Recently, search engine optimization (SEO) is changing quickly due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of AI-powered search engines such as Google, Bing, and others.
Search algorithms are becoming more sophisticated, using machine learning and natural language processing to better understand user intent. SEO strategies are shifting to accommodate these changes, with a focus on high-quality, relevant content, and technical optimization.
This shift means staying updated with the latest SEO trends and statistics is crucial for marketers and businesses to maintain competitive advantage and enhance visibility and for more effective E-commerce marketing.
1. 68% of all online experiences start with a search engine:
This is further stated by the fact that search is still the origination point for online journeys. Search engines still reign as the main way users find information products, and services making SEO a must for businesses.
2. Google Holds 92.6% of the Search Engine Market Share:
Even with the introduction of competitors such as Bing and AI search tools, Google is still highly used in terms of search engine usage. Brands must optimize primarily for Google to capture the largest portion of search traffic.
3. The First Five Organic Results Account for 67.6% of Clicks:
Ranking at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) is crucial. The vast majority of clicks go to the top five organic results, emphasizing the need for businesses to invest in SEO to secure these desired positions.
4. 92% of All Search Traffic Comes from Page One of Google:
This statistic from Authority Hacker highlights the importance of ranking on the first page of Google. Businesses that don’t appear on page one are virtually invisible to most searchers, highlighting the critical role of SEO.
5. Organic Search Drives 53% of Website Traffic:
SEO continues to be a major traffic driver for websites. While paid advertising and social media are valuable, organic search still brings in the majority of site visits, making it a cost-effective strategy in the long term
6. 70% of digital marketers say that SEO is more effective than PPC:
Search Engine Journal reports that although pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns are something almost everyone uses, 70% of marketers prefer SEO as a more reliable tactic for the long-term and generates better results.
7. 35.1%Clicks Driven by Featured Snippets:
Featured snippets are the short and specific answers that appear at the top of Google SERPs, they drive attention effectively. There is a huge lift in organic clicks if you are optimizing for snippets.
8. Google Searches Are Local 46% of the Time:
Local SEO is becoming more crucial than ever due to the increase in “near me” searches. To get this kind of significant traffic, businesses need to make sure their Google My Business accounts are up-to-date and optimized for local search terms.
9. 68% of B2B Marketers Use SEO as a Lead Generation Tactic:
SEO is more than simply accessibility for B2B businesses; it’s an essential resource for producing quality leads. B2B companies may attract highly-intent leads and establish brand authority by investing in SEO.
10. Google’s AI BERT Affects 10% of Search Queries:
Google’s BERT update uses AI to better understand the context of search queries, particularly longer and more conversational searches. SEO strategies now need to focus more on natural language and intent-driven content.
11. Voice Search Will Account for 55% of All Searches by 2025:
With the increasing use of smart speakers and voice assistants, optimizing for voice search is becoming crucial. This involves creating content that answers questions in a conversational manner.
12. By 2024, 58% of Global Traffic Will Be Mobile:
By 2024, mobile devices will account for 58% of worldwide internet traffic, making mobile-first indexing necessary. Mobile optimization must be prioritized in SEO efforts to ensure high ranks and a positive user experience.
13. 88% of Searches Are Non-Branded:
Most searches are for general terms, not specific brands. Businesses must focus on optimizing for non-branded keywords to capture a larger share of this organic search traffic.
14. Blogs Increase Website Traffic by 434%:
Websites with regular blog posts receive much more traffic. Blogging allows businesses to create more information that may be indexed by search engines, increasing visibility.
15. Backlinks Remain a Top Ranking Factor:
Quality backlinks continue to be one of the most important ranking signals for Google. A strong backlink profile from authoritative sites helps boost a site’s credibility and visibility in search engines.
16. Google has over 8.5 billion searches per day worldwide:
Google runs around 99,000 search queries per second. This adds up to 8.5 billion searches per day in every part of the world. If your website isn’t optimized for organic Google search, you need to design an SEO strategy as soon as possible.
17. The most searched keywords on Google are ‘YouTube,’ ‘Facebook’ and ‘WhatsApp web’:
Communication and social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp web are the highly searched keywords in Google. This significantly highlights the power of using social media in your digital marketing strategies.
Most Searched Keywords (Global)
| Rank | Keyword | Search Volume |
| #7 | Amazon | 388,700,000 |
| #2 | 867,000,000 | |
| #8 | Gmail | 363,300,000 |
| #6 | 444,700,000 | |
| #9 | google translate | 363,300,000 |
| #10 | 338,000,000 | |
| #5 | translate | 444,700,000 |
| #4 | weather | 512,700,000 |
| #3 | WhatsApp web | 543,300,000 |
| #1 | youtube | 1,200,000,000 |
Source: SemrushSource: Forbes Advisor Embed
18. The top voice assistants are Amazon, Google and Apple, with 69%, 25% and 5% market share in 2021, respectively:
Voice assistants are programs that enable users to conduct voice searches. As of June 2021, Amazon (69%), Google (25%), and Apple (5%) are the top three voice assistants. As long as your site accepts voice search, it can reach consumers regardless of the voice assistant they choose to use.
19. 56% of In-Store Purchases Begin with Online Research:
Even for brick-and-mortar businesses, online check is the main key. Consumers often conduct research online before making in-store purchases, making SEO essential for local businesses.
20. SEO Leads Have a 14.6% Close Rate:
SEO leads have a greater closure rate than outbound approaches like cold calling or direct mail, which have an average close rate of 1.7%. This makes SEO an excellent long-term strategy for firms.
21. SEO Budgets Are Expected to Increase by 55% in 2024:
As businesses continue to recognize the importance of SEO, spending on SEO is set to rise significantly. With more budget allocated, SEO efforts are expected to become even more competitive.
22. 62% of Users Will Disregard a Website Without a Fast Load Time:
Website speed remains a critical ranking and user experience factor. Slow-loading websites risk losing over half of their potential visitors, further impacting their bounce rates and rankings.
23. The top voice assistants are Amazon, Google, and Apple, with 69%, 25%, and 5% market share, respectively:
Voice assistants are programs that allow users to perform voice searches. As of June 2021, the leading voice assistant is Amazon (69%), followed by Google (25%) and Apple (5%). As long as your site accommodates voice search, it can reach users, no matter which voice assistant they choose to use.
24. 62% of Users Will Disregard a Website Without a Fast Load Time:
Website speed remains a critical ranking and user experience factor. Slow-loading websites risk losing over half of their potential visitors, further impacting their bounce rates and rankings.
25. 52% of Purchases Begin with a Search Engine Query:
Over half of all purchases start with an online search, further demonstrating the direct impact SEO has on driving buying decisions. Businesses that rank higher in search results are more likely to capture these potential buyers.
26. 67% of Consumers Conduct Price Comparisons Online Before Making a Purchase:
Consumers often use search engines to compare prices before buying a product. Ranking well for competitive pricing keywords or featuring comparison-related content can help brands attract deal-seeking shoppers.
27. 88% of Smartphone Users Are More Likely to Contact a Business Directly from Local Search Results:
Mobile users often use search engines to find local businesses, and nearly 90% are inclined to reach out directly when they find a relevant result. Optimizing for local SEO and mobile responsiveness can drive valuable local leads.
28. 70% of Small Businesses Do Not Have an SEO Strategy:
Despite the growing importance of SEO, the majority of small businesses still don’t have a dedicated SEO plan. This presents a competitive opportunity for businesses that invest in SEO to gain visibility over their competitors.
29. Organic Results Get 94% More Clicks Than Paid Search Ads:
Organic search results are far more likely to be clicked on than paid ads. This statistic from Authority Hacker shows the overwhelming preference users have for organic results, making SEO a more powerful long-term strategy.
30. 64% of SEO Marketers Actively Work on Improving UX as Part of Their SEO Strategy:
With user experience (UX) now a key ranking factor, the majority of SEO professionals are focusing on improving UX elements like site speed, mobile-friendliness, and content layout to boost search rankings.
Sources: Hubspot, Backlinko, SEMRush, Ahrefs