{"id":26949,"date":"2023-04-07T17:07:09","date_gmt":"2023-04-08T00:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.vdigitalservices.com\/?p=26949"},"modified":"2024-01-18T16:24:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T23:24:50","slug":"new-trends-in-local-seo-for-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vdigitalservices.com\/new-trends-in-local-seo-for-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"New Trends in Local SEO for 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a constantly evolving, dynamic field, keeping brands and businesses on their toes – that is, if they want to maintain their rankings. In the past, local businesses could get by without keeping up with the latest trends in SEO for local search.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But with the increasing presence of businesses online, it is now crucial that local businesses ensure their online presence is optimized for search engines. Customers now expect to be able to easily find their local companies in search results, and failing to show up will result in missed business opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

To stay ahead of the competition in 2023, you’ll need to hone in on improving customers’ experience with local search. With <\/span>a strategic approach to local SEO<\/span><\/a>, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and attract more customers online – and in this guide, we are teaching you everything you need to know to kick your local Google search strategy into high gear.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s New in Local Search SEO for 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 2023 and beyond, the best local SEO strategies will be those intentionally based on serving the needs of online search users. Like any effective business plan, you’ll need to look at what your customers want, need, and expect from you and then use that information to refine your SEO for local searches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are ten major trends for local search in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

User Experience is Paramount to Your SEO Success<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To succeed in local SEO in 2023, focusing on user experience (UX) signals is crucial. Google announced in May 2020 that UX signals would be factored into search engine rankings, which means that website speed, ease of navigation, and mobile compatibility are key factors in your search success.<\/span><\/p>\n

To improve UX, businesses should avoid intrusive pop-up and banner ads, which can irritate users and harm SEO. Testing website loading speed across platforms, including smartphones, desktops, and tablets, is also essential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Local businesses should prioritize user needs, such as easy access to contact information and store hours, and improve website navigation. <\/span>Google Search Console’s Core Web Vitals<\/span><\/a> section provides tools for businesses to improve UX and ensure their website ranks well on search engine results pages.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Google Business Profile is Essential<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Google Business Profile (GBP) continues to be incredibly important in local SEO in 2023. Google is now prioritizing search intent and showing results based on what it knows a user is looking for, including location-based information. Businesses with a complete and up-to-date GBP profile have a higher chance of appearing in local search results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research shows that <\/span>49%<\/span><\/a> of local companies receive over a thousand views on their monthly GBP listing, emphasizing the importance of using and optimizing this platform. To improve GBP performance, businesses should complete their profile with as much detail as possible, update business hours, and post fresh content every two weeks. This activity increases engagement and signals to Google that the listing is relevant, leading to higher search engine rankings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adapt Your Local SEO Strategy for Zero-Click Results<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At first glance, the concept of zero-click searches (when a user searches but never clicks on an actual link) might seem like something to be worried about. It is not as problematic as it may sound – but you do need to adapt your approach accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Data from <\/span>Semrush<\/span><\/a> states that nearly 60% of mobile search users (and 53% of desktop search users) don’t click on paid or organic search results for various reasons. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t leverage local search to gain foot traffic and other advantages for your business; it’s simply information you need to use to rethink your strategy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To combat the zero-click trend, you can implement savvy tactics such as:<\/span><\/p>\n