Searches Surge for Business Loans After US & Canadian Tariff Fallout

Searches for ‘business loans’ in Canada rose by 321% over a 7 day period coinciding with a 25% tariff on U.S. imports leaving businesses turning to Google for answers.

The Canadian business landscape is shifting following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement of a 25% tariff on all U.S. imports. This policy change is expected to have a widespread impact, particularly on businesses relying  on imported goods from the U.S.

In response to these economic pressures, Canadian businesses are actively searching for financial solutions. Searches for "business finance" have surged by 72% in the last month, with the majority of searches coming from Ontario. Even more striking, searches for "business loan" have skyrocketed by 321% in just the past seven days. These trends indicate that businesses are urgently seeking ways to adapt to the upcoming tariff increases.

Graph showing the 72% increase in the search term 'business finance'

Graph showing the 321% increase in the search term 'business loan'

This rapid shift in search behavior highlights a crucial factor: businesses must position themselves online to capture growing demand. This is where SEO plays a vital role. Ranking for the right keywords can be the difference between staying ahead or falling behind.

The Impact of the Tariff Increase on Canadian Businesses

A 25% tariff on all U.S. imports means increased costs for Canadian businesses across multiple industries. With these financial pressures, businesses are turning to external funding solutions to maintain operations and offset costs. The surge in searches for "business finance" and "business loans" reflects this urgent need for capital.

As businesses look for financial solutions, financial service providers and lenders must ensure their offerings are visible where it matters most: Google search results.

Why SEO Matters Now More Than Ever

When businesses need urgent solutions, Google is their first stop. The increasing search volume for financial terms underscores the importance of being visible online. 

Here’s why SEO is critical in any shifting economic climate:

1. Capturing High-Intent Traffic

Businesses actively searching for something, in this case ‘business loans’, are already looking for solutions. Whatever service your business may offer, ranking for your key search terms means you can capture a highly motivated audience at the perfect moment.

2. Targeting the Right Keywords

As a business, you want to be the first one who pops up when someone is searching for your targeted keyword. This isn’t easy. Businesses must refine their SEO strategy to target relevant, high-intent keywords that will drive their customers to them.

Optimising content around your focused keywords will increase visibility and drive qualified traffic to your website.

3. Establishing Authority and Trust

Ranking on the first page of Google enhances credibility. When businesses see a service provider at the top of search results, they are more likely to trust their offerings. An optimised SEO strategy ensures that your business is seen as a reliable solution amid challenges they’re facing.

How IFT Helps Businesses Stay Ahead

Shifts that happen in search trends present a clear opportunity for businesses to adapt their digital strategy. The right SEO approach ensures that businesses thrive by connecting with the right audience at the right time.

The proof is in the pudding. Seeing how search results have changed with the latest economic turmoil in Canada, with increases of 321% for some search terms, this truly reflects the importance of targeting the right keywords to reach your audience.

At Inbound FinTech, we specialise in SEO strategies that help businesses rank for high-value keywords. This ensures you stay ahead in competitive markets. Our expertise in financial services SEO means we understand how to position businesses where demand is growing.

IFT is here to help you drive traffic, leads, and revenue through strategic, data-driven SEO.

Get in touch with us today to ensure your business ranks where it matters most.