Ranking First On Google: Why it won’t happen for every single one of your keywords
Are you trying to rank number 1 for all your keywords to avail? Wouldnt that be nice? From deep-pocket competition to your SEO process, this article looks at several reasons your ranking is not going as planned and you’re not ranking first on Google. Let’s look at them!
1. You are missing the right keywords
To rank number 1 on Google, your pages ought to have the right keywords. Keywords help Google and other search engines understand what your content is about. Without them, they won’t rank your pages. To avoid this, list all relevant topics so you can come up with specific keywords.
After this, think of keyword phrases your audience might search for. As you do this, do not overlook user intent since this drives visitors to your website. Finally, research for related search terms. To make the process precise, you can use keyword research tools such as Ahrefs.
2. You are not placing keywords correctly
If you have the right keywords but are yet are not ranking first on Google, could be you are placing them in the wrong places. You don’t just throw keywords for the sake of ranking. Rather, have a specific SEO process that guarantees improved ranking.
Areas to place keywords include:
- Page titles: Here, you describe the primary aim of your page, letting Google know what the page is about.
- Meta descriptions: While Meta descriptions are not a ranking factor, they let Google determine the relevance of your content.
- Subheadings: subheadings allow for seamless content scheming. Also, they are used as featured snippets.
- Content: If you distribute your keywords in your content, chances are you’ll rank high. You should use it within the first few sentences, distribute it in the body, and in your summary section.
- Other areas to place keywords include images, URLs, and anchor text.
If you have the right keywords but are yet are not ranking first on Google, could be you are placing them in the wrong places.
3. Competition is high
Another reason you are not ranking for all your keywords is too much competition. If you are in a saturated niche, chances are, many businesses or bloggers are ranking for the same keyword phrase. A simple way to establish this is to do a simple Google search.
Check the results of your keywords. Do behemoth brands populate the first page? Is Wikipedia ranking number 1? Alternatively, are there any paid ads? If so, chances are your pages might rank on the third or fourth page. One way to go about it is to rank for long-tail keywords.
4. You are publishing poor content
Your content ought to resonate with your visitors’ search intent. As mentioned, search intent is the key reason people visit your site. Therefore, if your content is not answering their questions, then you’ll have high bounce rates.
To create quality content, write for your readers. For example, if you are a business, you can write about your products and services, since this is what your visitors are interested in. As a blogger, while you might be tempted to write about yourself, consider topics that excite your audience.
You should also create engaging and readable content. Think about the structure of your content. Include images, subheadings, and, if possible, video content. Avoid jargon and instead, use simple words. Mind the length of your sentences keeping at a maximum of 10 words.
5. You are not publishing constantly
It’s not enough to create quality content with the right keyword density. Rather, you ought to have a regular publishing schedule to see your keywords rank number 1. Publishing 2-3 posts per week is a boon to your ranking. This helps maintain relevance while keeping you top of mind for your audience.
Publishing 2-3 posts per week is a boon to your ranking.
Besides, it helps people know you are keeping up with the trends in your niche. As such, they likely visit your site to get the latest information. And as you’d expect, the more content on your site, the more opportunities for Google to index your pages.
Websites that publish regularly have crawlers visit them more often. On the other hand, websites that don’t publish regularly have crawlers visiting once in a few weeks. So, if you want to rank number 1 on Google for your keywords, publish content regularly.
6. Your site’s navigation is poor
If you have a poorly done website, chances are navigation through pages is difficult. This means visitors will bounce back to the SERP results to get better answers. Poor navigation, therefore, attracts an increased bounce rate. Which hurts your ranking.
To avoid this, you ought to work on your site’s user experience (UX). Visitors should seamlessly navigate through your pages and know what to do within the first few seconds. Ensure the navigation menu displays all pages while the blog section has clear categories.
Why it’s unrealistic to rank number 1 for all keywords
Google has become smarter
Long gone are the days where keywords stuffing would see your site rank high. With the advent of Penguin and Panda algorithms, Google actually penalizes keyword-stuffed sites. You also stand to rank low if you have shallow content and backlinks.
Ever-changing high standards
As of writing, Google has more than 200 rank factors that change after every month. As such, expecting to rank number 1 is a farfetched ideology.
As of writing, Google has more than 200 rank factors that change after every month.
SEO takes time
SEO takes months to see results. From creating optimized landing pages, seeking guest post opportunities, to creating quality backlinks takes time and effort.
Content creation takes time
Like SEO, creating engaging and optimized content takes time. You need to have a team of content writers writing content that resonates with your audience. Besides, getting expert writers is not an easy feat.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why you are not ranking number 1 on Google for all of your keywords. However, the above are the most common. To see your website rank high, avoid poor content and backlinks.
Ensure to have a well-done mobile-friendly website to reduce bounce rate. You should also use the right keywords and place them in the right areas. And if you are in a competitive niche, consider ranking for long-tail keywords. Good luck!
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