The concept of SEO is straightforward – optimizing your website to deliver better information to search engines to ensure your content is indexed correctly and displayed among the top search results.

But, with rules changing so often, putting it into practice can be challenging. Although you might consider SEO a daunting task, rest assured that its importance outweighs the efforts needed to implement relevant strategies.

To start you off on your endeavors, we bring you some fascinating SEO statistics. We tried to keep things simple and ensure that by the end of it, you have a solid understanding of the most critical aspects of search engine optimization and how to make the most out of it.

General Stats & Facts

1. SEO Industry is poised to reach $80 billion.

SEO statistics by Forbes cite Borrell Associates to emphasize that by 2020, businesses in the US will be spending as much as $80 billion on SEO services. This number is significantly higher than in 2016 and 2018 when businesses were spending $65.26 and $79.27 billion on search engine optimization, respectively.

2. If done right, SEO can drive a 14.6% conversion rate.

SEO is focused on attracting visitors that are actively searching for information about products or services, which makes it an excellent tactic for lead generation. Not surprisingly, the leads that come from SEO have a 14.6% average conversion rate. For comparison, traditional strategies like print ads and direct mail have a 1.7% average conversion rate.

3. 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine.

This is the most well-known, but we just had to include it to emphasize the importance of SEO. Getting more eyes on your website is extremely important, as almost all online experiences start with a search engine like Google, Bing, or Yahoo.

4. 75% of users don’t even scroll past the first page of the SERPs.

Recent SEO facts and figures reveal that the majority of users scan the first page of Google results quickly and never go past it. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that 18% of organic clicks go to the page on the first position, 10% to the page on the second position and 7% of organic clicks go to the page on #3.

5. 50% of search queries consist of at least 4 words.

Search engine marketing stats show that half of the queries are long-tail keywords. That means that your user intent strategy has to discover and target these terms. Otherwise, you’re missing about 50% of your audience and potential leads. Tools like Quora can be very beneficial in helping you identify questions people are asking and then create relevant content to address them.

6. 21% of users access more than one of the search results.

2018 SEO stats tell us that every fifth user clicks on more than one of search results. This is likely to happen if the user can’t find what they were looking for or they want to double check the information they initially found.

7. Search engines drive 10 times more traffic to shopping sites than social media.

Search engine traffic stats show that search is the dominant traffic source for shopping sites. In fact, shopping sites get ten times more traffic from search engines than from social media. Proper search engine optimization for ecommerce sites includes adding relevant keywords in the blog content and product descriptions, external links pointing to industry experts, a robust web of internal links, a solid backlink portfolio, and speed optimization.

8. How many people use search engines in the US? Estimates are 236.5 million.

The number of search engine users in the US was 213.6 million in 2014, and throughout the years this number rose continuously. Statista estimates that at the moment the number of internet users who accessed search services through search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo is approximately 236.5 million and will reach 239.1 million by 2020.

Google Search Engine Stats

9. Google holds 74.75% of the search engine market share.

Founded in 1995, Google evolved into a powerhouse. Despite the emergence of search engines like Yahoo and Bing, Google has remained on the throne for over 20 years holding 75.75% of the global search engine market share. To compare with, Baidu holds 9.88%, Bing 9.55%, and Yahoo 3.07% of the search engine market.

The secret behind Google’s enormous success lies in the UX-based business model. Its algorithm takes into account multiple factors like relevance to a user’s search, page quality, and backlink profile, thus providing the best value to users.

10. Over 5.5 billion searches are performed on Google every day.

Internet search statistics show that, by the end of 2010, there were 1.9 billion internet users. Today, this number has jumped to 4.021 billion, noting a 7% year-on-year rise. Along with the number of internet users rises the number of searches performed on a daily basis. Consequently, in 2000 there were 32.8 million searches per day. This number passed the 1 billion mark in 2010 and today, the number of daily searches is beyond 5.5 billion.

11. On average, Google receives over 63,000 search queries every second.

This staggering number translates into more than 3.8 million searches per minute and 228 million searches per year. These numbers add up to over 2 trillion searches per year.

12. Sites that make the first page on Google have an average of 1,890 meta words.

This is another one of the most well-known search engine statistics. Publishing in-depth content is pivotal for search engines to love you. Detailed pieces will also position you as an industry leader, helping you boost the conversion rate and attract backlinks which also influence ranking positively.

13. You’re 53% more likely to show up on the first page of Google if you have a video on your homepage.

Incorporating a video is a very effective SEO tactic. If invested in correctly, a video can boost brand awareness, create trust, and entice the visitors to take the desired action. With HTML5, you can embed videos that load fast and are supported by all modern browsers.

14. Fascinating Google page statistics: 44% of website referral traffic goes through Google.

Throughout 2017, issues related to brand safety and fake news caused a windfall for social media search referral traffic. As a result, Facebook sent 25% less traffic to publishers, but Google saw a 17% increase. According to these stats, Google now generates 44% of the referral traffic while Facebook is down to 26%.

15. Up to 20% of Google queries are searched for the first time.

As much as a fifth of all Google searches is conducted for the first time. To answer such queries, Google uses extensive indexing, crawling, and millions of search precedents.

16. Organic Google results with 3-4 words in the title drive higher CTR.

As reported in Google SEO insights, organic results that include long tail terms in the title have a 3-5% higher CTR than organic results with 1-2 words in the title.

17. Search queries of the “__ to avoid” format has increased by 150%.

At Google Marketing Live 2018 it was revealed that users rely on their devices for search information more than ever and search queries have become more conversational. As a result, in 2018, the query “___ to avoid” has noted a major rise of 150% while the query “ is ___ worth it” has risen by 80%. These stats show that users tend to apply the process of elimination to determine which products should be avoided and then decide on the product or service worth purchasing.

Mobile SEO Stats

18. In 2020, there will be 221 million mobile phone search users in the US.

Americans are increasingly connected to the world of digital information while on the go. A growing share of Americans use smartphones to access the internet and one out of five adults access the internet only via smartphones. In 2014, the number of mobile search users in the US was 133.6 million, and in 2017 this number rose to 196.5 million. In 2019, this figure is projected to grow to 215.8 million and reach 221 million in 2020.

19. 60% of Google searches are done via mobile devices.

This is one of the search engine optimization statistics that emphasize the importance of mobile optimization. Mobile devices have become the main way to communicate and access information. For comparison, this figure was nearly half that (34%) only 5 years ago. Taking this into account, Google has updated its algorithm to consider mobile website usability when ranking pages. Bottom line is: if your website doesn’t work well on mobile you’re likely to experience a drop in rankings.

20. Mobile-optimized sites are more trusted by 51% of consumers.

Having a mobile-friendly website is critical in 2019 because more than half of consumers don’t trust websites that aren’t optimized for mobile. They would simply avoid the companies that have a poor mobile website. All these stats reflect the fact that you must have a mobile website to have a successful business in 2019.

21. 27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile.

SEO statistics prove that the voice revolution is real and you cannot afford to ignore it anymore. The range of virtual assistants, such as Alexa, Siri, and Cortana have changed the way people search. Besides having strong mobile SEO, you should use schema markup and try to get your point across concisely and in a more conversational manner to ensure top-notch optimization for voice search.

22. By 2021, mobile is predicted to dominate online sales, driving 54% in sales.

Not having a website optimized for mobile devices will cause you losses now and even more in the future. Mobile ecommerce, or mcommerce, was responsible for 34.5% of total ecommerce sales in 2017. As this trend is rapidly growing, projections are that, by 2021, mobile ecommerce sales will be driving 54% of total mobile sales, which is over $659 billion.

23. 69% of smartphone users are more likely to buy from companies whose sites answer their questions easily.

Meeting consumers at the moments when they need something is important. What’s even more important is how you meet them. Consumers want to find answers to their questions effortlessly and if you don’t provide a useful and relevant brand message, they’re likely to move on. Furthermore, 61% of mobile users prefer buying from sites and apps that customize information according to their preferences and location.

24. The ideal load time on mobile devices is 5 seconds or less.

Speed matters. SEO stats for 2018 showed that mobile sites that load in more than five seconds have 70% shorter viewing sessions that their faster counterparts. Furthermore, Google’s research confirmed that even a one second delay can impact conversions by up to 20%.

25. 57% of consumers said they wouldn’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website.

If the user is not able to browse and read the content effortlessly on their mobile device, they are likely to abandon the page. Not only you won’t manage to convert that visitor into a customer, but they won’t recommend your site to their peers.

Local SEO Statistics

26. 1 in 3 smartphone searches is made before the store visit.

Brick-and-mortar isn’t dead, but the smartphone use changed the shopping behavior of the consumers. The majority of shoppers turn to their mobile devices to find out more about the store’s working hours, product availability, directions, and contact before visiting the store. For example, during the 2017 holiday season, as much as 78% of shoppers conducted an online search on their smartphones before going into a store.

27. Based on local SEO statistics 2018, 82% of smartphone shoppers conduct “near me” searches.

A study conducted by Uberall revealed that the “near me” searches have spiked. New technologies enable consumers to adopt the trend of proximity-based searches. In fact, 82% of the respondents have conducted “near me” searches. Among millennials this number is higher; 92% of the respondents said they had adopted the “near me” searches. Restaurants and quick-service industry get the majority (84%) of “near me” searches. Entertainment, banking, and apparel also rank among the top “near me” searches.

28. 50% of “near me” Google searches performed via mobile result in a store visit.

Approximately half of smartphone local searchers are likely to take action and visit the store within 24 hours. This is a clear sign that ranking in local search can directly impact your in-store traffic. That said, it’s essential to get your business listed on GMB, ensure your NAP is consistent, use a local keyword, and local business schema markup.

29. Most important mobile website features are a “list of products”.

A survey by Statista found out that product, price, place, and phone number are the four most important features for local business website success. The majority of customers look for the most basic information to determine whether the businesses fit their needs.

30. 88% of consumers will interact with a local business within 24 hours of searching for it on a mobile device.

Local SEO stats show that when a consumer searches for your business on their smartphone, they are almost ready to either call you or come and visit your location. Making your site mobile-friendly and focused on local SEO will ensure that you take advantage of all the incredible opportunities out there.

31. Almost all consumers check the internet to learn more about a local business.

A search engine is a top source for users to look up for information about a local business. A whopping 97% of consumers check the internet presence of a company before deciding whether it’s worth it. Ensure you provide Google with accurate information for your business, collect reviews from satisfied customers, and focus on SEO.

32. Local information is the main goal of 46% of all Google searches.

Strong rankings can be the most critical factor in the success of your local business, mainly if you’re operating in crowded markets. Per recent SEO stats, half of all Google searches are related to local content which further emphasizes the need for robust search engine optimization.

33. 56% of local retailers haven’t claimed their business listings on Google.

Claiming a business on Google is easy, and it gives you control over information that Google displays when consumers search for you. Besides providing accurate and consistent information, you can add images and videos to further improve your SEO ranking.

34. SEO stats show that 82% of businesses haven’t claimed their Bing listings.

Google sits on the throne in the search engines realm. So, you might think that if you need a GMB listing your job is done. Well, don’t give yourself a pat on the shoulder yet – Bing is Google’s main competitor, and if you don’t claim your business there, you could be missing out on potential traffic.

35. Positive reviews result in trust for 72% of consumers.

Providing accurate and consistent information out there is very important for local optimization. Moreover, reviews account for 7% of the total ranking factors and user-generated content also gets you plus points with Google.

SEO Statistics & Content Marketing

36. Content marketing gets three times more leads than paid search advertising.

Content marketing is undoubtedly the most cost-effective way to promote your business. Instead of wasting a lot of money on paid search, you should consider creating high-quality, relevant content, as it can triple your lead generation.

37. Content creation is the most effective SEO tactic in 2019.

The vast majority of SEO experts (57%) believe that content creation drives the best results. Nearly half of them (49%) think keyword research is the most fruitful tactic. Per the latest SEO stats, social media marketing and link building are the best SEO tactics for 39% and 36%, respectively.

38. 72% of marketers consider relevancy the most critical factor for improving SEO.

SEO experts agree that writing relevant content around the keywords instead of merely incorporating them into it is essential for traffic. Relevant content attracts backlinks which will make you more prominent in the SERPs and increase the trust in your brand.

39. Content creation leads to 434% more indexed pages than websites without updated content.

Blogging SEO stats for 2018 have shown that creating blog content will result in 434% more search engine-indexed pages. This practice will boost your traffic and conversion rate. The secret to unlocking the full potential of content is to create relevant content around the topics your audience is interested in.

40. 38% of marketers are publishing content at least once a week.

Marketers have started to recognize the potential of content for building brand awareness and a loyal audience. They invest more in creating original blogs, videos, and podcasts, with 38% of them creating fresh content at least once a week. This number is poised to rise in 2019.

41. At 82%, LinkedIn is the most effective social media platform for delivering content and engaging the audience.

As seen in the search engine optimization statistics for 2017, Linkedin topped the list of the most effective social media platform to deliver content and engage the audience. Twitter took second place at 66%, followed by YouTube at 64%, and Facebook at 41%.

42. 25% of marketers don’t outsource their content creation.

The remaining 75% utilize the services of copywriting agencies to deliver the level of consistency and uniqueness in a brand voice that will differentiate them from the pack. Furthermore, 45% of the content is created on an ad-hoc basis.

43. Blogging is the top content marketing tactic.

The B2B Content Marketing Report shows that blogging (65%) is the most used content format. Social media (64%) and case studies (64%) are also among the top content marketing tactics. These three formats are proven to drive the most traffic and can help you build brand identity.

44. 56% of companies have said they plan to increase their content marketing budget.

Spending on content creation has drastically increased over the past few years. A recent poll has shown that 56% of respondents are likely to spend more on content creation. 37% of the companies polled said they plan to increase their spending on content marketing staff, followed by 36% of companies who plan to boost the spending on paid content creation.

45. Important SEO stats for bloggers: blog articles with images get 94% more views.

These stats prove that you shouldn’t even think to publish a post without some compelling visuals in it. Visual content is more engaging than text and ignoring it will prove to be harmful to your success. The good news is, 71% of marketers report they are already using visual assets as part of their content strategy and we can expect this number will go up in the future.

46. Content marketing strategy can increase traffic by 2,000%.

The above-mentioned SEO statistics make it clear that content is crucial for a business to thrive. Content marketing strategy improves brand awareness and generates interest in the product or service you offer. Organized and optimized content is proven to drive 2,000% boost in website traffic, as well as 40% growth in revenue year-on-year, and 15% reduced CPA.

47. Updating old posts with new content can boost traffic by over 100%.

Constantly generating fresh content can be exhausting. But, there is a way to skyrocket your traffic by updating old posts with new images and search engine optimized content. SEO statistics have shown this tactic drives up to 111% of organic traffic. Best news? It requires a minimum amount of work.

Link Building SEO Stats

48. Companies with blogs get 97% more backlinks.

Companies that have a blog receive nearly double the number of links to their website than those who don’t blog. The reason behind this surprising fact is simple: the more indexed pages you have, the higher the possibility authors who look for information will come across your site.

49. The average page in top position has over 35,000 external backlinks.

Backlinko’s research proves that backlinks remain among the most important ranking factors. Google is known to prioritize the most relevant results for a search query. If thousands of people are trusting a particular site enough to link to it, Google will consider it is sharing some valuable information; therefore, it will give it a ranking boost.

50. Link building is the most challenging tactic in 2019.

It takes a lot of time and effort to build quality backlinks. Therefore, link building is the most challenging tactic for 52% of marketers. Creating a solid website structure, off-page content, and social media sharing are also among the most challenging SEO tactics.

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, these SEO statistics will help you become more data-driven in your search engine optimization efforts. In the end, we would like to advise that you always lay out your business goals first and then use SEO to accomplish them – not in reverse.

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