Sape has conducted a comprehensive study on the international SEO and link-building market. According to the findings, 72.8% of specialists reported an increase in demand for SEO services in 2024. Meanwhile, 15% of respondents observed no change in demand, and 12.2% noted a decline.
A majority of 62% identified link building as a crucial factor for successful ranking on Google. Among the most popular methods for acquiring links are guest posts, outreach strategies, and purchasing links. Specialists predominantly prefer Dofollow links due to their ability to transfer link equity. Social network links, though not officially recognized by Google for ranking, are also included in strategies. Non-link brand mentions are the third most-used approach in building authority.
AI’s Role in SEO Strategies
The study highlights that 83.7% of respondents incorporate AI-based tools into their workflow, with 60.6% using them consistently. Over half (55%) utilize AI to generate content ideas, while 48% rely on these tools for crafting titles, meta tags, and alt texts for images. NIX Solutions adds that a third of respondents use AI for keyword selection, and 17% employ neural networks to create visual content.
Survey Overview and Key Takeaways
The study surveyed over 500 participants, including agency employees, in-house specialists, consultants, and freelancers. It underscores the rising importance of SEO and the growing reliance on AI tools to streamline processes. We’ll keep you updated on further trends and insights as they emerge.