How to Rank Higher on Google

11 min readAug 17, 2023

Table of Content:

In the vast world of Google rankings, there’s an array of factors that contribute to your position. But, truth be told, some of these factors can be quite stubborn to influence. That’s where a methodical approach comes into play. If your goal is to climb the ranks, it’s best to start with the things you can easily control. Once you’ve got those sorted, you can gradually shift your focus to the more intricate challenges.

Picture it like this: you’re embarking on a journey, and like any journey, it’s important to take it step by step. Begin with the simpler tasks that you can manage, and as you gain momentum, venture into the more complex terrain if necessary.

The key here is patience and strategy. While the road to better Google rankings might not be lightning-fast, the thoughtful approach you take will undoubtedly lead you towards your destination.

What is Google Ranking? (SEO Ranking)

Imagine having a trusty digital companion that tirelessly scours the web, intuitively understanding your every search query, and delivering the exact information you’re seeking. This is the magic of Google Ranking — your virtual matchmaker connecting you with valuable insights precisely when you need them.

But how does this enchantment work? Enter Google’s algorithm, a clever detective piecing together clues from countless web pages, much like solving a complex puzzle to uncover the hidden gems — those pages that shine with quality, resonate with relevance, and offer exceptional usefulness. Essentially, Google’s mission is to be your ultimate problem-solver.

However, there’s a twist: those coveted top spots in Google’s search results aren’t randomly assigned. They’re earned through a meticulous evaluation process. Google’s algorithm evaluates various signals to determine which pages truly deserve the spotlight. Imagine it as a grand talent show, where quality, relevance, and usefulness share the spotlight.

So, what’s in it for you? Google Ranking steps in as your personalized curator, ensuring your search queries guide you to the cream of the crop. It’s about sifting through the digital noise and presenting you with a carefully tailored selection that feels as if it was curated just for you.

In essence, Google Ranking becomes your astute confidant, attuned to your preferences and swiftly delivering exactly what you’re seeking. It’s the enchantment that transforms your searches into seamless solutions.

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Choose the Right Keyword: Your Starting Point

If you’re already locked in on your target keyword for that coveted top spot, feel free to skip this step. But if you’re still on the journey to discover that perfect keyword, let’s delve into the exciting world of exploration.

Here’s an approach that feels like a friendly guide:

First, let’s take a stroll into Ahrefs’ Site Explorer. Just pop in your domain and let the magic unfold.
Next, venture into the realm of the Organic Keywords report.
To narrow the field, set the filter for rankings between positions 2 and 10.

Voila! What you’ll uncover are keywords where you’ve secured a place on Google’s first page, though not yet at the pinnacle of position #1. Your task now? Handpick one of these gems that resonates with you.

Now, here’s a little gem of advice: focus on keywords that naturally align with your page’s content. Think of it as choosing the perfect puzzle piece that fits seamlessly into the bigger picture.

For instance, let’s consider our guide to learning SEO. It holds its ground at position #10 for “how long does it take to learn SEO.” But here’s the twist — this keyword isn’t its main focus. So, it might not be the wisest choice to enhance rankings for.

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Match Search Intent: Giving Users What They Need

In the world of online searches, there’s a lot more than meets the eye. Beyond the keywords and queries, there’s a driving force — the “why” behind the search. This powerful factor is what we call search intent, and it holds the key to creating content that truly resonates with users.

Think about it: if you search for “best headphones,” you’re likely not ready to make a purchase. Instead, you’re looking to compare different options, understand their features, and gather insights before making a decision.

The Connection Between Search Intent and Rankings

When it comes to climbing up the ranks on Google, understanding and aligning with search intent is crucial. In fact, about 90% of the top-ranking results for certain keywords, like “air fryer,” are informative blog posts rather than direct sales pages. The reason is simple — Google aims to provide users with the content that best meets their search intent.

The Quest to Rank for “Backlink Checker”

Upon analyzing the top-ranking pages for “backlink checker,” we discovered a vital insight. The pages that ranked well were actually offering free backlink checking tools. This realization prompted us to pivot our strategy.

When you’re aiming for a higher rank, consider these three key factors while analyzing top-ranking pages:

Content Type: Understand the predominant type of content — whether it’s blog posts, product pages, category listings, or something entirely unique.
Content Format: Identify the prevailing content format, whether it’s tutorials, listicles, how-to guides, or other engaging formats.
Content Angle: Pinpoint the central selling point — whether it’s affordability, user-friendliness, or a unique feature.

For instance, let’s take the keyword “pancake recipe.” Users searching for this term are likely seeking a blog post that provides an easy-to-follow recipe.

Comprehensive Topic Coverage: Leaving No Stone Unturned

In the world of search, aligning with user intent is paramount. However, there’s an additional layer to this strategy that can set you apart — unearthing hidden subtopics that cater to users’ unspoken needs. These nuances can make the difference between a satisfactory ranking and a truly exceptional one.

Embarking on a Practical Example:

Consider the keyword “how to start blogging.” A quick scan of the top-ranking results underscores the predominant format: detailed how-to blog posts. It’s evident that searchers are looking for a comprehensive guide.

Yet, here’s the revelation: a common thread among these posts is the inclusion of starting a blog “table of contetn “or links to them.

The Power of Subtopics Unveiled:

Google’s algorithms are astute at understanding user preferences. In this case, the inclusion of templates signals higher value for searchers. If your aim is a loftier ranking, weaving in a template could prove to be a strategic move.

Cracking Open Subtopics: A Dual Approach

Deconstruct Top Performers: An in-depth analysis of top-ranking pages often uncovers shared subtopics. Focus on their subheadings and content sections — they often hold the key to what users expect.
Keyword Gap Investigation: Another avenue is investigating keywords that high-ranking pages rank for, yet you don’t. This frequently exposes related keywords that inherently lend themselves to subtopics.
Practical Execution Using Ahrefs’ Site Explorer:

Here’s a stepwise guide to discovering these hidden gems with Ahrefs’ Site Explorer:

Enter your page URL into Site Explorer.
Navigate to the Content Gap report.
Input the URLs of a few top-ranking pages.

Page Update: Keeping Content Fresh and Relevant

Imagine the virtual realm of Google rankings as a living entity, responding to the call for fresh information. Amidst the vast sea of ranking factors, one often underestimated element emerges: the currency of content. This hidden influencer dances in tune with user needs, dynamically shaping search results to favor updated content.

A Concrete Example:

Visualize a scenario where a user seeks the “top Google searches.” In this context, the concept of “freshness” gains paramount importance. Seekers yearn for the latest trends, not data that’s become outdated over the years. This illustrates how Google rewards recently updated pages with a higher ranking.

Drawing from Our Experience:

Let’s share a story from our own journey. Our page spotlighting the “top Google searches” mirrors this concept. As time ticks on, the page’s ranking and visitor traffic experience a dip. However, by infusing freshness through timely updates, we witness a resurgence in both ranking and traffic.

Riding the Wave of Freshness:

To gauge the relevance of freshness for your chosen keyword, delve into the timestamps on pages that rank at the top. This simple step unveils the role of time in shaping rankings.

Contrasting Keyword Narratives:

Consider two keywords: “best headphones” and “i need website.” The former reflects a trend toward favoring fresh content, as all top-ranking results exhibit recent updates. Conversely, the latter showcases stability in rankings despite content that hasn’t undergone recent revisions. This aligns with the understanding that new parks aren’t a daily creation.

Enhance On-Page SEO: Optimizing for Search Engines

Imagine your content as a carefully crafted piece of art, with on-page SEO as the final brushstroke that adds depth and allure. It’s the finishing touch that not only communicates your content’s essence to Google but also resonates with curious minds seeking knowledge.

Here’s a handful of straightforward techniques to refine your on-page SEO and bring out the best in your content:

Use H1–H6 tags to structure your content hierarchically: By using H1 to H6 tags. The headline takes the spotlight as the H1, while subheadings play their roles in H2s, further hierarchy in H3s, and so forth. This elegant structure guides both search engines and readers through your content seamlessly.
Use a short, descriptive URL: Unveil your content’s essence through a concise and descriptive URL. straightforward URLs speak volumes about your content’s nature.
The Allure of Words: Craft your title tag and meta description thoughtfully. A compelling duo here can serve as your golden ticket to more clicks and favorable signals to Google about your content’s value.
Optimize your images: Infuse life into your images with well-considered optimizations. Give them brief, informative filenames and alt text — an essential tip from Google’s playbook. Additionally, consider image compression to enhance page speed, a factor Google values greatly.
Refined Prose: Guide your readers on a journey through well-polished writing. Google values content that’s not only reader-friendly but also conveys its message effectively. Embrace concise paragraphs, impeccable grammar, and proven copywriting techniques to keep readers engaged.

Build Backlinks: Strengthening Your Online Presence

Backlinks, an essential ingredient in Google’s ranking recipe, gained official recognition from none other than Andrey Lipattsev, a distinguished strategist in Google’s search quality domain, as far back as 2016. Yet, the task of cultivating top-notch backlinks remains one of the more intricate challenges within the realm of SEO. The reason behind this complexity lies in the fact that it’s a realm not fully under your control. Your role involves crafting content that merits the honor of acquiring backlinks, followed by the art of persuading others to weave those vital links into their content.

This intricate dance of strategy finds its crescendo as the final step within our comprehensive approach.

For those setting foot in the dynamic arena of link building, here’s a tangible starting point:

Begin by entering the webpage of a competitor into the virtual explorer known as Site Explorer.
Take the road leading to the Backlinks report, an area of considerable importance.
It’s time to become a detective, seeking out backlinks with the potential for replication.

Now, let’s paint a scenario for context: Let’s say your goal is to craft a web of backlinks for your beginner’s guide to the art of SEO. Armed with the Ahrefs’ SEO Toolbar, you embark on a journey through the digital landscape of Google search. Amidst this journey, you stumble upon a page that garners admiration for its links, hailing from an astonishing 14,000 plus referring domains.

Recap: How to Rank Higher on Google

Elevating your Google ranking is a dynamic endeavor that requires a strategic blend of techniques. As we navigate the evolving landscape of SERPs, it’s evident that Google’s focus has shifted from the conventional 10 blue links to a more visually enriched experience. The goal now is to provide immediate answers through visual and timely content. This roadmap aims to guide you towards achieving higher rankings, bolstering your niche authority, and fulfilling your traffic and conversion goals. To explore how our digital marketing solutions complement your journey, explore what we offer.

Diving into actionable strategies (as highlighted in tip #7) to enhance your Google ranking in 2023:

Precise Keyword Selection: Begin by choosing relevant and reasonable keywords that align with your content’s theme and resonate with your audience.
Unveil Search Intent: Delve into user intent behind keywords to tailor your content to their needs and intentions.
Comprehensive Long-Form Content: Build a strong foundation with detailed, insightful content that deeply addresses your chosen keyword.
Optimize On-Page Elements: Elevate visibility and relevance through meticulous on-page SEO practices that align with current best practices.
Embrace Long-Tail and Question Keywords: Cater to specific queries by embracing long-tail and question-based keywords, capturing diverse user interests.
Present Skimmable Content: Organize your content for easy consumption, catering to modern readers who seek skimmable yet informative pieces.
Powerful Explicit Statements: Leave no room for ambiguity; craft explicit statements that resonate with your audience and convey your message clearly.
Visual Enhancement: Incorporate meaningful visuals that not only enhance comprehension but also enrich the overall content experience.
Guided Navigation with a Table of Contents: Facilitate navigation with a structured table of contents, enhancing user experience and engagement.
Meta Title Refinement: Infuse creativity into your meta titles, making them both appealing and aligned with user search intent.
Backlink Strategy: Cultivate authoritative backlinks that bolster your content’s credibility and encourage external sources to link to your pages.
Strategic Query Targeting: Tailor content to specific search queries, aligning with user patterns and enhancing relevance.
Leverage Video Content: Embrace the power of videos to captivate and educate your audience, fostering engagement and connection.
Optimize Existing Rankings: Elevate existing page rankings by optimizing and consolidating your presence on the SERPs.
Insightful SERP Analysis: Gain valuable insights by analyzing the competitive SERP landscape, identifying trends, and uncovering opportunities.
Enhance with Schema Markup: Amplify your content’s appeal through schema markup, enhancing its appearance on search results.
Technical Proficiency: Fine-tune technical aspects for seamless navigation, optimal performance, and enhanced user experience.
Arming yourself with these strategies enables you to master the art of SEO in harmony with Google’s ever-evolving ranking algorithms. The result? Elevated visibility, heightened authority, and increased engagement — all essential elements for achieving online success.