Is It Still Worth Using SEO in 2024? The Verdict

2024. The dawning of a new year. The turkey sandwiches have long gone. You’ve chugged the last of the champagne. Now it’s time to plan for the future. That includes assessing your company’s marketing needs.

That means seeing what role SEO will play – if any.

Is SEO still worth it? It’s a valid question to ask. Digital marketing underwent drastic changes over the past year. The continued rise of AI, the importance of influencer marketing, Google Search’s core updates – the list goes on and on. Has this left SEO obsolete? Or is SEO marketing worth it still in 2024?

This guide explores the answers to give you that all-important verdict.

Is SEO Worth it in 2024?

Yes.

Thanks for reading.

Okay, you probably weren’t expecting such a frank answer to the ‘Is SEO really worth it?’ question. However, it is that clear-cut – and we’re not just saying that because we are an enterprise SEO agency! If search visibility is integral to your marketing efforts, it should remain integral. If it isn’t already, it should be.

Think about it. The online world may have evolved tenfold in recent years, but when a question needs answering, you’re not heading to social media. You’re not relying on ChatGPT to fill in the gaps. You are still turning to trusty old Google – and for good reason.

Actually, make that a few reasons. Speed, accuracy, and relevance all ensure Google Search is the go-to option. That means an effective SEO strategy, one which hoists your webpages up the search rankings, is essential. 2024 is no different to 2004 in that regard.

What is different, however, is how SEO itself has evolved and the different trends that must be followed.

SEO Trends in 2024: What Do You Need to Know?

Link building remains important. Keyword researchKeyword research helps websites unearth the best keywords to drive traffic and visibility. This research is supported by a number of powerful web-based tools, the best of which we’ve listed here. equally so, as is the focus on crafting high-quality, relevant content. Nevertheless, SEO is moving in a different direction – and you have to make sure the right coordinates are followed with your marketing plan.

To sum it up, SEO in 2024 is trending towards three main approaches:

• Technically advanced
• User-centric
• Ethical

There are various reasons why this is the case. One of the biggest is AI and machine learningMachine Learning is the branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that gives computers the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed. growth, which has seen the likes of Google being able to better understand user intent and supply more relevant, worthwhile results. Additionally, the search kingpin is pushing for ethically-produced content with its Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) guidelines.

You should already know about staying up-to-date with Google’s ranking factors, refreshing content when necessary, and acquiring niche edits. As for new trends, here is what you need to learn about:

• Zero-click searches: As the name suggests, a zero-click search is when a user doesn’t click on any SERP results. Google has introduced advanced features like knowledge panels and direct conversionA conversion is a desirable result on a website that leads to an action such as completing an order, filling out a form, or simply clicking on a link. tools to satisfy user intent, which sees no further clicks. Securing the featured snippetA featured snippet is a search result that is specially formatted to include a summary of the answer, extracted from a web page. for these searches can mitigate the damage – and possibly even improve results for your brand.
• Google Search Generative Experience (SGE): Google SGE is an AI-powered search experience. This delivers AI-generated results at the top of SERPs, enhancing user interaction with clear, concise answers and relevant visuals. Creating content which answers queries directly and comprehensively is necessary to follow this growing trend.
• Video SEO: Digital video viewership continues to soar. To align with the trend of increased consumption, along with the jump in search engine recognition of video content, creating content that ranks well in both Google and YouTube searches is a significant SEO opportunity.
• The need for topical authority: Google emphasises content that demonstrates expertise on specific topics. On this subject, topical authority involves being a primary information source on a topic where all aspects are covered comprehensively. This matches up with Google’s prioritisation of content that demonstrates a combination of authority, expertise, and trustworthiness.
• Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO): AEO is used to adapt content for AI-powered technologies like chatbots and smart assistants. This synthesises information effectively to answer conversational queries, where it caters to users that desire immediate answers – all without having to navigate webpages. Preparing for this with SEO involves optimising for answer-based queries, where you craft concise, direct content that is easily consumed and deciphered by AI algorithms.

By not only understanding but following these trends, you can rank higher with your content, draw in more traffic, and make more positive connections with potential customers.

Is Hiring an SEO Company Worth it?

You know the answer to, ‘Is SEO optimisation worth it?’ now. However, should you take that next step? Is it worth paying for SEO in 2024?

The answer is another big fat ‘Yes’. In fact, it is even more obvious than the previous question. When you factor in the added complexity and challenge of ranking with SEO, it has never been better to receive professional assistance. With the way the rules and goalposts continue to move, having an SEO consultant on your side, one that remains up-to-date with every little update, can make all the difference and keep your marketing strategy ahead of the curve.

This can start with SEO auditing. Is an SEO audit worth it? Absolutely. It gives you the right foundation to work from, where you can clear up any issues before they cause problems for your marketing campaigns. You can then get expert help with traditional tasks, like blogger outreach, and modern trends, such as those listed above, for a fleshed-out, effective SEO strategy.

SEO: Is it Worth it in 2024? The Final Verdict

SEO is more confusing and complex than ever. AI and Google algorithm changes have added to the challenge. However, that doesn’t mean you should abandon SEO. The opposite is more appropriate. If you embrace the changes and stick with the trends, you can still prosper with SEO.

Not confident in tackling this task on your own? Don’t worry – our leading managed SEO service is here to help. With over 2 decades of experience constructing bespoke SEO strategies that top the Google rankings, we possess the skills and expertise to put together successful campaigns for 2024 and beyond.