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The Secret Formula for Ranking on Google [3 Simple Steps]
Brandon Sanders • May 30, 2020
What Does It Take to Start Ranking on Google?
So you’re looking to start ranking your website on Google, well you’ve come to the right place! Ranking on Google seems challenging at first but don’t worry because we will give you the secret formula. The Krabby Patty secret sauce that will make your website full of the best-tasting content Google’s algorithm has ever experienced. Skyrocketing your pages to the first page of search results!
What it really comes down to is three key elements. First, engaging content that keeps your readers interested. Too often do people overgeneralize the content they produce. Mix things up a bit and think outside the box! Its time to let your mind go beyond what everyone else is making, add an extra layer to the content you’re publishing.
Second, do the research. Look at the competition you’ll need to compete with to rank for specific keywords! Analyze the type of content your competitors are publishing and where they are ranking. We’ll go into this in more detail later, but research is an important step in ranking on Google. Not that boring research for a high school paper, this is something you can have fun with! We’ll go into the tools needed and tactics it takes to effectively research content and keywords that rank!
Third, get social. Backlinks are one of the top-ranking factors Google’s algorithm considers. Collaborate with other content creators to acquire links to your engaging content.
Let’s get to it, here is your guide to ranking on Google. No funny business or tricks. If you incorporate these three steps into the content you produce, you’ll be on your way to that first-page rank you’ve always dreamed of!
Step Number One: Make Your Content Interesting.
In order to take your content to the next level, it is important to keep your audience interested. While this may seem hard at first, there’s a very simple formula that will make your content more engaging to your audience.
The secret formula to interesting and engaging content.
1. Write for humans, not for machines.
This is one of the most fundamental steps in creating content that ranks on Google. The reason for this is because Google’s objective isn’t to present content that looks good to machines but to give users relevant and engaging content that is made for humans! Too often do we get trapped making sure we are using the right keywords and forget about who is reading the content we produce. Don’t get me wrong, keywords are important, but they aren’t the only ingredient that will make you rank on Google! Geek Chicago said it best, write for humans, and the search engines will follow.
2. Add pictures, videos, and visual interest!
The next phase of creating interesting and engaging content is to include images and videos! Humans are visual creatures, just think about how much time you’ve spent watching Netflix this weekend. I know I’ve personally binged 4 seasons of The Office in one sitting. The more images, videos, and infographics you can create for your content, the more engaging it will be. Remember though, it isn’t enough to just have visual elements, they also need to be designed well. Put some thought into colors, messaging, and layout before slapping an image in your post.
3. Write like you’re messaging your best friend and not your teacher.
Far gone are the days where content needs to be overly academic, full of embellished words, and lacking personality. On the internet, the majority of users are looking for interesting content. And well, the large majority of school papers aren’t interesting. So, the tip that I love to use when writing content for the internet is pretending like I am messaging my best friend. There’s something exciting I want to say and how would I word that. Doing this makes it so everyone who reads your content is like you’re best friend, and engage with your content on a more personal level!
Step Number Two: Use Keyword Research to Get Ideas for Engaging Content.
Stuck trying to figure out how to research the right keywords to start ranking on Google? This section will help you get a basic understanding of keyword research and learn how to optimize your website for Google!
The secret formula for keyword research.
1. Get to know the tools.
We know learning a new tool can be intimidating, but don’t worry because we’ll help guide you. With so many different keyword research tools, it can be hard to know where to start. Although, you’re in luck because the number one tool we’ve found for starting your keyword research is free! Google’s keyword planner
provides an excellent tool for searching relevant keywords! Simply type a word or phrase and you’ll be presented with tons of great keyword ideas. This tool will also show you the volume and competition of keywords that you’re interested in. So, if you’ve never done keyword research before this is a great place to start!
Now, if you’ve been in the SEO game longer and need a more powerful tool, Ahrefs
is one you’ll want to consider! Compared to Google’s keyword planner, Ahrefs provides a lot more functionality when it comes to competitor research, link building, and page performance. Pricing for this platform is as little as $99 a month.
2. Manual research can be useful.
Tools are great and all, but one of the most powerful ways to research keywords is to take a manual approach. Simply type your keyword or phrase into the search engine and see what comes up. Who’s ranking in the top 3, what suggestions does Google provide, and what type of content does Google prefer for this keyword? Manual research provides a hand on experience and helps add context to data that reporting software can’t always provide. So, if you want our two cents, manual research is a key ingredient to the secret formula for keyword research.
3. What really matters when it comes to picking keywords?
If there was one thing to take away from this section, this is it. Keyword intent, keyword intent, keyword intent. Say that three times fast and lock it into your memory. Keyword intent is fundamental because it represents the purpose behind what users are searching for.
Keyword Intent is bucketed into three major categories:
- Commercial Intent
Commercial intent includes users who are ready to buy. Keywords that have words such as buy, coupon, or deal indicate a strong level of commercial intent.
- Informational Intent
Informational intent is all about questions. Keywords that contain how, why, and where are informationally focused terms.
- Transactional Intent
Transactional intent is the middle between both informational and commercial. Keywords with top 10, best, or reviews are transactionally focused keywords where users are searching for what to buy but aren’t ready to fully purchase yet.
You may be wondering, why is intent important? Keyword intent is important because it allows you to structure your landing pages to relevant search terms. Say you want to create a blog post for users to get more information about a specific product or service. Create a top 10 transactionally focused intent post to align with your goals and serve relevant content to users. Mastering keyword intent is essential in the secret formula for ranking on Google.
Step Number Three: Get Social, the Key Element to Acquiring Backlinks From Others on the Internet.
Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for ranking on Google. Acquiring backlinks can take time, but if done properly you’ll be on your way to that first-page position on Google.
The secret formula for acquiring backlinks.
1. Use social channels to spread the reach of your content.
Social media has a whopping 3.5 billion active social media users! According to Oberlo, that equates to almost 45% of the current population. So if you’re looking to get social, then social media is your number one shot! Posting blog posts and other forms of content are great for spreading your reach through different channels and engaging unique users.
Social media is also great for getting people to link back to your content. Don’t be shy and post to your heart’s content. Social media is an essential part of spreading your content and getting backlinks from others.
2. Be active and collaborate with other content creators.
Hey you, yeah you, want to be friends? Collaborating with others is a great way to expand your influence and get backlinks. Although, don’t just collaborate with any random stranger on the internet. Find users who are similar to you and collaborate with them. Don’t be afraid to reach out because you never know who will respond.
3. Help a Reporter Out
Help a reporter out
(HARO) is another great way to acquire backlinks! Haro is a free platform that allows journalist to gain valuable media coverage. Journalists come to you, the expert in your field, to write for big media platforms like the New York Times, and in exchange, you get a high authority backlink! Ahrefs has an amazing case study highlighting how to build backlinks using HARO
that you should definitely check out!
Wrapping it All Up.
Congrats you’ve made it to the end! Its time to start creating content that ranks on Google. You now have all the ingredients for the secret formula, be sure to include them all in your next post. Remember to make your content interesting, use keyword research for ideas, and get social to acquire backlinks. We wish you the best of luck. If these tips were helpful, feel free to send us a message or share this post with your friends!
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