There are more than 200 ranking factors that are generally considered correct (but again, it's debatable). With each update, SEOs perform tests to see what has changed. Therefore, some of these factors are proven, but others are just speculation. There is no clear general rule about the optimal word count for an article, as it varies depending on the topic; however, we note that longer and more complete content tends to achieve higher rankings.
A study by Neil Patel reveals a correlation between content length and Google's top search positions. Another important Google ranking signal is RankBrain, which aims to provide the most relevant and useful results by better understanding the user's intention behind a search query. RankBrain uses machine learning to understand complex searches and their relationship to specific topics, taking into account user behavior with respect to the exact set of search results. Therefore, search results that are more successful with users are rewarded with higher rankings.
Read more about RankBrain in our dedicated article How to understand Google RankBrain. The first result is the most up-to-date. Meanwhile, 3 of the top 6 results include the date Google published the article. The freshness algorithm seems to be updated much faster than other major algorithms that Google updates.
We've seen that it only takes a few days to see an impact on the SERPs when we update our customers' old articles. Backlinks are still one of the strongest ranking signals in Google's search algorithm. The more links you have from various high-authority domains, the better your chances of ranking well in the main keywords. Online marketers should pay close attention to their backlink profiles, especially considering the Penguin 4.0 update, which cleans and filters sites with low-quality backlink profiles.
On-page SEO refers to the SEO elements that you control on the website, or to the code of the website itself. Examples of on-page SEO include content, headlines and headings, image optimization, title tags, meta descriptions, structured data, and more. Speed is also a critical SEO ranking factor, and Google admits that it uses it. In addition to tracking and viewing your site from a mobile perspective, Google will also check the speed of your mobile or responsive website.
If your site isn't fast enough, it could cost you ranking on the first page or even number one in search results. Once again, this search engine ranking factor is another example of a link scheme that Google doesn't tolerate. This list of SEO ranking factors includes confirmed factors, as well as some that are believed (through studies) to influence rankings in search results. It's also the reason why many SEOs suspect that the closer a page is to your home page, the greater the chances of it ranking higher in search results, especially in competitive ones.
Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside your site to affect the reliability and authority of your site by creating the right inbound links and social signals. This is because sites with a low usability score tend to generate high bounce rates, which serves as a ranking factor. It's not as important as an SEO ranking factor as it used to be, but keywords in domain names can still send a signal of relevance. While Google denies that outbound links serve as a Google ranking factor, a study found that relevant outbound links to trusted and authorized sites do influence rankings.
It's also worth noting that, in some cases, syndicated content can outperform original content due to other SEO ranking factors. Webmasters can limit the impact of negative SEO ranking factors, such as unnatural links to your site, with the Disavow tool. Local searches can also affect the format of the SERPs, which could benefit your company if you operate locally and optimize Google My Business for Google's ranking factors. Designing a user experience that blends well with your SEO is vital if you want to be successful in SERPs.
This SEO ranking factor relates to a previous one for outbound links, number of outbound links per page. Increase your local SEO visibility with easy directory distribution, review management, listing updates and more. This search engine ranking factor can serve as a reference check and support your website's reputation as a producer of quality content. .
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