If you wish to rank on the SERPs, you must love Google. You have to be literally “Google Obsessed”. When you make the Search Engine happy by understanding what it values, you will be naturally able to taste success in SEO. Search Engine Optimisation is a continually changing field. Google, for example, updates the algorithm that determines when, where, and how to display a certain link regularly, with the goal of giving the most relevant and reliable information.
1. SEO Ranking Factors: A Brief Introduction
SEO ranking variables always change, and keeping up with the latest advancements can be difficult. However, you must be updated if you want your Google rankings to rise to the top.
Well-optimised sites gain visitors over time, resulting in more leads and revenue. With an SEO rating, searchers can reach your site, and your hard work will go in vain.
2. Do You Want to Rank On Search Engines? Note These Factors For Success in 2023
Google has how many ranking factors? There are around 200 recognised ranking factors. Here are the most important Google Search ranking elements to consider if you want to rank at the top of the SERPs in 2023.
2.1 Quality of Content
Content that ranks well is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics. Content must be valuable to the user and include interesting visual content to supplement the written content. Remember that quality always triumphs over quantity. Concentrate on value rather than word count.
2.2 Length of the Content
There is no hard and fast rule for the appropriate word count for an article because it varies by subject; nonetheless, we have seen that longer, more thorough content often ranks higher.
2.3 E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and Information Accuracy
Google changed the quality rater E-A-T to E-E-A-T on December 15, 2022. The extra “E” stands for Experience, another criterion Google considers when determining search ranks.
The extra Experience requirement indicates that the content was created with a specific skill, degree, or even actual use of the product or service. Or, in Google’s words, “a first-hand, life experience” of any topic presented on a website.
While not a direct ranking criterion, E-E-A-T signals are essential for sites that serve a useful function, particularly those that cover issues that may influence a person’s health or money.
Ensure your content is factually correct or aligned with scientific consensus and cites other reliable sources. The person in charge of the content and the website’s contact information should be easily accessible.
2.4 Page Speed
With Google’s general mobile-first indexing methodology, page performance is more important than ever. Slow page speeds make ranking at the top of the SERPs more difficult. As previously noted, page speed is regarded as a ranking indication that may or may not directly impact ranks.
Fortunately, Google announced a redesigned version of the Pagespeed Insights Tool in November 2021, making page speed optimisation easier than ever.
2.5 RankBrain
RankBrain is another significant Google ranking signal that strives to give the most relevant and useful results by better understanding the human intent behind a search query. RankBrain uses machine learning to comprehend complex searches and their relevance to certain topics while also considering how the user interacts with the specific set of search results. As a result, search results that are more popular with users are rewarded with better rankings.
2.6 Freshness Algorithm
The Google Freshness Algorithm is an important innovation. It was first introduced in June 2010 and has had a significant impact. Updating old articles could be huge if you’re a large publisher with a lot of old content that needs to rank. Google is somewhat biased toward new content. It prioritises new content and ensures that some of the SERP features are current.
2.7 Backlinks
Backlinks are still one of Google’s search algorithm‘s most important ranking factors. More links you have from high-authority domains make you more likely to score well for top keywords. Online marketers should pay particular attention to their backlink profiles, especially now that Penguin 4.0 has cleaned and filtered sites with low-quality backlink profiles.
2.8 Branded Search & Domain Power
Branded searches provide Google’s search algorithm with a powerful signal. The algorithm will recognise a website based on the traffic it receives from branded searches. Furthermore, social signals from Facebook, Reddit, Quora, Pinterest, and other social media sites have been found to connect with search ranks. This is not to argue that a strong online social presence can drive organic traffic, but sites that combine brand strength and social signals with efforts across all other SEO channels can achieve higher search visibility.
2.9 Local SEO and Search Engine Results
Google updated how local search results are formulated in November 2021 by adjusting the several elements that impact rank. Local search results are ranked by relevance, prominence, and distance. However, Google hasn’t said how significantly each factor weighs in after this recent upgrade.
Product Review Update
Regarding local SEO, the most important ranking criterion is having high-quality product reviews. Throughout 2021-2022, Google made a few significant changes to how product reviews rank in search results, and some of the best practices for product reviews include:
- By giving links to a range of retailers, readers can purchase from their chosen seller.
- Including audio, visual, or other links that offer a personal experience with the product to demonstrate authenticity and true expertise.
- Demonstrating quantitatively how the product compares to others regarding several performance metrics.
- Display purchasing advice to users and reward content creators that give useful, in-depth, and authentic content.
3. Final Words
SEO has a significant impact on business. Google’s search algorithm is built on ranking parameters that promote high-quality content and a positive user experience. Understanding the main Google ranking variables may make or break your internet search marketing plan; learn the fundamentals and watch for adjustments, and you’ll be well on your way to success.
