SEO leaders, how do you keep up with the latest SEO trends and algorithms?

Question

Keeping up with the fast-paced world of SEO is crucial for success, so we reached out to directors and SEO managers for their insights. From learning SEO visually on YouTube to following SEO professionals on social media, here are the top nineteen strategies that seasoned experts use to stay ahead of the curve in the dynamic SEO landscape.

John White · Answer

Recently, I found that YouTube is a fantastic forum for keeping up with all the latest SEO news and algorithm updates. This is because I'm a very visual learner, so YouTube allows me to see updates in real time and hear commentary from SEO experts who are sharing live case studies and their insights directly via screen share. I've also found that I retain information much more effectively this way, rather than forcing myself to read a long-form blog post!

Will Rice · Answer

Writing your own weekly or monthly newsletter that includes some of your favorite articles from that time frame is a great way to keep you reading freshly published articles discussing SEO trends.
It forces you to read more and then consolidates your knowledge by summarizing it in a way that your audience and users can easily understand.
Furthermore, this adds more helpful content to your newsletters, which your audience will love, and it opens the door for collaborative opportunities with the authors and businesses you reference.

Kris Mullins · Answer

Reverse-engineering the SEO strategies of top competitors is one of the key strategies I utilize. Through careful analysis of their content, backlinks, and keyword strategies, I may be able to pick out what works best in our niche and adjust those methods for our own content strategy. This way, we get to maintain a competitive edge as search algorithms keep evolving.
Knowing what makes the competition successful is therefore key in the fast-paced world of SEO. By reverse-engineering their strategies, we keep up to date and also gain unique insights to refine and innovate our own approach.

Itamar Haim · Answer

As an SEO strategist, I leverage our website builder's user data to spot SEO trends. I analyze how changes in our users' websites impact their search performance. This gives me unique insights into what's working across various industries. I also collaborate with our product team to ensure our platform adapts to new SEO best practices. Additionally, I regularly conduct experiments on our own website to test new strategies and stay ahead of algorithm updates.

Christian Cabney · Answer

The best way to stay up-to-date on volatility shifts is to check Google's Search Status Dashboard on a weekly basis. The dashboard highlights any algorithm updates Google is rolling out or has rolled out in the past couple of months. There are additional tools like SEMrush's Volatility Sensor, which also tracks volatility shifts in multiple different industries.
For keeping up with SEO trends, follow industry blogs like Search Engine Journal, Moz, and Search Engine Land, which post industry updates and new trends on a daily basis. I also recommend following industry leaders on LinkedIn like Steve Toth, Zoe Ashbridge, and Jake Ward.

Christine Kent · Answer

Keeping up with SEO trends and algorithm updates requires a commitment to staying informed and connected with the industry's latest insights and tools. Regularly follow reputable SEO blogs, attend webinars, and participate in industry forums to keep your finger on the pulse of changes. 
Utilize sophisticated SEO analytics tools, including anomaly detection, to track your site’s performance and swiftly identify sudden spikes, drops, or any abrupt changes in key metrics. This proactive approach ensures you can quickly adapt to algorithm updates and fine-tune your strategy for optimal results.

Dillon Loomis · Answer

Staying current with SEO requires a strategic approach to resources. I recommend starting with newsletters like Nick LeRoy's “#SEOForLunch” and Aleyda Solis's “SEOFOMO”—they're packed with timely insights. Bookmark sites like Search Engine Land, Search Engine Roundtable, and Search Engine Journal for the latest news and articles.
Dive into master guides and webinars from SEO tools, as they're often underutilized but incredibly informative. On LinkedIn, follow thought leaders like Connor Gillivan, Eli Schwartz, and Steven Schneider.
Kevin Indig's newsletter is a must-read; his insights are invaluable and often change the way I approach SEO. Building connections in the SEO community is also a game-changer, providing real-time updates and support.
Lastly, constantly testing and experimenting on your own website helps you adapt quickly and stay ahead of the curve.

Lana Rafaela Cindric · Answer

Take it straight from the source and remember the foundations. Every day, there are hundreds of shiny new tactics Twitter encourages you to follow—but we've seen how those tactics ended. Perform user research on the way your leads use search, understand the reasoning behind the update, and consider what you can do to adapt to them.
For example, we live in an era of shortening attention spans. Useless long-form content is punished. Try short-form—try engaging with infographics, videos, and creative formatting.
Go back to your archive of posts and update them with the latest best practices. For example, E-E-A-T is crucial: interview new subject matter experts, provide your thoughts as the leader, and keep your audience in mind constantly.
Algorithms will keep changing, and so will people. Choose wisely whom you'll prioritize. (Hint: it should be the people.)

John Vantine · Answer

My primary means of staying informed is via the killer SEO team I work with. They're all very engaged in the space and share the latest with our SEO partners and stakeholders via internal Slack. More often than not, when I go to share something, they've already beaten me to the punch.
In the rare instance that I'm not glued to Slack, I stay in the loop via a handful of newsletters (e.g., “Eli's Newsletter,” “Growth Memo”) and a carefully curated list of SEO colleagues on LinkedIn, as I attempt to detach from Twitter. I keep this list small so that I'm not saturated—over the years, I've found that the most important stuff bubbles up to the top one way or another.
I check in on SEO Slack communities, and whenever I have a long drive, I'll queue up an SEO podcast (e.g., “Search Off The Record”) as well.
Finally, the San Francisco Bay Area has a thriving SEO community, and joining events organized by Bay Area Search keeps me engaged in this community that I love.

Emily Brady · Answer

My approach to SEO has always been to focus my efforts on Google’s objective: ranking the most relevant search results for users. As an SEO, this means helping my clients be the most relevant result. In my opinion, this is the best way to stay “ahead” of algorithm updates. 
I avoid hunting for loopholes or hacks and concentrate on creating the kind of content Google has told us to focus on for years: trustworthy, people-first content. I’m a bit skeptical of SEO “trends” because organic search is a long-term strategy, but I do like to be aware of what Google’s up to and how SERPs are changing. 
Following SEO experts on social media is a great way to do this, as well as being involved in the SEO community and keeping an eye on publications like Search Engine Roundtable and Search Engine Journal.

Takeshi Young · Answer

Honestly, Twitter/X is still one of the best places to keep up with the latest industry trends and gossip. Beyond that, industry blogs like Search Engine Journal and Aleyda Solis's “SEOFOMO” newsletter are good ways to keep up-to-date. We also have an internal Slack channel where we share SEO news with each other. Round that out with the occasional conference or in-person meetup, and it's easy to keep up with the latest developments in the world of SEO.

Daniel Perez · Answer

Subscribe to Industry Blogs: Websites like Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, and Google Webmaster Central Blog provide valuable updates.
Join SEO Communities: Reddit, X, Quora, etc.
Follow Key Influencers: Keep an eye on insights and updates from SEO experts like Rand Fishkin, Barry Schwartz, and Aleyda Solis.
Attend Webinars and Conferences: Events like MozCon, SMX, and BrightonSEO are great for learning about the latest trends.
Use SEO Tools: Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Analytics often have blogs and resources that keep users informed about changes.
Continuous Learning: Take online courses and certifications from platforms like Google Academy or HubSpot Academy.

Cameron Rose · Answer

Keeping up with SEO trends and algorithm updates is all about staying curious and connected. I make it a habit to follow top industry blogs and newsletters, like those from SEOFomo and Moz, which offer incredibly valuable insights. 
But it's not just about reading—I actively engage with other SEO professionals on platforms like X and LinkedIn, where real-time conversations often spark fresh ideas. 
Most importantly, I love to experiment. Testing new strategies on live sites lets me see firsthand how changes in search algorithms impact rankings and keeps me on top of my game.

Mark Howser · Answer

I primarily use a tool called Feedly (an RSS feed aggregator) that allows me to pull in articles from various sources (Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, Ahrefs, Marie Haynes' Blog, etc.), so that I can easily see the article titles in a visually digestible way. I then select articles that I believe will provide valuable insights around algorithmic updates, new insights from Google Liaisons, or new strategies/tactics that could add value to my day-to-day work. I spend about 15-30 minutes first thing in the morning doing this, along with checking LinkedIn, where I follow some of the top SEO minds (Lily Ray, Patrick Stox, Chris Long, Barry Schwartz, etc.).

Russell McFadyen · Answer

There is a plethora of industry media these days, be it from dedicated news sites or individuals on Twitter who know the industry inside out. I would say you can't beat reading the directives from Google themselves, even if their documentation can be heavy reading at times! There's definitely a lot of interpretation of different terminology when it comes to things like algorithm updates, which is sometimes helpful and often not. 
Google is very good at consistently providing guidance in line with their algorithm updates, as well as communicating and answering queries with features like their YouTube Office Hours. This should always be the first port of call when it comes to staying current with industry news and updates, in my view, but third-party news websites can be helpful for getting different viewpoints and methodologies.

Himanshu Sharma · Answer

With my experience, I can share that it is not worth spending a significant amount of time trying to keep up with the latest SEO trends and algorithms.
While it's important to be aware of major changes, focusing too much on them can be a distraction from the core principles of SEO.
The core concepts of SEO remain relatively consistent over time. These include creating high-quality content, optimizing for relevant keywords, building backlinks, and improving website user experience.
By focusing on these fundamental principles, you can ensure that your SEO efforts are effective, even as algorithms and trends evolve.
So, instead of chasing the latest trends, it's more beneficial to invest time in understanding the underlying principles of SEO.

Chris Roy · Answer

Keeping up with SEO trends and algorithm updates can feel like chasing a moving train. One effective way to stay ahead is to develop custom integrations using APIs from prominent SEO tools like Google Analytics, Moz, or SEMrush. These integrations automate the monitoring of algorithm changes and their impact on your search rankings, delivering real-time data and actionable insights straight to your dashboard.
A tip is to set up alerts for significant fluctuations in key metrics such as organic traffic and keyword rankings. When an API integration detects an update, it triggers these alerts, allowing your team to quickly assess the impact. You can then analyze which elements of your site are affected and make the necessary adjustments. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and ensures that your SEO strategy stays robust, adaptable, and effective.

Ali Khan · Answer

Staying updated on the latest SEO trends and algorithms is crucial in my role. Here's how I ensure I'm always informed:
Keeping Up with Popular Blogs and Websites in the Industry: I frequently follow blogs from Google Search Central, Moz, Search Engine Journal, and Search Engine Land. These sources offer current updates and detailed analysis of changes in SEO.
Interacting with the SEO Community on Social Media: I remain engaged on social media sites like Twitter and LinkedIn, keeping up with important figures like John Mueller and Barry Schwartz. Interacting with these communities allows me to learn about new trends and insights from industry professionals.
Attending Conferences and Webinars: Participating in conferences such as SMX, BrightonSEO, and MozCon enables me to connect with fellow experts and stay informed on the latest methods and approaches. Webinars provided by platforms such as SEMrush and Ahrefs offer an excellent opportunity to explore specific subjects in greater depth.
Testing and Analyzing Data: I regularly conduct experiments on our websites to assess the effects of new strategies on performance. By examining Google Analytics and Search Console data regularly, I gain insight into how algorithm updates impact real-life outcomes.
Signing Up for Selected SEO Newsletters: I sign up for newsletters such as SEO FOMO by Aleyda Solis and TL;DR Marketing to receive a weekly summary of the key SEO news.
Utilizing SEO Tools with Immediate Alerts: I utilize platforms such as Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush for both their valuable insights and immediate notifications about important shifts or patterns.
Remaining Active in SEO Communities: Forums such as Reddit's r/SEO and SEO Roundtable are excellent for engaging in conversations and staying updated on industry news.
By merging these tactics, I guarantee that I stay ahead of the game, enabling me to adjust our SEO strategies promptly and efficiently to any shifts in the search environment.

Andrew Burd · Answer

The number one thing I recommend is following fellow SEO professionals on social media. There are several thought leaders who share helpful tips, case studies, and data on Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
Similarly, become a frequent reader of industry blogs and publications. The top sites I recommend include Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, and Search Engine Roundtable.
Finally, stay up-to-date on Google's official Search documentation to keep apprised of some SEO best practices and crucial algorithm updates.

How Can You Stay Current With SEO Trends?

Table of Contents

How Can You Stay Current With SEO Trends?

Learn SEO Visually on YouTube

Curate Your Own SEO Newsletter

Reverse-Engineer Competitor Strategies

Analyze User Data for SEO Trends

Monitor Google’s Dashboard and Tools

Stay Informed with SEO Analytics

Subscribe to SEO Newsletters and Guides

Focus on User-Centric SEO Practices

Leverage Your SEO Team’s Knowledge

Prioritize Content Relevance and Quality

Engage with Twitter and Industry Blogs

Join SEO Communities and Follow Influencers

Stay Curious and Test New Strategies

Aggregate Insights with Feedly

Read Directives from Google

Concentrate on Core SEO Principles

Develop Custom API Integrations

Engage with SEO Community and Blogs

Follow SEO Professionals on Social Media

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