Search Engine Optimisation is constantly evolving. Similarly, Google is regularly making changes in the algorithms that decide where, when and how to show a link along with the aim to provide the most relevant information.
Listed below are some of the major Google search ranking factors that help every page rank at the top of the search engine result page. Some ranking factors mentioned below are proven, while others do not have any basis to prove them right.
Google Content Ranking Factors
As we are trying to look into the future of SEO in 2023. In no specific order, the factors for ranking on the top of the Google Search engine result page are:
1. High-Quality Content
The content will be considered high-quality when the following things are taken into consideration:
RankBrain- This machine learning system helps Google understand the intent of any search query. Thus, meeting the search intent is a must for becoming high-quality content.
Keyword use- Using keywords in content remains one of the most important aspects of good quality content.
Freshness- Keeping the freshness of any content is also an important factor. For evergreen content, changing the dates would not do. The matter inside requires checking to find what needs updation.
2. Keywords in Meta title tag
Adding the keywords targeted by the page into the meta title is an essential factor for ranking. However, the keywords' placement and concentration must be done with care. Ideally, the target keyword must be added only once to the title tag. Additionally, adding adjectives and articles around the keyword is equally important for better readability.
3. Keywords in URL, header tags and meta description
Adding the target keywords into the slug of the URL, H1, H2, H3 tags and meta description has been considered a great practice for making a difference in the page's ranking ability. However, overdoing this would certainly not be good for the page and might have negative implications.
4. Mobile first indexing
This usually happens if you have a separate mobile website. Google indexes the URL of your mobile site instead of the desktop version. To make it clear, there is no separate mobile indexing done here. Google indexes and ranks the content in the mobile version of your website. However, a responsive website is what Google recommends for a mobile website.
5. Page Speed
The slower your website loads, the more visitors you lose. Compressing and optimising images, caching the web pages, reducing redirects, shortening JavaScript, CSS and HTML codes are some techniques that can improve page speed. Tools like PageSpeed Insights can be useful in analysing the issues that affect your page speed.
6. User Experience
User experience (UX) has a considerable impact on SEO. If the content and layout are unattractive, people tend to lower their engagement with the website. With the help of well-written content and proper implementation of call-to-action buttons, the user experience can be enhanced. The user experience must pair well with the SEO to improve your position in the SERP.
If a site has a good site architecture, users can find what they want with better navigation of the website. The website must be very easy to use.
7. On-Page Optimisation
8. Internal link and Backlinks
This is about linking to other pages of your website in a user-centric manner. Based on this, the other pages of your website gain traffic. While conversion happens and a user is signing up for a newsletter and requesting a demo, internal linking plays an essential part.
Backlinks also play a crucial role when earned from a more powerful site than yours. The link-building strategy must be full proof so that it guides you to gain a better ranking on the SERP. However, the linking must be relevant to get better results.
9. Site Securing with SSL Certification
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A Secure Sockets Layer or SSL certificate is one of the most basic ranking factors these days. Hackers are becoming classier as the web is becoming more of a necessity in our lives. It would certainly be a nightmare for Google to serve sites that are harmful to the users.
If your website tends to get hacked, like if your website does not own an SSL certificate. Then you are bound to lose your ranking ability. SSL certificates can be obtained free of cost by simply registering.
10. Schema Markup/Structured Data
Schema markup is a code that needs incorporation into the website to help Google display more visual results like snippets. The sites that highlight an important piece of information, list the main pages of their website or contain a list of events are the ones that use schema markup.
Google usually favours those pages incorporating schema markup as it helps make the information on the page more useful for the searchers. It also helps the information present on the page be more visually appealing in comparison to the other result pages.
This makes us end the list of some of the essential Google ranking factors. These factors require attention from the website owners if they want to get a better rank in the SERP. However, overdoing any of them will not improve your ranking but make it worse. With this help, Google has certainly improved the search experience.
Every marketer must develop proper strategies to guide them in their SEO efforts using article writing services . Each page of your website must target different keywords. Each content must be treated in a way that best serves the target audience. If these are done, you will be able to earn links organically, engage users better and gain a better rank on Google's Search Engine Result Page.
