Most commonly known ranking factors are ...
Google uses a complex algorithm that takes into account many different factors to determine the ranking of web pages in search results. While Google has never publicly disclosed the exact number of factors it uses, it is widely believed that there are over 200 factors that can influence a page's ranking in search results.
These factors include both on-page factors, such as the relevance and quality of content, as well as off-page factors, such as the number and quality of links pointing to the page from other websites.Additionally, the weight and importance of each factor can vary depending on the specific search query and other factors.
Here are some of the most commonly known ranking factors that Google uses:
- Relevance of the content to the search query
- Quality and uniqueness of the content
- Use of keywords in the content and meta tags
- Page loading speed
- Mobile-friendliness of the page
- User experience and engagement metrics (such as bounce rate, time on page, and click-through rate)
- Domain authority and trustworthiness
- Quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to the page
- Social signals and mentions on social media platforms
- Page metadata (such as title tags and meta descriptions)
- Use of structured data and rich snippets
- Domain age and registration length
- Page speed and loading times
- Content formatting (such as the use of headers, bullet points, and images)
- Use of multimedia (such as videos and images)
- Content freshness and recency
- Use of natural language and semantic search terms
- Use of synonyms and related keywords
- Internal linking structure and anchor text
- Use of HTTPS encryption and security
- User engagement metrics on the page (such as comments, shares, and likes)
- Geographic location and relevance to the search query
- Use of geo targeted keywords and local business information
- Presence and consistency of NAP (name, address, phone number) data across the web
- User search history and personalization
- Accessibility and usability for users with disabilities
- Use of social proof and credibility indicators (such as customer reviews and trust badges)
- Website uptime and availability
- Use of natural backlink profiles, without spammy or low-quality links
- Site architecture and organization, including clear navigation and page hierarchy
- Use of brand signals, such as mentions of the brand name across the web
- Domain-level keyword usage and relevance
- Use of descriptive and informative URLs
- Optimized images, including file size, alt tags, and captions
- Presence and quality of user-generated content, such as reviews and comments
- Use of authorship and author credibility
- Use of external signals, such as news articles or publications referencing the website or brand
- Use of social media signals, such as the number and quality of social media shares
- Number and frequency of content updates or additions
- Inclusion in relevant directories or listings
- Use of local search optimization techniques, such as Google My Business listings and local schema markup
- Relevance of the content to the search query
- Quality and uniqueness of the content
- Use of keywords in the content and meta tags
- Page loading speed
- Mobile-friendliness of the page
- User experience and engagement metrics (such as bounce rate, time on page, and click-through rate)
- Domain authority and trustworthiness
- Quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to the page
- Social signals and mentions on social media platforms
- Page metadata (such as title tags and meta descriptions)
- Use of structured data and rich snippets
- Domain age and registration length
- Page speed and loading times
- Content formatting (such as the use of headers, bullet points, and images)
- Use of multimedia (such as videos and images)
- Content freshness and recency
- Use of natural language and semantic search terms
- Use of synonyms and related keywords
- Internal linking structure and anchor text
- Use of HTTPS encryption and security
- User engagement metrics on the page (such as comments, shares, and likes)
- Geographic location and relevance to the search query
- Use of geo targeted keywords and local business information
- Presence and consistency of NAP (name, address, phone number) data across the web
- User search history and personalization
- Accessibility and usability for users with disabilities
- Use of social proof and credibility indicators (such as customer reviews and trust badges)
- Website uptime and availability
- Use of natural backlink profiles, without spammy or low-quality links
- Site architecture and organization, including clear navigation and page hierarchy
- Use of brand signals, such as mentions of the brand name across the web
- Domain-level keyword usage and relevance
- Use of descriptive and informative URLs
- Optimized images, including file size, Alt tags, and captions
- Presence and quality of user-generated content, such as reviews and comments
- Use of authorship and author credibility
- Use of external signals, such as news articles or publications referencing the website or brand
- Use of social media signals, such as the number and quality of social media shares
- Number and frequency of content updates or additions
- Inclusion in relevant directories or listings
- Use of local search optimization techniques, such as Google My Business listings and local schema markup
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- User engagement metrics
- Brand mentions
- Social signals
- Site speed - Slow-loading pages can have a negative impact on user experience, and search engines may penalize sites that take too long to load.
- Content freshness
- Mobile optimization
- Site architecture
- Domain age and authority
- Geolocation
- Schema markup
- Internal linking
- Readability
- Multimedia content
- Inbound and outbound links
- Domain history
It's worth noting that while having a strong understanding of these factors can help improve a page's ranking, the exact weight and importance of each factor can vary depending on the specific search query and other factors, such as the location of the searcher and their search history. It's important to focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that provides value to users, as this is ultimately what Google aims to reward in its search results.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR) - While CTR is not necessarily an uncommon factor, it is often overlooked. The higher the CTR, the more likely it is that users find the content relevant and useful, which can lead to higher rankings.
- User engagement metrics - Search engines take into account metrics such as bounce rate, time on site, and pages per session to determine the quality and relevance of a website.
- Brand mentions - Even if there isn't a link, search engines may recognize brand mentions as a signal of authority and credibility, leading to higher rankings.
- Social signals - Social media activity and engagement (likes, shares, comments) can indicate a website's relevance and popularity, which can have a positive impact on rankings.
- Site speed - Slow-loading pages can have a negative impact on user experience, and search engines may penalize sites that take too long to load.
- Content freshness - Sites that regularly update their content may be viewed as more relevant and valuable, leading to higher rankings.
- Mobile optimization - As more users access the internet on mobile devices, search engines have started prioritizing mobile-friendly websites in their rankings.
- Site architecture - Well-organized, easy-to-navigate websites can improve user experience and help search engines better understand the content and structure of a site.
- Domain age and authority - Older, more established domains may be viewed as more trustworthy and authoritative, which can lead to higher rankings.
- Geolocation - For local searches, search engines may prioritize results that are geographically relevant to the user.
- Schema markup - Schema markup is a way of adding structured data to a website's HTML code to help search engines better understand the content and context of the site. This can help improve rankings for certain types of content, such as recipes, events, and reviews.
- Internal linking - Internal linking can help search engines better understand the content hierarchy of a site, and can also help distribute link equity throughout the site, potentially leading to higher rankings.
- Readability - Websites with easy-to-read content may be viewed as more user-friendly and valuable, leading to higher rankings. Readability can be assessed using tools like the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test.
- Multimedia content - Content that includes images, videos, and other multimedia elements can improve user engagement and make a site more visually appealing, potentially leading to higher rankings.
- Inbound and outbound links - Inbound links (links to a website from other sites) and outbound links (links from a website to other sites) can both impact rankings. Inbound links from high-quality, relevant sites can improve a website's authority and rankings, while outbound links to high-quality, relevant sites can help establish a website's credibility and authority.
- Domain history - A website's domain history, including previous ownership and usage, can impact its rankings. If a domain has a history of spammy or low-quality content, search engines may view it as less trustworthy.
- User-generated content - User-generated content, such as comments, reviews, and social media posts, can signal to search engines that a website is relevant and engaging, potentially leading to higher rankings.
- Accessibility - Websites that are accessible to users with disabilities, such as those with visual impairments or mobility issues, can improve user experience and potentially lead to higher rankings.
- Content formatting - Well-formatted content, including the use of headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs, can improve readability and user experience, potentially leading to higher rankings.
- Outdated content - Websites with outdated or inaccurate content may be viewed as less valuable and relevant, potentially leading to lower rankings. Regularly updating and reviewing content can help ensure its accuracy and relevance over time.
- Relevance of the content to the search query
- Quality and uniqueness of the content
- Use of keywords in the content and meta tags
- Page loading speed
- Mobile-friendliness of the page
- User experience and engagement metrics (such as bounce rate, time on page, and click-through rate)
- Domain authority and trustworthiness
- Quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to the page
- Social signals and mentions on social media platforms
- Page metadata (such as title tags and meta descriptions)
- Use of structured data and rich snippets
- Domain age and registration length
- Page speed and loading times
- Content formatting (such as the use of headers, bullet points, and images)
- Use of multimedia (such as videos and images)
- Content freshness and recency
- Use of natural language and semantic search terms
- Use of synonyms and related keywords
- Internal linking structure and anchor text
- Use of HTTPS encryption and security
- User engagement metrics on the page (such as comments, shares, and likes)
- Geographic location and relevance to the search query
- Use of geo targeted keywords and local business information
- Presence and consistency of NAP (name, address, phone number) data across the web
- User search history and personalization
- Accessibility and usability for users with disabilities
- Use of social proof and credibility indicators (such as customer reviews and trust badges)
- Website uptime and availability
- Use of natural backlink profiles, without spammy or low-quality links
- Site architecture and organization, including clear navigation and page hierarchy
- Use of brand signals, such as mentions of the brand name across the web
- Domain-level keyword usage and relevance
- Use of descriptive and informative URLs
- Optimized images, including file size, Alt tags, and captions
- Presence and quality of user-generated content, such as reviews and comments
- Use of authorship and author credibility
- Use of external signals, such as news articles or publications referencing the website or brand
- Use of social media signals, such as the number and quality of social media shares
- Number and frequency of content updates or additions
- Inclusion in relevant directories or listings
- Use of local search optimization techniques, such as Google My Business listings and local schema markup
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- User engagement metrics
- Brand mentions
- Social signals
- Site speed - Slow-loading pages can have a negative impact on user experience, and search engines may penalize sites that take too long to load.
- Content freshness
- Mobile optimization
- Site architecture
- Domain age and authority
- Geolocation
- Schema markup
- Internal linking
- Readability
- Multimedia content
- Inbound and outbound links
- Domain history