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The introduction of Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)
May 2023 initially sparked a wave of panic in the digital marketing world. As digital marketers at Skill Xperts Academy Digital and elsewhere began to familiarize themselves with the technology, however, attitudes toward the potential impacts of SGE started to shift.
In this post, we’ll delve into the results of Skill Xperts Academy Digital’s survey on SGE’s effects, shedding light on digital marketers’ predictions and strategies for navigating this new landscape.
Key Takeaways About the Impact of Google SGE
According to our survey, almost one-quarter (21.7 percent) of digital marketers anticipate significant impacts on their current SEO strategies due to SGE. Among the aspects of SEO expected to be most affected are keyword implementation (23.5 percent) and technical optimization (22.5 percent).
Despite concerns, more than half (52.4 percent) of respondents believe SGE will have a positive impact on their organic traffic. However, 30.8 percent of digital marketers foresee potential detrimental effects from Google SGE.
To prepare for SGE’s impacts, nearly half of digital marketers plan to enhance user experience on their websites (45.2 percent), while others aim to increase their focus on content creation (43.5 percent).
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Our Methodology
Our team at Skill Xperts Academy Digital surveyed 1,000 digital marketers in January to gauge their predictions regarding the impact of SGE on search. The respondents included digital marketers working in SEO across various industries.
We asked respondents to rate the expected impact of SGE on SEO and identify the areas of SEO likely to be most affected. Additionally, we inquired about their resource allocation strategies in preparation for SGE.
What Digital Marketers Predict About Google SGE When asked to rank SGE’s anticipated impact on their SEO strategies on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most significant, the top answer (21.7 percent) was 10.
Respondents expected keyword implementation (23.5 percent) to be the most affected aspect of SEO, followed by technical optimization (22.5 percent), user experience (17.4 percent), and content creation (17.2 percent).
Positive Predictions
About the Impact of SGE Despite some concerns, 49.3 percent of respondents believe SGE will benefit small businesses in search engine results pages (SERPs), providing them with opportunities for greater visibility. Additionally, 66.5 percent feel SGE will deliver more accurate results than existing Google results, with over half (52.4 percent) anticipating a positive impact on traffic.
Not all predictions are positive, however, as approximately 31 percent of digital marketers anticipate drops in organic traffic performance due to SGE.
Anticipated Strategies for SGE
To prepare for SGE’s impacts, digital marketers are prioritizing strategies such as enhancing user experience on their websites (45.20 percent), increasing focus on content creation (43.50 percent), and investing more in technical SEO (39.70 percent).
While most digital marketers are taking proactive measures, approximately 10 percent of respondents do not plan to allocate any resources to prepare for SGE.
Conclusion
While the true impacts of SGE remain to be seen, digital marketers are leveraging their collective knowledge to make informed predictions and preparations. Despite some uncertainties, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious optimism, with a focus on adapting SEO strategies to thrive in the evolving digital landscape shaped by Google’s SGE.However, 30.8% remained wary of potential negative consequences. The top areas expected to be affected by SGE included keyword implementation (23.5%) and technical optimization (22.5%). Despite the uncertainties, 49.3% of marketers foresaw benefits for small businesses in search engine results pages (SERPs), with 66.5% anticipating more accurate results than existing Google results.
To prepare for SGE, digital marketers planned to enhance user experience (45.2%), increase focus on content creation (43.5%), and invest more in technical SEO (39.7%). While some were optimistic about the positive impact of SGE, others emphasized the importance of preparedness and strategic resource allocation. Amidst the uncertainties, the consensus was to remain proactive in adapting SEO strategies to navigate the evolving digital landscape shaped by Google’s SGE.
