Trust Your Gut & Back it with Data
As new technologies emerge, many businesses take a reactive approach rather than a data-driven one, which can lead to unsustainable results. For example, the rise of AI has led some business leaders to claim that SEO is dead. However, as discussed in our blog Is SEO Dead? Let’s Be Transparent, SEO is not dead—it’s evolving. In this rapidly changing digital environment, it’s important to rely on both data and intuition when making strategic business decisions.
What is Intuition?
Intuition can be split into two categories:
Expert intuition – decisions based on experience and domain expertise
Heuristic intuition – quick decisions based on the immediate situation
Relying solely on intuition can be risky due to potential biases, limited scalability, and overlooked insights. However, intuition remains valuable, especially in fast-moving environments where complete data may not be available. When supported by data, intuition can guide sustainable growth strategies.
Informing Intuition with Data Analysis
For example, AI is becoming increasingly important in SEO strategy. Intuition may tell us that we need to incorporate AI optimization (AIO) into our SEO efforts, but data analysis informs how to do so effectively. By examining the target audience, we can determine the right balance of resources. For instance, if your audience primarily consists of Boomers, an SEO-first approach may be most effective. For Gen Z audiences, combining SEO with social media strategies could yield better results. Data enables precise, nuanced decisions that have long-term business impact.
How Intuition Can Inform Data
Intuition can also guide data interpretation. For instance, while analyzing trends for upcoming products, data indicated a particular product was gaining popularity. The client’s experience and expertise confirmed this insight, helping validate the strategy.
In conclusion, combining intuition with data leads to more informed, effective, and sustainable business strategies. By leveraging both, businesses can thrive even in rapidly changing markets.
