Essential Factors Affecting SEO Rank You Should Be Aware Of
Google has dropped several hints over the years about what it takes into consideration when ranking content and websites. Therefore, the SEO-related ranking factors that tend to matter the most are fairly well-known. If you’re new to search engine optimization or just getting to the point where you’re more focused on digital engagement, continue reading to learn more about the crucial SEO ranking factors you need to know, brought to you by the experienced professionals from Saba SEO, one of the top digital marketing and SEO companies San Diego businesses rely on for outstanding expertise and high-quality service.
Content Quality
With content, Google keeps an eye on what’s referred to as E-A-T: expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. These are the main qualities evaluated for ranking online content. High-quality content that typically ranks well also includes:
• Information relevant to the target audience
• Clear presentation (e.g., shorter paragraphs and descriptive headlines)
• The natural use of keywords/phrases
Content freshness is considered as well. This doesn’t mean you have to ditch older content that’s still useful. What you can do is periodically check your evergreen or longer-term content to see if there are things that need to be updated.
Search Intent
Google uses a machine learning system known as RankBrain to gain insights into search intent. It means your website’s content needs to be based on what matters most to your intended audience. Fortunately, Google Analytics provides detailed reports you can use to determine if you need to make some adjustments to be more in line with search intent.
On-Page Experience
A big part of the SEO ranking process is what the on-page experience is like for anyone coming across one of your website’s pages. Sites that rank well are usually ones that create a good user experience. With page experience, pay particular attention to Core Web Vitals, a Google page experience update that focuses on:
• Performance
• Responsiveness
• Visual stability
Link Quality
Internal and external links are important for ranking purposes. High-quality external links from relevant and reliable sources are seen as indications of truth and authority. Internal links can be used to steer searchers to related content, such as what might be included in a blog that’s on your site. Links, regardless of whether they’re internal or external, also need to work properly. This is why it’s important to regularly check for broken links or ones that no longer direct the user to the intended source.
Technical Aspects of SEO
The technical aspects of SEO are just as important for SEO ranking. In addition to site architecture, technical factors that play a key role in ranking well on search engine results pages include:
• Schema markup
• Site security
• Internal link structure
• URL structure
• Navigation features
• Page speed
Mobile-friendliness is one other critical SEO ranking factor to keep in mind. If you haven’t yet made your website more accessible to people who use smaller screens, now is the time to do so. This means considering a responsive website design, correctly sizing your images, and minimizing clutter on each page to allow for easy navigation, tapping, and scrolling.
Optimizing your website for SEO ranking factors is one of the smartest things your business can do in today’s online-centered marketplace. If you need help staying on top of ranking factors to remain competitive, call on the SEO and digital marketing experts from Saba SEO, a premier provider of San Diego SEO service businesses around the world have trusted for 20 years. Contact one of our SEO specialists today.