We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the most fascinating and thought-provoking local SEO statistics and mobile SEO stats. In addition, we look forward to how technology will impact SEO in 2021.
The SEO Specialists has updated this list of SEO statistics 2021 to reflect current trends and data from organic search marketing. To make it easy for both newbies and experienced marketers to understand, implement, and interpret these search engine optimisation trends, we’ve tried to keep things simple.
You may not know how to implement an effective SEO strategy for your website or business. You’re not the only one.
SEO can seem daunting even for professionals in marketing. It’s difficult to understand the search algorithms of Google and what will land you on page 1. SEO is still vital to a successful digital marketing campaign, even though algorithms for SEO are constantly changing.
Table of Contents
Statistical Information on SEO
1. Google is the most used search engine.
Google now accounts for 79% of desktop search traffic. Bing is at 7.27%, Baidu 6.555%, and Yahoo 5.06%. ASK.com and AOL are the other smaller players that account for 2.2% of total search traffic.
2. 50% of all organic search queries contain four or more words.
Websites that do not make use of longtail keywords should pay attention to this point. Longtail keywords are essential for web traffic and have a higher conversion ratio than general search queries.
3. SEO success is all about quality content and link building.
Multiple authoritative sources agree that link building and high-quality content are the best ways to rank content in search engines. Link building and quality content can help drive web traffic.
4. 61% believe SEO is key to online success.
SEO is ranked high because of its ongoing benefits. It helps increase awareness, traffic and growth online.
5. An SEO optimised title tag can increase page clicks by up to 437%.
Safari Digital’s 2021 test found that updating articles that were previously written with an optimised title tag, which aligned the article with keywords with search volume behind it, can increase page clicks more than fourfold. A study conducted across 16 websites and 135 pages revealed that pages with an optimised title tag received 107% more page clicks on average than pages without one.
6. Only 0.83% click to websites on Page 2 Google.
Although it’s scary, if your website doesn’t appear on page 1, you have less than a 1 per cent chance of getting an organic click from a Google user who conducts a Google Search. This statistic shows how important it is to be on page 1 for search terms that will make a difference to your bottom line. Although it’s possible to get many page views, the chances of you getting clicked are slim.
7. 5.6% of businesses spend less than one-quarter of their marketing budget on link building.
Link building is just like any other aspect of the business. You get what you put into it. SEO is a critical part of any business. Companies that understand the value of SEO know that it takes time, money and patience to get to the top of search engine results pages. SEO, unlike PPC advertising, will not stop working after the campaign is over.
8. On average, 41% of businesses with a marketing plan allocate SEO to their budget.
. Businesses are now spending more to increase their organic search exposure because of the ongoing and residual benefits that an SEO strategy provides. This figure is expected to rise to over 45% by 2021.
9. Longtail keywords are more likely to be clicked (CTR) than short-tail keywords.
This search fact shows that longtail keywords have a 35% higher CTR than titles with just 1 or 2 words.
10. 70% of clicks on Google search results are organic. 30% go to AdWords.
PPC marketing is an integral part of a holistic marketing strategy. However, organic search results are more effective than PPC. Google’s best efforts are not enough to ensure users know the difference between a paid and organic listing. These SEO statistics are a strong argument for allocating more resources for SEO in a marketing budget.
11. 73% of consumers trust businesses with online reviews.
Google My Business, Facebook and Yelp all offer social reviews that can be used to increase user trust and convert users. Companies that display reviews directly on their websites using schema markup are more likely to encourage customers to buy.
12. 97% of consumers search for companies via the internet.
Information is more accessible than ever for consumers. This SEO fact emphasises the importance of having a lot of information online about potential customers. Your website should contain information about you and your story so that your target market can easily find out more about your company.
13. Link building is a significant challenge for digital marketers, according to 65%.
Search engine optimisation is constantly evolving. Google is getting more sophisticated about understanding where links come from and what value they should be given. Link building is often regarded as the most challenging and unpredictable aspect of SEO. Google changes the weight it provides links. Marketers must ensure that they build clean, sustainable links in 2021. This will allow them to remain unaffected by future algorithm updates from Google.
14. 34% of companies spend more than $1,000 per calendar month on their link-building efforts.
Are you concerned about the amount of effort and money your competitors invest in search engine optimisation strategies? Businesses at the top of search engines are increasingly aware of SEO. They are working hard to protect their position by adding relevant links to their sites each month. According to recent research, companies spend more than $1,000 per month on linking building to improve and maintain their ranking on search engine results pages.
Local SEO Statistics 2021
For small and medium businesses, getting to the top of SERPs was once a pipedream. Google discovered a way for smaller firms to be found in a highly competitive landscape dominated by prominent players with larger budgets. Google’s Pigeon update was unveiled in July 2014. It allowed local businesses to compete against established competitors at a local level. Google began to give preference to nearby businesses after the update.
Google’s Pigeon SEO Update allowed local businesses to survive in a highly competitive SEO landscape. Local businesses have thrived in local search engine results since then. These are some of the most important statistics regarding local SEO for 2021.
15. 72% of Google users visited a store within 8km from where they searched.
Local SEO can be a powerful way to bring motivated traffic to your site. To ensure that you are being seen by local customers, make the most of Google My Business.
16. 46 per cent of all Google search results include a local intent.
According to the latest statistics on local SEO, almost half of all Google searches are local SEO related. Google is focusing more on local results that offer immediate solutions for customers. Companies that fail to implement a comprehensive local SEO strategy will continue to be ignored.
17. 28% of searches that include local intent lead to a purchase.
Another fact about search engine optimisation is worth mentioning. Local SEO strategies are vital for businesses of all sizes.
18. 5.6% of local businesses are not yet on Google My Business.
Companies that haven’t claimed and configured their GMB listing are missing a vital component of a local SEO strategy. GMB is the first thing that Google users see when they search for a business. Your business must be listed, verified and managed.
19. In 2020, “Near Me” searches increased more than 130%
Google users love to include “near me” searches in any search they do. No matter what they’re looking for:
- “Petrol Station Near Me”.
- “Cafe Near Me”.
- “Restaurant Near Me”.
- “Electronics Store Near Me”.
More people have added a “near me” classification to their search queries in the past five years. This has increased by over 500% in the last five years. Users are now looking for local solutions to their problems, even though more than half of search queries originate from mobile devices. Small businesses can appeal to a local audience in 2021 by implementing a comprehensive local SEO strategy. This strategy targets highly motivated local users.
20. Over 50% of all “Near Me” searches lead to offline conversion.
Not only is “near me” a rising search term, but they also have incredible conversion rates. The simple addition of “near me” unlocks a vast array of relevant, local results. Over half of those who searched “near me” last year could buy goods and services or visit establishments within 24 hours of the search being conducted. This local SEO statistic further demonstrates the importance of local search intent. It also reflects the value and effectiveness of a regional approach in search engine optimisation.
21. 88% of people search online for reviews about local businesses.
Local users love to read and evaluate reviews. Online reviews can be a great way for customers to see a track record of customer satisfaction. An astounding 88% of customers admitted that they read reviews before engaging with local businesses. Trust is built when satisfied customers leave positive reviews. Social proof can be a powerful way to establish legitimacy with prospective customers.
22. 78% of location-oriented searches will lead to an offline conversion
Bricks and mortar businesses still exist and are thriving because of immediate gratification. According to recent SEO data, 78% of users who search for location information will purchase in a physical shop. It’s essential to have an SEO strategy that exposes your business and allows you to reach potential customers, even for brick-and-mortar businesses.
23. 82% of businesses still haven’t claimed their Bing Business listing.
According to recent SEO statistics, Bing is responsible for 7.27% of all web searches. This number is not as high as Google’s. Still, businesses that don’t take the time to optimise and configure their Bing Business listing may be missing out on more than 7% market share. Some niches could see a higher percentage of Bing users accessing their businesses through Bing.
Mobile SEO Trends 2021
Are you still not convinced that mobile-friendly websites are essential for SEO success? Mobile search will be the primary way users interact with Google and the internet in 2021. Rankings in mobile search are becoming more important than ever. This means that users need to be able to find your website easily from their smartphones. These are the top mobile SEO stats for 2021.
24. 30 per cent of Google searches made from a mobile device also include a location.
According to the latest SEO statistics, almost 1/3 of all mobile searches include a location. This shocking SEO statistic highlights the importance and value of a Local SEO strategy to target local traffic.
25. 92% of users of mobile phones will access the internet via their mobile devices.
It is not surprising that more people are accessing the internet via their mobile phones. Mobile devices have become more popular thanks to the improved mobile infrastructure. Global smartphone users are expected to reach 3 billion by 2021.
26. 69% of mobile device users say that they are more likely to buy from a website that addresses their questions easily.
This SEO statistic shouldn’t be surprising. Websites that answer user queries and are accessible from mobile devices more often will convert than websites that don’t.
27. A mobile device’s cutoff load time is 5 seconds.
Speed is key when it comes to SEO. According to the latest SEO data, mobile websites that take longer than five seconds to load have a 70% higher mobile session rate than sites that load in less than five seconds. Google states that a delay of just one second can lead to a 20% decrease in conversion. You should not ignore this crucial SEO statistic if you are still unsure about optimising your website for speed.
28. 57% of users would not recommend a company with a badly designed mobile website.
The choice is more significant than ever for users, so they have the freedom to choose what they want. Google says that users who cannot read or navigate content on mobile devices efficiently and seamlessly are more likely to leave the site. Websites will lose this user and also risk users not recommending their site to others.
29. Over 30% of all mobile searches were made right before visiting a store.
According to SEO statistics, almost a third of mobile users visited stores after searching using their smartphones. This SEO statistic shows how important it is to make your business visible in organic search results to attract new customers. This SEO statistic also indicates that brick-and-mortar businesses still have an essential role in the buying economy. However, it is equally important to have a solid online presence, even though most sales are still made through physical stores.
30. 43% of users will do an online search from their mobile device when in the store.
According to the latest SEO statistics, customers are not taking chances with bricks-and-mortar locations when it comes time to spend money. The internet has given consumers more options than ever before. Nearly half of all consumers use their smartphones to confirm their purchase behaviour, even in physical stores that sell the product they want. SEO can help you reach customers and make your business visible to them right up until the point of sale.
31. 66% of E-Commerce browsing time comes from a mobile device. Yet, less than 30% of sales come from mobile devices.
Although mobile devices are becoming more popular for browsing online stores, they are still used sparingly to make sales. Mobile devices still have an advantage over laptops and desktops when it comes to making a purchase.
32. 88% of customers call or visit stores within 24 hours of searching from their mobile devices.
This SEO statistic shows that potential customers will most likely inquire about businesses visible via local SEO and mobile optimisation. Failure to implement a local SEO strategy will ensure that your business misses out on potential customers.
33. 60% of all Google search results are made via a mobile device.
Mobile traffic outpaced desktop traffic in 2016, but recent SEO statistics show that more than half (50%) of all Google search results come from mobile devices. Comparatively, only 34% of all Google search results came from a smartphone in 2014. The dramatic rise in Google Mobile Searches in 2021 can be attributed to the growth of smartphones, mobile data and improved mobile UX.
34. A site optimised for mobile searches is trusted by 51% of users.
In 2018, Google announced that mobile-first indexing will replace desktop-first indexing by 2021. According to the latest consumer statistics, mobile-friendly websites are now more critical than ever. Users place greater importance on sites that can be searched and used on mobile devices.
35. Mobile sales are expected to surpass desktop in 2021.
Mobile devices were only a tiny fraction of all online sales a few years ago. Users will be more inclined to use mobile devices in the future due to their increasing usage and the optimisation of Ecommerce websites’ mobile usability. Stats show that businesses with a mobile-ready website are more likely to succeed online in 2021.
Social Media SEO Statistics
Google has confirmed that links from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter do not have the same weight or importance as traditional backlinks.
36. Search engines drive 10x more traffic to shopping websites than social media.
While social media marketing is hot in 2021, it is not SEO that is. However, it is the best way to generate high-converting traffic. According to the latest search engine statistics, search is the largest traffic source for shopping websites. This SEO statistic highlights the importance to have a search engine optimisation strategy for eCommerce businesses. This includes adding page titles, descriptions and H-tags to your site, as well as meta descriptions and backlinks. It also involves optimising for site speed and keyword research.
Content Marketing Statistics 2021
37. Updating existing content with new images and written content can improve organic traffic by 111.3%.
Once you click the publish button on a blog post or make a page live, your hard work does not stop. For increasing organic reach, one of the best SEO strategies is to republish and update existing content.
38. Content is still king in SEO.
According to the most recent search marketing statistics, this old saying is still relevant. According to the most recent information, 57% of SEO experts rank content creation as the #1 method to achieve the best results in search marketing. According to the same SEO statistics, backlinks and social media marketing rank as the #2 and 3rd most effective ways to increase traffic for 2021.
39. Google’s page 1 results contain 1,890 words.
According to recent SEO research, Google’s average page one result is nearly 2,000 words. This one SEO statistic is what keeps content marketers awake at night. Your business will be seen as a leader in the industry if you have detailed articles and landing pages. While not every page should belong, it is important to do competitor research to determine which posts are more valuable to rank higher in Google.
40. 72% believe relevancy is key to a successful SEO campaign.
Although search engine optimisation experts are not always in agreement on the best SEO tactics, almost three-quarters of them agree that this is one stat they agree on. Relevant content is believed to improve search rankings and can be used to create meaningful, natural backlinks.
41. Indexation rates are improved by content creation by more than 434%
Google loves regularly updating websites. Google loves webmasters who update their websites regularly. This will allow them to rank their content higher in search engines and index pages more quickly. According to the latest statistics on blogging SEO, websites that update their content regularly will have 434% higher indexation rates. A successful content marketing campaign will address the specific questions your users are asking. Google search console’s ‘queries” function is an effective tool to determine how users interact with organic content on a site.
42. Less than 40% of marketers are publishing content once per week.
This staggering SEO statistic shows that 38% of marketers only post content at least once per week, despite being aware of the power of content marketing. Although marketers recognise the value of content in increasing brand awareness and reach, they lack the resources and time to produce consistent content. Publishing high-quality, consistent, and relevant content is key to a successful organic search campaign. It takes months or years of continuous work to create successful search marketing.
Technology-Driven SEO Trends
The search engine optimisation landscape is changing due to technology and emerging search trends. Users are more connected than ever thanks to increased information access, increasing mobile device usage, and growing connectivity networks. How is technology changing how SEO works? Here are the top technology stats for SEO that you should know.
43. By 2021, more than half of all search engines will offer voice and image searches.
This shocking SEO statistic highlights how voice search is becoming more popular as AI devices such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s SIRI, and Google Home play an increasingly important role in allowing users to access information.
44. Organic search accounts for 51% of content consumption.
This SEO statistic will tell you everything you need about how important an organic marketing strategy is if you are still unsure whether you should implement one. An organic search is responsible for more than half the content found on the internet.
45. 27% of users are already using voice search on Google.
According to SEO statistics, voice search is on the rise in 2021. Voice search has never been easier thanks to the vast array of virtual assistants available from Google, Amazon, Samsung, and Samsung (just to name some). This emerging trend requires marketers and webmasters to emphasise optimising their content and schema markup for voice searches.
46. Positive reviews lead to a 91% increase of trust in young people (18-34)
According to the latest SEO statistics, websites with positive reviews on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TripAdvisor are 91% more likely for young people to trust them (and use them). This search trend shows how crucial it is for business owners to monitor and source reviews about their business.
47. Video content is 5 times more likely to drive a conversion than content alone.
Video content is an effective way to convert visitors. Videos are more effective at attracting and retaining visitors. However, this shocking SEO fact shows how crucial video content will be in 2021. Video content should be optimised for SEO to improve its performance.
For 2021, More Powerful SEO Statistics
Are you still unsure about SEO? These SEO trends will show you how crucial search engine optimisation is for 2021.
48. 92% of traffic is directed to the first page results of Google.
This is a frightening thought, but it highlights how crucial an SEO strategy is for your business’ success. Over 98% of Google users will choose a result on the first page. Your chances of being found are meagre if you’re not on page 2 or 3.
49. 70% of internet users trust the information they find.
Do you remember the days when you had to call ahead before going into a store? According to recent data, 70% of internet users trust information they find online about business locations, opening hours, stock availability, and stock availability. It is more important than ever that all information about your business is accurate and current.
50. 82% of those who have implemented an SEO strategy reported a positive impact on their businesses.
According to this survey, 45% of the business owners surveyed said that SEO’s effectiveness improved.
51. PPC advertising combined with SEO results in 25% more clicks and 27% greater profits than those who only use one-channel marketing.
A solid SEO strategy should be combined with a PPC campaign. Since most SEO strategies involve creating landing pages with specific content, it is logical to reuse this content in your Google AdWords campaign or Facebook Advertising campaign.
52. SEO is 5.66x more efficient than paid search advertising.
For this reason, search engine optimisation is still the most efficient digital marketing strategy. Search results are trusted more than ads from Google. Companies can buy their way up to the top of search results. However, the best ones to earn your business’s respect are the ones that can work their way up. Users will be more aware of which results are paid and organic in 2021.
53. Google’s position #1 enjoys a 34.36% CTR.
This SEO statistic should be enough to convince you of the importance of ranking high on Google. Click through rates for businesses at the top of Google are higher than one-third. The click-through rates drop significantly as you move from page 1 to positions 2-9.
54. Pages with videos are 53% more likely to be displayed on page 1 of Google.
. Are you still not convinced that video is necessary for your SEO strategy? You might be wrong. According to the latest data, web pages with videos are 53% more likely than those without them to appear on page one on Google. Video content is important, but it mustn’t hinder the user experience. Websites should still be able to load quickly.
55. 75% of Google users won’t scroll past the first page.
Do you still doubt the power of Google’s page 1 results? This is a shocking SEO statistic for anyone who has been stuck on page 2 or 3. Not only are page 1 rankings more trusted by users, but they also receive significantly more views than pages 2, 3, and 4 on Google. Surprisingly, three-quarters of Google users say they don’t go beyond page one when searching for information.
56. 21% of searchers will view more pages than one in the search results.
When it comes to making a decision, users have access to a lot of information. When they can’t find the information they are looking for, or if they need to confirm any information they have found, users will most likely check multiple sources on search engine results pages. More information will be consumed and reviewed during the decision-making process in 2021.
57. Google processes over 5.5 billion searches per day.
This is a lot of questions being answered. According to the latest search statistics, Google processed more than 5.5 billion queries per day in 2018. This was a significant increase from 2010, when Google processed 1.9 billion queries per day. Increased internet usage and the ease of access via mobile smartphones can explain the huge rise in search engine traffic.
58. Google processes more than 63,000 queries per second.
This astonishing search statistic shows how much information Google processes each day. Google is the most visited website on the internet, with almost 4 million searches per minute and nearly 2 trillion annually.
Let’s wrap it up
There are more SEO statistics than you could ever imagine. These search engine optimisation trends and stats are data-proven to help you make informed decisions about your next SEO campaign. Understanding your market is key to understanding what it takes to get to the top of the SERPs on page 1. Need help with your SEO Strategy? Contact the SEO experts at The Seo Specialists today.
