There are few secrets kept as closely guarded as Google’s search engine algorithm. While there are over 200 factors that Google uses, here are the ones that make the biggest difference.
Content
As always, content is king in SEO. Google’s aim as a search engine is to provide the best possible experience for its users. That means engaging and relevant content. Your page must provide the content your users are looking for. Google prioritizes thought leadership. The more value and depth your content has, the more likely Google is to rank you well.
Backlinks
No SEO conversation is complete without mentioning backlinks. The building block of the original Google, backlinks are a major contributor to the authority of your website. And domain authority is one of the key factors that Google looks at. For the history of backlinks, you can always read Sergey Brin and Lawrence Page’s original research paper. It’s mandatory reading for any SEO specialist.
Keywords
While we’re past the days of keyword stuffing, proper keyword strategy is important for effective SEO. You should have relevant keywords in your URL, titles, header tags, meta description tags, and more.
Page Speed
To optimize user experience, fast loading speeds are needed. Page speed is something that Google gives a lot of weight. So, make sure your websites are optimized and in top shape. You can always use Google’s Pagespeed Insights Tool to calculate your performance.
Security – SSL Certificate
With the rise of internet use comes increased security risk. Having a secure domain is one of Google’s ranking factor. So, if you don’t have the ‘s’ in your ‘http,’ go get your SSL certificate now!
Internal Linking
An overlooked link-building method. It helps Google understand the flow of your website. And if there are a lot of pages with similar keywords in the title, Google takes that to mean that you are an authority on that relevant topic.
Mobile Friendly
Mobile-first. No more needs to be said. In May of 2021, 55% of all traffic was from mobile users. And with tablets and smartphones becoming more powerful, that number is only expected to rise. So, make sure that your pages are optimized for mobile.
So that’s the essential ranking factors of Google’s search algorithm. If you want to know more and how to leverage it, call us at +971 4 580 3378.
