30+ Google Ranking Factors You Should Know in 2023

Google stands as the largest search engine globally, rendering its ranking pivotal for online success. With an astonishing market dominance of 92%, Google serves as the gatekeeper to quality and relevance in web page display for search queries.

Securing a spot on Google’s first page is an invaluable achievement. Such a ranking promises an upsurge in traffic, consequently amplifying business opportunities and exposure.

SEO, which stands for search engine optimization, revolves around achieving higher rankings on the pages of a SERP, an acronym for search engine result page. For an individual specializing in SEO, possessing comprehensive expertise about the Google algorithm and the determinants of Google ranking is imperative. Learn more about this in SEO training course.

Hence, within this blog post, we have curated an up-to-date list of over 30 critical Google Ranking Factors that demand your attention. Additionally, we’ve included insights into punitive elements that can impact your ranking position.

Read more- Best Tools for Digital Marketing in 2023

30+ Google Ranking Factors in 2023

Factors for On-Page SEO

The influence of on-page SEO on page rankings is significant. It encompasses all essential elements present on your webpage that directly affect its ranking position. Several on-page factors contribute to this, including:

1. Content

In the realm of Google rankings, content reigns supreme. This encompasses various components such as headers, title tags, and well-structured content. The significance of content quality is matched by its length, with an optimal target being around 2,000 words or more per blog article for organic ranking. However, it’s not just the length that matters; your content should provide value to the reader and maintain relevance to the topic at hand.

2. Meta Title

Meta tags play a pivotal role in SEO rankings, appearing as enriched snippets on a search engine result page (SERP). Their purpose is to succinctly convey the essence of the webpage’s content.

Read more- H1 and H2 tags in SEO-Full Guide

3. URLs

URLs hold immense significance, as they visually represent the structure of website pages and offer users informative insights about the site’s content. It’s advisable to steer clear of using numerical codes like “tt0413829.” URLs also hold importance from the perspective of anchor text, which is the clickable text within a hyperlink.

4. Image Alt Tags

Image alt tags carry considerable importance, aiding users who search for images through search engines. Even if the image itself doesn’t appear, the description or alt tag associated with the image will be displayed.

5. Popups

Google aims to enhance the user experience across both mobile and desktop platforms. Consequently, websites featuring full-screen pop-ups that obstruct significant content are viewed unfavorably by Google. Employing such intrusive pop-ups on your website can adversely impact your ranking.

6. Over Optimization of Site

While a well-crafted optimization strategy can elevate your Google ranking, it’s important to note that excessive optimization of your website can result in Google assigning you a lower ranking.

7. IP Address

Make certain that your IP address is not marked as spam, as this could have a negative impact on your ranking. There are several online IP address checkers available that can assist you in determining whether your IP address has been blacklisted or not.

8. Contact Us

The Google Quality Document consistently assigns higher value to websites that incorporate Contact Us pages.

9. Visual Media

Websites featuring a variety of media, including images and videos, tend to secure higher rankings from Google due to their enhanced visual appeal. However, it’s crucial to avoid including irrelevant media, as this can result in a detrimental impact on your ranking.

10. Readability

While Google has indicated that readability is not a direct ranking factor, maintaining an appropriate readability level that resonates with your target audience will undoubtedly contribute to the overall quality of your content. This, in turn, can indirectly influence your ranking.

Google Ranking Factors for Backlinks

In 2023, backlinks undeniably remain among the most potent ranking factors within the realm of Google’s page ranking criteria.

11. Domain Age

Backlinks originating from older domains tend to exhibit superior performance compared to those from newer domains.

12. Number of Linking Pages

Excessive linking pages from the same domain can impede Google rankings.

13. Page rank

The authority of the linking page holds significant importance as a Google ranking factor concerning backlinks.

14. Bad Links

Incurring links from websites classified as low quality or unethical by Google can negatively impact your rankings.

15. Link Location

Links positioned at the outset of a content piece wield greater impact than those situated at the conclusion.

16. Keyword in Title

The Google ranking factor for backlinks is also influenced by the ability to incorporate your keyword into the title of the linked page.

17. Broken Links

An increased number of links leading to a 404 error page detrimentally affects the page ranking.

18. URL length

To achieve a favorable Google ranking, it’s advisable to keep the URL length concise. An optimal URL length ranges between 50-60 characters, encompassing folders and sub-domains.

Ranking Factors for User Engagement

Every digital marketer is well aware of the connection between Google search rankings and a website’s user engagement, which can be simplified as its traffic. We’ve compiled a roster of engagement metrics related to traffic that exhibit correlation with Google page rankings.

19. Search visits

Search visits hold significant importance and are closely linked to search rankings. A greater volume of website visits directly corresponds to a higher Google ranking.

20. Pageviews

Pageviews serve as a metric to gauge the volume of traffic a website receives. Once more, this metric holds advantageous implications for achieving a favorable Google ranking.

21. Time on site

Aiming for an extended duration of user engagement on the website is essential.

22. Bounce rate

Bounce rate occurs when a user visits your website, doesn’t find it engaging, and promptly leaves—resulting in a ‘bounce.’ Keeping the bounce rate at a minimum is crucial, as it can impact your Google rankings.

23. High engagement

Likes, comments, and shares contribute positively to fostering high engagement.

24. Return visitors

This holds immense significance as it signifies that your content holds substantial value and quality, thereby drawing users back for repeated visits.

Google Ranking Factors: Google Algorithm

Google does not openly disclose all its ranking factors, safeguarding them as closely guarded secrets. Through trial and error, individuals have endeavored to decipher these factors. Presented below is a compilation of Google’s known ranking factors:

25. Site Structure

Simplicity and easy navigation are essential attributes for your website design.

26. Content

Your content should encompass both relevant and focused keywords.

27. Links

Your links should be pertinent to the subject matter of your website.

28. Page speed

Ensuring up-to-date page speed is crucial for delivering optimal user experiences.

29.  Mobile responsiveness

Make certain that your website is mobile-friendly to facilitate indexing and ranking.

30. SSL certificate

HTTPS is notably more secure and credible compared to HTTP. Also, your website stands to gain from implementing an SSL certificate. In today’s landscape, SSL certificate prices have considerably decreased, with numerous resellers offering cost-effective options.

Conclusion

To thrive in the digital landscape, understanding Google’s ranking factors is paramount. Achieving a coveted spot on Google’s first page demands a strategic blend of on-page SEO, backlink management, user engagement enhancement, and alignment with the enigmatic Google algorithm.