Google search representatives have consistently and clearly stated that they do not use Google Analytics data to rank websites. But, there are discrepancies between what Google says and what SEOs believe. Despite Google’s public statements, some search marketers continue to believe that bounce rate is in some way a ranking factor. Why do they believe this? Is there any validity to the claims against Google’s public statements? Does Google use bounce rate to rank webpages? [Recommended… Source link
Read More »Is Reading Level A Google Ranking Factor?
Every SEO professional knows content is king. And not all content is created equal. But does your content’s readability affect how Google ranks you in search results? There are a lot of misconceptions about this. But what exactly is readability? If you’ve done any content creation, there’s a good chance you’ve come across readability tools like the popular Yoast SEO WordPress plugin before. These valuable tools evaluate your copy and generate statistics such as passive voice,… Source link
Read More »Are Social Signals & Shares A Google Ranking Factor?
Do social signals affect search rankings? In a world of ever-evolving social networks and platforms, can engagement on one social network over another help you get better visibility in Google search engine results? Let’s explore social signals as a Google ranking factor to determine their effect on search rankings. Read more about ranking factors in SEJ’s Google Ranking Factors: Fact Or Fiction ebook. The Claim: Social Signals Are A Ranking Factor Social signals are engagement from… Source link
Read More »Is Author Authority A Google Ranking Factor?
Imagine you’re having a minor medical problem. Maybe every time you eat, your jaw audibly clicks behind your molars. It’s not painful, but it’s unpleasant. To find a solution to this annoying problem, you turn to that all-purpose bank of knowledge, the internet. As you comb through the search engine results, which source do you think is more reliable: the page written by an ear, nose, and throat doctor with ten years of medical experience or the one written by a guy who runs a… Source link
Read More »Is Language A Google Ranking Factor?
If your target audience speaks different languages, offering your website content in multiple languages would make sense to provide a better user experience. But does offering different languages on your website affect organic search rankings? Can the way you organize your localized pages affect organic search rankings? The Claim: Language As A Ranking Factor Your content should be in English if you want to reach English-speaking people. However, that same English content probably won’t… Source link
Read More »Is It A Google Ranking Factor?
AMP is an HTML framework that helps desktop-optimized sites deliver ultra-fast mobile versions of webpages. AMP is a creation of Google, which has led to claims it gives pages a ranking advantage in mobile search over non-AMP pages. When you think about it, AMP ticks several boxes that suggest it could be a ranking factor: Developed by Google ✅ Makes websites more mobile-friendly ✅ Improves page speed ✅ Despite actively encouraging people to use it, Google has debunked claims that AMP… Source link
Read More »Is Mobile-Friendliness A Google Ranking Factor?
Is mobile that important in search? Does it matter whether your site is mobile-friendly? Mobile devices account for 60% of internet usage worldwide, which was once inconceivable in the desktop era. At one time, it made no difference to Google whether a site was compatible with mobile devices. Mobile-friendliness was considered a nice-to-have feature but not a necessity. Mobile search grew as smartphones and tablets became more ubiquitous, causing Google to reconsider its evaluation of… Source link
Read More »Is RankBrain A Ranking Factor In Google Search?
Google’s understanding of human language is made possible by several breakthrough technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Launched in 2015, RankBrain was the first of said breakthroughs. It allowed Google to return results for queries with no previous record of searches. RankBrain’s functionality has evolved since its initial introduction. It now allows Google’s algorithms to do something that humans do instinctively: relate words to real-world concepts. In the… Source link
Read More »Is Google’s MUM A Search Ranking Factor?
At Google I/O 2021, Google announced a new technology called MUM (Multitask Unified Model) that it will use internally to help its ranking systems better understand language. Since the announcement, there has been much discussion about if or when MUM would become a ranking factor. What Is MUM? Dubbed “a new AI milestone for understanding information,” MUM is designed to make it easier for Google to answer complex needs in search. Google promises MUM will be 1,000 times more powerful than… Source link
Read More »Are Title Tags A Google Ranking Factor?
An association between page titles and Google search rankings exists as strongly today as in the early days of SEO. People of all levels of SEO knowledge agree that optimizing page titles is vital to success in search. And how could you argue? Page titles are the most visible component of Google’s search results pages (SERPs); it’s easy to conclude they carry weight as a ranking factor. But, more optimization is not necessarily better. Optimization can cross the line into manipulation…. Source link
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