It means that more than half of all times a user clicked “search” (or hit enter) in Google, they completed their journey without clicking through to a website. 

But what can it all mean? And do you need to dramatically overhaul your search engine marketing strategy? 

Potentially, but let’s not panic. Good decisions are never made in haste, even though they may be made quickly, so here are a few things you need to know. 

What Is Zero-Click Search?

Zero-click search, which you might have been able to glean from the intro here, is when a user searches for something in a search engine, reads the search results, finds the answer they were looking for, and then bounces. This occurs without a click-through to a website. 

Typically, zero-click searches are brought to fruition through one of the “answer engine” search features, like the AI overview, the featured snippets of the search results that used to dominate the tops of the SERPs before the AI overview before it was introduced, and the People Also Ask section, but these are not hard or fast rules. If you got what you were looking for through the search results and didn’t click through to anything, that’s a zero-click search whether you used an answer engine feature or not.

As you can imagine, this can have potentially serious implications for website administrators, not just eCommerce merchants but also those who run websites that rely on the value of their information. If Google is scraping web pages and serving up answers without requiring users to click through, that can tank user experience metrics, rob websites of conversions, and eliminate ad traffic to certain domains. 

So let’s take a closer look at how the rise of zero-click search stands to impact SEO and website performance in general. It’s not all bad. 

How Does Zero-Click Search Impact SEO? 

For any website that is impacted by zero-click search, there are numerous changes you can expect. 

For one, if your website has a lot of good copy, either in the blog, newsletter, or on category pages, expect to get a lot more impressions, and for longer tail search queries. This equates to higher visibility, but the tradeoff is that those pages will likely not see an increase in clicks; in fact, clicks may even decrease. 

It is also possible that with a rise in impressions and a decrease (or stagnation) in clicks, affected pages may see lower time on page, among other user engagement metrics which will be affected in an adverse way. 

You may also see pages coming into ranking for new keywords embedded in long-tail queries, for which the page was not indexed previously.

These are the most important changes you can expect to affect your web pages (or your entire site) although it is important to notice that there could be others as well. 

You should also be aware of the fact that not all websites, and certainly not all web pages, will be impacted by the zero-click search trend. For instance, if a page ranks well but there’s not much copy on it, or many actions to take besides downloading a form or buying a product, there’s not much zero-click search can do to affect performance, since the user’s end goal in those cases is not to answer a question, but to download a form, or purchase a product, respectively. 

How to Optimize for Zero-Click Search? 

Because zero-click search is dependent on user searches for information, the only way to optimize for it, as a general trend under a subset of conditions within SEO, is to target long-tail keywords and search queries that take the form of a question. 

While you can optimize for short-tail keywords, the competition will be fierce and mostly unattainable, and you will lose out to larger information-based websites like Wikipedia for all but the most niche and non-competitive keywords and queries. 

So for instance, let’s say you wanted to capitalize on zero-click search trends for a short-tail keyword like “hiking boots.” 

Rather than optimizing your website, or a series of pages on it for that keyword, you would want to find the long-tail queries containing that keyword that people were searching. You can use paid search tools like SEMRush and Ahrefs for research, but you can also use Google’s Autofill, the People Also Ask section of the search results, and free resources like Answer the Public to find ideas to come up with copy. 

Then, what you need to do is draft long-form copy that answers these questions and publish it on your website. If you can publish it on the page you want to rank for the keyword in question, then publish it on a standalone page, on a CMS page, or in a blog, and embed an internal link to the intended target page. 

As usual, the basic answer to how to optimize for zero-click search is “write better copy that answers questions.” In that respect, even though zero-click searches as a share of the total is on the rise, this is really nothing new. It’s just that the nature and arrangement of the SERPs is making it easier for users to get their answers without clicking on anything. 

Do You Need to Adjust Your Keyword Strategy? 

Potentially, but that depends on your niche and how your website survives. If you blog for fun or clout, and you don’t necessarily need the clicks but just want the extra visibility and brand awareness, then not necessarily. 

If you need clicks, for instance, to drive ad revenue, then yes you will need to adjust your strategy. The best way is to become a trusted resource so that users will search for your website directly with navigational keywords rather than looking through the search results for answers to more vague queries. 

In these situations, the way to stay afloat is to find those long-tail keywords, and the questions associated with them, and to optimize your website in the manner described above. 

For some eCommerce merchants, a shift is not entirely necessary, although it could potentially be beneficial. This is because for most transactional and commercial keywords, the intent cannot be completed through the search results alone. Generally, for keywords with this search intent, the user journey is not complete until the user buys something. That requires a click. 

However, to earn that click, a website must still be found in the search results – if not searched for directly. With respect to this, getting a website or one of its pages found in the era of zero-click search does necessitate a content-forward approach to organic marketing. 

For these eCommerce merchants, to generate as much visibility as possible, it has become even more important to publish copy as a resource on your website that answers questions about your products, or about use or care of them. These CMS pages, which will answer long-tail user queries, will generate higher visibility and greater brand awareness. Done properly, they will drive clicks to your website that will result in conversions, and in an ideal scenario, increase direct searches to your website, which will also yield conversions. 

Is a Zero-Click Strategy Useful for eCommerce? 

Ultimately, zero-click search is going to prove a bigger strain on bloggers, news websites and other websites that rely entirely on content and readership, for reasons that should now be obvious. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be useful for eCommerce merchants. 

Notably, by adapting to this trend by devoting some of your marketing resources to develop materials intended to capitalize in zero-click search trends, your website will benefit from fuller, more informative copy and resources, which should positively impact your brand image while also positioning your website as a consultative authority, and not just an online store.

So, the bottom line is if you can spare the resources, you should devote some of your marketing budget to improving the copy on your website. 

Talk to One of Our Experts About the Changing Search Engine Marketing Landscape 

Hopefully you found this short post useful and informative, but if you still have questions lingering, don’t be afraid to get in touch with us. Get in touch with one of our AI SEO specialists or SEO experts and we’ll be more than happy to speak to you about the trend, myself included. 

The post SEO in the Era of Zero-Click Search appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

While it’s true that the traffic that Google gets in terms of sheer utilization utterly dwarfs ChatGPT’s, OpenAI has recently rolled out a new “search engine” feature that offers some promise to potential online shoppers, specifically to help put them in touch with products that meet their needs. 

This brings up the question of how to use ChatGPT’s search engine, not just as a consumer but also from the perspective of a beleaguered eCommerce entrepreneur whose ambition is to stay competitive. I may be able to shed some light on both. 

Is It Good? A Sneak Peek into How It Works 

First, let’s take a look at how ChatGPT’s search engine works, solely from the perspective of someone whose aim is to shop online. 

I’ll keep this in my wheelhouse and offer some visual cues of the experience, just so I can weigh on it from a professional perspective. 

To try things out, I searched for “What’s the best spinner for trout?” Below is a screenshot of some of the output: 

I can confirm, those are some good spinners for trout. Not sure I’d say either of them is “the best” but they are certainly both contenders for that title. I’ve used them; they catch fish. 

Just to experiment, I wanted to see what ChatGPT could do with a short-tail query based on the output it gave me, so I looked up “Mepp’s Aglia.” You can see the output below. 

Honestly, not bad results, but completely underwhelming. It’s little different from what I’d get in Google, in fact, I’d even say a little bit worse. Google has more and different types of search features that are more useful to someone like me in the position of a shopper. I, perhaps unlike some shoppers, don’t like to be spoon-fed, and it seems like that’s what ChatGPT’s doing here.

All the same, I asked it about a specific model of lure, so I can’t blame the search engine too much on the generality of what it gave me back. 

To drill down a little, I incorporated that keyword into a more targeted, longer-tail search query, “Where can I get a Mepp’s Aglia spinner?” and you can see the results below. 

Not too bad, but also not overwhelmingly great. You can see the results are formatted much like Google ads, with links to well-known retailers like Dicks, Tackle Warehouse, and Bass Pro. Again, can confirm these are legitimate sources. 

So far, so good. At least good enough. ChatGPT’s results are, even if lacking by Google’s standards, legitimate enough. It did give me serviceable answers to my queries, which means that for other shoppers, it will do the same – or at least, the potential is there. 

That about concludes my experimentation as a potential shopper – which brings me to the significance of all this from the perspective of an eCommerce merchant. 

What ranking signals or other criteria does ChatGPT use to assemble results, and how can I find out how to use ChatGPT’s search engine, as a business owner?

What ChatGPT Considers: How to Use ChatGPT’s Search Engine (What It Ranks) 

Naturally, what follows is how to optimize for ChatGPT’s search engine, right? At least, if you’re here because you want to know how to use ChatGPT’s search engine. 

Good news: straight from OpenAI, here are some of the things it uses as “ranking criteria” – what we would call ranking factors or ranking signals in the world of search engine optimization. 

Specifically some of the factors it uses with respect to eCommerce websites and products are:

• Product descriptions: As in the realm of “regular” eCommerce SEO, product descriptions should be informative, contain relevant queries and keywords, and provide useful details about the product specifications. Where possible, descriptions should provide succinct answers to common long-form queries, in keeping with AEO best practices. 
• Product reviews and ratings: This is an interesting aspect of ChatGPT SEO because it is something over which digital marketers and website administrators don’t have direct control, especially if ChatGPT is scraping product reviews from multiple sources. It does make reputation management that much more critical, as presumably ChatGPT will curate its results based on the frequency of positive reviews, or perhaps based on the ratio between positive and negative reviews. 
• Pricing: ChatGPT’s search functionality delivers outputs based on criteria that account for price. For instance, shoppers could search for the lowest price, in which case ChatGPT’s outputs would be delivered accordingly. 

Now that we’ve gotten the official word out of the way, here are some other things I would assume help with ChatGPT search engine optimization: 

• A website that has CMS pages dedicated to answering questions about the products it sells.

• A steady content stream that, even if it is not directly relevant to the products in terms of keywords associated with them, is useful to readers. 

• A strong domain authority with good user engagement metrics. 

• Basically anything else that helps SEO.

It all ultimately condenses down to the latter bullet point, since what ChatGPT is using is basically restricted to what shows up in the search results. Whether ChatGPT has access to web pages that are not indexed is not a question for which I have an answer, but if I had to bet one an answer, it would be no.

Which means, ultimately, that what ChatGPT search outputs is directly related to what ranks effectively in Google (and possibly through other search engines on the internet) along with websites that have the most organic visibility, overall. 

For More Information on Answer Engine Optimization 

To offer as simple an answer as possible to the question of how to use ChatGPT’s search engine, it would be this: if it’s good for SEO, it’s good for AEO, which is basically what the ChatGPT search engine is. 

For more information, get in touch with one of our digital marketing specialists or see my previous post, Answer Engine Optimization: A High-Level Guide.

The post How to Use ChatGPT’s Search Engine appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

But now, with the advent of Google’s SGE, or Search Generative Experience, and AI-powered engines like ChatGPT, there’s a (relatively) new kid on the block. 

It’s called AEO, or answer engine optimization, and while fundamentally very similar to SEO, it still varies slightly. Here’s your primer, as well as some pointers for how to optimize a website or its contents for AEO. 

What Is Answer Engine Optimization? (AEO)

AEO stands for answer engine optimization, and it refers to the process of optimizing a piece of content with the end result that it be highlighted by or featured in a generative model – such as a rich or featured snippet, Google’s AI overview or SGE, or end up as a regurgitated output through an AI model like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

For the most part, it refers to getting a website or a piece of content to end up as an output to an AI prompt, since AI models are sometimes referred to as “answer engines” hence the name “AEO.”

What’s the Difference Between AEO and SEO?

While AEO is not strictly speaking the same thing as SEO, there is a great deal of crossover, with most digital marketing experts either suspecting or outright recognizing that answer engines use the same ranking signals as search engines. 

The difference is, however, quite nuanced. 

To keep this all relatable, we’ll use a search engine as an example. SEO will get a website or a page to show up in the search results. AEO will get it to show up in the AI overview or, to a lesser degree, in the People Also Ask section of the search results, even though that isn’t strictly speaking an answer engine. 

So, in a nutshell, the chief difference between SEO and AEO is the length of the query. A single keyword is not, in the truest semantic sense of the word, a query. I mean, it is literally a search query but it is not linguistically a query because it is not a question. 

You could type “SEO” into Google and you will get search results. You may also get an AI overview, but to get a good one, you will need to embed that keyword into a broader search query – that is, a whole question. 

Therefore, the main difference between AEO and SEO has to do with the length and completeness of the search query. SEO deals with both short and long-tail queries, and AEO almost exclusively with long tail, very long tail queries. Most AEO relates to fully formed, grammatically complete interrogative statements. 

Therefore, while both SEO and AEO utilize the same ranking signals, the rankings signals that AEO uses are mostly with respect to keyword use and the structure of the content being crawled insomuch as it relates to the question being asked. For the most part, other conventional SEO ranking signals, like backlink profile and site speed, do not factor into AEO (though they do indirectly).

Also, because of the distinction I just drew, it is more accurate to consider AEO a subset of SEO than a completely distinct  marketing strategy or channel. If you do SEO the right way and make it all about content, you’re going to get AEO results. It’s ultimately as simple as that. 

How to Optimize for AEO

Good news: if you know how to optimize for SEO, at least on a functional level, then you already know what to do to optimize for AEO, with a few nuanced distinctions. 

You’ve heard SEO copywriters like myself talk about how you need to focus on quality content, and that is no different here. It’s just more important here. 

So here are the 6 main things you need to do to optimize for AEO.

• Understand search intent and target the right keywords (queries)

It all starts with what people are searching for, as well as why. While keywords are important, what you need to aim for in AEO is a fully-formed question (or an answer to one) that includes the keyword. Not just a keyword itself. 

Also critical is intent. If you want to show up in the generative results of an answer engine, you need to know the reason people are searching for and what the answer is they’re looking for as well. 

So, you can optimize for the keyword “SEO” and you might show up in the search results (good luck with that, through, last I checked that keyword had a difficulty score of 100%) or you can optimize for “How SEO services benefit small businesses” and aim to provide a succinct answer to that – which brings up the next vital element of AEO optimization. 

• Target specific questions 

I’ll just shoot straight. Getting a good AEO result is hard enough. You will never get there if you don’t target specific questions people are searching. And when I say specific – I mean literatim, word for word. 

If you have access to a tool like SEMRush, you can use their Keyword Overview tool to look at actual questions that people are searching for, along with volumes and difficulty scores. You don’t need to come up with the questions; just enter a keyword. 

Alternatively, you can just use what’s free – Google. Type a keyword in and see what shows up in the People Also Ask section. Google gets those questions from real queries people are searching for. These are the questions you should answer. Another good free tool is Answer the Public. 

• Provide clear, concise answers 

Once you have your questions all in a row, then you need to provide clear, concise answers that are accurate and insightful. Forget what you’ve read about keyword and length requirements. The shorter and more concise the better for AEO, especially if you can still provide a complete answer. 

Also, if you’re answering the question succinctly, you’re going to be including the keyword in your answer to the query anyway, so don’t worry about that. 

Using novel information is acceptable, as long as it is accurate. This is because as people find your information and circulate it (either by spending time on your page or linking to your website) both search engines and answer engines will see it as an authority and that will be all the backup they need to keep your answer showing up in their results. 

• Use structured data 

I’m including this only because as a technical ranking factor, it can slightly improve your odds of your copy being pulled for a featured snippet or displayed as a ChatGPT result. For instance, if you implement Schema Markup, you’ll have a slightly better chance of getting those AEO results. However, the first three portions of this how-to section are more important. You need to answer questions before you’ll show up, period. Structured data is an assist, not a solution. 

• Optimize for voice search 

Good news: optimizing for voice search really only means one thing (at least at this point). Structure your copy as conversational, full thoughts. Don’t write using fragments, type everything out as if it were for a formal paper submission, or at least as part of a conversation with another person. The more natural the language sounds, the better it will perform in the voice search results, and the better it will adapt to engines like ChatGPT, into which people enter intact, whole sentences and questions, rather than single keywords or short-tail phrases. 

• Use GSC

Google Search Console is a gold mine of good information that can help you improve the performance of existing web pages while also furnishing you with insights for new pages and copy that will perform independently. 

When you’re looking at the performance of a given web page, take a look at the impressions to see what long-tail queries that page showed up for. Some of these will likely be full questions that triggered an impression. Sometimes those questions will be relevant, and sometimes they won’t be. 

In those instances in which your web page shows up for a question that doesn’t seem that aligned with the page, it means there’s an opportunity for you to answer that question succinctly. Go back in and update that page so that it offers a more succinct answer to the query for which it generated an impression.

Here’s a real life example: 

That’s a snapshot of the company’s GSC for an article I wrote on how to show up in the AI overview. Shown above are a few of the queries for which the post generated impressions but no clicks. The one highlighted in red is a great example of an opportunity because, while I did indirectly answer that question in the article, I did not include the question or an answer for it word for word. 

Yet, as you can see, people are searching for it – it generated 152 impressions in just the last three months. There’s a disconnect between impressions and clicks, which I may be able to rectify by editing the article so that question, and a direct answer, show up in it.

This is a great trick for finding long-tail queries as well as opportunities for improving your existing copy, as well as new ideas for upcoming content. 

Additional AEO note: I would also like to take this point to note that AI models apparently can’t “see” Javascript, so one more pointer for AI optimization is that you need to have HTML code on your website. 

Using AEO and SEO Together 

As I clarified just above in this article, AEO and SEO are not entirely distinct, and AEO can in fact be categorized as a subset of SEO.

Therefore, all the best practices that benefit SEO will also in practice benefit AEO efforts, too. For instance, as all the SEO experts have been saying for years, you want a fast website with no glitches that offers a high-quality UX.

A website with plenty of optimized onsite copy and a healthy backlink profile is also going to be awarded overall higher organic rankings and probably a higher domain authority score than one that hasn’t been holistically optimized, and Google is more likely (taking all into consideration) to scrape a web page for a generative result if it’s been optimized heel to toe. 

The key takeaway is that all SEO best practices remain in force, with the added effect that to optimize for AEO you need to go a bit further. 

For instance, a category or product page is optimized for SEO if it is fast, secure, issue free, and if all the page level factors (image file size, alt text, page title text, meta data field, etc.) have been optimized.

However, it can only truly be said to be optimized for AEO if there are specific answers in the page copy (or other data fields) to equally specific queries. 

So, let’s say that this same web page is optimized for SEO but also contains a FAQs section with several long-tail queries along with accurate, complete, insightful answers – then it is also optimized for AEO.

How Does ChatGPT SEO Work?

ChataGPT SEO is the term that digital marketers and other savants have been throwing around, which refers to the process of optimizing a web page, or a listing, or a post, or some other piece of digitally published content for ChatGPT’s algorithm. 

This should come as no secret to my candid audience, but ChatGPT’s primary source of information is the internet, and since it is able to scrape the internet, the main ranking signals that ChatGPT uses to generate outputs are therefore indirectly also what Google uses. 

Are there other sources on the internet besides Google? Of course, but since Google is the 500 pound gorilla in the room, invariably Google is going to be a big force to reckon with here. 

Now, I am not suggesting that the two algorithms are the same. ChatGPT’s large language model is inherently distinct from Google’s and I will not in any way play expert here. I will only admit that they are different and while I am familiar with what makes Google tick, ChatGPT is still a bit alien to me.

With that said, since ChatGPT is so heavily reliant on what’s already ranking in the search engines for information, regardless of the fact that its algorithm may be different from Google’s, what you need to do to optimize for ChatGPT is effectively the same as what you need to do for Google.

Does ChatGPT Generated Text Hurt Your SEO?

This is one of the most common questions out there relative to ChatGPT and ChatGPT SEO, so, rather than saying yes or no, let me provide an illustration. 

Let’s try something specific. 

Guys, this is so bad, like dangerously bad. These two cartridges are not the same, though they are similar. ChatGPT got that right. What it got wrong is that it said they can be used interchangeably. They cannot. I’m not getting into why. Do your own research if you don’t believe me. 

Now let’s try something else:

I read the pointers and they’re all pretty good. You can see some of them in that abbreviated screencapture. But here’s one potential issue. I ran the full output (273 words, at least Chat got the length request right) and here’s what ZeroGPT told me: 

Slight problem, for sure. Seriously, couldn’t it even give me 98% or something? 100% AI generated is not a good look, people. 

Besides, let’s just do a thought experiment. If you’re looking for how to optimize for AEO and use AI to do it, you’re just creating an echo chamber, with zero thought involved. It makes no sense and at a certain point will break down. 

More importantly, if Google and ChatGPT actually introduce AI-detection capabilities into their algorithms and flag content that they suspect is AI-generated, then that should be your answer: yes, ChatGPT generated text will hurt your SEO, and by extension, your AEO. 

There are two reasons for this. One is that it’s easy to flag the generated output as AI. The other (and more important of the two) is that there is a serious risk that the generated output will be patently false, and sometimes dangerously false, as illustrated pointedly in the first image above. 

By the way, the Google AI overview is not much better. In fact, in a lot of ways it’s worse. Not that you could use the AI overview output to generate text, but I would caution you against using it as a primary source for literally anything. 

For the purpose of illustration, I tried to find some bad AI overviews but ran into some trouble. I also just noticed that it was disabled for a few of my attempts to find some really bad answers. I’ll save you the trouble of looking yourself; here are a few of the worst ones that have been published since Google rolled out the AI overview. 

Is AEO Replacing SEO? 

Well, AEO is certainly changing SEO, that’s a fact. As more and more people enter long-tail queries expecting a single precise answer rather than a list of results, AEO will start to take center stage. But at the same time, since AEO is just a facet of SEO, it can’t really be said to be replacing it. 

Besides, we could also just look at the numbers. Apparently, as of March 2025, there are over 16 billion Google searches per day. That’s more than double the total global population. It’s also almost doubled (so far) since 2024. If SEO were truly being replaced, wouldn’t searches have to be decreasing? (Spoiler: Yes.)

I had a little more trouble finding figures for ChatGPT usage, but according to at least one source, it gets some pretty good traffic. Somewhere around 38 million outputs per day – a lot, but way, way lower what Google gets.

Alright, that paints a picture of the health of search engine use. What about interest in AEO as a topic? 

Well then, SEMRush, that’s somewhat less than a billion, let alone 16 billion, per day. 

Surely interest in ChatGPT SEO is much higher? 

Apparently not. Higher but not monumentally so. What about regular SEO? 

Plenty of interest there. How about ChatGPT in general? 

That’s a rosier picture. There’s a lot of interest in ChatGPT, but even with that kind of volume, it’s important to remember that ChatGPT’s usership is still dwarfed by Google’s (with ~38 million outputs per day to more than 16 billion searches per day, Google outputs outpace ChatGPT by a factor of over 400). 

As you can see, interest in SEO as a concept is still healthy. That’s apparent from search volume alone. What will happen in ten years or even next month is your guess as well as mine, but it doesn’t look like AEO is replacing SEO or even that ChatGPT is replacing Google. It could happen, but for now they’re both still driving a lot of traffic, though the nod definitely goes to search engines. 

What I can say is this. Continue doing what you’re doing with SEO and when it comes to content marketing, hammer home on those long-tail queries. If you have customers asking you questions about products, how to use them, how to care for them, or what the specifics are, answer those questions fully in your materials, on your product pages, in your newsletter and on your blog. 

By doing so, you will be optimizing for AEO, and will help drive visibility not only through search engines but also potentially in the long run through AI models. 

The post Answer Engine Optimization: A High-Level Guide appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

That’s where SEO, or search engine optimization, comes in.

SEO is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolbox. Done correctly, Shopify SEO can help your store rank higher on search engines like Google, drive more organic traffic, and ultimately increase sales without constantly paying for ads. Whether you’re just launching or still in the planning phase, here’s what you need to know about SEO as a new Shopify store owner.

1. Understand What SEO Actually Is

SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks better in search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes optimizing:

• Keywords (the terms people search for)
• On-page elements (title tags, meta descriptions, image alt text)
• Site structure (navigation, internal linking, mobile-friendliness)
• Site speed
• Backlinks from other websites 

The goal is to make your site more relevant and trustworthy in the eyes of search engines like Google.

2. Start With Keyword Research

Before you can optimize your site, you need to understand what your potential customers are searching for. Keyword research is the foundation of SEO.

How to do it:

• Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Answer the Public
• Identify keywords related to your niche, products, and target audience
• Look for long-tail keywords (e.g., “handmade vegan leather wallet” instead of just “wallet”) that have lower competition and more specific intent 

Pro Tip: Start by optimizing for informational keywords with blogs and product-specific keywords for your product pages.

3. Optimize Product Pages for SEO

Your product pages are your bread and butter. They need to do double duty: convert visitors into customers and help search engines understand what the page is about.

Key areas to optimize:

• Product Titles: Use clear, keyword-rich titles that describe exactly what the item is.
• Meta Descriptions: These show up in search results, so write a compelling, keyword-friendly summary of the product.
• Product Descriptions: Write unique, in-depth descriptions. Don’t copy and paste manufacturer text, Google can penalize duplicate content.
• Alt Text for Images: Use descriptive, keyword-infused alt text to help with image SEO and accessibility.
  URLs: Shopify automatically creates URLs, but you can edit them to be shorter and keyword-rich (e.g., /vegan-leather-wallet instead of /product-23423).

4. Structure Your Store With SEO in Mind

Shopify makes it easy to build an online store, but structure matters for SEO.

Tips:

• Use clean, simple navigation: Make sure your site is easy to browse. Categories and subcategories should be logically grouped.
• Create an XML sitemap: Shopify automatically generates this at yourstore.com/sitemap.xml, but submit it to Google Search Console.
• Create a robots.txt file: Shopify does this too, but you can customize it if needed.
• Use internal linking: Link from one page to another to help users (and Google) navigate your store. For example, link from a blog post to related products.

5. Set Up Google Search Console and Google Analytics

These free tools are essential.

• Google Search Console helps you monitor your site’s presence in Google search results, track keyword rankings, fix errors, and submit your sitemap.
• Google Analytics helps you track how visitors are interacting with your store, which pages they visit, how long they stay, and where they’re coming from. 

Install these tools as soon as you launch your store, they’ll give you invaluable insights.

6. Focus on Site Speed and Mobile Optimization

Speed and mobile-friendliness are ranking factors for Google.

What to do:

• Use a fast, lightweight Shopify theme
• Compress images without sacrificing quality (use tools like TinyPNG or Shopify apps like Crush Pics)
• Avoid too many apps or scripts that slow down the site
• Use lazy loading for images
• Ensure your site is mobile-responsive, as most users will visit on their phones

Shopify’s built-in mobile optimization helps, but always test your site using Google PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test.

7. Write SEO-Friendly Blog Content

Blogging is one of the most effective ways to drive traffic through SEO. Shopify includes a built-in blogging platform, so use it!

Blogging Tips:

• Answer common customer questions (e.g., “How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat” if you sell fitness gear)
• Target long-tail keywords
• Use clear headings (H1, H2, H3), short paragraphs, and include internal links to products
• Keep it useful, engaging, and focused on your niche 

A regularly updated blog keeps your site fresh and signals to Google that your store is active and relevant.

8. Build Backlinks Over Time

Backlinks, links from other websites to yours, are a strong signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy.

How to earn backlinks:

• Reach out to bloggers and influencers for product reviews
• Write guest posts for other sites in your niche
• List your store in online directories
• Share helpful content on social media and forums (Reddit, Quora)
• Get featured in roundups, gift guides, or local news stories

Avoid shady backlink-building schemes. Focus on quality, not quantity.

9. Avoid Common Shopify SEO Mistakes

Many new store owners make the same SEO errors. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Duplicate content: Using the same descriptions across products or copying from manufacturers
• Ignoring meta tags: Leaving title tags and meta descriptions auto-generated
• Too many apps: Each app can add code that slows down your site
• No keyword strategy: Optimizing randomly instead of strategically
• Not optimizing images: Large files slow down your site and lack of alt text means lost SEO opportunities 

Fixing these early on can set your store up for long-term success.

10. Be Patient, SEO Takes Time

One of the hardest truths for new Shopify store owners to accept is that SEO is not instant.

You won’t see dramatic results overnight. It can take weeks or even months for Google to crawl and rank your pages, especially if your site is new. But SEO is a long game that builds momentum.

When done correctly, it creates a sustainable source of free traffic that compounds over time, saving you money and increasing profitability. Don’t treat Shopify SEO as a one-time setup. Revisit your keyword strategy, blog regularly, and monitor your rankings over time. SEO is ongoing, but the results are well worth it.

Shopify is a powerful platform that gives new store owners the tools they need to succeed, but it’s up to you to make sure your site is optimized for search engines. SEO may feel overwhelming at first, but by taking a structured, step-by-step approach, you’ll position your store for long-term growth.

From conducting keyword research and optimizing your product pages to blogging and building backlinks, the key is consistency and patience. Invest the time now, and your Shopify store will reap the rewards in organic traffic, customer trust, and steady sales.

The post What New Store Owners Need to Know About Shopify SEO appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

If you’re a vape shop owner who’s still unsure why SEO matters, or if you’ve heard about it but haven’t yet implemented a strategy, this article is for you. Here’s a comprehensive look at why SEO is essential for vape stores and how it can make a difference for your business needs.

Vape Shops Are a Competitive Industry

These days, vape stores are everywhere. Whether you sell e-liquids, disposable vapes, glass pipes, or batteries, you’re not alone. Customers have endless options, both locally and online. Standing out from competitors is tough, and simply offering good products isn’t enough anymore.

SEO helps your store stand out in search engine results when people look for vape products, brands, or specific devices. Instead of relying on walk-in traffic or paid ads that disappear once your budget runs dry, vape SEO builds a sustainable and growing stream of traffic.

Organic Traffic = Long-Term Growth

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising has its place, but it’s not ideal for vape-related keywords. In fact, many popular platforms like Google Ads and Facebook restrict or ban advertising for tobacco-related products, including vapes.

That’s where SEO comes in. SEO focuses on organic traffic, visitors who find your site through search engine results rather than paid ads. Once your site ranks on the first page of Google for relevant keywords, you can attract consistent traffic without spending money every time someone clicks.

This long-term investment pays off in a big way. The higher your rankings, the more traffic and sales you’ll see over time.

Build Trust With Your Customers

SEO isn’t just about ranking, it’s also about credibility.

Think about it: When you search for something online, how often do you click on the first few results? Most people trust Google’s algorithm to point them toward the most relevant and reliable sources. If your vape store is one of those top results, customers automatically associate your brand with authority and trust.

Creating SEO-optimized content like vape product guides, how-to articles, and customer FAQs not only helps you rank better but also shows visitors you know your stuff. This positions your store as a go-to resource for all things vape.

Capture Local Customers With Local SEO

Even if you sell products online, you shouldn’t overlook your local audience. Many customers still prefer to shop locally, especially for vape products they want to try before buying, or when they need something immediately.

Local SEO helps you appear in searches like:

• “Vape shop near me”
• “Best vape store in [City]”
• “Delta 8 disposables in [Zip Code]” 

Optimizing for local SEO involves claiming your Google Business Profile, gathering customer reviews, and adding location-based keywords to your site. This helps nearby customers find your shop before they stumble upon a competitor.

Drive Higher-Intent Traffic

Not all traffic is created equal. SEO helps you target users with high purchase intent.

For example, someone searching for “buy Lost Mary vape online” or “SMOK Nord coil replacement” is much closer to making a purchase than someone just browsing. With SEO, you can optimize your site for specific keywords and product categories that reflect what your ideal customers are looking for right now.

By showing up at the right time with the right solution, you’re more likely to convert visitors into paying customers.

Educate Your Customers

SEO isn’t only about products. It’s also about information.

Many customers have questions about vape products: how they work, how to use them safely, what the differences are between devices, and how to choose the right nicotine level. If your website provides this kind of helpful content, you not only improve your SEO but also build brand loyalty.

For example, blog posts like:

• “How to Choose the Right Vape Juice Nicotine Strength”
• “Disposable vs. Refillable Vapes: What’s Best for You?”
• “What is THCA and How Does It Compare to Delta 8?” 

These types of articles target keywords, educate your audience, and encourage them to explore more of your site.

Compete with Big Names

The reality is that huge online retailers dominate the vape market. They have big marketing budgets, sleek websites, and massive inventories. So how can your smaller or independent vape shop compete?

Strategic SEO can help level the playing field. Instead of targeting broad, high-competition keywords like “vape pens,” you can focus on niche or long-tail keywords that your audience is actually searching for, such as:

• “Best disposable vapes for beginners 2025”
• “Where to buy CBD gummies near me”
• “Affordable vape juice subscription” 

With the right content strategy, even small shops can outrank bigger players for specific queries that lead to sales.

Improve User Experience (UX)

Many SEO best practices also improve your website’s user experience. Google considers things like page speed, mobile-friendliness, clear navigation, and relevant content when ranking websites.

This means that investing in SEO isn’t just about getting clicks, it’s about making your site easier and more enjoyable to use. When your website is fast, intuitive, and helpful, customers are more likely to stick around, explore your products, and make a purchase.

And guess what? That improves your SEO even more, creating a positive feedback loop.

Stay Ahead of Vape Regulations

The vape industry is constantly evolving due to regulatory changes. Some advertising platforms may ban vape ads altogether. Social media might restrict your content. But SEO remains a reliable way to reach customers, even in the face of strict advertising limitations.

You control your website. You control your content. And with SEO, you’re less dependent on third-party platforms that could shut down your visibility overnight.

Trackable Results

One of the best things about SEO is that it’s measurable. With tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, you can track:

• What keywords people use to find you
• Which pages get the most traffic
• How long people stay on your site
• What percentage of visitors convert into customers 

This data helps you refine your strategy over time and see exactly what’s working.

In 2025 and beyond, having a vape store isn’t enough. You need visibility. You need traffic. You need conversions. And you need a strategy that works even when ad platforms limit what you can promote. That’s why SEO is absolutely essential for vape stores.

Whether you’re trying to boost foot traffic to your local shop or expand your e-commerce reach nationwide, SEO gives you the tools to do it. It helps you rank higher, reach more customers, and build trust over time. And most importantly, it creates a foundation for long-term growth that won’t disappear when your ad budget runs out.

If you haven’t started working on your vape store’s SEO strategy, now’s the time. The competition isn’t slowing down, and with the right approach, neither will you.

The post Why Vape Stores Need SEO appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

While this particular client is not laboring under the restrictions of some of our other clients that cannot leverage paid search or social marketing to their advantage, there were unique hurdles to clear here. 

Here’s how we did it and what the aftereffects were. 

The Client and Industry

This client is one that specializes in selling high-end, luxury fashion items – notably, dresses to be used for memorable occasions like high school homecoming, cotillion, and promenade dances. 

They are expensive, unique, and subject to the whims and vagaries of the fashion market. What’s popular one season might experience an even more meteoric rise the next – or it might fall out of common parlance like a byword. 

While there might be plenty of search volume associated with a particular keyword or fashion trend, what’s in this month might be wiped off the map next – which presents unique challenges for eCommerce SEO.

The thing about SEO is that it usually takes a long time, a year or more, to start generating appreciable results. The problem there is how to identify keywords and search terms that will be popular – or are more likely to be popular – in a year’s time?

That is – how do we find the evergreen keywords? In an industry like this, there are precious few. 

Despite the lack of technical challenges in this industry, the unique circumstances surrounding the industry made it particularly difficult to settle on a coherent fashion SEO strategy. 

The two keys to success here were keyword research and the copy.

Special Considerations 

The strategy we ultimately settled on was one that was custom tailored for this client and its unique considerations. 

Namely, we bifurcated our strategy to create two main larger groups of target keywords. One large group consisted of high-volume, short-tail keywords that should in theory be evergreen – even in the fashion industry. 

The other was much more closely targeted and aligned with specific fashion trends and even fads. This approach enabled us to create a unique cultivated approach that would leverage the long-term benefits of SEO in multiple ways, despite the inherent risks associated with shifting consumer preferences. 

Here’s why. 

The one cohort of search terms and keywords was sufficiently broad that, even if and when trends shift, it will still bring them visibility for those general clusters, expressly because of their nonspecificity. 

For instance – take the keywords “prom dresses” and “evening gowns.” These two keywords are non-targeted according to trend, only according to event. This enabled us to build authority for this client for those event-related keywords without getting too specific. 

They’re also general enough that they offer us the flexibility to use those keywords in much more specific pieces that actually do follow the current trends. 

Presumably, “prom dresses” and “evening gowns” will still be in demand in five or even ten years, even when the trends shift – and this approach has enabled us to position this client with perfect precision. 

The other prong of this strategy was one that focused on much more targeted search terms – like “red prom dresses” and “Cinderella prom dresses.” It’s a lot riskier and the volume associated with these keywords could shift dramatically from month to month, but it’s a winning approach nonetheless. 

Let’s say we hit the mark and red prom dresses are popular this year (or next year). By leveraging content focusing on those keywords, the client will be perfectly positioned, and get the visibility and traffic right when they need it. 

Now let’s say that keyword flops this year and for the next few. At some point, red prom dresses will be back in – and at that point, the client will have all the authority they need, plus historical content, to compete for it.

So it’s basically a win-win, even though it’s a very long-term strategy that isn’t guaranteed to bear fruit in the short term. Either way, it worked, as substantiated by increases in organic metrics. 

The Role of Targeted and Optimized Content 

Secondary to the bifurcated keyword strategy aforementioned was the role of high-quality, engaging content in this campaign. 

Our copywriters had to take some time to get familiar with the client’s vertical and then compare notes with the copy being published by other industry competitors, especially those with high organic rankings for the desired target keywords.

From there they could back-form a content strategy that would outperform the best work of their competitors, outpacing their visibility in the search engines. 

Without giving away any secrets about the topics and trends they covered in the content stream for this campaign, suffice it to say that standard “SEO” copy would not cut it. 

This copy had to be more akin to content marketing copy that was specifically optimized not only for the user experience but also according to SEO best practices. 

Addressing popular trends in prom styles and fashion, as well as trends in dress design, as they became ascendant, was the only way to generate authority, and therefore visibility, for this client. 

Which is precisely what our copywriters did – and in time, the results showed. 

The Results 

Probably the best indicator of success for this client has been the positive movements in some of their target keywords, as you can see below. 

Many of their target keywords, as you can see, are in the page one, spot one position, which is largely the cumulative result over the better part of the last two years.

Google Search Console also tells a compelling tale. While we can’t see back all the way to the beginning of the campaign (GSC only lets you look back 16 months), you can see that there has been positive growth in both impressions and clicks over that time period, particularly in the latter few months. 

This is even more considerable when you weigh the reason for it; this is a seasonal spike directly associated with the prom-related keywords we’ve made targets for this campaign. The spike is not aberrant; it is by design. 

All of this is to suggest that, in a word, our industry-specific fashion SEO services are highly effective when paired with a unique strategy that is tailored to meet the needs of the client in question.

Industry-Focused SEO Services That Perform 

These are the sorts of results that data-driven, strategic eCommerce SEO services deliver for clients, even though in extremely competitive industries. If you’re operating in the fashion industry and are wondering how SEO services can benefit your business, get in touch with our SEO experts for more information. 

The post Fashion SEO and Organic Successes: A Case Study appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

The competition online for the fishing industry is fierce enough, which presents not only a challenge but a unique opportunity through which we grew results more rapidly than typical for this client. 

Here’s how it all broke down. 

The Industry 

The fishing industry, unlike the firearms industry, and other aspects of outdoor sports, is not hindered by Google’s draconian and irrational restrictions. 

Online tackle shops can, therefore, pay to advertise. But that is an expensive proposition; consider the fact that for “fishing tackle,” which gets nearly 15,000 searches per month, there are a hundred and ten million results.

So that should give you the sort of insight into how competitive the market is. Now let’s shift things up; no fisherman starts his search for an online sale by looking up “fishing tackle.”

He or she is either going to look up a particular product or a class of product, such as “Rapala jerkbait” or “Penn Pursuit.”

That narrows things down slightly. It also happens to be the case that the fishing industry in general offers visibility based on authority, and that requires content – and most fishermen are not tolerant of low quality fluff that isn’t actionable on the water. 

This in turn means that all copy produced for an eCommerce SEO campaign in the fishing industry must be content-marketing focused, with an emphasis not on promotion, but utility. 

For instance, online shoppers might be interested in an article or a CMS page about the best lures for bass in the summer, or how to clean a spinning reel after a day on the water, rather than vapid copy about a given reel’s features. 

Given these unique considerations as well as the other notes on the industry, our task was to create a custom eCommerce SEO package for this client that met the challenges head on and still promised to deliver. 

The Approach 

There were a few things we had to hammer out before we could put together a coherent approach for this client. 

• We needed to find the right keywords we wanted to target. These keywords needed to be associated with either commercial or transactional search intent, and have viable volume. They also needed to have attainable difficulty scores. 
• There had to be a reasonable number of competitors for those search terms, and they also had to be highly relevant to the business model of the client in question. 
• We needed to meet with the client to determine what sorts of challenges its clients faced regularly, as well as what was important to them.
• And we had to put together a content strategy that hinged not only on keyword strategy but also content-marketing level topics that were useful for the client’s audience. 

From there, we could scope the campaign and assign deliverables that we expected to have the most measurable impact. 

The Deliverables

As part and parcel of this custom eCommerce SEO campaign, we had to ensure we were delivering according to the greatest needs of the client website, with a focus on generating the most palpable organic ranking increases. We opted to include:

• A backlink strategy involving publication on a variety of high domain-authority third party websites. 
• On page optimizations for the campaigns target keywords, in on-page copy, metadata, and page titles. 
• A technical audit and regular technical sweeps to uncover and rectify technical rankings factors that might not be optimized to the fullest. 
• A content publication stream of both offsite posts (used for building backlinks and domain authority) and onsite content, mainly in the form of blogs, which improved the website’s overall visibility for the target keywords and search terms, and which increased engagement from key members of the target audience. 

On the latter end, we worked closely with the client to collaborate on the topics covered by the content stream, including not only new topics previously uncovered by their content streams, but adaptations from their YouTube channel. 

The Results 

We tell our clients not to expect any appreciable results before, at minimum, a 6-month investment in eCommerce SEO services. At the same time, we take wins where we can find them, and for the client that is the focus of this case study, we saw promising results fairly early on.

Specifically, we saw considerable growth in the organic rankings of some of the target keywords we selected for the campaign. 

You can see some of those featured in the image below:

While this image shows that some keywords have not come into ranking yet, it also shows that we took several keywords from page 2 to page 1, and increased the position of several other target keywords by increasing their rankings on the first page. 

Total revenue is another way to evaluate the summary success of an SEO campaign. Even though SEO cannot guarantee increases in revenue, by targeting appropriate keywords associated with intent to purpose, we can often move the needle. In this case we certainly did:

Comparing total revenue from the past month as of the publication of this case study to the corresponding previous period (indicated in the screenshot), revenue was up over 44%. That’s significant, considering December is customarily a big month for eCommerce ventures. Nonetheless, our efforts yielded considerably higher revenue in the last month than the one prior. 

Given the fact that this campaign is comparatively new, these are nothing more than the shape of things to come, though they presage good things. 

For More Information on the Potential Payoffs of an Investment in eCommerce SEO Services

In the event these are the sorts of results you’d like to see for your own eCommerce business, get in touch with one of our SEO specialists and we will be more than happy to talk over your goals as well as potential options for a custom SEO package. Also, for more success stories, check out our full collection of eCommerce case studies. 

The post Overcoming Fierce Competition in a Niche Market Through Targeted eCommerce SEO Services appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

Shopify: The Independent E-Commerce Giant

Shopify is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that allows you to create a standalone online store. With extensive customization options, robust features, and scalability, Shopify has become a go-to choice for small businesses aiming to establish their own brand identity. Lets start out by taking a look at some of Shopify’s advantages and disadvantages for business owners.

Pros of Shopify

Full Control Over Branding

Shopify gives you complete creative control over your website’s design and functionality. You can choose from a variety of themes or hire a developer to create a unique, branded experience for your customers.

Scalability

Shopify is designed to grow with your business. Whether you’re starting small or scaling to a multi-million-dollar operation, the platform offers tools like inventory management, advanced analytics, and seamless integrations with third-party apps.

Multiple Sales Channels

Shopify enables you to sell not only through your website but also on social media platforms, marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, and in-person through Shopify POS (Point of Sale).

No Competition on Your Storefront

Unlike Etsy, Shopify’s standalone stores eliminate the presence of competitor listings on the same page. This allows for a more focused shopping experience for your customers.

Extensive App Ecosystem

Shopify’s App Store offers thousands of apps to enhance your store’s functionality, including tools for email marketing, SEO, and customer reviews.

Cons of Shopify

Monthly Costs

Shopify’s plans start at $39 per month (as of 2024), and additional apps or premium themes can significantly increase your costs.

Learning Curve

Setting up and managing a Shopify store requires more technical knowledge compared to Etsy. Although Shopify offers excellent resources and customer support, it might be overwhelming for beginners.

Marketing Responsibility

With Shopify, you’re responsible for driving traffic to your store. This means investing time and money into digital marketing strategies like SEO for Shopify, social media advertising, and email campaigns.

Etsy: The Marketplace for Artisans and Crafters

Etsy is a marketplace specifically tailored for handmade, vintage, and unique items. Its built-in audience and community-centric approach make it an attractive option for creative entrepreneurs.

Pros of Etsy

Built-In Audience

Etsy has millions of active buyers who are specifically looking for unique, handcrafted, or vintage items. This gives your products immediate visibility to a highly targeted audience.

Ease of Use

Setting up a shop on Etsy is straightforward, even for beginners. The platform is user-friendly and doesn’t require technical expertise.

Low Initial Investment

Etsy’s listing fees are minimal, starting at $0.20 per item. This makes it an affordable option for those just starting out or testing the waters.

Community and Trust

Etsy’s reputation as a marketplace for unique and handmade goods fosters trust among buyers. Sellers can benefit from this established credibility.

Marketing Tools

Etsy offers built-in marketing tools like promoted listings, sales discounts, and email campaigns, making it easier for small business owners to attract and retain customers.

Cons of Etsy

High Fees

Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee, a payment processing fee (typically 3% + $0.25), and additional fees for optional advertising. These costs can add up quickly and eat into your profits.

Limited Customization

Unlike Shopify, Etsy’s storefronts are standardized, offering limited branding opportunities. This can make it harder to differentiate your shop from competitors.

Intense Competition

Your products are listed alongside those of your competitors, often on the same page. This can make it challenging to stand out, especially in saturated categories.

Algorithm Dependence

Etsy’s search algorithm determines which listings are most visible, making it crucial to optimize your titles, tags, and descriptions. Changes in the algorithm can impact your shop’s visibility and sales.

Lack of Customer Ownership

Etsy owns the customer relationship. You don’t have access to full customer data, which limits your ability to build an email list or market directly to past buyers.

Shopify vs. Etsy: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

Choose Shopify If:

• You want full control over your branding and customer experience.
• You plan to scale your business significantly.
• You have the resources to invest in marketing and website development.
• You’re selling a wide range of products or need advanced features like subscription models or international shipping.

Choose Etsy If:

• You’re selling handmade, vintage, or unique items that align with Etsy’s niche.
• You’re just starting out and want a low-cost, low-effort way to test your products.
• You’re looking for immediate access to a built-in audience.
• You don’t want to manage the technical aspects of running a standalone website.

Both Shopify and Etsy have their strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your business goals, resources, and product type. Shopify offers unparalleled control and scalability, making it ideal for businesses looking to build a long-term brand that can scale in the future. On the other hand, Etsy’s ease of use and built-in audience make it a great starting point for creative entrepreneurs.

For many small businesses, the best approach may be a combination of both platforms. You can use Etsy to reach its targeted audience while building your brand’s identity and customer base on Shopify. By leveraging the strengths of each platform, you can maximize your reach and potential.

The post Shopify vs. Etsy: Which Platform Is Better for Your Small Business? appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

But getting images to show up in the Image Results of Google? That’s a whole other ballgame. 

It is, however, still technically part of SEO. 

Which means as a self-proclaimed SEO expert, I should be able to speak to it. 

So, that said, here are some tips and tricks I have used (firsthand) to get images to show up in the Image Results.

Use Original Images Only 

This is the most important bit of advice I can offer you and I cannot stress this enough. I do not care what you read about stock images, or where you read it. Do not use them.

They might produce a passable UX, and some journalists and bloggers might have no other option. 

But if your goal is literally to get images (not just the post) to rank, don’t even waste your time. 

Stock images are duplicate files. Google knows they are duplicate files. They’re not going to rank competitively. I don’t care what titles and alt text you assign them. 

So, take your own pictures, and make sure they’re high quality. Grainy garbage is not going to rank. You want professional resolution here. The sharper the better. 

One note I would like to make here, though. I don’t know if using AI-generated images counts as original. Like, technically I know it’s an original file, but if the engine you use to create it saves a copy, that then would be considered the original file and not whatever you publish. 

Anyway, I’m not going to say not to use generative AI to make images because they’re getting pretty good. Just take that caveat that I’m not promising that you can get AI-generated images to rank. Maybe you can, and maybe not. I don’t have experience getting AI-generated images to rank and I do with my own photography, so I can’t vouch for the former personally.

Compress the Image File

If you use Google’s PageSpeed Insights and run a URL (that has images) through it, you’ll see something almost across the board that’s very relevant to what I’m writing about. 

Go ahead and try it. I’m not a betting man but if I were I would take a wager that the main areas that page failed had to do with load speed, and that the slow load speeds were directly attributable to massive image file sizes. 

This is a plague that affects websites of all sorts. I have seen it personally. Not only does having massive image files tank your load speeds (which is bad for SEO, generally) but having massive image files sizes also reduces the chances the image will rank to near nil. 

Now here’s the problem. Right above I told you to use really high-quality images. Really high-quality images with sharp resolution are usually massive files and require a lot of storage. That is counterintuitive. 

What you do to make a fix, however, is simple: run the image through a compressor. There are tons of free compression tools that take the file and compress it, resulting in no loss of visual quality, but drastically reducing the amount of storage needed. 

As a result, the image file still looks great but will load much faster, which improves technical SEO and considerably increases the chances that the image will rank.

By the way, here are some free image file compression tools:

• Optimizilla
• TinyPNG
• FreeConvert
• Image Resizer

Another by the way: compressing your image file sizes will speed up the whole URL, which doesn’t just mean chances are better that the images on the page will rank. It increases the chances that your overall SEO will improve. 

Use a Responsive Theme 

This should actually go without saying primarily because it is an indelible aspect of general technical SEO, and is not specifically related to image optimization, but if your theme is not mobile responsive, your website will suffer, and your images will not rank (or not rank well) as a result. 

So keep that in mind.

Add Alt Text

After compressing your images, this is one of the most important ranking signals associated with image optimization and I know for a near fact that many of the images I have gotten to rank have done so because I was smart with alt text. 

See, here’s the cool thing. Compared to how many search listings there are, there is probably a lot less competition for image listings. It could be that SEO experts don’t use as many images (or use many images per page) or it could be (more likely) that most “experts” just don’t add alt text to image files. 

I don’t blame them. It’s a tiny optimization and even if all your images were optimized with several strings of high-volume, low-difficulty keywords, a page that was otherwise bad would not show up in the SERPs. 

The images, however, might, and in the realm of image optimization, specifically, this is probably the second biggest thing you can do. 

How to add alt text to an image is something that will vary slightly depending on platform, but it is an easy thing to do regardless. On WordPress, for instance, go to your media center and click on one of the images. Over on the right side of the screen there should be a field for alt text, along with a few other fields. Add your alt text right in there. 

By the way, when you’re optimizing an image with alt text, don’t just stick it in there as a standalone. Craft a small blurb for your image, sort of like a caption. Describe what you see in the image and include the keyword organically. Try not to stuff too many in. 

You’ll be surprised how effective this tactic is. Even if you’re struggling to get pages to rank, you’ll be pretty likely to get some images to show up in the Image Results for those target keywords.

Add a Caption

I have noticed that adding captions to images, while not as important as adding alt text, also gives them a boost when I want them to rank. 

When adding a caption, it is critical that what you write offers value to the reader. You want some keywords to be in there for Google’s sake, but primarily you want to increase the user’s engagement with the page and, specifically, with the image. 

So don’t just describe the image. Offer a little bit of insight into why the picture is relevant to the post or something like that. I’ll be honest, it’s a little hard for me to come up with something on the fly, so I’ll show an example here: 

See what I did with that caption? It sort of reiterates one of the ways you can get your images to rank, which should offer you value if that’s the reason you got to this post in the first place. 

Get creative with it. This is the most subjective piece of advice I’m offering in this post so there really isn’t necessarily a “wrong” way to do it. 

Get Your Images to Rank, Starting Now 

If you put all of the techniques into practice that I recommended, right now, there’s no reason you can’t start getting your website’s image to rank, and pretty soon at that. 

Give it a try and see which of these works best for you.

The post How to Get Images to Rank (Image Optimization Guide) appeared first on 1Digital® Agency.

Today, we’ll cover why content writing is so important for eCommerce SEO, some common SEO pitfalls to avoid, and how content writers can help you achieve long-term success in search engine rankings.

The Role of Content in eCommerce SEO

SEO for eCommerce is a delicate balance of visibility and relevance. It’s not enough to fill pages with keywords—your content also needs to provide real value to users while addressing their search intent. When done right, SEO-driven content serves both the search engine’s algorithms and your customers, guiding them to products they want to purchase.

Here’s why quality content matters:

1. Keywords Drive Organic Traffic: When your content is optimized with relevant keywords, it helps your products appear in search results when potential customers are actively looking for them.
2. Builds Trust and Credibility: Well-written content improves your site’s credibility, which helps build customer trust, reduces bounce rates, and increases time spent on the page—all positive signals to search engines.
3. Engages and Retains Visitors: High-quality content captures attention and guides shoppers through your site, from product pages to checkout. A user-friendly experience is now essential to SEO, as search engines prioritize sites that engage and retain visitors.

Avoiding Common eCommerce SEO Content Mistakes

Many eCommerce sites fall into traps that can hurt their SEO efforts. Here are some common mistakes to be aware of:

1. Keyword Stuffing: Gone are the days when stuffing a page with as many keywords as possible could improve rankings. Today, keyword stuffing is not only ineffective but can also lead to penalties. Google’s algorithms have evolved to detect when keywords are overused or placed unnaturally, often leading to lower rankings or even removal from search results.

2. Thin Content: Thin content refers to pages with very little information or content that doesn’t provide value to the reader. This is a common issue on eCommerce sites with single-sentence product descriptions. Thin content doesn’t satisfy the user’s search intent, leading to high bounce rates and poor search engine performance. 

3. Duplicate Content: Duplicate content is particularly tricky for eCommerce sites with large inventories, as it can be tempting to use identical descriptions for similar items. However, duplicate content confuses search engines, which may struggle to decide which page to rank. Worse, it can dilute your page authority and prevent individual products from ranking well.

4. Ignoring Meta Descriptions and Title Tags: Title tags and meta descriptions are crucial for SEO, providing a concise summary of each page’s content. Ignoring these can result in missed SEO opportunities and a lower click-through rate from search engine results pages (SERPs).

5. Slow-Loading Product Pages: Slow site speed is a critical factor in SEO. Content that includes large, unoptimized images or excessive media files can slow page load times, which impacts user experience and leads to higher bounce rates. 

6. Overly Technical Language: While some industries require technical detail, eCommerce content should be clear, concise, and accessible to a wide audience. Overly technical language or jargon can alienate readers and lead to missed sales opportunities.  

How Content Writers Improve eCommerce SEO

A skilled content writer who understands SEO can be invaluable in refining and executing a winning eCommerce strategy. Here’s how they can help:

Researching and Integrating Targeted Keywords

Effective SEO begins with keyword research. Professional content writers know how to find keywords that reflect both product searches and customer intent. They’ll identify high-traffic, low-competition keywords and naturally incorporate them into product descriptions, category pages, and blogs.

A skilled writer will also understand the importance of long-tail keywords—search phrases that are specific and likely to lead to conversions. For example, instead of just targeting “running shoes,” they may focus on “lightweight women’s running shoes for marathon training,” which has a better chance of reaching customers who are ready to purchase.

Crafting Engaging and Unique Product Descriptions

Product descriptions play a major role in eCommerce SEO. Instead of relying on bland, boilerplate descriptions, professional writers create unique, descriptive copy that highlights the benefits of each product. This avoids the “thin content” problem and allows each product page to rank individually.

Moreover, engaging product descriptions add value for shoppers, enticing them to spend more time on the page and increasing the likelihood of conversion. A well-crafted description appeals to the emotions, providing a clear sense of why the product is worth purchasing, which helps boost both customer satisfaction and SEO rankings.

Avoiding Duplicate Content with Creative Copy

When handling large inventories with similar products, it’s easy to end up with duplicate content issues. Content writers address this challenge by crafting unique descriptions for each product or creating variations that highlight specific features, colors, or uses. This unique approach allows each page to stand out and rank individually while avoiding the SEO penalties associated with duplicate content.

Optimizing Meta Descriptions, Headers, and Title Tags

Title tags, headers, and meta descriptions are the bread and butter of SEO. Skilled writers know how to craft these tags in a way that captures attention and fits the SEO requirements. By including targeted keywords and compelling calls to action, these snippets encourage click-throughs from search engine results pages, driving more traffic to your site.

Creating Blog Content That Boosts Site Authority

An active blog is a powerful way to boost SEO, as it adds depth to your website and gives search engines more content to crawl. eCommerce content writers understand how to create blog posts that cover topics relevant to your customers and build authority in your niche. They’ll strategically include keywords, answer common customer questions, and link to relevant product pages—driving traffic and supporting internal SEO.

Enhancing User Experience to Reduce Bounce Rates

Writers who specialize in eCommerce SEO are mindful of the user experience (UX). They create content that is not only informative but also engaging and easy to read. By avoiding overly technical language, jargon, or lengthy paragraphs, they help customers navigate your site effortlessly. A better UX keeps visitors on the page longer, signaling to search engines that your site provides value and is worth ranking.

Regularly Updating Content for Freshness

SEO is not a one-and-done process; it requires regular updates to keep content relevant. eCommerce writers can refresh outdated product descriptions, blog posts, and category pages to reflect current trends and search habits. Updating your content regularly helps ensure that it stays optimized and aligned with the latest SEO practices.

The Value of eCommerce Content Writing

Optimized, high-quality content is one of the most valuable assets for any eCommerce business looking to improve its SEO. However, achieving this level of quality and effectiveness requires specialized skills. 

A professional eCommerce content writer understands the balance between writing for search engines and crafting copy that engages customers. By helping you avoid common pitfalls, like keyword stuffing and duplicate content, and leveraging SEO best practices, they can significantly improve your rankings, traffic, and conversion rates.

Investing in eCommerce content writing services is a long-term strategy that pays off with increased visibility, credibility, and sales. If you’re ready to see the benefits of professional content, consider partnering with experienced writers who specialize in eCommerce SEO. With their help, your website can climb the search engine ranks and connect with more of the customers who matter most.

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