While the internet buzzes about the visually engaging new search results from Google and Bing, a different conversation is taking place among SEO professionals.
These traction-hungry go-getters are looking beyond the surface, analyzing the algorithms, and strategizing how to ensure their brand’s multimedia content dominates the top spots.
We tapped into the collective wisdom of the BoostMyDomain community’s group of experienced SEO experts and business leaders, to get an insider’s perspective on these changes.
Thanks to their insights, this post unveils the latest multimedia SEO trends and shares the tactics they’re employing to win in this new visual search landscape.
Read on!
Debbie Moran
I’ve personally seen the shift in how Google and Bing are prioritizing multimedia, and it’s been a game changer for content creators like me.
When I first started, adding a few images or a simple video was enough to make content stand out. Now, it’s a whole new ball game.
Multimedia isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s essential for staying relevant.
From my own experience, mixing written content with videos, infographics, and interactive elements has made a huge difference in how people engage with the material.
It’s not about replacing text, but enhancing it.
Search engines are clearly favoring rich media, and if we don’t adapt, we risk being left behind. It’s all about creating a more complete, engaging experience for the audience.
Debbie Moran
Marketing Manager, RecurPost
Colin Jeffries
Google’s EEAT directive hasn’t changed, but the search engine giant has said that the PageRank algorithm has decreased in importance. This basically means that high quality content is now more important than backlinking.
With the rise of AI-generated content, that means digital marketers need to be relying on deep subject matter experts to create content.
It may also require dark social methods of distribution (ex. Sharing with your WhatsApp group) versus more traditional channels (ex. posting on LinkedIn).
Google is very clear that written expert content is the most important factor in ranking today, but the opposite side of that statement means that low quality content is the new “black hat SEO.”
So avoiding poorly written content—whether by a bot or an intern—is the foundation!
Colin Jeffries
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, BrightView
Tiago Pita
The shift toward AI-driven search and voice queries significantly impacts the value of written content for SEO.
Content now needs to be more conversational, concise, and focused on answering direct user questions.
This is not a temporary trend but a fundamental shift.
As search engines prioritize user intent and contextual relevance, creators must adapt by crafting content that aligns with these needs.
Emphasizing structured data, natural language, and topic authority ensures long-term visibility in an evolving SEO landscape.
Tiago Pita
Brand and eCommerce Director, Whole Food Earth®
Arvind Rongala
The rise of multimedia in search results reflects a fundamental evolution in SEO, not a fleeting trend. Written content hasn’t lost its importance but has shifted roles. Its value now lies in enhancing the performance of multimedia through context, structure, and accessibility.
Search engines like Google and Bing prioritize user experience, and multimedia is highly engaging.
However, without written content—transcripts for videos, alt text for images, or detailed metadata—these assets may not reach their full SEO potential.
For example, well-optimized captions can expand a video’s keyword footprint, making it discoverable for a broader audience.
This shift emphasizes synergy between formats. Content creators who integrate written and multimedia elements thoughtfully can remain ahead in this evolving landscape.
It’s a strategy for long-term success, not just adaptation.
Arvind Rongala
CEO, Edstellar
William Clark
The prioritization of multimedia in search results by Google and Bing signals a fundamental shift rather than a temporary trend.
While written content remains the backbone of SEO, the rise of videos, images, and interactive media has redefined how users consume information.
Search engines are catering to audiences who increasingly prefer visual and engaging content, making multimedia an essential component of SEO strategies.
However, this doesn’t diminish the value of written content—it enhances it.
Pairing strong written content with multimedia elements improves user experience and boosts rankings. For example, a blog with embedded videos or infographics is more likely to capture attention and keep users engaged.
Content creators need to adapt by blending multimedia with high-quality writing to meet evolving user preferences.
This hybrid approach ensures relevance and long-term success in a search landscape increasingly driven by rich, dynamic content.
William Clark
Owner, SATX Concrete Contractors
Rongzhong Li
Google’s focus on user intent and E-E-A-T means high-quality, relevant, and authoritative content drives rankings.
AI-generated content and short-form media may seem like trends, but they complement—not replace—well-crafted written content.
This is a fundamental shift: content creators must balance technical SEO with storytelling that resonates. Adapting involves integrating multimedia while ensuring written pieces provide depth and value.
Embrace change, but always anchor strategies in serving the audience’s needs.
Rongzhong Li
CEO & Founder, Petoi
Udemezue John
The shift towards multimedia in search results is a fundamental change, not a passing trend.
While written content remains essential for SEO, multimedia—videos, images, and interactive elements—can boost engagement and visibility significantly.
For instance, videos are 53x more likely to rank on the first page of Google than plain text.
Content creators need to integrate multimedia strategically to complement their written content, ensuring a balanced approach that meets user expectations and search engine preferences.
Udemezue John
Digital Entrepreneur, Tchelete.com
Gabe Garcia
The value of written content for SEO is evolving, not diminishing.
Search engines are prioritizing user intent and content relevance over sheer volume, which means creators must focus on quality, context, and engagement.
AI, voice search, and video have reshaped content strategies, but written content remains foundational as it drives authority and keyword optimization.
This isn’t a temporary trend; it’s a shift toward a holistic content ecosystem where written, visual, and interactive formats coexist.
Content creators must adapt by blending formats, optimizing for new tech like voice search, and maintaining a strong focus on delivering value to their audience.
Gabe Garcia
Founder & CEO, PierrePark
Kayden Roberts
Google and Bing’s hyper-prioritization of multimedia in search results reflects a fundamental shift rather than a temporary trend.
While written content remains critical for SEO, multimedia elements like videos, images, and interactive features have become equally valuable. They enhance user engagement and provide diverse ways to communicate information, which search engines increasingly favor.
This doesn’t diminish the value of written content but highlights the need for a more integrated approach.
High-quality written content still forms the backbone of SEO, offering context, depth, and relevance. However, pairing it with engaging multimedia assets can boost visibility, click-through rates, and dwell time—key metrics for search algorithms.
Content creators should adapt by optimizing multimedia with descriptive alt text, structured data, and keyword alignment.
This strategy ensures relevance across search platforms, catering to traditional written formats and the growing demand for rich, multimedia-driven experiences.
Kayden Roberts
CMO, CamGo
The BoostMyDomain team thanks these experts and leaders for taking the time to share their valuable insights on multimedia’s growing dominance in SEO.
BoostMyDomain invites you to share your insights and contribute to our authoritative publication. Reach a wider audience, build your credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in an industry that caters to every business with an online presence!
