Sarah M. Smith 3/31/25 Sarah M. Smith 3/31/25

Step Up Your SEO Game with Zero-Click Marketing

How do I drive more website traffic?

That’s been the primary goal of digital marketing for the past few decades, and for good reason. As the hub of your online presence, your website serves as a virtual front porch for customers.

Enter zero-click marketing.

A zero-click search means the user gets a direct answer to their query – without clicking a link. For example, if you ask Google for basic information like current weather conditions or the capital of a state, you’ll see the answer front and center on the results page.

Think of zero-click as a top-of-the-funnel activity. More and more consumers now look to search engine results and social media for basic information gathering.

That changes the job of your SEO strategy. Rather than driving organic traffic, your content must provide standalone value in the platforms where your audience already spends their time. By optimizing for a zero-click environment, you can drive awareness, build your reputation and provide the answers people are looking for – with less dependence on clicks.

When folks are ready to buy, they’ll know who you are and why they should do business with you instead of a competitor.

Examples of Zero-Click SERP Features

If you’ve searched almost any topic lately, you’ve already encountered many zero-click features. Which ones you see depends on the nature of your query.

AI Overviews

If you type an informational question like “when should I get an oil change,” you’ll get an AI Overview at the top of the results page. The AI overview is an example of Generative AI, in which Google answers your question based on patterns it has learned from training on large datasets. It also includes links to the sources Google used in creating the overview.

Featured Snippets

A featured snippet provides a quick, concise answer to a user question at or near the top of the search results page. It includes a link to the page where the information comes from. Popular featured snippet formats include how-to instructions, bulleted or numbered lists, tables and images or videos.

Local Packs

If you’re looking for a specific location where you live, Google will show you a local pack, also known as a map pack. The local pack shows where you can find local businesses in your area, along with business hours, phone number, website address and customer reviews.

Knowledge Panels

A knowledge panel typically appears on the right side of the search results page. It is usually triggered by searches for specific companies or brands. The knowledge panel may include a variety of relevant information:

Customer reviews
Website link
Physical address and directions
Phone number
Business description
Images
Answers to user questions

Impact of Zero-Click Marketing

Although zero-click search can reduce organic traffic, it also presents opportunities. Optimizing content can improve brand visibility, engagement and user experience by providing quick and convenient information.

Impact on SEO

Did you know that Google answers about 60% of all queries without any clicks at all?

And of the 40% that do end in a click, most are branded or navigational. According to Rand Fishkin of SparkToro, most users already know where they want to go before they search. Zero-click content influences audience behavior without any clicks by earning a spot in AI Overviews, People Also Ask or other on-page features.

More SEO Competition

Zero-click means more intense competition for visibility on search engine results pages. That makes it harder to rank for high-volume keywords. Many marketers find it more cost-effective to target long-tail keywords that offer a closer match between user questions and brand expertise.

Rethink Analytics

With users finding more information directly on search engine results pages, click-through rates become less relevant. User engagement and effectiveness may be better metrics for a zero-click environment.

Social Media Discourages Links

It’s already well-known that TikTok and Instagram don’t allow links in posts. But other social media platforms penalize posts with links. Fishkin reports that SparkToro gets ten times the reach for posts without links than with them.

Links Matter Less with AI

Large language models are trained on actual content, such as text, images or video, while disregarding meta data, links and other extraneous elements. That means greater emphasis on content quality, and less on links.

How to Implement Zero-Click for SEO

Your zero-click SEO strategy should prioritize valuable content that leverages features like AI Overviews, local packs and knowledge panels.

Identify Keywords

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMRush or Ahrefs to identify common queries, then create content that answers those queries. Depending on your business goals, look for keywords that trigger zero-click features like AI Overviews, local packs, featured snippets or PAA boxes.

Pay attention to long-tail keywords, which often take the form of a question. Optimize with relevant content using natural, conversational language.

Match User Intent

As noted earlier, different types of queries trigger different zero-click features. Look to the PAA box for related questions to your targeted keyword. Then create an FAQ section with short,direct answers to those questions, formatted with clear headings.

Update Regularly

The longer a piece of content sits on your website, the more likely its accuracy and relevance will decline. Audit your content regularly, especially user guides, FAQ pages and blog posts. Check for outdated information and broken links, and revise as needed.

Optimize Meta Data

Even though it’s less relevant for generative AI, meta data still matters for search engines. Examples include title tags, header tags, alt tags and meta descriptions. Use clear and concise language and include appropriate keywords to signal the relevance of your content.

Include Images

High-value visual content increasingly shows up on search engine results pages. Along with text-based content such as blogs, invest in imagery, infographics and videos that address user queries. Optimize visual content for image packs, video previews and other zero-click elements.

Use a Conversational Tone

Readability plays a big role in relevance and zero-click search performance. Let your verbiage match how your audience phrases their searches. Include the following elements in your content:

Short sentences and paragraphs.
Easy-to-skim headings and subheadings.
Bullet points to make long lists more digestible.
Examples and visual assets to illustrate your main point.
Active voice as much as possible.

Optimize for Zero-Click Features

A zero-click environment gives you the opportunity to reach prospective customers directly on the search engine results page. Here are some best practices for positioning your content for zero-click features.

Featured snippets: Research common questions for your industry, and answer them clearly and concisely on your website. Bullet points, numbered lists and tables are helpful, as are clear headings and subheads.
PAA boxes: Similar to featured snippets, this is a great place for targeted answers to common questions. Create one or more FAQ pages for your website. Answer questions in a clear, conversational tone using natural language keywords that match how your audience speaks.
Local packs: If you want customers to find your physical location, optimize your Google Business Profile so that you show up in the local pack. In addition to your physical address, include your business hours, contact information, photos, customer reviews and answers to common questions.

SEO isn’t going away, but it isn’t staying the same, either. Evolution is the ultimate key to success. Are you ready to adapt your content for a zero-click landscape? Let’s talk!

Sarah M. Smith 2/24/25 Sarah M. Smith 2/24/25

Could Your SEO Strategy Use a Refresh? Webinar Offers Insights

During a recent webinar presented by the Content Marketing Institute, Jane Bartel and Nick Nelson from TopRank Marketing offered insights on which tactics can turbo-charge your SEO strategy this year – and which ones to reconsider.

Between AI, algorithmic updates and evolving search behaviors, does SEO still matter?

Absolutely!

In spite of the hype surrounding AI tools, Google is still king when it comes to search. In fact, Google received 290 times more search users than AI platform Perplexity in May 2024.

The caveat:

Yes, the search landscape is changing. That means your SEO strategy must adapt.

SEO Tactics to Adopt

Search engine optimization remains a cost-effective way to attract qualified prospects. Bartel and Nelson recommend tactics for building credibility and authority to boost search results.

#1: Optimize Your Meta-Data

Meta-data tells search engines how to evaluate your content. Examples include:

Title tags
Meta descriptions
Header tags
Alt tags for images

By including appropriate keywords in your meta-data, you’re giving search engines – and users – a preview of what they’ll find when they click. Optimizing meta-data lets you stand out in today’s competitive SEO landscape.

#2: Technical Audits

A technical SEO audit involves crawling your website and flagging issues affecting site health and optimization. The typical audit includes over 100 factors. Think of it as routine maintenance for keeping your website in tip-top shape and your SEO strategy up-to-date.

#3: Inventory & Performance Audit

Track your website’s performance across relevant metrics, including visibility, engagement and conversions. This information is your roadmap for identifying strengths and weaknesses to guide content decision-making. For well-established websites, regular audits help you freshen up older content for a better user experience.

#4: EEAT Audits

Google uses the EEAT formula to identify quality signals pertaining to website content. The abbreviation stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness. Factors to scrutinize in your EEAT audit include:

Author credentials: If you publish a blog, include author biographies demonstrating professional experience and subject-matter expertise.
Accuracy: Review the information contained in your content, correcting errors and making updates when necessary.
Reliable sources: Are you linking to outside sources? Make sure the links still work and the information you’re pointing to is accurate.
Depth of coverage: Review your content to make sure you’re answering the specific questions users are asking.

#5: Refreshing Published Content

As noted above, content freshness impacts SEO performance. Bartel explains that older content tends to gather dust because it’s tempting to ignore. Your SEO strategy should include regular reviews of prior blogs in addition to publishing new articles.

The facts in an older blog article may be out-of-date.
Old links may no longer work.
You may need new statistics that reflect current knowledge on the topic.

#6: Internal Linking

According to Bartel and Nelson, this is one of the most overlooked SEO tactics. Relevant internal links give you a competitive edge when it comes to demonstrating authority. They give search engine crawlers a path to see how much information you’ve published on a topic. Good examples include inline links to products, services or other blogs, along with calls to action and breadcrumbs.

#7: Publishing Original Research

If you’ve gathered statistics, survey results or other new knowledge, publish it on your website. Original research demonstrates authoritativeness and boosts performance on search engines. You also have the opportunity to earn citations from other authors, which further strengthens your reputation – both online and offline.

SEO Tactics to Drop (or Reconsider)

Bartel and Nelson encourage marketers to invest in SEO planning, as emerging AI technologies make it more challenging to rank. One-size-fits-all approaches no longer work, and it’s a good idea to re-evaluate familiar tactics from time to time.

#1: Targeting Keywords by Search Volume

The zero-click format means less traffic from high-volume search terms. Growing emphasis on authoritativeness also makes these keywords more difficult – and more costly – to rank for.

What should you do instead?

Long-tail keywords with high relevance often give you more bang for your SEO buck. Besides relevance, consider difficulty, likelihood to rank and user funnel stage when optimizing your content.

#2: Drafting to a Specific Word Count

Go big on substance and light on fluff. Nelson urges writers to stop writing if you’ve run out of new things to say. Instead, create relevant content with a laser focus on user pain points and specific questions. Every word should add value to the user experience, rather than conforming to arbitrary word counts.

#3: AI for Content Creation

Bartel cautions against relying on AI-generated content. While AI tools are quite adept at churning out summaries at a rapid pace, the results tend toward the generic. Human-authored work has the edge when it comes to originality.

The value of your content stems from creativity, authenticity and subject matter expertise. Content that ranks offers meaning, tells compelling stories and provides an individual perspective users won’t find elsewhere.

#4: Obsessing over Algorithm Changes

Search Engine Land’s Barry Schwartz reports that Google made seven confirmed algorithmic updates in 2024 – including four core updates and three spam updates. That’s on the heels of nine updates in 2023 and 10 in 2021 and 2022.

While it’s important to remain abreast of these changes, Nelson cautions against stressing over them. Instead, he suggests doubling down on the fundamentals of good content. Even as the algorithms evolve, the basic function of a search engine remains, which is to emulate human decision-making as closely as possible.

#5: Backlink Outreach

Links from quality websites remain an important form of SEO “street cred.” However, the traditional practice of contacting other website managers and asking for links is a time-consuming process with mixed results.

A better approach?

Bartel and Nelson emphasize the basics: Focus on high-quality content that’s worth linking to in the first place. Promote your content thoughtfully by pushing it out through email, social media and other channels.

Invest in People-Centered Content for Your SEO Strategy

Just like regular tune-ups keep your car running, re-assessing your SEO tactics keeps your strategy moving forward as technology evolves. Want more information on original content for your blog or website copy? Give me a call at 417-233-1589 or drop me an email at sarah@enscribecommunications.com.