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Google Ranking Factors in 2020: What You Need To Know

Written by Deirdre Keon on 18th September 2020


The Google algorithm is ever evolving, and it is vital to be aware of the most important Google Ranking Factors in 2020, to gain and maintain strong organic rankings.

Did you know that there are over two hundred Google ranking factors that impact on your website ranking? Some are significantly more important than others, but which ones are the most important?

Here is a brief roundup of some of the most important Google ranking factors that can impact on your search optimisation strategy.

Mobile Optimisation

Mobile-first indexing is fully rolled out now and is now viewed as one of the most important Google ranking factors in the SEO community. Google announced that starting from September 2020 all websites without exception will be judged on their mobile version, not the desktop version. So, if you want your website to have any chance of ranking in search results, it is now vital to ensure that it is designed for mobile users.

To check whether your page is mobile-friendly, why not visit Google’s mobile-friendly test, and submit your URL. If the page is good, you will get a green light! If not, they will provide you with some suggestions on where you need to improve.

Google My Business Listing Optimisation

Claiming, optimising, and maintaining your Google My Business listing is a vital component for your Local SEO and is also top of the list as one of the vital Google ranking factors . It helps establish your business as an entity online, which in itself is a great asset to your SEO. Once you claim and optimise your listing, it becomes eligible for the local business panel as well as Google maps, opening your business to users searching in your local area. Check out our blog here that provides some useful tips for when updating your Google My Business listing.

HTML Tags

HTML tags help to inform Google about which parts of your content are the most important. The title and meta description tags are what Google actually shows users in the search results. Heading tags (H1-H6) split your copy into sections — they should also contain keywords and be written in an informative style. Alt text in contrast is used to describe your images to search engines and should be heavily optimised if you want to appear in the image search results.

At FCDM, our team recommend using complementary SEO tools like Yoast SEO for WordPress websites to help you with this process, where it will tell you exactly which HTML tags are in need of optimisation, what’s wrong with them and give you tips on how to optimise them.

Need an SEO Agency in Dublin?

The Google algorithm is ever evolving, and it is vital to be aware of what Google is seeking in order to gain and maintain strong organic rankings. Continually adapting your SEO strategy is vital and regular SEO reviews and testing should be at the forefront of your overall search optimisation strategy.

If you need help with managing your Search Engine Optimisation efficiently, our SEO team can help you. At FCDM, will strive to ensure that your business website achieves growth in traffic, leads and in turn revenue. Why not get in touch with our experienced SEO team in Dublin today to find out how FCDM can take your business to new heights!