An Overview on Technical SEO | Google's Ranking Algorithm
What Does It Entail
Technical SEO encompasses several essential components that influence your website's performance in search results. Key terms include:
- Relevance: Refers to how closely related your content is to the search queries users enter into search engines. Relevant content is more likely to rank well because it meets user intent.
- Demand: Indicates the popularity of certain keywords or topics. Understanding demand helps you choose keywords that are actively searched by users, improving your chances of attracting traffic.
- Density: The percentage of times a keyword appears in relation to the total word count of a piece of content. Proper keyword density ensures that your content remains relevant without being considered spammy by search engines.
- Meta Tags: HTML elements that provide information about a webpage to search engines. Key meta tags include:
- Title Tag: The title of your webpage that appears in search results. It should be concise and include relevant keywords.
- Meta Description: A brief summary of the webpage content displayed under the title in search results. It should entice users to click while containing relevant keywords.
- Canonical Tag: A tag that tells search engines which version of a URL is the preferred one, helping to avoid duplicate content issues.
- Alt Tags: Text descriptions for images on your website. They provide context for search engines and improve accessibility for users with visual impairments. Alt tags should be descriptive and include relevant keywords where appropriate.
- Header Tags: HTML elements (H1, H2, H3, etc.) that structure the content of your webpage. They help search engines understand the hierarchy and organization of your content, making it easier to read.
- Schema Markups: Code that you add to your website to help search engines understand your content better. Schema markups provide context and enable rich snippets in search results, enhancing visibility.
- Anchor Text: The clickable text in a hyperlink. It should be relevant to the linked content and help users and search engines understand what to expect when they click the link.
What Could I Do to Approach This?
1. Optimize Keyword Usage: Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords with high demand. Ensure that your content incorporates these keywords naturally, maintaining appropriate density (typically around 1-2%).
2. Craft Compelling Meta Tags: Write unique title and description tags for each page, including relevant keywords to improve click-through rates (CTR) and provide a clear summary of your content.
3. Implement Canonical Tags: Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of your content, preventing duplicate content issues that can harm your rankings.
4. Add Alt Tags to Images: Ensure all images on your site have descriptive alt tags that convey the content of the image, improving both SEO and accessibility.
5. Utilize Header Tags: Structure your content using header tags (H1 for the title, H2 for subheadings) to enhance readability and help search engines understand your content's organization.
6. Incorporate Schema Markups: Use schema markup to provide search engines with additional context about your content, such as reviews, events, and products, which can lead to enhanced search result features.
7. Enhance Internal Linking: Create a robust internal linking strategy using descriptive anchor text that guides users to related content on your site, improving navigation and SEO.
8. Monitor Keyword Performance: Regularly analyze your keyword performance and adjust your content strategy based on search trends and changes in demand.
9. Audit Meta Tags and Headings: Periodically review your meta tags and header tags to ensure they remain optimized and relevant as your content evolves.
10. Test and Adjust: Continuously monitor your technical SEO elements using tools like Google Search Console and make adjustments based on performance data.
What Results Should I Expect?
Best Possible Results
1. Higher Search Rankings: Optimized technical SEO elements can lead to improved rankings for targeted keywords, resulting in increased organic traffic.
2. Enhanced User Experience: Well-structured content and descriptive tags improve user experience, leading to lower bounce rates and higher engagement.
3. Better Indexing by Search Engines: Properly implemented schema markups and canonical tags help search engines index your content accurately, boosting visibility.
Worst Possible Results If Poorly Executed
1. Poor Keyword Optimization: Neglecting keyword relevance and density can lead to content that fails to rank, resulting in missed traffic opportunities.
2. Ineffective Meta Tags: Generic or poorly written meta tags can reduce CTR, causing users to overlook your content in favor of more appealing search results.
Helpful Tools
Here are a few of our recommended tutorials that go greater in depth about technical SEO. We suggest watching them now as you have a basic understanding on what Technical SEO is.
Complete SEO Guide For Beginners [Module 4: Technical SEO] - Ahrefs
The Ultimate Guide to Technical SEO in Webflow
By focusing on on-site (technical) SEO, you can significantly improve your website's performance and visibility in search results. Implementing best practices for keyword usage, meta tags, and internal linking will enhance user experience and help you achieve your SEO goals.
