBrain?
Why did Google introduce RankBrain? RankBrain was initially rolled out to solve a simple but big problem. Google hadn’t seen 15% of searches being used and as such had no context for them, nor previous analytics to determine if their results were good or not meeting the user’s intent. Enter RankBrain.
Is SEO a stressful job?
Any job that requires a certain level of performance can be stressful. SEO isn’t life-or-death stressful, but it is stressful spending thousands of dollars. If you’re not stressed to some degree, you’re probably not setting the bar high enough.
Is SEO a fun profession? So yes, SEO can be a great career choice these days, especially if you are passionate about all things internet. Keep in mind that you need to keep learning and mastering your skills, as search engines keep tweaking their algorithms all the time.
Is a career in SEO worth it?
Yes, SEO is a good career in 2022 because it gives you access to various opportunities. You can work in-house, hire clients, and even start and grow websites you own. In addition, the three most popular websites Google.com, YouTube.com and Amazon.com are also the largest search engines.
Is SEO still worth it in 2021?
The short answer is that SEO is very effective – not only for generating traffic, but also for generating leads and sales. Do not worry. The long answer involves research and data, not just empty statements. Most SEOs get too caught up in search-specific metrics like SERPs (search engine results page), rankings, and organic traffic.
Is SEO a good career choice?
SEO is an excellent career choice if you have a passion for digital marketing and all things internet. It is certainly a career of continuous learning and development, great financial reward potential and attractive to those with a competitive streak.
Are SEO jobs in demand?
SEO professionals are in high demand as businesses need search optimization to compete in most niches.
Do SEO jobs pay well?
People with the SEO Specialist position get the most from companies with 201 employees and earn an average of $100,500.
Is SEO a high paying job?
The average SEO salary per hour is about INR 250 which is about 450,000 per year. More experienced professionals can earn 11,000,000 INR per year. Freshers can expect 2.75,000 a year.
Is SEO a good career?
‘ Yes. SEO is a good career option as it is one of the most sought after careers in digital marketing. There are several organizations around the world that hire SEO professionals to generate better content and thus generate more business leads.
Are SEO jobs in demand?
SEO professionals are in high demand as businesses need search optimization to compete in most niches.
Do SEO jobs pay well?
People with the SEO Specialist position get the most from companies with 201 employees and earn an average of $100,500.
Is SEO an easy job?
It’s hard work, but what success comes easy? This article focuses on the skills you need to acquire while learning, from basic to advanced. The skills you need to get into SEO, start an entry-level career, and progress to a senior position in the industry.
Is SEO a good career?
‘ Yes. SEO is a good career option as it is one of the most sought after careers in digital marketing. There are several organizations around the world that hire SEO professionals to generate better content and thus generate more business leads.
Do SEO jobs pay well?
People with the SEO Specialist position get the most from companies with 201 employees and earn an average of $100,500.
Is SEO a hard job?
SEO just isn’t as hard as people pretend it is; you can get 95% of the effort with 5% of the work, and you definitely don’t need to hire a professional SEO to do it, nor will it be hard to start ranking for well-chosen key terms.