Search Engine Optimization keeps changing. Therefore, it can be difficult to keep up with its dynamics. However, if you want your website to get traffic, you must learn about the ranking factors. Understanding the factors is critical if you are running an online business.
The factors are key to getting your website on the first page of Google. But what exactly are they? In this guide, we highlight the top 5 Google ranking factors in 2019.
So, what exactly are Google ranking factors?
Google ranking factors refer to factors that determine how a page ranks in googles organic search results. Typically, there are two ranking factors; on the page and off the page. You can learn more about the differences and how to implement these factors from this page.
1. Content
In 2019, content is still king, and it is one of the top ranking factors. But what characteristics does google consider?
- · Content Quality: good/quality content covers a topic in depth. A piece of content that tries to provide A to Z information about a topic is likely to rank high.
- · Content length: The average word count for most content ranking on page one contains 1890 words.
- · Content structure: Google tries to favor content that is well structured.
2. Backlinks
Backlinks remain to be one of Google’s ranking signals. The more links your site has from multiple authority domains; the higher the chances you are to rank well for top keywords. Therefore, it critical to pay attention to backlink profiles, especially after Penguin update. Penguin 4.0 filtered out the website with low-quality backlinks.
3. User Experience
In 2015, Google announced a new algorithm; the RankBrain. RankBrain algorithm studies and measures user experience on your web pages. How visitors interact with your web page create metrics such as;
- · Bounce rate
- · Click through rate and
- · Time on page
The algorithm watches these metrics since it helps Google determine your page answered the searcher’s query.
4. Page Speed
In 2018, Google announced an update to “Google Speed Update”; thus, confirming website speed as a ranking factor. Websites that rank on the #1 of Google have a load speed of 2 seconds. Also, research indicates that an ideal website should have a loading speed of 3 seconds. Otherwise, visitors will abandon your web pages.
5. Website Security
In 2016, Google announced that they would start flagging website that does not have an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate ensures that all website traffic between a user’s browser and your web server is secure and encrypted and cannot be read by the third party. Therefore, it prevents hackers from intercepting the communication.Visit us and find out more interesting things.