Getting that number one spot on Google is not easy.
Especially when Google controls the boards and making their 200+ ranking factors a mystery. This has left many people with no clear direction when it comes getting their site higher on Google.
However, there’s something you need to know:
Although Google guards their algorithm well, multiple studies have shown that top 3 Google ranking factors will work for any websites.
And here’s where it gets better:
If you manage to hit these 3 SEO signals perfectly, your website will climb to the top of page one over time.
Obviously, there are still some other hidden factors, but these are the top three Google ranking factors fundamentals you need to get them right.
In this article, we will discuss the three main principles Google use in their algorithm to rank websites. Two of them are relatively old (and still works), but one has only just been released.
So, let’s get to it.
#1 – High-Authority Backlinks
If Google didn’t use backlinks in their algorithm, they wouldn’t be the giant they are today.
That’s a known fact.
If you didn’t know already, one of the main factors that govern a site’s authority is their backlink profile.
A backlink (putting it simply) is a link that connects two websites.
They allow people to travel from website to website without the need to use a search engine. They are normally found within the content itself and are usually highlighted in a different colour.
And Google’s algorithm uses them to rank websites – they act as a signal of authority and trust.
The more quality websites that link to you, the more authority you have.
There are a range of other factors that contribute to the power of backlinks. Things like your anchor text profile and referring site quality also come into play.
We will be discussing backlinks in more detail in a future article.
#2 – Create Quality Content that Educates Your Audience
Content is what keeps the internet alive and kicking.
To put it simply, content is king.
It is also the reason search engines are around in the first place. Search engines are built to help you find information on the web. They search the internet’s database and provide you with the most relevant result.
Because of this, Google factors content quality into their algorithm. If they didn’t, users would get crap results and wouldn’t get the answers they require.
You really have to create quality content that can benefit readers on your website, and Google will reward you handsomely.
To find examples of great content, head over Buzzsumo and type your keyword:
Buzzsumo will show the articles that are most shared around the web. This can only mean one thing – the content is outstanding, and people love it.
Go through each article to get an idea of the type of content you should be writing for your audience.
*The Lazy Way – If you are too busy to write your own content, outsource to someone on Fiverr. Our tip is to only select level two writers and pick those with at least 30 five star reviews.
#3 – Positive UX Signals to Feed the RankBrain AI
Now, this is where things get interesting…
If you haven’t heard already, Google has finally confirmed their third main ranking factor.
That third factor is known as RankBrain.
RankBrain is Google’s newly developed artificial intelligence and it has two jobs in the search pages.
Firstly, RankBrain identifies the context and can understand the use of language in content.
As a result, it can quickly understand what a page is about with little effort.
The reason this has been included is because Google experiences many searches every month that have never been seen before. So, to help produce the best results for new search terms, RankBrain can analyse the context of a page to see if it answers the searcher’s query.
The second job RankBrain has is relying on user experience signals as a sign of quality.
Put it this way:
If your search result (the actual Meta title) is getting a higher click-through rate than other first page results, RankBrain will place you higher on page 1.
However, if people are clicking on your search result, go to your website, and are then instantly clicking the back button, Google will decrease your position and your competitor will rise up in the rankings.
So to capture your visitors on your page, having great content to hold their attention is crucial.
Dominate Search Engine Rankings With These Google Ranking Factors
In 2019, backlinks, quality content, and UX signals remain the most crucial element of ranking well on Google. As an SEO agency in Kuala Lumpur, we have observed the substantial impact of these 3 key factors.
These factors would determine if your website is ranking on the first page OR the back pages of Google.
Conclusion
Nobody knows the specifics they need to get higher rankings in Google. And Google will never release the specifics for the fear of SEOs manipulating their algorithm.
What we do have, however, is the top 3 Google ranking factors.
If you get these three things right (backlinks, content, and RankBrain) you will observe improved rankings.
Happy ranking!