Top Google SEO Ranking Factors of 2017

Since its creation, Google’s core search algorithm has offered the most relevant search results quickly and effectively. As efficient as their search engine is, Google is determined to add constant advancement to their search algorithm. When keeping your site up-to-date, you cannot rely on last year’s SEO ranking factors. When using SEO in 2017, it is best to use the most current ranking factors. While the entire list of ranking factors is enormous, here are a few of the most important.

Backlinks

Backlinks, as always, are an important ranking factor. Over time, Google has learned to look over bad backlinks and recognize good ones. The more backlinks found in your content, the higher rank you will gain on Google search. It is imperative, however, that all backlinks come from diverse and authoritative sources.

Building strong links is all in the popularity of your content and persistent advertisement. When users see, enjoy, and link your content, Google will check over the matching anchor text of your links and determine if your content is relevant. When web content gains a high number of quality backlinks, three crucial Google search ranking signals become available to you: link authority, number of backlinks, and backlink diversity.

Content

Content is arguably the most important SEO ranking factor. This is SEO ranking concept is obviously not a new one but it has changed a bit in recent years. Before, writers focused on content rich in keywords. While quality keywords are still important, relevant content in a natural sounding language has been shown to give higher SEO ranking results. This is expected to become even more common as 2017 progresses.

Schema Code

Local SEO is gaining more and more importance these days. Schema markup code is an important SEO tool for those with a small business. Schema code helps Google expand their understanding of texts such as phone numbers, addresses, and reviews. Local businesses using a site wide schema code are much more likely gain a high search rank than their competition.

Domain Power

In the past, exact-match domain names were the fool-proof way to boost search visibility. While this concept is not as infallible as it once was, domains still hold power when it comes to your Google search rank. With Google’s 2017 core search algorithm, there are two major factors when it comes to domain power.

• Exact Match. If your domain name contains the word makeup, for example, people searching for certain cosmetics are more likely to find your websites than others with more unrelated or off-the-wall names.
• Domain Seniority. The age of your domain is another big SEO ranking factor. Younger domains have a hard time keeping a high rank on Google search. Domains with an old and reputable track record usually have an easier time staying on top of the SEO search engine list.

The goal of Google’s core search algorithm is to pave the way for websites with outstanding content that brings value to web users. Google is constantly improving and gauging how users interact with your website. Understanding what ranking factors is most important and applying them on your site will guarantee a chance at achieving that coveted high SEO ranking.