New SEO Expectations in 2012

Hi, guys! Nice to see you on our blog today! New Year is coming, winter holidays are in their height. So, nothing boring on our blog today! Just a little light reading: a couple of articles on what to expect in the forthcoming year 2012 from the point of view of SEO.

They are only observations and assumptions, of course. But take time to consider them as they can be helpful in terms of where to move next. No one expects it is easier, I think, as there are more and more sites (and competitors) appearing each day.

Comparing data

I run across a fascinating search graph in which people are looking back on the year 2011 and their objectives for 2012. Interestingly, comparing them, I see that people are really determined to improve brand popularity, and more people are realizing its importance.
The second graph on the same site shows that content is still the king, and that keywords and links still play its important part in SEO today.

Future predictions

This year was flagged by Panda update and Google+ appearing which demonstrates user-friendly approach once again, plus personalization in search algorithms and a considerable move towards social search. But there is also something else that goes behind the scenes.

The development of mobile search, for example, will require separate set of skills for SEOs, and it is said to be developing even further, as the main aim of Google is to meet user`s needs where they are and create the best user experience. The divergence between SEO for desktops and for mobile phones and smartphones will increase. It makes sense to start thinking about mobile search in 2012 in terms of SEO.

Mobile search is closely connected with the local search. Moreover, real-time search was introduced as well as a number of other searches (personal, social). Very soon SEOs should be able to comply to such a variety of requirements that it will be difficult to come up with some global strategy. This is where positioning and branding seem to be the only solution.

Linkbaiting and ranking for keywords are said to be the things of the past. But I think this is not true. It will take some time before link profiles will die off. I think they might be modified naturally and they definitely won`t be the same and as much important as they are now.