And a high bounce rate will negatively impact your Google rankings. To rank websites, Google uses web crawlers that scan and index pages. Every page gets rated according to Google’s opinion of its authority and usefulness to the end user. Then, using an algorithm with over 210 known factors, Google orders them on a search result page. Just as you can use Google Keyword Planner to find SEO Anomaly keywords, you can use Google Analytics, along with position check tools for Google to measure their effect on your website. When you set up your site with Analytics, you can track user traffic on your content pages to see how effective they are.
Figure out search intent
And, this means it values sites that provide better answers to those searches over those that are just packed with relevant words and phrases. Google’s algorithm has increased in complexity, which means it is now better able to understand the intent behind queries. But, you already knew that – it’s why you’re reading this article, after all.
How to Get On Top of the Google SERP: A Practical Guide
High-quality content not only attracts and engages the audience but also signals to Google that your site is authoritative and relevant. Short-tail keywords are broad terms with high search volume and high competition, such as shoes. Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases, usually containing three or more words, like best-running shoes for women. These have lower search volume but are easier to rank for and often lead to higher conversion rates. You can use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Semrush to discover keywords related to your niche, evaluate their search volume, and assess the competition. For example, if you’re targeting the keyword how to grow tomatoes in pots, the search intent is clearly informational.
Michael DeVault is a career journalist with more than 20 years in media and marketing. He has an extensive background in franchise marketing, having worked with some of the biggest names in franchising, including iconic names like SONIC, Captain D’s, and Fantastic Sam’s. Top SERPs for “Chicago mobile dog grooming” in an incognito Google search. In many cases, Google factors the searcher’s location into SERPs.
Include FAQ sections
For example, people might search for “running shoes nike.” But you should use a variant like “Nike running shoes” instead. Always make sure to use keywords in their grammatically correct form. We recommend that you choose a relevant primary keyword for each page. If your content provides more value than competitors’, Google has good reason to rank it higher. Use the “Personal KD %” filter to focus on keywords in your chosen difficulty range. A SERP feature is any non-traditional result on a search results page.
- But there’s no doubt that you want to get as many clicks (from the right audience) as possible anyway.
- So, it will use these types of keywords to verify that your content is, in fact, about the topic.
- Start by identifying priority keywords that resonate with your target audience.
- This visual cue can make it much easier to spot trends or outliers at a glance.