Google and other search engines utilize over 200 ranking factors for SEO purposes. Keeping pace with algorithm updates is crucial for maintaining high rankings. However, fear not, as we have compiled a comprehensive list of these SEO ranking factors.Discover the ranking factors employed by Google and Bing, and gain insights into the most critical SEO elements for the current year. This knowledge will enable you to develop a competitive and ethical SEO strategy to propel your website to the first page!P.S. If you seek to increase traffic to your site, utilize our SEO Checker tool. Enter your URL to receive a comprehensive SEO audit and personalized recommendations for enhancing your SEO to attract more visitors!*Note: Most search engines do not disclose the precise breakdown of their ranking factors or their weights to prevent spammers from manipulating search results. This list includes confirmed factors, as well as those believed to influence rankings based on studies.With over 200 search engine ranking factors, reviewing each one can be time-consuming. Identifying the factors that most significantly impact your search result positioning can help you begin auditing your site, optimizing your content, and achieving top search rankings sooner rather than later. Here are the five most important SEO factors:1. Responsive DesignA responsive design that adapts to any device is crucial for ranking well. Search engines like Google use a mobile-first index, meaning their crawlers view your site from a mobile user’s perspective. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, it will likely struggle with search ranking factors related to usability and accessibility. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly tool to assess your website’s mobile experience.2. Page SpeedPage speed is a critical SEO ranking factor, acknowledged by Google. In addition to viewing your site from a mobile perspective, Google will also assess the speed of your mobile or responsive website. A slow website could result in losing first-page rankings or even the top spot in search results.3. LinksLinks, both backlinks and internal links, play a vital role in search engine rankings. Backlinks are particularly crucial ranking factors. You want trusted and authoritative websites to link to yours, as it signals to Google that your website offers valuable content and experiences.4. On-Page OptimizationOn-page optimization encompasses various SEO ranking factors, including keyword usage, title tag optimization, content originality and usefulness, multimedia optimization, and more.5. Accessible WebsiteEarning a spot in search results requires search engines to crawl and index your site. Maintaining an accessible website through a robots.txt file and sitemap is essential.Before diving into the ranking factors employed by search engines like Google, explore these helpful resources for SEO beginners to answer your questions and stay updated on the latest SEO trends.
SEO: Complete Optimization Guide
Google SEO: The Complete Google Optimization Guide
The Definitive SEO Checklist
Ongoing SEO Best Practices for Beginners and Pros
How to Learn SEO for Free (At Home!)
What Does SEO Stand For?
How Does SEO Work?
How to Know If Your SEO Is Working
SEO Help for Beginners: How to Improve Your SEO Like a Pro
After reviewing these articles, continue reading to learn about all the search ranking factors that can impact your rankings.Your domain’s strength is a powerful SEO ranking factor. Your domain is considered when users enter search queries related to your website. The more credibility you’ve built through on- and off-page factors, the more Google will favor your domain.1. Domain AgeAccording to Google, domain age does not significantly impact ranking in search results. A previous Google Webmasters YouTube video explained that the difference between a six-month-old and one-year-old domain is minimal.2. Domain Registration LengthDomains registered for more than a year appear more credible, as they have outlived the lifespan of doorway domains. However, some Google team members disagree, stating that most registrars do not provide registration length information.3. Domain HistorySites with gaps in registration or questionable histories may struggle to rank well. This ranking factor can become problematic when purchasing a domain from a third-party that used it for spam or black-hat purposes.4. Domain Authority if Page HostNew pages on authoritative domains are likely to rank better than new pages on lesser-known domains. Domain authority is not necessarily a ranking factor but rather a predictor of a domain’s likelihood of outperforming another domain.5. Parked DomainsGoogle can find parked domains, which typically do not rank well due to their poor user experience. In 2011, Google stated that they prefer not to show parked domains since they offer little to no value to users.6. Exact Match DomainHosting a quality website with an exact match domain (EMD) can help your rankings in search results. However, Google introduced an update in 2012 to penalize low-quality or spammy EMDs.7. Country-Specific TLD or ExtensionsA country code, such as .tv, .cn, or .de, may help you rank in that country, as it signals that your content can assist users in that country or region. However, it may also hinder your ability to rank globally.8. Server Flagged as SpamIf your site shares a server with several other sites, and those sites are flagged as spam, it could potentially affect your website’s ranking in Google search results.9. Domain Flagged as SpamIf your domain is flagged for spam, it will likely negatively impact your site’s performance. Even if you try to restore the site and address penalties, Google may still view your website with skepticism.10. Concise URLsSimple and descriptive URLs help Google contextualize your page. While URLs are a minor Google ranking factor, they assist crawlers and users in understanding your page and website’s content.11. URL StringAn easy-to-read URL sends positive signals to Google’s crawlers. Long, wordy URLs can make users’ and crawlers’ jobs difficult. A recent study by Ahrefs confirms that shorter URLs generally perform better in search results.12. Public vs. Private WhoIsPublic WhoIs can help keep your site in good standing. While private WhoIs is not necessarily bad, it can raise some concerns when combined with other negative factors.13. Spammy WhoIs OwnerWhen considering SEO ranking factors, it’s worth considering the impact of a penalized WhoIs owner. If the person owning a site has a spammy, black-hat track record, Google may use that as a factor in ranking websites they own.14. Server LocationsThe physical location of your servers can affect rankings in location-focused queries. A Google Webmasters video explains that server location, in terms of IP address, is a factor in returning the most relevant results to each user in each country.15. SSL / HTTPSAn SSL certificate provides your website’s URL with the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) designation, indicating that you have a secure site. Google uses HTTPS or SSL as a “very lightweight signal” but plays a significant role in building trust with users.16. Site ArchitectureA clean, well-coded architecture makes it easy for Google to crawl and index your site. Google confirms this approach, adding that they should be able to crawl from one URL to any other URL on your website by following the links on the page.17. Site UsabilityWebsites with a smooth, intuitive interface commonly rank better than those that are clunky and difficult to navigate. Poor usability can lead to high bounce rates, which are considered a ranking factor.18. Site Reliability or UptimeIf your site frequently crashes or experiences downtime, it may struggle to rank well. Generally, if your website goes down for a few hours or a day, Google doesn’t look at it any differently. However, if it’s unavailable for weeks, your search rankings may suffer.19. Site Reputation or ReviewsHaving good reviews on sites like Yelp can help you rank better than if the reviews were negative. However, research in 2010 revealed that companies could gain visibility with negative reviews.20. Site Over-optimizationGoogle looks for over-optimization factors to determine if a site should be penalized. A Google Webmaster Trends Analyst confirmed this SEO ranking factor, stating that over-optimization can hurt a site’s rankings.21. Frequency of Site UpdatesGoogle likes to see new, unique, and “fresh” content on sites. While frequency does not guarantee increased visibility in search results, publishing more often can help your business reach and attract your target audience.22. Duplicate Meta Descriptions Across SiteDuplicate meta descriptions can make it more difficult for Google to crawl and contextualize your pages. While Google doesn’t usually penalize sites for duplicate content, it views duplicate content as a signal that your website lacks valuable content.23. Spammy Meta DescriptionsMeta descriptions are essential to show users what is on your page before they click. Google will penalize sites that spam or mislead users in their meta descriptions.24. Mobile-Friendly or Responsive Site DesignMobile-friendliness and responsive design are now ranking factors for Google. Websites that aren’t mobile-friendly can suffer in search engine results pages (SERPs) rankings.25. Breadcrumb NavigationBreadcrumb navigation makes it easy for visitors and Google to navigate your website. If you use breadcrumb navigation, follow Google’s dedicated guidelines for it.26. HTML SitemapAn HTML sitemap makes it easy for Google to crawl and index your website thoroughly. While it does not determine your site or pages’ ranking, it helps Google get more of your website crawled, resulting in better visibility in Google search results.27. Site-Wide Content ChangesDrastic changes to your site, such as a site-wide redesign, may signal a timeliness factor to Google. However, a redesign may harm your rankings for any factors you’ve changed along the way.28. “Contact Us” PagesA “contact us” page may help a domain rank locally by listing your name, address, and phone number – three valuable ranking factors in local SEO.29. Time on SiteIf a visitor is active on your page for a few minutes, the page receives more credibility than if a visitor leaves after a few seconds. When someone stays on your site for a while, it’s a positive signal that your website and content provide what they need.30. Hacked SiteA hacked website can harm your visibility in search results. In some cases, Google may even deindex your site entirely. If you suspect your site has been hacked, use Google’s “Help for Hacked Sites” resource.Almost everything you add to a page can influence Google’s perception of it. Following their
