Googling queries are the trend of today’s lifestyle. And Google ranking is the need for a website to grow online.
Google is a major search engine in today’s time. According to Google search statistics, every second Google has about 63000 of average searches and every search has millions of results. This shows how people are dependent on Google for their regular questions. Ans this makes bloggers and service providers compete to be in their search results. For that, they need Google ranking factors that justify Google algorithm.
Every search engine has its own algorithm that decides the factors of ranking. Among all search engines, Google has the best algorithm because of that it gives the most relevant result for a query. That’s why it is a trusted search engine by users. You must rank in Google for better sales, viewers, and customers.
Having an online presence is not enough to rank in Google or in any other search engine. There are certain factors that make you rank in a search engine you can use these factors for search engine optimization. As Google is the most trusted search engine so, here we talk about the Google ranking factors in 2019. Here we go-
Google Ranking Factor 2019
Google is updating its algorithm since it is launched. As of this year, Google has been updated its algorithm twice. That’s why Google ranking factors are updated in 2019. Here is the list-
- Content factor
- Domain factor
- Keyword factor
- Mobile friendly website factor
- Backlinks factor
- Site-Level factors
- Image factor
- Social media connectivity
- User interaction
- Business address in Google
Let’s have a brief on Google ranking factors for 2019.
Content factor
Content is an expressive way to promote a brand, provide information and connect with the user intent. After the ‘Panda’ update of Google in 2011, content plays an important role. Here we discuss how content related factor improve in Google search engine ranking.-
1. Quality of Content
Content is still the king in search engine ranking. Google gives ranking to high-quality content. Here high-quality means the content should be free from grammatical error & spelling mistakes, content should be engaging, informative and most important should justify the user’s intent. After the Panda update lots of websites gone through the Google penalty.
The reason is, Google tried hard to maintain a high-quality search engine for its viewers. That’s why it doesn’t want irrelevant sites with no valid information. As said before, Panda update follows good content or high-quality content that full fill the users intent and should be linkable
Google is very straightforward about the fact that if a user is not satisfied with your content then Google will not rank you high in search engines. Quality content is the first very important Google ranking factor. So as website owner its a responsibility to publish quality and informative content.
2. Content length
Google give priority informative content. More information you put in content rank higher in search engines. Other than this a unique topic with quality information but fewer words also rank higher in search engines.
In the year 2018, content with word limit 600-800 is easily rank in search engines. But as competition is increased Google considers the length of content. That consideration is started with 2000-2200 words.
The word limit of content also depends on the topic you want to answer through that content. For example, you select a broad topic like digital marketing, this topic can contain huge information like definition, categories, activities, techniques, strategy, etc. In such case length of content matters.
But if you select a short topic like define digital marketing than you can answer this query in limited words. Take the reference of the top 5 results of Query ‘Digital marketing’ the length of the content of the top 5 results is-
- #1-4581
- #2-3475
- #3-2409
- #4-1777
- #5-861
This data shows that Google gives priority to the length of content.
But in many cases to the point answer is required. In that case, content length doest matter only key point information is enough.
3. Content Updates
Google sees how often you are publishing new content on your site. And if you are updating your old published content or not.
Google use this factor to determine if your site is still alive. And provide a lot of credit to that site which publishes the articles frequently. Often, the Google has started to highlight the published date.
4. Duplicate Content
When content is published in more than one place then it is duplicate content even if it is on the same website. Google penalizes the site with duplicate content. The fact is, Google encourages fresh and unique content. If a website is not sharing fresh content than it will not rank in Google.
So, publish unique information with different perspectives. This makes your content more appreciable and Google friendly.
5. Latest published content
Google gives priority to the latest published content. Especially time-sensitive queries. Like the latest movie, latest technology, cricket, festivals, etc.. So. most recent information on such a topic can help you to rank in Google search engine.
6. Table of content
A linked table of contents makes your content more structured and easy to understand for the user as well as a search engine like Google. To add a table of contents that clearly describes whatever you covered in your content.
7. Bullets And Numbered Lists
Bullets and numbered list should be in order to organize your content.
However, you may also use them without any order. But they should be used within your content. Hence, having bullets and numbered list helps the user to interact with your content in a better manner.
They often make your content more user-friendly and Google clearly prefers only those contents which are well organized.
8. Autogenerated content
Google hates autogenerated content and it also against Google Panda update. If your content is auto-generated than it may ranks down in Google ranking.
Domain factor
A domain is the identity of a brand, service, organization or a business on the world wide web. And to rank in Google search engine ranking it is a factor that influences the Google ranking. Here we will see how domain factors influence Google’s ranking.
9. Domain age
“Old is Gold”. An old domain which is actively working for a long time is noticed by Google and it gives importance in the ranking. It a sign, that the domain has trust that’s why it running so long.
Content is published from a 10-year-old domain and the same topic of content is published with a 5-year-old domain than the 10-year-old domain is get the priority.
Still, a 5-year-old domain publishing some latest updates will rank higher.
10. Domain authority
Domain authority is a Moz tool measurement, but Google counts this. Higher the domain authority, higher the chances of ranking in Google. So, to rank higher in the Google search engine try to increase domain authority.
11. Domain registration period
Domain registration length means the duration for which a domain is registered. There is a number of the domain that is registered for a few years. So, the date of expiry of the domain also a factor for Google ranking. Comparatively, a domain registered for a year only and another is for 5 years than Google gives priority to the domain registered for 5 years.
12. Domain History
Tell Google to reset domain history. A domain that switched multiple ownership also gone through with ups and down in Google ranking. There is also a probability that the domain is carrying the Google penalty to the new owner of that domain. This may become the reason for not ranking in Google. So, if you buy an old domain then reset history for that domain.
13. Domain Extension
Domain extension including a particular location like .in, .uk, .us. helps to rank higher in Google. The reason is simple, for global ranking, competition is high while you want to rank in a particular location competition range is lower and comparatively, you a faster and higher in that location.
Keyword Factor
Keywords are a word or phrase that is searched in a search engine by the users to get an answer. That answer can be a service, product, information, etc. These keywords are an important factor for Google search ranking. Now we discuss other factors related to Keywords.
As of- Google Hummingbird update focuses beyond keyword. This algorithm of Google work to understand the intent of a query.
14. Keyword in Domain
A relevant keyword in the domain is counted by Google. It makes more relevance with the content and services you provide by using the name of the domain.
For example, a domain name is carservice.com and its website provides car services then the chances of ranking on car service keyword will be high for such domain.
Similarly, if a domain contains the target keyword than the chances of ranking Google search engine will be higher.
15. Keyword in the title tag
Title tag is the title of your content that appears in the search engine. Title tag with targeted keywords helps it rank higher in the Google search engine. It also matters where you are placing your keyword in the Title tag. For Google ranking try to add a keyword at the beginning of the title tag. This will help to rank in Google.
16. Keyword in meta description
Meta description is a short summary of the content that appears in the search results under the title tag. By adding targeting keyword in the description you can expect to a higher rank in the search engine. In meta description, you can add 2-3 keyword that is relevant to your topic. Also, make this description attractive to readers.
17. Keyword density
Keyword density is a very important Google ranking factor. How many times a keyword is repeated on a web page or in a piece of content is called keyword density or keyword frequency. This ratio is set for every content. The keyword density for any web page is about 2-3% of that content.
Here keyword density is decided by the focus keyword of the content. If it goes higher than the decides scale then it is counted as keyword stuffing which harms Google ranking.
18. LSI keyword in the content
LSI keyword is Latent Semantic Indexing keywords. These keyword helps to extract the meaning of the query. In other words, the LSI keyword helps the search engine to understand the intent of a query. And that makes it an important factor for Google search ranking.
Use of LSI keyword in title and description add ons to your Google ranking strategy. Because it helps to understand the intent of a keyword that satisfies the Google algorithm to an extent.
19. Brand and Keyword
User does search queries with brand names like ‘Titan exclusive watches’. This shows users trust in a brand. Google also trusts such brands and rank them higher in the search result.
20. Prominence of Keywords
Put the keyword out in the first 100 words of the content of your blog.
Hence, using the keyword so will increase the strength of your content. And Google only prefers the strong and relevant content. Often, it is a significant relevancy signal that you use the keyword in the first paragraph of your content.
21. Order of Keywords
As we all know that keyword research is very important. Hence, keeping the keywords in the same order, and itself the content promises better ranking to your website.
Mobile-friendly website Factor
Almost 80% of the searches on Google are done by mobile phones. After the Mobilegeddon update of April 2015, Google gives importance to mobile-friendly websites. Let’s see all mobile related Google ranking factors.
22. Mobile Page Speed
Mobile speed factor is how much time a website takes to load in mobile devices. As the mobile user increased, Google starts giving priority to mobile page speed and a mobile page speed update is also done on July 9, 2018.
A fast loading site in mobile devices is more accepted by users and has higher chances of ranking in search engines. So, when a website is optimized it should also be optimized according to mobile devices to rank in Google.
23. Mobile responsive site
A mobile responsive site means sites should be equally responsive as on desktop. If the users are very well engaged with the responsiveness of a website than Google marks such sites to rank in search engines. So, the mobile responsiveness of a website is an important factor in search engine ranking.
24. Accelerated mobile pages(AMP)
AMP mobile pages are fast-loading mobile pages that increase the user experience in mobile devices. It’s not a direct factor but it is required to rank in Google News Carousel mobile version. That’s why it is a factor for Google search ranking.
25. Mobile usability
If a website is easy to use on mobile devices. And users are frequently using that website then Google mark such site and give priority in the ranking. Also, the mobile usability of the website is a requirement of the present time due to an active user. So this is a markable Google ranking factor because of the Mobile-First Index rule.
26. Interstitial Popups
Interstitial Popups are splash ads that appear on screen to navigate the user on another page.
Mobile device users are the most active internet users they explore and search for everything on the internet. These interstitial popups give the worst experience to mobile users. And this kind of popups in mobiles is noticed by search engine crawlers. This may affect your Google ranking. So, such interstitial popups is a factor that influences your Google ranking.
Backlinks Factor
Backlinks have a simple definition. Link from external website navigated to your web page are backlinks. A backlink network is important for the online image. But it should have quality. After Google Penguin update, lots of sites suffered from Google penalty just because of the Backlink factor. Let’s see other related factors of backlinks.
27. Relevant backlinks
Google considers relevant referral links from high authority sites. If your sites have backlinks from high domain authority site ad relevant to your topic of content than such links are counted as quality backlinks. And Google gives priority to sites that have a bundle of quality links. So, to rank higher in Google search engine built relevant backlinks.
28. Backlinks from old sites
Backlinks from an old website or domain, build trust on your website. And such referral links add quality to your backlink support. Google considers individual referral links from old domains. Every link will add to your Google ranking. So, if you’re working on the backlink, then also focus on the old domain or website.
29. Backlinks from high authority sites
Domain authority takes time to build and referral links from such sites add to your website image. High authority sites mean the website had already built trust and image on the internet if your website is linking to such sites it adds to your backlink profile. As mature is your backlink profile higher is the chances of ranking in the Google search engine.
30. Backlinks Age
Google ranking algorithm marks the old backlinks on a website. Old is the backlink higher is the chances of ranking in Google search engine. The old link is the sigh of the loyalty of a website. So, whenever you are creating a backlink make sure it stays for a long duration. Because the link stays for a short time damages the online profile of your website. Hence backlink age is an important Google ranking factor.
31. Natural backlink profile
It has been observed that website owners buy backlinks for their websites. Those are not naturally created. Such links increase the spamming scale of a website. And after Google Penguin update spamming links are the reason for Google penalty.
So, considering the natural backlink Google ranking factor, build the best backlinks from natural sources. One of the natural ways to create backlink is guest posting and press release. Guest posting is an off page activity. Google highly considers referral links from guest posting and gives priority in Google search engine ranking.
32. ‘Do follow’ links
There are two types of referral links, ‘do follow’ and no follow the link. ‘Do follow’ links share authority and link juice to your website. While ‘No follow’ link doesn’t share any of them. Google gives priority to the ‘Do follow’ link. A maximum number of do-follow link adds quality to your backlinks.
This benefits in Google ranking. So if you want to be higher in Google search engine ranking start collecting ‘Do follow’ links for your website.
Google has the latest update about links. It has introduced two new attributes also called rel=” sponsored” and rel=”ugc”.
rel=” sponsored”– This attribute used for links that created for advertisements, sponsorships or other compensation purposes
rel=”ugc”- Here UGC stands for user-generated content. This attribute is used to differentiate user-generated content. Like in forum posting and blog commenting.
33. Number of backlinks
Quality and quantity both are equally important for the backlink profile of a website. Higher number of backlinks supporting a website rank higher in Google search engine.
For example, a website has 5000 thousand backlinks and another website has 10,000 backlinks. Google gives priority to the website that has 10,000 backlinks.
34. Backlinks Variety
As we all know that backlinks have the most SEO value in comparison to all other factors. Like the site containing 80% backlinks coming from the directories. Can raise a flag to Google that something is unnatural to your site.
Even someone is doing some sloppy SEO (Search Engine Optimization.) However, while building a link.
You need to make sure that you don’t overdo a method. Despite this, you need to be creative and even try to get different types of the backlinks that are violating Google’s guidelines.
35. Link from competitor
Every field of work has a competitor and when one is recommended by another competitor than the reputation changes. The same thing happens in backlinks. If you are getting a link from your competitor site this increases the trust of your website. And Google appreciates this trust and rank you higher in search engine.
36. Outbound links
Adding a reference outbound link in your website or outbound links that proves your work will add to your search ranking in Google search ranking. So always put a few outbound references on your website.
37. Affiliate Links
Google is not so font of affiliating links but owners add this for their earning. But too much of an affiliate link in one content or website can affect your Google search ranking.
38. Broken Links
A broken link is also one of the coolest ranking factor. Often, said that having too many broken links on your site can be a sign of neglect and may affect your SEO.
However, having few of the broken links on your website may not affect it. But if you do have too many broken links then it might be a trouble for you.
39. Backlinks IP location & TLD
Consider a very important factor, especially if you are doing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for local and small business.
Like UK websites should have backlinks coming from other sites located in the UK. It will not make sense to get links from Russia, China or other parts of world websites.
However, often check both IP and TLD or domains that are connecting with you.
Site-Level Factors
Appearance and security of a website reflect on the Google ranking. Let’s have a look at related factors-
40. Secured site-SSL certificate
An unprotected, not secure website creates a security risk for users. Google wants to serve the best that why it gives priority to SSL certified sites in ranking. SSL certificate is file data that you add to your server to achieve an encrypted connection between server and browser.
This certificate is indicted in URL is letter ‘S’. So, the sites with https links have more chances to get ranked in search engines.
41. Site Architecture
A well-organized website is less complicated and that is easy to understand by Google, rank higher in search engines. The looks and appearance of a website make your website more engaging and the well-organized site helps Google to thematically manage your content. Such a website ranks faster in search engine ranking. This includes website design also. A well-designed website gets benefits in google ranking.
42. Website update
Regularly updating websites that are found active in a search engine will rank higher. A website publishing, managing, and editing content on regular bases Google remember them. This keeps you updated in your ranking and may rank you higher in search engines.
One of the most important ranking factors among all. Often says, adding new updates and removing unfortunate sections are more important than spinning around a few words.
Because freshness factors completely depend on the quality of the changes made on the blog posts and pages!
43. Website Maintenance and Site Uptime
Maintenance or server problems can affect your website ranking.
However, it completely depends on how long your website has been down in search engine. Being the most important ranking factor one has to keep a look at the site uptime.
During the maintenance of your website, you may lose your ranking in search engines. In website maintenance sites undergo server error due to which Google is not able to crawl the website content. If it remains for a long time then Google rank down the website. It may happen for a duration only after the maintenance is done you can rank again in search engine.
44. Server location
Server location influences the ranking in geographical location. Like if you are using the Indian server so may rank higher in India. Server location is also a Google ranking factor.
45. Website Speed
Your site must be loaded very fast, without any major delays to the users, both on mobile and desktop. However, website speed has been the ranking factor since 2010.
But there has been a renewed emphasis on it, mainly on the mobile. Why does Google like website speed? Virtually, it is because of we have a short attention span. As the web surfers, we expect sites to load fastly and will normally navigate away if they do not.
Google recognizes the things and as it is in their interest to help the people look which things they are looking for. Often, they encourage sites to make their websites load fast. They have made tools like the Page-Speed Insights to help to find speed bottlenecks.
Even, published the library of information and details on the speed best practices.
46. Responsive Design
A mobile site is better, but which thing Google really recommends is a use of the Responsive Website Design — a site that has one base of the code and design that responds to the user device size.
It goes too far as to say “The responsive design is Google’s preferred design pattern.”
However, Google’s recommended, responsive web design in the industry norm. And the best practice for developing sites that function well in the marketing industry.
Very often, It is faster, easy to maintain and permit you to emphasize the content which is really important for the users. Hence, all the websites we design are responsive and are built on the top of the Bootstrap Framework.
47. Sitemaps
Sitemap is an XML file that consists of all the pages of a website. Sitemap is submitted to Google to allow his crawler to read pages. This makes easy for Google to index your website pages. If the sitemap is not submitted than Google bots will not crawl your website. Because of this, you may not rank in the Google search engine.
48. Privacy and terms & condition pages
Privacy and terms & condition pages of a website tell Google that the website is trustworthy. That improves the E.A.T factor (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness factor). When the E.A.T factor is improved your ranking also improves. So, to rank in Google search engine add the Privacy and T&C page on your website.
49. Breadcrumbs navigation
Breadcrumbs navigation is a secondary navigation scheme that shows the user’s location on a website. In other words in navigation technique to reveal the user location on a website.
This type of navigation makes the website architecture better and also a website becomes more user-friendly. Every effort to make a user happy makes your rank higher in search engines. So breadcrumbs navigation is a Google ranking factor that helps a website to rank higher.
50. Reviews Factor
How your website is a review on other sites, also makes important factor to rank in Google search engine. Reviews add ons in the trust factor of a website. More is your reviews from genuine profiles make your website more trustworthy and loyal. Google counts the trust factor a lot and gives a high ranking to most reviewed websites.
51. Image Factor
Quality images add quality to your content and your website. And Google gives priority to the quality of images and their optimization. Let’s see the image related Google ranking factor.
52. Image Alt tag
‘Alt’ tag is an alternative tag for images. It is a readable text for search engine bots that help to describe an image. Without this text, the search engine crawler is not able to find out what the image represents. For this, it is important to add an alt tag to all the images of your website.
If the images of a website are not containing an alt text than it affects Google search engine ranking.
53. Image results
When all the images of a website are optimized according to keywords than the chances of ranking that image is improved. When your image is ranking in the search engine then your content will also rank and this will improve the overall ranking of a website in Google search engine.
54. Image title & description
On SEO point, image title and description make an image more reliable and understandable for users and search engines. This can make high ranking in search engine.
55. Image Quality
High-resolution images that gave your content a nice appearance on any screen add-ons to your content quality. Google gives priority to quality images. So, the quality of the image can decide your Google search ranking.
Social media connectivity
According to a survey, there are about 3.02 billion monthly active users on social media. This number makes this social media an important Google ranking factor. Let’s see how it affect Google ranking.
56. Social media Account connected to a website
An active social media account with thousands of followers connected to a website has an impact on Google search rankings. Google works on too. A social media profile with thousands of followers and a few posts, Google will not give priority to such profiles.
In social connectivity, Google gives priority to a social media profile having an active post and quantity followers. So, you can say Google give priority in the ranking to genuine stuff, whether it is a website or a social media profile.
Also, social connectivity to a website build trust in the community and on the world wide web.
57. Website’s social media page
Website has active social media pages with lots and likes and review helps in Google ranking. Because the image of that page connected to your website makes your website more trustworthy.
The most trusted social media for page creation are Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Reddit, etc. The official profile of your brand or website on these social media sites can give a bounce in your Google ranking.
User Interaction
User experience is the main concern in the Google search engine ranking. There are certain criteria that decide the user interaction with your website.
58. CTR of the website
Click through rate is a performance indicator of a web site. Higher the CTR represents better site is having a better user interaction which pays you back in Google search engine ranking. CTR also decides the quality score of a website.
The quality score is the Google rating of the keyword and PPC ads.
59. Ads Above The Fold
The Page Layout Algorithm checks if you have a number of ads above the fold.
Often, Google encourages the webmasters to create a good user experience. And needless to say, that is impossible to have the complete ads above the fold section.
Thus, if a visitor visits your website for the first time and finds the ads there then it might be a bad experience. Hence, you should consider removing some of them to avoid being penalized. Google said that they receive many complaints from frustrated users, who have claimed that they had to scroll through several ads to see the content.
60. Bounce rate
The bounce rate is the percentage of visitors that view your website and left the link an instant. A higher bounce rate shows a negative user experience. This affects Google search engine ranking.
Google is using a variety of methods to determine whether a visitor was happy with the search results or not.
However, a common method to do so is to see at the bounce rate of your site pages. And how long your visitors are staying on your blog posts and pages.
Often, Google can analyze your bounce rate and the average time of visitors per visit. The very first is to take the data directly from Google Analytics. And if you do not have analytics installed.
Then, go along with the second method as. Analyzing how long it takes to click the back button on the browser and return to the initial search query from your website.
61. Number of Sessions
The average session duration in Google analytics to be counted as of 30 seconds to 1 minute. More the number of the session shows a positive user interaction and impact on Google ranking.
62. Direct traffic
Direct traffic can be generated with bots and that increase the bounce rate of your website. Which drop down your Google ranking.
Another reason for direct traffic because of the browser. Google uses data from Google Chrome to check the number of users visit a site. There is a history save of previous searches users open the same link without searching the same query again and again.
The direct traffic generated from the browser shows positive user interaction. And improves your Google ranking.
63. Repeat traffic
Repeated users on the website show a positive user experience. Google count this traffic to rank a website in its search result. And also give you priority for other queries also. So repeat traffic help you to rank higher in search engine.
64. Chrome Bookmarking
User bookmark pages for future reference in their Chrome browser. These bookmarking shows that the user found your website relevant and more understanding. Google takes reference of this data to give ranking in search engines.
65. Number of comments
A comment box is the best tool to start interacting with viewers. When a viewer leaves a comment that raising a query or appreciating your writing or anything else that compliments your content, Google gives priority to that content and website.
But only genuine comments are counted to boost Google search engine ranking.
66. Business address in Google
A business has its office location where it provides services. If the website has a business address and that is submitted to Google business listing then Google gives them priority in the search result and it may give priority to that website in its local search results. This makes a website genuine and trustworthy
So, Google business listing is also h factor to improve your ranking in the Google search engine.
67. “Contact us” and “About us” Pages
Anonymous website has never been liked by Google.
Thus, encourage webmaster to create contact us and about us pages for your website. Consequently, allow the users to connect with you in an easy manner.
Very often, If you do have an e-commerce website or SAS business. Then it is very important to create the terms & condition page for your website.
68. Take Voice Search Into Account
Put the voice search into your account because this is basically changing the platforms like Google to respond over it.
We do ask the question in different manners to the search engine and far more naturally with our voice. That’s why the web content wants to ready with the answers. Hence, you will need to concentrate over the things which are as follows:
- Humanised Content: Structure your website pages and the blogs naturally and do not stuff them with the keywords.
- FAQ Content: The quicker you may offer an answer, the quicker you will be found by the voice search.
- Expanding Your Pay-Per-Click Keywords: How are your visitors likely to use the voice search to find you? Review your PPC keywords and add those terms.
Wrapping Up
Google is the most useful search engine by the users for all their personal and professional queries. Ranking in the Google search result is one of the Goals of internet marketing. Through this article, we make a way to reach your goal.
We pointed out all the Google ranking factor that helps you to rank higher in search queries.
Don’t forget to use the comment box.
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