The Latest SEO Trends: Essential Insights for 2024 and Beyond

Staying on top of the latest SEO developments is more critical than ever as search technology rapidly evolves. From generative AI advancements to changes in local search, structured data, and user engagement, understanding newly emerging trends ensures your strategies deliver measurable results. Here’s a curated roundup of the week’s most important SEO articles, analyzed for actionable takeaways.

Ask An SEO: Do I Need To Rethink My Content Strategy For LLMs?

This article by Mordy Oberstein analyzes how large language models (LLMs), like those powering ChatGPT and Google’s AI search features, are reshaping SEO and content strategies. It highlights that, beyond keyword optimization, identity, trust, and consistency are now fundamental for establishing brand presence in search results influenced by AI.

Oberstein emphasizes the necessity for brands to craft content that reinforces reputation and coherence. As LLMs aggregate and summarize data, ensuring your brand’s consistent voice and trustworthy information is paramount, as inconsistent messaging or weak identity reduces your visibility in AI-generated overviews and answers.

• LLMs prioritize trusted, consistent sources for content summarization.
• Brands should focus on building a strong, clear identity online.
• Keyword optimization must be balanced with authoritative and trustworthy content.

This topic is highly relevant as AI-powered tools increasingly mediate how users discover brands and information. Modern SEO now demands more than technical ranking factors; human signals and brand trust play a bigger role in LLM-powered search results.
Read the full article here

7 local SEO wins you get from keyword-rich Google reviews

This article explores the growing impact of keyword-optimized Google reviews on local search rankings. By leveraging strategic keywords within customer feedback, businesses can greatly improve visibility to potential customers searching with specific intent.

Actionable templates are provided to encourage customers to leave useful, keyword-rich feedback. These reviews not only signal relevance to Google’s local algorithms, but also bolster user trust and drive meaningful engagement and conversions.

• Keyword-rich reviews enhance local relevance and ranking signals.
• Review templates can guide satisfied customers to leave impactful feedback.
• Engaging with reviews demonstrates activity and trustworthiness.

Local SEO practitioners should continually encourage and manage user reviews to maintain a competitive advantage, as new data-driven tactics reshape local discovery.
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Google Is Not Diminishing The Use Of Structured Data In 2026

A misleading blog post on Google’s developer pages sparked concerns that structured data – such as schema markup – would become less relevant by 2026. This article clarifies the misunderstanding: structured data remains an integral ranking and visibility factor for Google.

Maintaining accurate schema and data structure on your site ensures strong eligibility for rich results and featured snippets, which continues to be vital for organic performance.

• Structured data is still a crucial component of SEO.
• Proper markup increases your chances for rich snippets and enhanced search features.
• Misinformation can easily lead to missed opportunities; always verify SEO news.

SEO professionals must stay up to date with Google’s actual stances on technical elements to avoid missteps in website optimization.
Read the full article here

Donald Thompson: Generative Engine Optimization is rewriting the rules

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is emerging as a crucial discipline in response to AI-driven search engines that generate their own answers. The article explains how GEO ensures your brand, products, and leadership content remain discoverable within results produced by generative AI.

Organizations failing to pivot toward these new optimization strategies risk their brands being made invisible by next-generation search, making proactive adaptation absolutely critical.

• Optimize content for inclusion in AI-generated responses, not just traditional search listings.
• GEO techniques are now as important as classic SEO for many verticals.
• Brand visibility in AI contexts requires a fresh approach and ongoing adaptation.

This shift is especially pressing for agencies, brands, and site owners looking to future-proof their SEO performance as Google, Bing, and others emphasize AI-powered search.
Read the full article here

Google AI Overviews Appear On 21% Of Searches: New Data

According to a new analysis from Ahrefs, Google’s AI Overviews now appear on approximately 21% of search queries. These AI-generated summaries are more likely to surface for long-form and question-based queries rather than time-sensitive news or local searches.

Understanding where AI Overviews dominate can help marketers fine-tune their targeting, optimize relevant content, and anticipate shifts in organic click-through rates across query types.

• AI Overviews are reshaping search exposure on informational and research queries.
• Tailor content for more in-depth answers and unique insights that AI tends to surface.
• Monitor query trends to adjust your organic strategy as AI features evolve.

SEO specialists must closely track the increasing presence of AI in search, as it changes how users interact with organic results and where content is surfaced.
Read the full article here

In summary, the SEO landscape is rapidly evolving with advances in AI, shifting content strategy priorities, and new technical considerations. By proactively adapting to these trends—from optimizing for LLMs, leveraging structured data, and harnessing GEO, to maximizing your local presence and understanding AI’s search role—you can ensure long-term online visibility and competitive advantage in 2024 and beyond.