The Meghan Markle SEO Strategy: Why the Media Keep her Trending

Being an SEO strategist is a bit like being a digital detective. I get my kicks from diving into a sea of data, sifting through online trends and hunting for clues. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has captivated the world since her entrance into the royal family. Her marriage to Prince Harry, the subsequent 'Megxit', and her highly-publicised interviews have kept her in the public eye. Even though she no longer holds an active royal role, the fascination of the British press with Meghan Markle (years after her move to the US and her departure from the Royal Family), is no coincidence. As much as they 'wished her gone' to have a 'private life',  articles about her are written daily, sometimes hundreds of them. But why? What does Meghan Markle have to do with media outlets and their SEO strategy? More than you might think. Let's Dig in 

Public Figures and SEO: A Complicated Romance

Public figures like Meghan Markle play a substantial role in shaping SEO strategies for the media industry. SEO, is all about relevance, and public figures by virtue of their popularity, often emerge as 'hot topics.' As they attract a significant amount of online searches, content related to them can help websites improve their visibility on search engines.

 Royal Family Search Data and Trends

The enduring popularity of Meghan Markle versus the Royal Family isn't merely a matter of public opinion – it's a data-backed reality. A detailed analysis of search data trends over the past few years illustrates that she consistently ranks high, often eclipsing the Royal Family. Whether it's her philanthropic efforts, interviews, or Netflix deals, her ventures in America invariably command high search volumes and robust engagement rates.

Despite stepping away from active royal duties, Meghan Markle is undeniably a key figure in the British media's SEO strategy. The data speaks volumes: she commands a higher search volume than any other member of the Royal Family, garnering an impressive 550,000 UK monthly searches and a staggering 5.8 million global monthly searches. Consequently, the content demand related to Meghan Markle significantly surpasses that of any other royal. Prince Harry, garners an equal UK monthly search volume of 550,000, yet his global monthly volume falls short at 3 million. 

Though another noteworthy figure Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales commands 301,000 UK monthly searches (and 3.1 million globally), she still lags behind Meghan. Other significant figures such as King Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince William all fail to match Markle's search demand. On the lower end of the scale, we find royals like Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, with UK monthly search volumes of 110,000 and 27,000 respectively, and even lesser globally. And Queen Camilla secures the least attention with just 9,900 UK monthly searches and 63,800 globally.

A compelling revelation is the enduring public interest in Princess Diana, who passed away over 26 years ago. Her search volume still outweighs that of several current members of the Royal Family, especially when compared to the least searched member, Queen Camilla, the new wife of King Charles. The ongoing fascination with Meghan Markle and the lingering legacy of Princess Diana, as reflected in search data, underscores the complexities and changing dynamics of public interest. ​

Keyword	UK Monthly Search Volume	Global Monthly Search Volume
Meghan Markle	550,000	5.8 Million
Prince Harry	550,000	3 Million
King Charles	368,000	1.6 Million
Kate Middleton	301,000	3.1 Million
Prince William	301,000	1.7 Million
Prince Andrew	246,000	1.2 Million
Princess Diana ​	135,000	1.6 Million
Prince Edward	110,000	399,900
Sophie Wessex	27,000	65,100
Queen Camilla ​	9,900	63,800

Source: SEMRush

  The Power of Negative Click Bait 

Media outlets understand the power they hold in shaping public opinion through consistent positive or negative portrayals of public figures. ​By continuously generating stories that provoke strong emotions, online publications  ensure increased web traffic and higher engagement. The allure of negative click bait is undeniable. Media industries (particularly the British press), know stories will elicit passionate responses from readers, leading to more clicks, comments, and shares. Regardless of the audience's stance on Meghan Markle, consistently writing about her is a win-win situation for any media business. 

​This relationship between SEO strategies and media trends shows us how the media landscape works today. Media outlets don't just report on public figures; they guide the conversation, shape what people think, and take advantage of the digital economy. As we move forward, these strategies will keep evolving, but public figures like Meghan Markle will continue to be central to these changes. Understanding this isn't just interesting—it's a key insight for anyone working in digital marketing.

Written by Isa Lavahun.
Isa is a seasoned digital strategist specializing in search marketing, with a passion for crafting compelling stories that resonate. With over 15 years of experience in the industry and a flair for digital PR, content strategy, and influencer marketing, she leverages her skills to drive visibility and engagement for businesses. Isa is known for her honest counsel, practical advice, and results-oriented approach. Discover more about Isa's journey in digital marketing here