It is coming to the end of 2016 and what a year it has been for the SearchSwarm team! We have survived through the latest penguin and possum updates of 2016 but what can we expect in 2017?

Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball to predict the future and it is hard to say what exactly may happen but here are some of our future predictions.

Mobile Is King

We have all heard the old SEO saying that 'Content is King' but as mobile data usage is surpassing desktop, it is no wonder that Google is placing more attention on mobile searches and algorithms. Rather than looking at this as a complete change, it is better to see it as what is existing is being catered to the new age. We could potentially see our desktop searches matching what we see on mobiles as the norm. 

Voice is The Future

We have already seen the likes of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. So far, they are advanced but they are not the virtual assistants that we dream of in Hollywood films. Artificial intelligence is making advancements everyday but we are still not at the stage that we can talk and interact with them as we would with human beings. With Microsoft bringing us Cortana to us next year, could 2017 be where we get the breakthrough?

Google Cards

Sorry, Google aren't manufacturing playing cards (just yet) but they have introduced more cards into desktop SERPs. As mobile is key, we could be seeing our desktop SERPs looking more and more like how we are seeing and interacting on mobile.

Updated Algorithms?

Google are always finding ways to help with fairness so it will not be surprising if we get another significant algorithm update. In what shape or form, only the people working on these algorithms know. However, schema guidelines have recently been reviewed to prohibit vulgar or profane language from review rich snippets so could we see Google fighting for a cleaner, family friendly search engine?

Social Signals to become Stronger

As you may have heard, there are estimated to be around 200 ranking signals when it comes to your ranking in Google SERPs. Social factors are already suggested to be one of these ranking signals but as these social platforms increase their offerings such as Facebook Live, we could potentially see the more active we are, the more relevant we will be to SERP listings.

Security

Security is top priority for Google so HTTPS was introduced and visible in Chrome in the search bar. So far, it is only a light ranking signal but with more sites becoming secure with HTTPS we could be seeing this as an important signal to ensure that all trusted websites move to being secure for search engine users.

So these are our predictions, share with us on our social media what you think will happen in the world of SEO in 2017!

From all of us here at SearchSwarm, we wish you happy holidays and all the very best for 2017!