What Impact Have Smartphones Had on SEO Tactics?
Smartphones have existed since 2007, and it’s now been long enough that most people in the United States expect everyone they meet to have a smartphone. It’s true that there are some who still use landlines or older models of cellphones, but they are certainly in the minority. Many people do not even have home phones anymore because everyone living in the house just has their own smartphone.
This change has had a major impact on the way that people access the internet. There are even those who do not buy personal computers, figuring they can do everything they need to do on a phone. Let’s take a look at a few of the ways that this has changed SEO and how companies need to respond.
Voice Search
First of all, voice search has become incredibly common. Some reports claim that 55% of teens and 41% of all Americans use this feature every single day. This means that you have to consider longer keyword strings that may be phrased differently than those someone would type. Voice searches are often more complex and detailed. It can also be harder to target because people have different speech patterns.
Nearby Businesses
Another change is that people will often search for nearby locations. A group may be walking around downtown, for instance, when someone mentions getting a bite to eat. Instead of looking options up in advance, one member of the group quickly asks their smartphone or a virtual assistant for restaurants “near me” that fit the type of cuisine they’re looking for. This has, in some cases, taken the place of geographical searches like “restaurants in Houston.” People just search for nearby options and let the phone’s location tracking system do the rest.
Constant Contact
Finally, smartphones have made people feel like they can constantly be in contact with anyone. This can make their actions a bit less predictable. For instance, someone who is talking to your customer service team via the social media app on their phone is not only going to do so between nine and five. People act when they want, on their schedule, and expect businesses to adapt. You need to be sure that you consider online support, social media management, reputation management and much more.
Moving Forward
If you’re ready to update your SEO tactics and social media presence to reflect these changes and get optimal results, please call us today at Content Customs! We do it all and we hope to hear from you soon.