When it comes to ranking higher on the Google Search Engine, there are numerous Google ranking factor to consider. With Google’s constantly updated search quality evaluation guidelines, it can be challenging to stay on top of what really matters. To help you navigate through the vast array of factors, here are the main ones that deserve your attention:
Page Quality
Google places great emphasis on page quality, and it provides valuable insights into what matters most. To determine if your website can be highly rated, consider the following:
- Purpose of the Page: Google values websites that contribute to the growth of the internet and provide beneficial content. Pages that share valuable information, media files, software downloads, original opinions, entertainment, or facilitate discussions are highly regarded. Conversely, pages that promote hate, cause harm, or spread misinformation receive the lowest ratings.
- E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): These are vital attributes for any valuable page. Google assesses the expertise of the content creator, the authoritativeness of both the content creator and the website, and the overall trustworthiness. The standards for expertise depend on the page’s topic.
- Main Content Quality and Amount: The quality of your content depends on factors such as accuracy, entertainment value, and user-friendliness. Additionally, consider the features and functionality of your website, as they contribute to content quality. Creating high-quality content requires significant investment in time, effort, expertise, and talent. The quantity of content should align with the purpose of the page.
- Website Information and Transparency: High-quality pages provide clear and detailed information about the website, instilling trust and confidence in users.
- Website Reputation: To achieve a high ranking, your website should be positively rated on well-trusted review platforms like Google Reviews.
Website Security
Having HTTPS on your website is crucial for both user trust and search engine ranking. Google rewards websites with HTTPS by displaying a padlock symbol in Chrome, indicating a secure connection. This symbol enhances trust, encourages user engagement, and positively impacts your ranking on the Google Search Engine. Furthermore, since July 2018, Chrome warns users with a “not secure” message for websites lacking SSL. It’s imperative to obtain an SSL certificate to maintain user confidence.
Page Speed
Website speed significantly affects your Google ranking. Since mobile searches constitute a substantial portion (up to 70%) of total searches, mobile page speed is critical. Google offers tools to assess and enhance your page speed on both mobile and desktop platforms. For WordPress users, resources like the Hostinger tutorials on improving SEO by speeding up WordPress sites and the Ultimate WordPress Performance Guide for 2019 are highly recommended. Optimizing page speed not only boosts search engine ranking but also enhances user experience.
SEO Optimization
Well-executed SEO optimization is key to achieving a higher Google ranking. To start with SEO, conduct thorough keyword research to identify popular search terms and assess competition levels. Google’s Keyword Planner is an excellent tool for generating keyword ideas and gaining valuable insights. Once you have a solid keyword strategy, focus on both off-site and on-site SEO.
- Off-site SEO: Utilize various channels, such as links, social media, and social bookmarking, to drive traffic to your website.
- On-site SEO: Google places greater importance on on-site optimization. Begin by adding title tags and meta descriptions containing relevant keywords. Employ header tags to improve content readability, and use alt text for images to enhance searchability. The 30 WordPress SEO Tips to Increase Search Engine Ranking can benefit users of any website platform, not just WordPress.
External and Internal Links
While external links (backlinks) play a crucial role in promoting your website and improving its ranking, internal linking often goes overlooked. Google considers both internal and external links when assessing a website’s value. If a page receives many links, Google perceives it as important and ranks it higher. Internal links keep visitors engaged and contribute to Google ranking. External links leading to your website are also relevant, but their quality is paramount. Ensure that they come from authoritative and relevant sources, as links from low-quality domains offer minimal benefits.
Social Signals
Although Google does not equate Twitter or Facebook shares to links from authoritative pages, websites with higher rankings tend to receive more social shares. Therefore, social media presence indirectly influences your Google Search Engine ranking. Engage with your visitors, create shareable content with visual elements, utilize relevant hashtags to increase discoverability, and tailor your social media strategy to your target audience.
By focusing on these key factors, you can enhance your website’s ranking on the Google Search Engine. Stay updated with Google’s guidelines, adapt your strategies accordingly, and continuously improve your website to achieve better visibility and engagement.
