There are 200+ SEO ranking factors that help search engines determine which sites should show in search results and how they should rank. If you want your site to claim the top spots on SERPs (search engine results pages), you need to optimize your online presence to cater to these factors. Google ranking factors are signals that determine a webpage’s position in the search results for a relevant query. Discover which signals matter most for improving search rankings and website visibility. Like search engines evaluating content based on more than 200 ranking factors, SEO does the same. Search engines like Google publish best practice guidelines, and many professional SEOs share their findings from working on hundreds of sites.

Yes, random internal linking is probably better than no internal linking at all. Just like with your filename, you want to write descriptive alt text that lets search engines know what your image is all about. You can also see the exact keywords that people use to find your content… and where you tend to rank. When considering search intent, SEOs focus on producing text-based answers, overlooking visual search intent. For example, when someone is researching roof types, they’re looking for more than a definition — they’re looking for a visual that shows what these roofs look like on buildings.

• This means that the agency has successfully optimized its online presence to achieve the highest ranking for that query.
• Google ranking factors 2025 are evolving with smarter algorithms, AI-driven updates, and a greater emphasis on user experience.
• Although they don’t directly impact search rankings, they can influence click-through rates from search results.
• The “regular” organic search results are the “ten blue links” that we’re all familiar with.

Data privacy

Google have a patent that shows the age of a backlink is relevant. A link from an authoritative page from an authoritative domain is the holy grail. The overall authority of the page that you are getting a link from also plays a big role. You wouldn’t want a link from this blog if you sold garden furniture online. If your site is penalised you will see huge drops in search visibility.

These can boost your listing’s effectiveness because they help searchers see your product and get a feel for your brand. When customers visit your business, you can encourage them to leave reviews. Don’t outright incentivize them to leave positive reviews, but ask that they leave their opinion of your business on the listing. If you ever need to convince your client or boss to improve page speed, try the comparison tool at Webpagetest.com which allows you to export a slow motion video.

To stay current with the latest SEO best practices and algorithm updates, follow reputable industry blogs, attend conferences, and participate in online communities. To access GSC data for your website, you must first verify domain ownership. Regularly share your reports and provide actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Observe how people use and interact with your website by looking at data about their actions and behaviors.

Organic vs paid search

Again, please consult the raw performance data if you wish to examine it for additional factors. Readable content enhances user experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer on your site, which reduces bounce rates and signals to Google that your content is valuable. By focusing on what the audience is searching for and providing comprehensive, relevant information, you increase the likelihood that search engines will rank your content higher. Instead of using generic file names like IMG1234.jpg, using descriptive names helps search engines understand and rank the image appropriately.

Driving Organic Traffic Through Keywords

After you claim your listing, you can improve its visibility by adding as much information as possible to it. BHS Links Photos capture the attention of people who are seeking out a business like yours. This will make them more likely to click your listing and learn more, and can give them a better sense of whether they want to become a customer.

Claiming your GBP makes your business look more credible and professional, ensuring that customers see accurate, up-to-date information. It also gives you full control to respond to reviews, post updates, and optimize your listing — key factors in improving your Google Maps ranking. Google decides which businesses rank at the top of its searches based on several factors. The more aligned your business is with these factors, the higher your chances of appearing in front of potential customers. Like it or not, customers evaluate businesses based on their online presence. If you’re missing photos, reviews, or key business details, that could be the deciding factor in whether they choose you or go elsewhere.

You need to write catchy and relevant titles and meta descriptions to increase your organic CTR. Today, we will discuss two key aspects of keyword optimization—keyword placement and keyword density. Usability – Whether the content is practically easy to understand and use by the readers and can be accessed on all types of devices. Relevance – Whether or not your content answers the user’s question or provides the information they are looking for.

As a result, Google will rank your pages higher for related search queries. For example, backlink relevance signals to Google your content is a relevant and trusted source. The linked anchor text also signals relevancy and helps Google understand your content. Backlink relevance is how helpful and topically similar a linking website is to your content. Links from relevant websites and pages also have more value than irrelevant links. Instead of listing 200+ ranking factors, I’ll discuss the top nine that deserve your attention.