As we move towards FY25, the digital landscape continues to evolve at ridiculous pace. Keeping up with the latest trends in SEO, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial for businesses looking to stay competitive. As an introduction to my role at Dovetail Digital l’ve decided to explore the most impactful digital trends for FY25 and provide insights on how you can leverage these to drive better outcomes for your business.
SEO Trends for FY25
SEO is crucial to your business being found online organically i.e. without having to spend money on expensive ads, and is essential to staying ahead of the curve. My view on the key SEO trends to watch in FY25 are:
Emerging SEO Practices: As search engines become more sophisticated, traditional SEO tactics are being supplemented by advanced strategies like semantic search and entity-based SEO. Understanding user intent is more critical than ever. For example, Google’s BERT update emphasises the need to focus on natural language processing and contextual content. Dive deeper into these practices in our blog Unlocking Business Success: 5 Key Advantages of SEO.
Voice Search Optimisation: With the increasing use of smart speakers and voice-activated devices, optimising for voice search is no longer optional. Focus on long-tail keywords and natural language queries to capture this growing segment. According to Moz, “voice search will account for nearly 50% of all searches by 2025”.
Core Web Vitals as a Ranking Factor: Google’s Core Web Vitals continue to play a significant role in page rankings. Prioritise website speed, interactivity, and visual stability to enhance user experience and SEO performance. Google’s own guidelines stress that “sites that load quickly and are visually stable provide a better user experience and will rank higher in search results”.
The Role of AI in SEO: AI tools like machine learning algorithms are revolutionising keyword research, content optimisation, and predictive analysis. Embrace these tools to gain a competitive edge. For example, AI-driven tools like MarketMuse help in creating content that meets user intent and improves search visibility.Leveraging tools like SemRush, Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, and ChatGPT can significantly enhance your SEO strategy:
- SemRush: Ideal for comprehensive SEO audits, keyword research, and competitor analysis. It provides valuable insights into site performance and identifies areas for improvement.
- Ahrefs: Excellent for backlink analysis, content research, and monitoring organic search traffic. It helps in uncovering new opportunities and tracking your SEO progress.
- Ubersuggest: Useful for finding long-tail keywords and content ideas. It simplifies keyword research and provides suggestions to boost your content strategy.
- ChatGPT: Assists in generating high-quality, relevant content tailored to user intent. It can be used to create engaging blog posts, product descriptions, and more.
Learn more about harnessing AI in Tony’s blog published in January – Unleashing Growth: Harnessing Technology and AI with dovetail digital.
Social Media in FY25
Social Media continues to be a powerful tool for engaging with your audience. Here’s what I see trending in FY25:
Key Platforms and Their Evolving Features: Platforms like Instagram, and LinkedIn are continuously updating their features. Stay updated with the latest changes to maximise your reach and engagement. HubSpot notes, “keeping up with new features allows marketers to stay relevant and engage more effectively with their audience”.
The Rise of Short-Form Video and User Generated Content: Engaging short-form video and user generated content are dominating social media feeds. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are leading the charge, making it crucial to incorporate this format into your strategy. Brands like GoPro & Nike are using short-form videos and user generated content to capture attention and drive engagement. This strategy continues to keep the brand “top-of-mind”. For more insights, check out our blog Mastering the Art of Social Media Strategy: A Simple Guide.
Influencer Authenticity: Consumers are seeking authentic connections. Collaborating with influencers who genuinely resonate with your brand can drive higher engagement and trust. For instance, Glossier has successfully leveraged micro-influencers to create a sense of community and authenticity around their products.
Integration of Social Commerce: Social media platforms are becoming shopping destinations. Features like Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace are making it easier for users to purchase products directly through social media. According to this Forbes article in 2022, “social commerce is projected to grow three times faster than traditional eCommerce”. Tools like Ecwid by Lightspeed enable online selling without a website while keeping full control.
AI and Your Digital Presence
AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, offering both opportunities and challenges. Here’s my thoughts on what to watch out for in FY25
Quote: Of 2600 businesses surveyed “67% of social media marketers use AI tools” , SEMrush 2024 Report – SEMrush is the leader in SEO tools and strategies and our tool of choice.
Overview of AI’s Impact on your Digital Strategies: AI enhances various aspects of your digital presence, from automating tasks to providing deeper insights through data analysis. It’s essential to understand how to integrate AI effectively. For example, AI tools like HubSpot’s CRM leverage machine learning to personalise customer interactions.
The Principle of “Garbage In, Garbage Out”: AI is a machine learning system and therefore only as good as the data they are trained on. Ensuring high-quality, relevant data input is critical to avoid misleading outputs. Forbes explains, “AI Doesn’t Escape Data Quality Issues – As organisations delve into AI, data quality will be as big of an issue as ever. This is because any AI processes that use traditional data sources will be just as dependent on those sources being of high quality as any other analytic processes.”
How to Ensure High-Quality Data Input: Regularly audit your data sources, clean your data, and maintain robust data governance practices to ensure your AI tools are functioning optimally. Examples include using data validation techniques and employing data scientists (where applicable) to oversee AI implementations.
Balancing Automation with Human Creativity: While AI can handle repetitive tasks and data analysis, human creativity is irreplaceable. Use AI to complement your creative strategies rather than replace them. AI tools can generate insights, but the creative interpretation and strategic decisions should still come from humans.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI
The acceleration of AI presents unique challenges and opportunities for your digital strategies:
Proliferation of Generic AI Content: With the rise of AI-generated content, maintaining a unique brand voice becomes challenging. Focus on creating distinctive, high-quality content that reflects your brand’s personality. Understanding your Ideal Client Profile / Know Your Audience is key to ensuring your providing content that cuts through.
Maintaining Brand Voice and Uniqueness: Leverage AI tools to streamline content creation but ensure human oversight to preserve your brand’s unique tone and style. Tools like Grammarly can assist in maintaining quality while allowing for human-lead adjustments.
Leveraging AI for Personalisation at Scale: AI enables personalised efforts at scale, allowing you to tailor content to individual preferences, enhancing customer experience and loyalty. For example, Netflix uses AI algorithms to recommend shows based on user preferences, significantly increasing user engagement. They don’t alway get it right but it often encourages me to look twice… FY25 is shaping to be another year of needing to stay ahead of the curve and on top of your digital presence trends. The continual pace of change requires expert guidance and tailored strategies. Our expertise can help you navigate these trends and achieve your digital goals.
Ready to elevate your digital presence in FY25? Leverage the energy, strategies and expertise required to deliver you with better business outcomes. Contact us today to get started!
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