Content marketers should focus on mobile SEO as consumers use devices for shopping this holiday season.

While ringing jingle bells and decking halls with garlands, consumers are expecting to use their smartphones and tablets for shopping this holiday season, according to research from Prosper Mobile Insights. Mobile users – 55 percent of them – anticipated turning to their devices to research, browse and purchase products and services. With so many consumers turning to mobile, B2C content marketers should optimize website content accordingly, making infographics, photos and blog posts mobile-friendly.US Smartphone/Tablet Users Who Plan to Use Their Device for Holiday Shopping

This finding is consistent with earlier data from ThinkWith Google, which showed that consumers are turning to mobile devices more than ever before. In the 2012 holiday season, 4 out of 5 consumers who own a smartphone or tablet expect to use their devices to help compare prices, find store locations, look for coupons and read reviews.

Not only should inspiring, custom content be accessible via mobile this holiday season, but it should also be optimized for local search. Brafton recently reported that both BIA/Kelsey and Balihoo believe local SEO is becoming a better-than-ever practice for marketers as they increase their brand presence in the mobile realm. With mobile ad revenue expected to grow by 54 percent by 2016, marketers should create SEO content that engages regional consumers now so they can find the best stocking-stuffers this year.

Amidst sleigh-bells and piles of ribbon, writers, designers, marketers and digital experts should optimize SEO and mobile strategies to ensure that their brands can be found and shared on smartphones and tablets.

Emma Siemasko is a former member of Brafton's editorial team. Emma has experience with blogging, travel writing, industry news, SEO and content marketing. She used to live in South Korea, where she mastered the art of using metal chopsticks.