The Real Reasons Your Website Isn't Ranking Higher in Google

Did you know that only 22% of pages that rank in the top 10 on Google were created within the last year? If your pages aren’t ranking high, it’s likely not because Google dislikes your site, but rather because your content may not meet the necessary criteria for a top position.

Check the Eligibility of Your Pages

When it comes to SEO, eligibility is a crucial factor that can determine whether your page can achieve a higher ranking. If you've set your page's meta robots tag to "noindex," you're essentially telling Google not to index it, which means it won't rank. Similarly, blocking the page in your robots.txt file or facing a manual action penalty can also hinder your eligibility.

Another often-overlooked factor is time. While some new pages can rank quickly, most will take time to climb the ranks. In fact, a study of 2 million keywords revealed that only 22% of top-ranking pages were created within the last year. If your page hasn’t made it to the top 10 within a month or even six months, it might just need more time to gain traction.

Fix the Content-Related Issues

Content-related issues are typically the most challenging to troubleshoot because quality is subjective. However, search engines aim to provide the best information for any given query. To determine if your content deserves a top-ranking position, ask yourself:

• Does my page match the dominant search intent?
  Understanding search intent is key. For example, if you search for "best mouse pad," the top results are list posts comparing various mouse pads. If your content doesn't align with this intent, it may struggle to rank.

• Are searchers looking for fresh information?
  Freshness matters for certain queries. If you’re targeting "best headphones," and your content is outdated, it’s time to update it.

To improve your content quality, consider these questions:

• Does my content provide thorough information?
  Thoroughness means covering all vital points relevant to the searcher’s intent, not just writing a lengthy article. For instance, if someone searches for "how to get my driver's license," your content should cover everything from learner's permits to driving tests.

• Am I adding expertise and experience?
  Including personal insights or unique takes can set your content apart. For example, sharing a before-and-after picture of your patio cushions can demonstrate your expertise.

Assess Your Link Authority

Even if your content is top-notch, poor link authority can still hold you back. Backlinks are one of Google’s most significant ranking signals. To assess your link authority, ask yourself:

• Am I competing on a similar playing field as my competitors?
  If your competitors have significantly more brand recognition and link authority, it may be wise to target less competitive keywords.

• Do I have enough referring domains to compete?
  Use tools like Ahrefs to analyze the backlink profiles of top-ranking pages. If they have a wealth of quality backlinks and you don’t, you’ll need to build your link profile.

Conclusion

To improve your rankings, focus on eligibility, content quality, and link authority.

Remember, SEO is often about educated guesses. If you're struggling to identify the root cause of your ranking issues, consider joining a community of SEO professionals for insights and support. What strategies have you found most effective in boosting your website's rankings?