How the Climate Change SEO Survey Contributes to a More Sustainable Web
In November, a survey was conducted aimed at SEO professionals, exploring their perspectives on climate change. The purpose of the survey was to uncover how SEO professionals can contribute to a more sustainable web and make a positive impact on the environment. The survey results provide valuable insights and practical advice for SEO professionals looking to reduce their carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly practices.
The Link Between SEO and Climate Change
While the world is slowly transitioning towards a net-zero environment, many scientists believe that this alone won’t be enough to combat the impacts of human activity on climate change. It is crucial for individuals and industries to take action to limit carbon emissions and promote sustainability. As SEO professionals, we have a unique opportunity to shape web traffic and direct it towards environmentally responsible businesses. By choosing and supporting eco-friendly clients, SEOs can help shape demand in a more eco-positive direction, leading to a significant net impact.
The Results of the Climate Change Survey
The survey received a total of 331 responses from SEO professionals around the world. The respondents came from a diverse range of backgrounds, with 33% based in Europe, 26% in the UK, 21% in North America, and 11% in Asia. The survey revealed that 62% of respondents were male, 34% were female, and the majority worked on a freelance/consultancy basis or within an agency. In terms of SEO expertise, 47% specialized in technical SEO, 34% in content SEO, and 9% in ecommerce SEO.
Key Findings and Practical Advice
The survey explored various aspects of reducing the environmental impact of websites and promoting sustainability. One key finding was that using a green web host, powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind, was considered the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Surprisingly, blocking unnecessary bot crawling was the least selected option, even though it can significantly reduce resource consumption.
Another important finding was that the majority of respondents had not used an online carbon calculator tool to estimate carbon emissions from websites. These tools, such as Website Carbon, provide a starting point for understanding and monitoring emissions. They can help SEO professionals and their clients make informed decisions about reducing their carbon footprint.
The survey also highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in addressing websites’ carbon emissions. While 42% of respondents felt that everyone in a business should be responsible, 19% believed it should be management’s responsibility, and 18% thought it should fall under the IT and web development team’s responsibility. The top response emphasized the need for collective engagement and progress in making websites greener.
Another interesting finding was that the majority of respondents agreed that if Google included web page carbon emissions in their Core Web Vitals initiative, it would encourage more SEOs to prioritize reducing carbon emissions. However, accurately tracking carbon emissions from websites is a complex task due to various factors like resource consumption and device energy sources.
The survey also addressed the willingness of SEO professionals to work with clients who are known fossil fuel polluters. Around 75% of respondents felt comfortable discussing this issue with their managers, highlighting the importance of open communication and personal values in decision-making.
The survey revealed that limited knowledge of the environmental impact was the main reason why making websites greener is not a higher priority within businesses. Further education and awareness are needed to help business owners understand the environmental impact of their websites and make informed decisions.
Practical advice was provided for SEO professionals looking to drive climate change action. Suggestions included checking if websites are hosted using green energy through initiatives like the Green Web Foundation, using log file analyzers to track CO2 emissions, educating clients about their websites’ carbon emissions, and being more vocal about web sustainability within communities.
Other recommendations included being mindful of personal digital actions and their impact, learning about low-carbon website design, pitching conference talks on SEO sustainability, and reducing air travel by exploring live-streaming options for conferences.
The survey feedback and results shed light on the importance of addressing climate change in the SEO industry. It is clear that there is a growing interest and concern among SEO professionals about the environmental impact of websites. By taking practical steps and advocating for sustainability, SEO professionals can play a significant role in creating a more sustainable web.
