Do organic keyword rankings matter anymore?

High keyword rankings are the most sought-after achievement in the world of search engine optimization (SEO). Small businesses and brands alike strive to obtain the first organic listing in search results because of the lucrative traffic and lead opportunities that are associated with this position.

But with the evolution of paid advertising and expansion of universal search, as well as Google’s continuous efforts to provide consumers with content that resolves their demands directly in search results, the opportunities attached to traditional keyword rankings are diminishing at an alarming rate.

In today’s search landscape, SEOs and digital marketing specialists have to consider whether it’s worth the amount of time and resources it takes to achieve premier organic rankings, considering the click-through rates (CTR) associated with organic rankings that are positioned under PLAs, local results and other forms of content.

[Read the full article on Search Engine Land.]

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Marketing Land. Staff authors are listed here.

About The Author

Julian Connors

Julian Connors, President at SEO Without Borders, is an experienced search marketing manager who has developed complex, wide-scale search and social campaigns for brands that include: P&G, Duracell, Dickies, Staples, and more. A published author on the concept of "Social SEO," Connors contributes to a number of recognized publications and speaks at digital marketing conferences throughout the country.