As search algorithms evolve, the need to create high-quality, relevant content and optimize technical elements persists. On-page SEO is everything you can do internally to boost your rankings, including keyword optimization, meta descriptions, title tags, alt text, and website structure. SEO professionals use various methods to generate quality incoming links, including social media, creating sharable infographics, and even asking for backlinks. Businesses would include keywords in domain names to help them rank higher. HyperText Markup Language or HTML is the standard markup language used to structure your webpage and content.

Optimize for Relevant Keywords

If you know your way around redirects, optimizing page speed, crawlability, security and structured data, make those your first priority. If not, let your site builder help you out or hire someone with a background in technical SEO. When that’s done, you can start looking at site structure and the content on your pages.

Natural variation means using a mix of branded, exact match, partial match, and generic anchor texts. A link that is contextually embedded within relevant content (such as within the main body of an article) provides more SEO value than a link placed in a sidebar or footer. We also offer a variety of SEO courses in our Yoast SEO academy, where you can find 5 free courses to get started. For example, the SEO for beginners course, the WordPress for beginners course and a course on structured data.

SEO Guidebook

Google has announced in 2014 that it has started using HTTPS as a ranking signal. HTTPS is a protocol that provides a secure connection between user and server by using an SSL certificate. Google has indicated that page speed is one of the signals it uses in its page ranking algorithm. Google’s algorithm has been getting more human-like, which means that readable texts are helping to rank higher. And with voice search on the rise there is even more demand for short and easy-to-understand but informative content. Take a look and feel free to suggest or provide feedback on a ranking factor by reaching out via our contact form or talk to us about our SaaS SEO consulting.

• This determines the ranking of results shown to the online searcher.
• You want a diverse mix of link types coming from relevant and authoritative sources.
• With the launch of Google’s AI Overviews (formerly Search Generative Experience or SGE), SEOs have lots of questions, including how to rank in Google’s AI-generated search results.
• Most likely, the number 200 originated as a PR attempt by Google to portray its algorithm as complex and having multi-factors.
• Keeping an eye on these elements is essential for maximizing your SEO efforts and capturing organic traffic effectively.

For the purposes of brevity, in this section we will just highlight the particularly noteworthy results. Again, please consult the raw performance data if you wish to examine it for additional factors. Readable content enhances user experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer on your site, which reduces bounce rates and signals to Google that your content is valuable. By focusing on what the audience is searching for and providing comprehensive, relevant information, you increase the likelihood that search engines will rank your content higher. Instead of using generic file names like IMG1234.jpg, using descriptive names helps search engines understand and rank the image appropriately. Alt text (alternative text) provides a textual description of images, which is essential for search engines to understand the content and context of the image.

If you’re not already working with an SEO agency or a digital marketing expert, it might be time to invest in one. As search engines get smarter, it becomes harder to outsmart them. With the right strategy, you can rank higher, get more traffic, and grow your business. In this blog, we’ll cover the top 10 ranking factors experts say will shape SEO in 2025. These strategies are vital for small businesses to drive traffic, build authority, and grow online. The back-end performance of a website directly impacts search engine ranking.

A Simple Strategy to Put This Into Action

When authoritative websites link back to your pages, it shows trust and relevance to search engines, improving your site’s authority. Incorporating localized keywords can help Google understand where your business is located, thereby improving your visibility for users in the same geographical area. Remember, while you may not have control over one of the most important ranking factors, i.e., physical proximity, you do have the tools to make your local business prominent in local searches. Incorporating Core Web Vitals into your UX and SEO strategy not only aligns your website with Google’s ranking factors but also ensures a superior browsing experience for your visitors. By focusing on these metrics, you can enhance your site’s visibility in search engine results, attract more organic traffic, and foster a loyal audience base. Link building is a pivotal SEO strategy that involves acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own.

Use descriptive file names that include relevant keywords to maximize the positive impact of your alt text. Ensure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, directories, and local listings. Above all, you should take care to avoid “black hat” SEO practices, which are dishonest BHS Links or unethical attempts to game search algorithms and artificially boost rankings.

By focusing on enhancing the overall user experience, websites can improve these UX signals, positively impacting their SEO performance and, ultimately, their visibility in search results. Understanding and catering to these intents can significantly boost your content’s relevance and value in the eyes of both users and search engines. These metrics not only provide insights into the effectiveness of your website and content strategy but also offer valuable clues on how to enhance your user experience and engagement. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide on measuring conversion rates and click-through rates for SEO success. Utilize schema markup to help search engines understand the context of your content, making it easier for them to display your site as a relevant result for voice searches. Schema markup can highlight specific information, such as your business’s location, hours, and products, making this data more accessible for voice search queries.