How to Rank Higher on Google (Even If You’re Just Getting Started)

Trying to get your website on the first page of Google, but feel confused? You’re in the right place. Whether we run a business, write content, or sell products, being seen on search results helps people find us, trust us, and take action.

This guide explains SEO steps to help us rank better on Google. No tricks — just real steps that work with how search works today. And we don’t need to be experts to follow them.

Why Google rankings matter in 2025 and how SEO is different now: Google still brings the most traffic to websites, about 63%. But now, the way it ranks websites is smarter and stricter. It focuses on good, helpful content.

Recent updates like AI overviews and the Helpful Content System reward useful pages. Stuffing pages with keywords doesn’t work anymore. SEO now needs regular checking and updates.

Remember: What ranks high today may drop tomorrow. So we need to focus on quality, clear information, and what users want.

Why page one of Google matters:

• 75% of users don’t go past page one.
• Page one search results have a 14.6% conversion rate.
• The top three results get almost 69% of all clicks.

Ranking high isn’t just about visits. It builds trust and keeps our website visible. The more helpful our content, the more Google will keep showing it.

Target what people want, not just keywords: search intent means the reason why someone types a search. If our page doesn’t match their need, it won’t rank — even if we use the right keyword.

That’s why keyword stuffing (repeating a phrase too much) doesn’t help anymore. Google wants content that truly answers the user’s question.

What we can do:

• Think, “What does my audience need to know?”
• Learn about types of intent: informational, commercial, transactional.
• Make content that answers questions and solves problems.

When our content helps people, they stay longer. That tells Google it’s useful, and Google rewards us with better rankings.

Example: If someone searches “best travel credit cards,” they want comparisons, benefits, and tips — not just a product page. A full guide with clear details will rank better.

Build authority with related content: Google likes websites that show full knowledge on a topic. That means not just one post, but many posts connected to each other.

How can we show this?

• Write about the topic from different angles.
• Link our posts to each other.
• Create a main page (pillar page) and link smaller posts to it.

This makes it easier for Google to understand that our site is helpful and complete.

Example: If our main post is about marathon training, we can link it to posts about food, hydration, injuries, and pacing. These smaller posts support the main post and show Google we know the full topic.

Improve page speed and experience: Core Web Vitals are numbers that show how fast and stable our site is. Google uses these to check if people enjoy using our page.

If our site is slow or hard to use, people leave — and Google sees that.

What to focus on:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): How fast the main part loads. Aim for under 2.5 seconds.
• First Input Delay (FID): How soon people can click. Keep it under 4 seconds.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): How stable the page is while loading. Aim for below 0.1.

Tools to help:

• PageSpeed Insights: Checks speed and shows what to fix.
• Web.dev: Checks speed, SEO, and more.
• Core Web Vitals Guide: Easy tips to understand and fix problems.

Example: If our homepage has a big image that loads slowly, we can shrink the image size and delay scripts. That can cut loading time in half and help us rank better.

Use schema markup to stand out in search

Schema markup helps show extra details in Google results, like star ratings, images, or FAQs. These details can make our pages look better and get more clicks.

How to use schema markup:

Start with the right type of schema

Pick the schema that fits your content. For a blog post, use “Article” schema. For a product, use “Product” schema. Google has different types for FAQs, reviews, and how-to pages. Check Google’s Search Gallery to choose the right one.

Add the code with JSON-LD

JSON-LD is a format Google likes. It’s clean and doesn’t mess up our page. We can use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to create the code, then paste it into our site’s header.

Test before publishing

Use Google’s Rich Results Test to see if our page will show extra details in search. The tool shows if there are errors and how to fix them.

Example:
If we add the correct schema to our FAQ page, it can show as a dropdown section in Google results. This makes our listing bigger and more useful, which helps us get more clicks.

Optimize for E-E-A-T: experience, expertise, authority, trust

Google looks at E-E-A-T to decide if our content is good and trustworthy. It matters a lot for topics like health, money, or legal advice. These are called “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) topics. E-E-A-T is explained in Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines.

If we have good E-E-A-T, we have a better chance of ranking high, especially on important searches.

Here’s what each part means and how to improve it:

Experience

We should write from real experience. If we talk about a product or service, we should use it ourselves. Adding pictures, examples, or results shows we’ve used it and know how it works.

Expertise

This means we know the topic well. For serious topics like health or finance, it’s important that the writer is skilled. We can add bios that show their background or experience.

Authority

This is about being known and trusted in our field. If others share our content or link to it, it shows we have a good reputation. We can grow this by posting on trusted sites or being active in our industry.

Trust

Google wants pages that are safe, honest, and clear. We should use HTTPS, avoid tricky ads, list our sources, and show who created the content.

Example:
Danny Goodwin’s author page on Search Engine Land has a full bio, many articles, and clear info about who he is. This helps both readers and Google trust his work.

Get more trusted backlinks

When other sites link to us, that’s called a backlink. It shows that our content is useful. Google has used backlinks for a long time to help decide if a page should rank well.

Good backlinks still matter. One link from a respected website is better than many from poor ones.

Google cares more about where the link comes from, not how many we have.

Links from trusted sites tell Google our content is reliable. But links from spammy or unrelated blogs can hurt our site and lower our ranking.

How to earn quality backlinks

When we publish new facts or charts, others in our field might link to our work. To get people to share or link, we must show it to the right audience.

Here’s what to do:

1. Find who might care

We don’t need fancy tools to start. Just Google it.

Search for articles about your topic using words like: “[your topic] site:forbes.com” or “research about [your topic] blog.”

Use free tools like Ahrefs Backlink Checker to see who links to similar work.

Check author names on articles, then look them up on LinkedIn or Twitter to learn who writes about this topic.

2. Send a short, clear email

When we find writers or companies to contact, next is reaching out.

Check their website’s contact or about page for emails like “press@” or “editor@,” or their name.

Look at their LinkedIn or Twitter profile—sometimes they share contact info there.

3. Share it in the right places

Find groups where experts talk about your topic.

Post on LinkedIn and tag people or companies who might share it.

Try Slack groups like Superpath (for marketers), Women in Tech, or Online Geniuses. They often have places to share content.

Look at Reddit communities like r/dataisbeautiful, r/marketing, or r/SEO, depending on your topic.

Pitch thought leadership to relevant publications.

Writing guest posts or being featured in articles shows our skill and earns good backlinks from trusted sites.

How to find good sites:

• 1. See where competitors appear

Google your competitor’s name + “guest post” or “thought leadership.” This shows sites that accept similar content.

• 2. Use content tools

Try free or partly free tools like SparkToro, Similarweb, and BuzzSumo. They help find what your audience reads and the top sites in your field.

• 3. Check industry newsletters and roundups

If we follow some niche newsletters, see which blogs or authors they link to often. These are trusted sites that might welcome our content.

• 4. Use Quoted or HARO

These sites connect us with journalists looking for expert advice. If quoted, they usually link to our site.

Example of good backlinks:
Publishing new marketing data that a major blog or news site cites can boost our website’s authority and help future content rank faster.

What to avoid when building backlinks

• Buying backlinks

We must not buy backlinks. It breaks Google’s rules. It might help briefly, but can cause big problems later, like penalties or lower ranks.

• Using link farms or spammy directories

These are low-quality sites made just for swapping links. Google can easily spot them and punish our site. These sites have little real content and many links to shady places. Use a tool like Backlink Checker if unsure about a site.

• Exchanging links just for the sake of it

“Link to me and I’ll link to you” sounds nice, but if links don’t help readers or match the topic, they’re not useful.

• Example of bad backlinks:

Paying a low-quality blog for a link can make Google think we try to cheat the system.

Optimize for mobile-first indexing

Google mainly looks at our mobile site to rank and list pages. Why? Because over 63% of searches happen on phones. So, we must focus on our mobile site first.

If our mobile site has a bad design, high bounce rates, or missing content, Google may see it as a bad experience. This can hurt rankings even if the desktop site looks good.

Use responsive layouts

Responsive design means our site changes to fit phones, tablets, or computers. Google likes this because it gives a smooth experience on any device. Most web builders like WordPress or HubSpot support this easily.

Make sure mobile and desktop content match

Google uses the mobile site to rank pages. If mobile has less content, Google may think it is low quality and rank it lower. Think like this: if Google can’t find important content on mobile, it might think it’s missing.

Avoid hiding content on mobile

Hiding big parts of content behind buttons or tabs might look neat, but it can make keywords, links, or info less visible to Google. Google can read hidden content but may give it less value, which can lower rankings.

Improve internal linking strategy

Internal links help Google understand how our site is built and guide visitors to related pages.

When links use clear text and connect related pages well, Google can crawl and index content easier. This is called a crawlable link structure.

If users see links to related topics inside the content, they stay longer and visit more pages. This shows Google our content is helpful and deserves to rank higher.

Steps to making a successful internal linking strategy

Use clear anchor text

Instead of using unclear words like “click here,” use words that explain what the link leads to. For example, say “on-page SEO checklist.” This helps people and search engines know what they will see after clicking.

Link from busy pages to new or weak pages

Add links to important but less-visited pages from posts that already get many visitors. This helps these pages get noticed and improve their rankings.

Make sure every page has at least one internal link

Check that every blog, guide, or landing page is linked from another page on your site. Pages with no links, called “orphan pages,” are hard to find and may not show up in Google search. This is a good chance to build main topic pages (pillar pages) that link to related content.

Example:
If your “SEO basics” page gets many visitors, link from it to new pages like “how to write SEO-friendly headlines.” This helps readers keep learning and helps Google find your pages better

Update old content often
Old content can lose its rank if it is not updated. Google likes fresh and correct information to give users the best answers. If you don’t update your posts, they may fall behind newer content from others.

For example, if your popular blog from 2021 starts losing visitors, maybe a competitor has new facts, images, or expert quotes that are more current. Google will show the newer content first.

Update your content when:

• Your rankings go down (check with tools like Semrush or Search Console).
• Your traffic drops slowly.
• Your content has old stats, broken links, or outdated tools.

What to update:

• Replace old facts, links, and images.
• Change titles and descriptions to match new searches.
• Add links to new or related pages.
• Improve layout for easier reading.

Example:
If your “content marketing trends” blog from 2021 is old, add 2025 data, new tools, and images to make it useful again.

Make content easy to read
Design your content so people can quickly scan and understand it. Most readers don’t read every word; they scroll and skim. If your page is hard to follow, visitors may leave.

Remember, some readers start reading in the middle of a page from Google features like Featured Snippets or “People Also Ask.” So, each section should be clear, with a heading, short paragraphs, and quick points.

How to improve readability:

• Use short paragraphs (1 to 3 sentences).
• Add clear subheadings to help readers find what they want.
• Use bullet points, images, and highlights for key ideas.

This also helps your content stay in Google’s special boxes like Featured Snippets.

How to do it:

• Put headers every 2-3 paragraphs.
• Break text with lists, images, and quotes.
• Add summary boxes or tips when useful.

Example:
In a blog about SEO, break text into parts like “How to Optimize Metadata” and “Why Schema Matters.” Use lists and tips to help scanning.

Use long-tail and question keywords
Long-tail keywords are very specific and easier to rank for. They may get less traffic but bring visitors who want to take action.

For example, “best running shoes” is broad. But “best running shoes for flat feet 2025” is more specific and easier to rank for.

Question keywords are search phrases written as questions, like “what are the best running shoes for flat feet?” These show strong intent and help you appear in Google’s “People Also Ask” or Featured Snippets.

How to find them:

• Use tools like AnswerThePublic and AlsoAsked.
• Look at Google’s “People Also Ask” boxes.
• Check forums or Reddit for real questions.

Write great title tags and meta descriptions
Title tags and meta descriptions show in Google search before someone clicks. They work like a headline and a short summary.

The title tag helps with SEO and makes people want to click. The meta description doesn’t affect rank but helps convince visitors.

Since these are often the first thing people see, they must be clear, relevant, and interesting. If they don’t catch attention, people click other links.

Best tips:

• Keep title under 60 characters and description under 155.
• Put keywords near the start for Google and users to see quickly.
• Focus on what benefit or result readers get.
• Make each page’s title and description unique.
• Use words like “simple,” “easy,” or “proven” to attract clicks.

Example:
Instead of “SEO Guide,” write “How to Rank Higher on Google with Simple SEO Fixes.” It is clear and shows benefit.

Use original images, charts, and videos

Visuals make your content look good and help people understand ideas faster. They also keep visitors longer, which helps SEO.

Original visuals like charts, screenshots, or videos can show up in Google’s image or video search, giving more ways for users to find you.

Good visuals also help with social media, emails, and sales by making your content stronger.

How to get the best from visuals:

• Use alt text and good file names so search engines understand images.
• Put visuals near related text to support your message.
• Make graphics easy to share, especially for how-to guides or data.

Example:
If you write about Google Search Console, add screenshots with notes and a short video showing steps. This helps users and may get your content shown in video or image searches.

Get more reviews and other social proof
Reviews help people decide if they can trust your business. They also help Google know the same. Reviews are very important for local businesses and product sellers, where many competitors exist and a good reputation matters.

For local businesses, reviews can decide if you show up in Google’s map listings or “local pack.” If you sell products, good ratings and reviews can make people pick your link instead of a competitor’s.

How reviews help rankings and engagement

• Improve CTR

Listings with review stars stand out and get more clicks, especially when many similar businesses or products appear.

• Build trust

Google sees steady, good reviews as a sign that your business is honest and reliable.

• Boost local visibility

Positive reviews, especially with keywords and location names, increase your chance to show up in local search results.

What makes a review believable?

• Recent reviews

New reviews show your business is active and relevant.

• Details

Reviews that say what service was used or what problem was fixed are more useful and convincing.

• Trusted sites

Reviews on Google, Yelp, or other trusted platforms linked to real sales carry more weight than anonymous ones.

How to get helpful reviews

Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews
A simple follow-up email or thank-you message can help a lot. Make sure the request feels honest and easy to do.

How to ask for reviews (good vs. bad examples):

1. Email (for online or mixed businesses)
Good:
Subject: We’d love your feedback
Thank you for visiting [Business Name]! Your experience helps others know what to expect. Please leave a quick review: [link]
Bad:
Subject: Get 10% Off—Just Leave a Review
Leave 5 stars and get a discount: [link]
(Incentives for positive reviews break platform rules and seem untrustworthy.)

2. Text (for service or appointment businesses)
Good:
Hi [First Name]! Thanks for choosing [Business Name]. If you liked our service, please leave a quick review: [link]
Bad:
Leave 5 stars and join a giveaway.
(This sounds forced and can be seen as cheating.)

3. Printed note (for stores or offline businesses)
Good:
Enjoyed your visit? Please scan the QR code to leave a Google review.
Bad:
5 stars = 10% off next purchase
(This can hurt your credibility and get you penalized.)

Use review schema to show stars in search results
Adding special code to your pages helps Google show your review stars in search results. This can get more clicks.

Put testimonials near call-to-action buttons
Showing quotes or short reviews near buttons like “Buy Now” or “Request a Demo” builds trust just before someone decides.

What to avoid:

• Don’t buy or bribe for reviews: This breaks Google’s rules and can remove your reviews or punish your site.
• Don’t fake reviews or write your own: They are easy to spot and hurt your trust.
• Don’t leave fake bad reviews on competitors: It is wrong and can cause legal trouble.

Example:
A product page with 100+ reviews and a 4.7-star rating will get more clicks and sales than one with no reviews.

Secure and speed up your site
Fast and safe websites are very important for SEO. A slow or unsafe site can hurt your rankings and make visitors leave. More than half of users leave if a page takes more than three seconds to load.

Security is also key. Google says HTTPS is a ranking signal, so safe websites might rank higher. Users also trust sites marked as secure by browsers.

Here are simple ways to show your site is fast and safe:

• Use HTTPS and a valid SSL certificate

HTTPS keeps the connection between your site and visitors safe by encrypting data. Browsers warn users if your site is not secure. Without HTTPS, you may lose trust even before someone visits.

• Compress images and remove heavy scripts

Big images and complex code slow your site. Compress images to make file size smaller without losing quality. Remove extra code or scripts to make pages load faster, especially on phones.

• Enable browser caching and minify code

Caching lets returning visitors load your site faster because their browser saves parts of your site. Minifying code removes extra spaces and comments, helping browsers read your site faster. You don’t need to be an expert; tools like Minifier.org, Terser, and CSSNano can help automatically.

Example:
An online store cut homepage load time from six to three seconds by compressing images and using caching. As a result, fewer visitors left early, and people stayed longer, which helped SEO.

Use Search Console and analytics to monitor progress
Good SEO is not something you do once and forget. Google changes how it ranks sites often. So, it is important to watch how your site is doing. Checking the data helps us know what Google likes, find any drops in visitors, and focus more on what works well.

What to track

Impressions, clicks, and CTR in Google Search Console
Impressions tell us how many times our content shows up in search results. Clicks tell us how many times people click on our page. If a page has many impressions but few clicks, it means the title or description might need to be better. This helps us find pages that can do better with small fixes.

Bounce rate, time on page, and conversions in GA4
These show how people act after they visit our site. If visitors leave quickly or don’t do what we want (like buy or sign up), maybe the page doesn’t match what they want, or it is slow, hard to read, or missing clear instructions.

Keyword rankings and search trends over time
Watching how our keywords rank helps us see which words are getting more views and which need better content. If rankings drop or new keywords become popular, we may need to update or add new content to stay ahead.

Tools to help track metrics:

• Google Search Console.
• Google Analytics 4

Example:
We run a wellness blog. Our “Hydration Tips” post has 10,000 impressions but only 0.5% CTR in Search Console. This means many see it, but few click. Changing the title to “7 Easy Ways to Stay Hydrated Without Drinking More Water” makes the benefit clearer and may get more clicks.

Build a brand Google trusts (and ranks)
Today, brands matter more than ever in search because AI tools favor trusted and well-known sources. Google’s AI search looks at brand strength, reputation, and authority, not just keywords, to decide what to show in summaries and answers.

If our brand is mentioned often on trusted sites, has clear author bios, and shows up where our audience trusts, it tells Google: This is a real and trusted voice.

How brand signals affect your rankings

Consistency across your site and social media
Google likes brands that look the same everywhere — same logo, style, and message. If things don’t match, users get confused and trust drops.

Real authors and contributor bios
Pages that show who wrote the content, with their credentials or links, rank better. This proves the content is real and trustworthy, not made by AI or fake accounts.

Mentions on trusted third-party sites
Being featured or quoted in well-known blogs, podcasts, or events helps build brand trust for both people and search engines.

Example:
If our company is often on LinkedIn, in industry magazines, and as podcast guests, and our website links to this with a clear author page, Google sees us as a trusted source.

Ranking higher is about trust and relevance

Building a brand takes time, but it is worth it. We should use our real names and keep our content and presence strong and consistent across all places. This builds trust and makes us more visible to both people and Google.

SEO success is not about quick wins. It is about showing up again and again with clear, real, and useful content. It’s a long race — every strong brand signal we build today helps us rank better on Google tomorrow.