The Key to Ranked Content in Google

Have you ever wondered why some content ranks well on Google while other pieces remain buried in the search results?

As an SEO expert who’s worked with companies like SkillShare and Adobe, I’ve cracked the code on creating content that Google loves.

Today, I’m going to share my insights on how to write content that Google can understand and rank effectively.

The Two Stages of Google Ranking

To understand how to write for Google, we need to recognize that there are two distinct stages in the ranking process:

Stage 1: Getting to the First Page

Until your content reaches the first page of search results, it’s essentially invisible to most users.

At this stage, Google relies heavily on its algorithms and mathematical models to determine what your content is about. It also considers trust signals, such as backlinks from other websites, to gauge the quality of your content.

Stage 2: User Interaction Data

Once your content starts getting significant traffic, Google begins to factor in user behavior. If visitors consistently click on your result but immediately hit the back button to choose a different option, your rankings will likely drop. Google wants to use this valuable user data, but it can only do so once your content has started ranking and attracting clicks.

How Google’s Math Decides What Your Content is About

While Google doesn’t reveal its exact methods, we can make educated guesses based on observed patterns. It’s likely that Google uses something similar to Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) to classify and understand content.

Understanding LSI Keywords

LSI focuses on analyzing words, patterns, and relationships in content. LSI keywords are terms related to your topic that you weren’t necessarily trying to rank for. They’re not synonyms or your target keywords, but rather words and phrases that often appear in content about your subject. (1)

For example, if you’re writing about “Star Wars,” LSI keywords might include:

• Luke Skywalker
• Princess Leia
• Darth Vader
• Death Star
• Jedi
• Mark Hamill

By including these related terms naturally in your content, you help Google’s algorithms categorize your page accurately.

Writing Content for Google’s Understanding

To ensure Google comprehends your content, follow these strategies:

1. Analyze top-ranking content: Google likely focuses on the content that’s already performing well for a given query. Study the pages on the first page of search results for your target keywords.
2. Use a range of related terms: Don’t just stuff your content with your target keyword. Include a variety of related words and phrases that help paint a complete picture of your topic.
3. Aim for comprehensiveness: Cover your topic thoroughly, addressing various aspects and subtopics that a user might be interested in.
4. Optimize with tools: I’ve found Page Optimizer Pro to be invaluable for analyzing competitor content and optimizing my own. It helps identify the ideal word count, LSI keywords, and content structure.

Using Page Optimizer Pro for Content Optimization

Here’s a quick walkthrough of how I use Page Optimizer Pro to optimize content:

1. Enter your target keyword and URL.
2. Review the initial score and recommendations.
3. Analyze suggested keywords and their target usage ranges.
4. Edit your content to incorporate these suggestions.
5. Re-analyze and fine-tune until you reach a high optimization score.

Remember, optimization is an iterative process. Make changes, monitor your rankings, and adjust as needed.

Conclusion: Balancing SEO and Quality Content

While it’s crucial to write in a way that Google understands, never sacrifice the quality of your content for the sake of optimization. Your primary goal should always be to provide value to your human readers. By combining thoughtful, comprehensive content with smart SEO practices, you’ll create pages that both Google and your audience will appreciate.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process. Keep learning, stay updated with Google’s algorithms, and consistently produce high-quality, optimized content. With persistence and the right strategies, you’ll see your content climbing those search rankings.

References:

1. Backlinko, SEO Content, https://backlinko.com/seo-content