What is the next evolution in SEO?

Reality is not limited to what you see. We now have alternate realities, including virtual or augmented.

These technological advances are making a huge impact on the world around us. It is crucial to have a solid understanding of these concepts and how they can be used for future marketing and ecommerce.

Virtual and Augmented Reality are now more popular than entertainment and are also a trend in the direction to businesses. Trends based upon age, time, and pandemic are all leading to an entirely online commerce field.

Could we possibly one day abandon the SEO era and enter a new state with different terms and theories?

What is virtual reality?

Virtual reality (VR), is a computer-generated environment.

Display technology offers a more immersive and virtual experience than traditional user interfaces. Virtual reality allows users to be transported into a 3-dimensional world and interact with it.

Head-mounted displays (HMD) are the most well-known component of virtual reality. Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR (PSVR) are some of the most well-known companies that have already applied virtual reality to their products.

There are three main types of virtual reality

Virtual reality can be divided into three main sectors

• Non-immersive VRA computer-generated virtual environment where the user is aware of and controlled by the environment they are in. A videogame is one example. Each game has its own storyline and characters.
• Semi-immersive Virtual RealityA virtual environment that is partially based on a virtual setting. It is typically used for training or educational purposes and features large projectors and graphical computing. Semi-immersive VR is an example of this would be the flight simulators pilots use during training.
• Fully immersive VR: This VR experience is the most realistic, where sound and sight are fully integrated in the virtual environment. Wearing the right VR gear, users can feel the digital environment around their bodies as if it were real.

Virtual reality vs. enhanced reality

Augmented reality (AR), which is the use technology to enhance what users can see in the real world with a digital overlay that incorporates virtual objects, is a form of technology. Augmented reality can combine elements from both the digital and physical worlds or add digital elements to a live view.

2016 hit mobile phone app, Pokemon GoAugmented reality is best illustrated by the Pokemon characters. Users could explore the real world to search for Pokemon characters. They would first appear on their phones, then in the real environment.

The main difference between AR and VR is, in simple words:

• Augmented realityIt is an added benefit to real-world experience.
• Virtual realityThis is how you create a new experience and atmosphere.

What about the metaverse?

The metaverse will combine virtual reality and augmented reality to create an environment that exists even when you’re not there. It will be an online world where users can meet up with friends, go to work, and even sell products.

The idealistic metaverse will have virtual items that are interoperable and allow you move items between platforms.

Some people argue that the metaverse existed long before video games, and is still there today. World of Warcraft, for example, allows players to sell and buy goods. Fortnite allows players to create virtual experiences such a concert or exhibit.

But, claiming Fortnite is the Metaverse is the same thing as claiming Google is the epitome and embodiment of the internet. There are many more things that the metaverse can offer and much more that it has to offer.

Although it is still a work-in-progress, there are still many speculative questions about the metaverse’s exact nature and appearance. It is clear that the product has created new building blocks for technological world.

For example, there will soon to be the Ability to hostOne server could house hundreds of people, which could easily increase to thousands or even million. You can also use motion-tracking software to track users’ movements in real time. The metaverse will have a significant impact on entertainment, social aspects, and marketing.

Virtual reality: Where do we stand?

Virtual reality is still not living up to its full potential. unfulfilledOver the years, it has proven to be a great deal.

There are many solutions that can be found to overcome VR’s obstacles, including:

• Prices and availability
• Bulky headsets.
• Technical issues.

However, StatisticsIt is evident that virtual reality is gaining popularity and increasing in demand.

Virtual reality is used in many other areas than recreation and at-home entertainment.

• TrainingVirtual reality has been adopted by law enforcement officers as a safe and affordable alternative to traditional training. Simulations can also be used to interview suspects and practice arrests.
• Travel: The Coronavirus pandemic ravaged the travel industry, and new VR technologies helped to satisfy many travelers’ wanderlust. There are many immersive ways to travel the globe, and several companies have done this. National Geographic Explore VRYou can visit amazing places such as Antarctica and Machu Picchu.
• Real Estate: Companies like ZillowVirtual reality has been integrated into many businesses. Virtual reality can offer many benefits to real estate agents. It allows potential buyers to window shop multiple homes at once and reduces costs.
• MilitaryVirtual reality is a key technology of the U.S. Department of Defense. The military uses virtual reality to train personnel who are too rare, expensive, or dangerous to do in real life. It can also be used to optimize equipment and make weapons.
• Sports: An old strategy of sports teams was to study recorded games or practices in order to analyze the performance and differences between players. Major sporting sectors like the NFL, NASCAR, and NBA now use virtual reality to practice and train in real-time simulations.
• Entertainment:Virtual reality is often used as entertainment when people first hear the term. VR and AR are most commonly used in video games. However, there are many other forms of VR entertainment such as immersive cinema and VR amusement park.
• ArchitectureUsing virtual reality, architects can communicate their design intent using powerful tools. Using VR can help with stages including design-to-construction, evaluating designs and showcasing proposals and working out errors before the building process begins.
• Art:Artists can use virtual reality to push the limits of their work. Interactive videos, walkthroughs and 360-degree spherical panoramas allow consumers to enter the artwork. It feels like a museum-quality exhibition.
• AviationPilots must complete extensive training using flight simulators and computer screens. Virtual reality is a better alternative to older flight simulators that were too expensive or bulky. Virtual reality allows pilots to practice in-flight and even build their own planes.
• Conference roomsFacebook has shown the potential future of conference calling via VR: Horizon Workrooms. Employers and employees will soon be able, instead of sitting on Zoom with their avatars, to enter a VR space together and sit around a digital conference room.
• Data visualizationAugmented reality and virtual reality can be used to communicate information more quickly and in a more digestible way. Businesses will find concepts like the stock exchange, climate change, and even the Brexit easier to understand with VR data visualization.
• Journalism (immersive journalism)Immersive journalism is digitally produced stories that allow for a first-person view of the news and current events. Immersive journalism has been used in cases like Guantanamo Bay where a journalist was able to use virtual reality. Virtually everything is possibleTo obtain audio and visuals for a story, the prison must be contacted.
• Marketing/advertisingVirtual reality can improve marketing and advertising for almost any company. Customers will be more likely to purchase a product if they have an authentic experience. Volvo RealityThis was the first VR test drive that allowed potential buyers to touch, feel and experience their cars.
• Social media: The main example of VR entering social media is Facebook’s rebranding to Meta. Facebook Horizon will enable users to participate in social events, chat with their friends, and even create virtual worlds. VR apps such VRChat, REC Room and others allow users to meet up and play in private and public rooms.

SEO and marketing in virtual realities: Staying on the cutting edge of trends

Technology is constantly changing, so it is crucial that companies incorporate new technologies in their business to keep up. Cas Paton is the MD of Onbuy.com

Many indicators point to shopping going completely online in the future. The desire to avoid shopping in stores grows with age.

According to an OnBuy.com survey 53% of people between 25 and 34 would rather shop online than in a physical store. This could be because they are unable to speak with staff in-store. Moreover, 61%Many millennials say it is easier to communicate with retailers via text or online chat.

There has been a major shift to e-commerce. Online shops have become showrooms for customers to test out a product and the physical store serves as an experience center rather than a place to buy a particular product.

Generation Z (Gen Z), refers to people born between the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Gen Z is a new generation of consumers. Generation Z is a new generation of consumers who grew up in a world that is dominated by technology. This generation will likely have a significant impact on how people shop in future.

According to studiesGen Z doesn’t believe in loyalty and wants to change their appearance and style to keep up with the latest trends. This can make brands struggle to win their trust but it does allow for other opportunities.

Instagram has capitalized on the fast-paced shopping habits of youth with their latest feature, which allows you to link brands directly in a photo.

The Coronavirus pandemic also had a significant impact on the retail industry. It was impossible to shop in physical stores when the world was locked down.

This led to a huge increase in online shopping. Amazons revenue actually soared with this. 40% IncreaseDuring the COVID lockdown

It is evident that physical shopping is no longer possible, given all of the above.

Consumers want faster, more efficient ways of buying their products. People of all ages have the ability to buy anything they want with the help of modern technology.

What’s next: Virtual Environment Optimization (VEO).

Virtual and Augmented Reality have already made a significant impact in many fields. We should not assume that the next area of dominance would be in e-commerce shopping.

If shoppers are looking for an immersive online experience, then VR and AR seem like the way to go.

Nike’s VR world experience allows you to try on clothes and shoes. IKEA The PlaceAn app that allows shoppers to use AR for furniture placement in their homes.

Imagine yourself shopping online for your weekly groceries or buying a new outfit at your favorite store. Although mobile apps are already able to help you buy products online, VR offers more options than any other shopping experience.

There is no sign that technology is slowing down. Marketers must be on the forefront of VR commerce’s future.

Although search engine optimization (SEO), has been a major part of commerce and marking in the last few decades, virtual reality commerce may bring a new term to the table. Virtual environment optimization (VEO)..

Mindy WeinsteinMarket Mindshift’s CEO and founder, Mark Sullivan, believes that virtual reality is here to stay. As SEOs, we must adapt to this new environment and be ready to market in it.

Weinstein stated that the growth of metaverses is inevitable and something we should consider now. Given that the metaverse can be seen, it is important to ensure that optimized images in our SEO content strategies. The metaverse is already set-up for audio, so it’s not surprising that some voice search option will be created. Voice search is something digital marketers should be aware of as the metaverse develops.

More to come

Our next article will discuss marketing in virtual reality, optimizing for the future and optimizing to market virtual reality and augment reality.

These opinions are not necessarily those of Search Engine Land, but rather the guest author. The staff authors are listed Here.

About the Author

Taylor Kurtz was raised in Tampa, Florida. Taylor moved to Tallahassee after graduating from Florida State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree and an MBA. Taylor focuses solely on SEO and owns/operates SEO businesses. You can crush the rankingsAn award-winning digital marketing agency, focusing on high-quality Search Engine optimization and website development. Taylor is also a business professor at Fort Collins Community College, Colorado. He speaks all over the country about SEO at various digital marketing summits.