A Beginner’s Guide to Google Ranking Factors

Look best in the Google’s eye that is what Google Ranking factors are all about. And if you manage to achieve that your website will be in the top 10 list of SERP. Till now it is estimated that there around 200 Google ranking factors, but nothing to be afraid of, as each of these factors holds importance accordingly.

Each year the Google’s search engine factors are varying ceaselessly, thus creating a chaos among the online marketers. But till now we have seen or heard people following only a handful of ranking factors, but why? Isn’t each of these factors necessary to have a precise outcome?

Well, not necessarily, as said earlier, with years progressing and new updated Google algorithms rolling, the Google ranking factors are also getting more advanced.

In the subsequent sections, we will learn more about the Google ranking factors, and its importance in website performance.

What are the Google Ranking Factors for 2017?

1. Content-
   • It has become an evergreen phrase that ‘content is the king’. As one of the most important Google ranking factors, a good content can well connect with the web crawlers based on the relevancy of audience.
   • For any page to be optimized, keyword rich content is necessary, unless the keywords are accurately used. Page title, Meta description, header, sub-header, paragraphs and even images, well, placing the keywords on these on-page elements can be rewarding. With semantic search gaining more popularity, the mere keywords are not at all sufficient over the long-tailed keywords.
   • There may be a question about the popularity of long-tailed keywords. And the best answer for this query is relevancy. Yes, a single keyword may not provide accurate information unless the requirement is specified.
   • Also, the term ‘good content’ need not revolve only around the keywords as it is also inclusive of optimized images, interlinks, and sometimes videos.
2. Backlinks-
   • ‘The more, the better’, well let’s have a perception that this section is the continuation of the previous one. Rank the best, rank the popular one, is the motto behind Google ranking factors. Normally, heavy content will not attract visitors even though they are relevant. And the best way to deal with such setbacks is to add more connecting interlinks to the content. Not only it engages the visitors for a longer time but also makes the content more informative and useful.
   • The best part about adding backlinks is, it attracts more in-bound traffic and also enhances the visibility in search engines. But mind, having an irrelevant backlink can not only earn you bounce rates but also costs you with a good SEO rank. To explain this jargon in simple words, do not deviate from the topic of your interest.
3. Mobile-First Approach-
   • With responsive websites taking over the traditional static websites, Google also started its mobile-first approach. To give a technical-view of this action, Google’s web crawler was made to index mobile websites first rather than desktop websites. Why this step? Well, seriously with the percentage of Smartphone users increasing, the move was a welcome from every possible corner of the world.
   • This move was considered as one of the most important Google ranking factors. Suitably a mobile-version of your website with best user-experience design provides favorable SEO ranking over the desktop website.
4. Other Technical Aspects-
   • Google Algorithms-
     • Are you following the web master’s guide? If not, be ready to get penalized by the Google algorithms. Google ranking factors are solely based on how well you are away from back-door SEO techniques. Every year we can see a list of new updates or additions of Google algorithms just to provide a quality service for its users.
     • Rankbrain, one of the most innovative additions in search engine landscape, is helpful in providing the users with accurate solutions through artificial intelligence.
   • Encryption-
     • Is your website secure? Web crawlers see to that first before ranking your website. The transition from HTTP to HTTPS can be a major factor for your website’s SEO ranking. Also, unlike HTTP websites, the HTTPS websites tend to have more affiliation towards modern web browsers.

On the whole, Google ranking factors keeps evolving with changing algorithms and user requirements. Hence, it is necessary to structure user-friendly websites through adding relevant content, interlinks and other elements that can well optimize the over-all performance.