{"id":141789,"date":"2020-08-17T13:20:06","date_gmt":"2020-08-17T13:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.searchenginewatch.com\/?p=141789"},"modified":"2020-08-18T15:34:17","modified_gmt":"2020-08-18T15:34:17","slug":"seo-in-the-second-half-of-2020-five-search-opportunities-to-act-on-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/08\/17\/seo-in-the-second-half-of-2020-five-search-opportunities-to-act-on-now\/","title":{"rendered":"SEO in the second half of 2020: Five search opportunities to act on now"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"well\">\n<h3>30-second summary:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW155429348\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW155429348\">Search marketing is evolving at lightning speed alongside the consumer.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP BCX0 SCXW155429348\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW38148371\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW38148371\">One company&#8217;s challenge can be another\u2019s opportunity.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP BCX0 SCXW38148371\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\">Activating search\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\">and market\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\">insights has become mission-critical for brand<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW42263837\">s.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP BCX0 SCXW42263837\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW168677949\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW168677949\">Brands need to stay on top of what&#8217;s happening with both the consumer and the SERP.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP BCX0 SCXW168677949\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW76514186\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW76514186\">Creating and optimizing content that enhances a consumer&#8217;s experience is key.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW76514186\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW76514186\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP BCX0 SCXW76514186\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Jim Yu shares <span data-contrast=\"auto\">five search opportunities you\u2019ll want to have your eye on as you strategize for the rest of 2020 and beyond.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Late in 2019 and just around the new year, the anticipated SEO trends for the coming year focused on\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/12\/12\/top-eight-seo-trends-for-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">voice search<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, featured snippets, BERT,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/01\/07\/five-simple-content-marketing-trends-for-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">experiential content<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/01\/27\/three-digital-marketing-trends-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">new networks like\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">TikTok<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Who could h<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">av<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e guessed that midway through 2020,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">that things would have changed so rapidly?\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">marketing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0calendar planned out 12 months ahead is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shot, and s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ome brands have had to pivot the entire business, offeri<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ng new pandemic-inspired products and services, while others are still trying to navigate how to do business in keeping with the social distancing and contact-free needs of increasingly stressed consumers. Stimulus funding, unemployment, remote work challe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nges, childcare\/schooling and more are all wreaking havoc with consumer behavior.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of course, as with all change in the search world, one person\u2019s challenge is another\u2019s opportunity. You can bet that at least some competitors are going to rely on their tra<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ditional, time-consuming decision-making methods, leaving a lane wide open for agile and innovative first-movers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who are having to learn their market all over again? Perhaps this is why se<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">arch interest in SEO itself, which was largely stagnant from mid-2017 to early this year, has ballooned. In fact, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trends.google.com\/trends\/explore?date=today%205-y&amp;geo=US&amp;q=SEO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">searches for SEO are at a five-year high<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Companies\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">need to know\u2014how can I get back in front of the customers most in need of products and services like ours?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Check out these five search opportunities you\u2019ll want to have your eye on as you strategize for the rest of 2020 and beyond.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1. Rebuilding your unders<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tanding of key markets<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 consumer-first marketing<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prior to the pandemic, the percentage of CPG purchases made online versus at brick-and-mortar stores was already at\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcommerce.com\/blog\/cpg-ecommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">11%<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and on a growth trajectory. Now, mark<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ets are rapidly shifting not only to online buying and e-commerce but to hybrid models such as buy online pickup in-store (BOPIS), order in-app for contactless delivery (think\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UberEats<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GrubHub<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">), subscription-based (HelloFresh), and others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u2019ve tried purch<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">asing clothes in-store lately, it can be a stressful and not at all rewarding experience. With in-store capacity limits, mask and social distancing requirements, directional arrows to guide traffic, and no changerooms in many places, ordering online has be<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">come more attractive. The risk inherent to purchasing online is that an item may not fit\u2014well, now you may not be able to try it on anyway. Might as well stay home and try it on when it arrives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All of this change is costing brands\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a lot<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as more staff are<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0needed for increased sanitization, partitions and other safety barriers are installed, hand sanitizer is provided, and more. What\u2019s more, COVID highlighted serious shortcomings in global supply chains that provide many types of goods to Americans from ove<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rseas. Companies are having to rethink every aspect of the business through this new lens of rising costs and the on-location experience not being what it was just a few months ago.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Search insights can be helpful here as you try to navigate the new market. We\u2019re seeing that it\u2019s not a temporary shift; analysts and experts now speak of COVID-19 restrictions in terms of months and seasons rather than days or weeks. Having your ear to the g<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">round, so to speak, is more important than ever.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2. Staying on top of search trends in your vertical<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0&#8211; keeping ahead of the competition<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightedge.com\/resources\/webinars\/seo-insights-in-era-of-uncertainty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">We studied the impact of COVID<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on search behavior by verti<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cal and found that businesses have been similarly affected across four broad categories.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Apparel retailers, baby and maternity sellers, beauty brands, and data centers are among the first business is rebounding from the impact of COVID. There was an initi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">al shock in these markets as lockdown took effect and the worst of the economic uncertainty took hold. However, people continue to need these products and services and they are readily available via ecommerce, BOPIS, and more.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-141790\" src=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/seo-search-trends-second-half-2020-brightedge.png\" alt=\"SEO search trends second half 2020 Brightedge\" width=\"602\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/seo-search-trends-second-half-2020-brightedge.png 602w, https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/seo-search-trends-second-half-2020-brightedge-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some verticals actually accel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">erated. Digital marketing, pet adoption, and garden and patio goods are all among this category. As social events were <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">canceled<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, loneliness set in and pet adoption became a logical solution. Face with spending more time at home, people began investing in im<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">proving their outdoor living spaces.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the stabilizing category, we saw consumer electronics, gaming, grocery, and telehealth explode in popularity near the beginning of the pandemic. As people learn to live with the uncertainty of what has become quite\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a lengthy issue, these industries are\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">stabilizing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and those companies involved need to really build on their strengths to stand out.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0O<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">f course, some industries took a real hit and it could be months or even years before they recover. Airlines, hotels, con<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cert venues, and the related product and service providers there\u2014these brands need to transform and prepare to weather these conditions for some time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whatever your vertical, it is critical that you understand what people are searching for right now and th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">at your content is optimized for those terms. In banking, for example, searches for drive-thru ATMs have become incredibly popular. For groceries, people want to know if they can buy online and pick up in-store. Searchers are looking for contactless payment <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and delivery from restaurants and meal providers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spend time on research and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0check out the attributes available to your business category in Google My Business, and simply spend a bit of time searching your competitors to see how they\u2019re adapting.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3. Reconsidering consumers\u2019 content needs<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 optimizing for experiences<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/~\/media\/mckinsey\/industries\/retail\/our%20insights\/how%20covid%2019%20is%20changing%20consumer%20behavior%20now%20and%20forever\/how-covid-19-is-changing-consumer-behaviornow-and-forever.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McKinsey<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> puts it, we have \u201ccovered a decade in days\u201d as far as the adoption of digital goes. COVID-19 has caused a surge in ecommerce, declines in discretionary spending,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reduced shopping frequency and a shift to shopping closer t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o home as consumers have sought to limit the number of trips they make to brick and mortar stores. Consumer satisfaction and ongoing viral infection rates will continue to cause dramatic fluctuations in consumer behavior.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kelly Askew, Managing Director of Accenture Strategy for Canada, recently told\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.retail-insider.com\/retail-insider\/2020\/6\/accenture-study-finds-covid-19-permanently-changing-consumer-behaviours-in-canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Retail Insider<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cPeople<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are saying they expect that those new behaviors are going to continue into the foreseeable future. We think that those behaviors may persist as long as a decade. The crisis is causing consumers to consider the impact of their shopping choices more closely<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0when it comes to things like health and the environment.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When it comes to the impact on how people search, we\u2019ve seen that consumers\u2019 appetite for information is as voracious as ever. One of the first\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightedge.com\/blog\/changes-search-due-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">behavioral changes we noted due to COVID-19<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0was an intense focus on quality information. Consumers are becoming more and more aware of the dangers of misinformation and bias on the web. When sharing out COVID-related information<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, brands need to cite and link to reputable, top-quality sources. Make it clear to readers (and to Google) that your company is committed to that expertise, authority, and trust that the search engine wants to see in the results it prioritizes for searcher<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Personalization is more important than ever.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/02\/13\/the-changing-face-of-search-dynamic-content-and-experiences-that-perform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Dynamic content<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0can help you mirror consumer intent when they are sea<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rching for or exploring your site for just the right solution for their unique needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">4. Staying on top of search engine updates<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 adapting to the SERP<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Probably the lowest hanging fruit in the search world is simply paying attention to what it is that search engines are looking\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for and focussing on delivering there. Updates and new features can tell us a great deal about how to optimize content. The whole concept of entities, for example, gives us a peek behind Google\u2019s curtain at what it wants to see.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Google needs to be able t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o understand how different entities are related. Through\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/03\/05\/google-rankbrain-myths-misconceptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">RankBrain<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, it decides how important each signal that factors into that relationship really is. G<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">oogle is getting more sophisticated in its ranking algorithm but at the end of the day, this is nothing new or earth-shattering for brands. It has always been the search marketer\u2019s job to help the search engine understand why\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">any particular <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">webpage is a better an<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">swer to any given query than another.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are multiple ways to demonstrate to Google how your page and your company as an entity relates to your target market searcher\u2019s query. And again, these aren\u2019t necessarily new. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You are going to write high-quality<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, focussed content. You are going to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Link to reputable <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sources and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> share your own expertise in an effort to try to get other reputable publishers to link to you. And again, these aren\u2019t necessarily new<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Write high-quality, focussed conten<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Link to reputable sources and try to get other reputable publishers to link to you<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use the proper schema <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">markup<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Going to optimize your images properly to facilitate accessibility and also hope the search engin<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">es understand the content of those graphics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mobile continues to be increasingly important, especially as emerging markets come online with a large proportion of the population being mobile-only. Knowing this, brands need to be looking at an even more mob<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ile-centric future in 2021 and beyond. Mobile is no longer just alternative web design for the desktop website. Mobile is an entire experience with its own customer journey, content needs, and rich search results.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We need to be looking to voice, too, a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s consumers become more reliant on their voice-enabled and IoT devices. Again, we are not just adapting content for being read out loud. We are seeing entirely different types of queries when people use voice search. Content for voice search results needs\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to take into account the zero interface nature of the searcher. How can you deliver an exceptional experience to someone without a screen?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brands need to be developing the strategies and at least have these issues on the horizon. You may be in crisis mode at\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the moment, but that is not a place you can stay forever.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">5.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leveraging technology &#8211; e<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mpowe<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ring the AI assist<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While many firms are now using AI-enabled tools in some way, new applications and possibilities are still developing every day. Artificial intelligence\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">enables SEOs to not only automate tasks but to derive greater insight, make smarter decisions, and deliver on consumer needs in near to real-time at scale.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Content optimization, competitive research, SERPs analysis, keyword research, and more can all be made more efficient and effective when powered by AI. Look for solutions that provide intelligent automation and enable human SEOs on the team to focus on the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0more creative aspects of each campaign. It\u2019s not about replacing\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">people, but<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0augmenting their performance and giving them better data and more accurate insights on which to base their decisions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2020\/04\/14\/10-ways-seo-will-lead-companies-through-covid-19-business-recovery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">SEO will lead the way<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> through COVID recovery for businesses of all kinds. Ecommerce, BOPIS, local business discovery, and evaluation\u2014whatever the product or service, and whatever the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">service delivery model, consumers take to search engines to find the information needed to make their purchasing decisions. If anything, this trend has picked up as a result of COVID, and consumers\u2019 need for content will continue to grow as the Coronavirus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0continues to impact our way of life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Those in position to be agile and focused on getting in front of the most current opportunities in search will win the clicks\u2014and the lion\u2019s share of new business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Jim Yu is the founder and CEO of BrightEdge, the leading enterprise SEO and content performance platform.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jim Yu shares five search opportunities you\u2019ll want to have your eye on as you strategize for the rest of 2020 and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1092,"featured_media":141791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,5],"tags":[27763,27759,27911,27813,27848,30,37,46,492,22,579,32],"content_type":[],"class_list":["post-141789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","category-seo","tag-27763","tag-2020-trends","tag-consumer-trends","tag-covid-19","tag-covid-19-and-seo","tag-ecommerce","tag-google","tag-search-marketing","tag-search-trends","tag-seo","tag-seo-trends","tag-serps"],"acf":{"tad_independentcommercial":false,"tad_content_format":false},"post_info":{"name":"idris.nagri@blenheimchalcot.com idris.nagri@blenheimchalcot.com","title":"","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/SEO-in-the-second-half-of-2020-Five-search-opportunities-to-act-on-now-scaled.jpg","category":"Industry","timeago":"5y"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1092"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141789"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=141789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}