Predictions for SEO in 2023

Feb 2023
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Just before the holidays, Search Engine Journal pulled together a list of five Expert SEO & Google Algorithm Predictions For 2023 based on a recent webinar they moderated. Several of their predictions coincide with content we’ve shared recently in the Lapero blog. So we thought it couldn’t hurt to address a few of these predictions and let you know how we can help you prepare your website for 2023. 

 

Universal Analytics Sunsetting

One of their predictions was that everyone will forget about Universal Analytics going away on July 1, 2023. We can assure you, we won’t forget! Here’s a post to help you plan ahead. 


We recommend:

  1. Set up GA4 now and take time to learn the differences while UA is still available. Once UA goes away, you will lose all historical data.

  2. Consider another analytics option like Matomo.

  3. Implement a migration strategy.

 

Technical SEO

It’s more important than ever to be sure your website works on a technical level. Because Google wants to give users a good experience, companies need to put a system in place to constantly monitor their website.


We recommend:

  1. Ensure website is crawlable: allow search engines to access and index all pages on your site.

  2. Improve website load speed: Page load speed is a ranking factor, use tools like PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix performance issues.

  3. Mobile optimization: Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive to provide a good user experience on all devices.

  4. Sitemap and robots.txt: Create a sitemap to help search engines understand the structure of your website and use robots.txt to control which pages are indexed.

  5. URL structure: Keep URLs simple and descriptive, using hyphens to separate words, and avoid using special characters or excessive parameters.

  6. Header tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to structure content and help search engines understand the hierarchy of your page's content.

  7. Meta descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions for each page, which will be displayed in search results and entice users to click through to your site.

  8. Internal linking: Link to other relevant pages on your website to help search engines understand the context of each page and improve navigation for users.

  9. Image optimization: Use descriptive file names, alt text, and proper formatting to optimize images for search engines and improve accessibility.

  10. Secure website: Use HTTPS to ensure a secure connection for users and avoid security warnings in search results.

     

Visual Search 

Another development that you’ve likely been hearing about is that Google is now using more visuals in search results. In September of 2022 the company announced it was introducing tools to drill down into topics that make using search a more visual experience, taking inspiration from the way younger audiences use the web for search.


We recommend:

  1. Keep your images high quality and representative of the content on the page.

  2. Include video content on your website.



Lapero can help set you on the right path to SEO excellence in 2023. Let us provide a comprehensive Website Performance Audit, help you determine the best analytics option for you as well as offer advice on optimizing your website for visual search. Connect with us today!