Can You Beat Google? Top 10 SEO Techniques Every Marketing Professional Needs to Know
Did you know that Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day (Internet Live Stats, 2023)?
That’s a lot of potential visibility for your brand. However, to tap into this vast ocean of opportunities, understanding and implementing effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques is essential.
Here are the top 10 SEO techniques every marketing professional needs to know.
1. Keyword Research
Keyword research is the cornerstone of any SEO strategy. Using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush can help identify keywords relevant to your brand that have high search volume and lower competition.
2. High-Quality Content
Creating high-quality, relevant content is crucial. Google's algorithm favors content that provides value to its users. According to Backlinko, the average word count of a Google first page result is 1,447 words (Backlinko, 2021).
3. Optimize Meta Descriptions and Title Tags
Meta descriptions and title tags give search engines a snapshot of your page content. Make sure they include your focus keywords. This can significantly improve your click-through rate (CTR).
4. Mobile-Friendly Website
With 52.2% of all website traffic worldwide generated through mobile phones in 2021 (Statista, 2021), having a mobile-friendly website isn't optional anymore. Google's mobile-first indexing also prioritizes mobile-friendly sites.
5. Fast Loading Speed
A slow-loading site can hurt your SEO. Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help you check your site’s speed. According to Google, as page load time goes from one second to ten seconds, the probability of a mobile site visitor bouncing increases by 123% (Google, 2020).
6. Secure Website (HTTPS)
Security is a priority for Google. HTTPS is now a ranking signal. Data from Moz shows that over 50% of page one Google results are HTTPS (Moz, 2021).
7. Use Schema Markup
Schema markup helps search engines understand your content better. This can improve your appearance in SERPs with rich snippets and boost CTR.
8. Regularly Update Content
Updating your content regularly signals to search engines that your site is current and relevant. According to HubSpot, companies that blogged 16+ times per month got almost 3.5 times more traffic than companies that blogged 0-4 times per month (HubSpot, 2020).
9. Backlinks
Quality backlinks are a significant factor in Google’s ranking algorithm. Techniques for gaining backlinks include guest blogging, creating high-quality content, and reaching out to influencers.
10. Voice Search Optimization
With the rise of voice-activated devices, optimizing for voice search is becoming increasingly important. Longer, conversational keywords, and answering specific questions can help here.
SEO is a challenging game, but with these techniques in your arsenal, you're well-equipped to make strides in improving your visibility on search engines.
Sources Cited:
Internet Live Stats. (2023). Google Search Statistics. http://www.internetlivestats.com/
Backlinko. (2021). Google CTR Stats. https://backlinko.com/
Statista. (2021). Percentage of mobile device website traffic worldwide. https://www.statista.com/
Google. (2020). Mobile Page Speed. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/
Moz. (2021). HTTPS and SSL. https://moz.com/
HubSpot. (2020). Companies that blogged 16+ times per month. https://blog.hubspot.com/