The Top 15 Most Important SEO Ranking Factors Updated

We recommend not simply adding links to existing text, but adding context around the new links, which can boost both the relevance and the freshness of the new links. Links are a powerful ranking signal, but remember, not all links are equal. Since we’re now linking our topically related pages together, we now want to make sure to optimize our linking strategy for maximum SEO impact. Regardless, at this point you have all the tools you need to create high-quality content.

Even though E-E-A-T is not a ranking factor technically speaking, Google uses various signals that are trying to reflect this concept in practice. The alt text is an important ranking signal for the search engine – especially for Google Images search. By including important keywords into the headings, the search engine can better understand what individual sections of the page are about. Many sites follow old, outdated, bad advice, but are still reasonable sites for users, and search. Links in the main content might be more relevant for the search engine as opposed to the links at the sidebar or the footer – this can be applied to the internal as well as to the external links.

Informational Search Intent

These tools provide actionable insights, helping identify areas for improvement. RankBrain is a machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) system Google uses to process search results. There are various tools and ways to check your rankings on Google. They enhance user experience by offering deeper insights or related information on the topic.

Ways SEO Evolved in 2024 (+What It Means for Your 2025 Strategy)

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.

• In 2024, a combination of traditional and innovative strategies remains crucial for succeeding in local SEO.
• It’s not just about tracking your position but also understanding how Google and its users view your site.
• It values sites that adapt seamlessly from phones to tablets to desktop computers and are easy to read and navigate on any device.
• They are essentially mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) across different platforms like websites, directories, and local business listings.

Where the cTLD will count as a negative signal is if you have a Spanish domain but are trying to rank it in the Russian market. Some of them are indexing/crawling signals which are part of the overall search process. Making sure that your URLs are SEO-friendly is a quick way to draw crawler’s attention to your keywords when indexing your site. As technology and trends develop, so does the user’s idea of valuable content. For example, modern-day users are looking for quick, efficient results which offer instant knowledge, whether that be through a video, graphic or interactive slideshow.

Start your keyword research

Google determines user engagement based on a number of UX signals. If Google finds that you provide a good user experience, then your chances of ranking higher increase. Page speed is in the list of the top Google ranking factors because BHS Links it directly affects user experience. It’s also about creating something that really deserves to rank high.

Fortunately, Google has created a nifty free tool called the “Mobile-Friendly Test”. Finally, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube for more helpful reviews, tutorials, and Google Analytics tips. For more information, check this complete tutorial on how to optimize your robots.txt file for SEO.