{"id":54560,"date":"2020-06-08T10:24:42","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T09:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clickworker.com\/?p=54560"},"modified":"2022-07-25T17:02:39","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T16:02:39","slug":"google-ranking-factors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clickworker.com\/customer-blog\/google-ranking-factors\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Google ranking factors really count?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Google<\/p>\r\n

Content, keywords, page speed, backlinks, meta tags and much more – the number of supposed factors for placement on Google is large. But which ranking criteria really count? A new study by Backlinko brings some light into the darkness. After all, the study is based on 11.8 million search queries. It confirms what is already known, but it also offers surprises.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The domain counts <\/h2>\r\n\r\n

According to a statement by Google expert Matt Cutts<\/a>, Google takes almost 10,000 factors into account when determining the ranking. In a new study, Backlinko has tried to find out what elements provide significant results, which can also be expressed in numbers. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

But first the most important result: The link authority of the domain under which a single page is listed correlates very strongly with better positions in the search results for individual URLs. Backlinko’s study discovered a clear correlation between the so-called domain authority as measured by ahrefs.com<\/a> and good rankings. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

On the other hand, few correlations were found between the authority of a single URL (page authority) and Google rankings. Domain Rating and Domain Authority are variables based largely on the number (and quality) of backlinks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Backlinks push the ranking<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Many backlinks correlate strongly with good Google positions. This is especially true for the very first entry on the Google results list. On average, the page that is number 1 for a keyword has almost four times as many backlinks as the pages in the following nine places. A convincing figure. It is important to have backlinks from as many different websites as possible: The study found a correlation between the number of domains (not individual pages) that link to the site and the ranking. Needless to say, the quality and relevance of the linking website also counts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

However, the study does not provide an answer to the question of cause and effect. Because it is obvious that high-quality sites are linked more often than lesser ones. One thing is clear: If you invest in the contents of a website you will also increase the chances of backlinks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The loading time – not so important after all?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Lean websites load faster. Is that why they rank better on Google? No. At least that is the result of the Backlinko study. Brian Dean’s team of experts from Boston found no connection between page speed and the rankings on Google’s first results page. This is surprising, because this finding is in direct contradiction to Google’s official claim that the loading speed of a website is a ranking criterion for both mobile and desktop searches. This might be due to improved technologies that can process more and more megabytes in milliseconds. What was once considered data-intensive is now standard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Nevertheless, the following should still apply: When in doubt, opt for shorter load times. This minimizes the risk of interruptions by users with outdated devices or poor Internet connections. Google’s Developer page<\/a> offers practical information on this.<\/p> \r\n\r\n

Long dwell time – good positions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Actually a simple realization: If you search for a keyword on Google, click on a result and stay there a little longer, you seem to have found what you were looking for. People who click back immediately also have their reasons! In a nutshell: Abandonment is a bad sign and longer dwell time sends positive signals to Google.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Backlinko study provides solid evidence for the SEO significance of dwell time. Above average dwell times are also reflected in the SERPs. Expressed in numbers:<\/p>\r\n\r\n