How to Find the Right Keywords for SEO: A Guide to Keyword Research

Keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. The process involves identifying the specific phrases and terms that potential customers are searching for in order to rank your website’s pages higher in search engine results. However, conducting effective keyword research requires attention to detail and a thorough understanding of your target audience.

The first step in conducting keyword research is to understand the language and terminology that your audience uses when searching for products or services like yours. This includes understanding the phrases and keywords that your competitors are using, as well as identifying any long-tail keywords that may be unique to your business.

Once you have a list of potential keywords, it’s important to use a keyword research tool to analyze their search volume and competition level. This information can help you identify the most relevant and effective keywords to target in your SEO strategy. Additionally, it’s important to consider the intent behind each keyword, as this can help you create content that aligns with the needs and interests of your target audience.

Ultimately, effective keyword research requires ongoing analysis and adjustment. By staying up-to-date with changes in search engine algorithms and continuing to monitor your website’s performance, you can refine your keyword strategy over time to ensure that you are driving targeted traffic to your site and maximizing your online visibility. So, take the time to conduct thorough keyword research and ensure that your SEO strategy has a strong foundation for success.

Recommended Follow-Up Article (Beginner’s Guide to Keywords)

Table of Contents

How to Effectively Find Keywords for SEO

In today’s digital age, search engine optimization (SEO) has become a crucial factor in the success of any online business. One of the most significant aspects of SEO is finding the right keywords that can attract potential customers and drive traffic to your website. When a user enters a query in a search engine, the search engine matches the words entered in the query with relevant websites. To ensure your website appears at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), it’s essential to choose the right keywords that match the search queries of your target audience.

Finding the right keywords for your website requires thorough research and analysis. One way to start is by analyzing your business niche and identifying common terms or phrases that people use when searching for products or services similar to yours. You can also use various keyword research tools to get a list of relevant keywords and their search volumes. Another effective way is to look at your competitor’s websites and analyze the keywords they are targeting.

Once you have identified potential keywords, it’s important to analyze their search volumes, competition, and relevance to your business. The right balance between high search volume and low competition is the key to success in SEO. Also, ensure that the selected keywords are relevant to your business, and the website content is optimized to match these keywords.

Finding the right keywords is a critical step in optimizing your website for search engines. With effective keyword research and analysis, you can drive traffic to your website and improve your search engine rankings. By staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and continuously monitoring and refining your keywords, you can enhance your website’s domain authority (DA) and page authority (PA) and gain a competitive edge in the online marketplace.

Keyword Research Starts With You

The starting point for keyword research is within you. Your intuition and experience within your industry are valuable assets in identifying the most relevant and effective keywords for your website. Simply building a website without a deep understanding of your industry won’t be enough to achieve your desired results.

For instance, in the SEO industry, there are certain keywords that may seem valuable but are actually vanity-driven rather than sales-driven. Take, for example, the keyword phrase “Houston SEO.” Every SEO company may want to rank for it, but the reality is that this keyword is primarily searched by competitors rather than potential clients. In truth, many clients may not even be aware that they need SEO and are actually searching for marketing or web development services. Without proper industry knowledge, a startup may focus on “SEO Houston” (or similar keywords) and miss out on significant opportunities for sales-based traffic.

In short, understanding your industry and the language used by your target audience is crucial in identifying the most effective keywords for your website. Don’t solely rely on popular or seemingly valuable keywords – trust your experience and intuition to guide your research.

The Value of an Outsider’s Perspective in Keyword Research

When conducting research on an industry or niche, it can be helpful to seek an outsider’s perspective. If you are relatively new to the field, who better to ask than friends, relatives, or co-workers who may not have the same level of familiarity? By asking for their input, you can gain valuable insight into what keywords they would use to search for products or services related to your industry. Additionally, they may be able to recommend websites or resources that they find helpful. Remember, sometimes a fresh perspective can lead to valuable discoveries that you may not have otherwise considered. So don’t hesitate to seek input from those outside of your immediate circle to inform your keyword research strategy.

Boost Your SEO Strategy with Competitor Analysis Keywords

A crucial component of successful keyword research is analyzing the websites of industry leaders in your niche. Conducting a competitor analysis allows you to examine their content, structured data, and domain ranking, providing valuable insights for your SEO strategy.

By studying your competitors, you can uncover important information such as their authority level, domain ranking, the number and quality of backlinks they have, the number of web pages on their site, and the keywords they are targeting. With this knowledge, you can adjust your own SEO strategy to better compete with them.

One of the most effective tools for this process is Ahrefs, which offers a Batch Analysis tool, Keyword Explorer, and SERP overview. These tools make data research a breeze, giving you a clear understanding of your competitors’ keywords, rankings, and traffic sources.

Investing time in a competitor analysis can reveal hidden gems of valuable data that can help you perfect your SEO strategy and reach your target audience with ease. Don’t overlook the importance of analyzing your competitors when it comes to keyword research and SEO success.

Utilizing Keyword Statistical Data for Effective SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is all about utilizing the right keywords to improve your website’s ranking in search results. While personal contacts can be helpful, the key to successful SEO lies in objective statistical data. By using statistical information to determine the nature and frequency of search terms, you can get a real picture of the required keywords for your website.

One excellent source of statistical data is the Google AdWords tool, which is free and provides valuable suggestions on alternative keyword options. This tool can show you the strengths of words associated with your subject area and give you a better understanding of how frequently they are being searched.

Another great source of statistical data for keywords is provided by Ahrefs and Wordtracker. These tools provide an in-depth look at your selected keyword, returning statistical data showing trends from the past few months. They offer a more comprehensive analysis of the current data, including the overall number of competing sites, organic vs. paid competition, total search volume, and even offering keyword alternatives. By combining competitor data, these tools can display the complete site authority, keyword emphasis, and keyword effectiveness rating.

While there are many sources of keyword suggestions for good search engine optimization, it’s clear that objective information is better than your own ideas and that statistical data is the best. Using a paid service like Ahrefs or Wordtracker may be too advanced for some developers, but there are free statistical sources that should be used wherever possible.

By taking advantage of this data and developing websites that not only have good aesthetic presentations but also have strong SEO functionality, you can build sites that are successful in reaching your target market. So, take the time to utilize keyword statistical data and improve your website’s ranking in search results.

The Google Keyword Planner Tool: A Must-Have for Effective Keyword Research

In the ever-evolving world of technology and online marketing, Google is constantly updating its features to cater to the needs of its users. Recently, they announced the replacement of their old keyword tool with a new keyword planner. Despite taking many developers by surprise, a BETA version was quickly made available, and has since become the go-to tool for many online marketers. Therefore, it’s essential to cover the Keyword Planner in this article, as it has become an indispensable part of effective keyword research.

In addition, we’ll also discuss the differences between the new Keyword Planner and the old keyword tool, providing historical context for those who may be unfamiliar. By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of using the Google Keyword Planner Tool for your keyword research needs.

Key Differences between Keyword Tools and Keyword Planners: Which One to Choose?

When it comes to optimizing your website or ads for search engines, finding the right keywords is crucial. Keyword tools and keyword planners are two commonly used methods for identifying relevant keywords. However, they differ in their functionalities and features.

Keyword tools allow you to search for a specific keyword or ad group. You can filter your results by combining your search with a website URL and category, giving you a more refined set of results. On the other hand, keyword planners allow you to upload entire keyword lists, including CSV and zip files, making it easy to manage and analyze large volumes of keywords.

Another major difference is that keyword planners offer the ability to combine multiple keyword lists. This feature is especially useful when you want to merge multiple lists or remove duplicate keywords from different lists.

Ultimately, both tools serve the same purpose of identifying keywords. However, the choice between keyword tools and keyword planners will depend on the scope and complexity of your project. If you need to manage large amounts of keywords, a keyword planner may be a better choice. If you’re looking for more specific and filtered results, a keyword tool may be the way to go.

New Search Volume Results

The impact of mobile devices on search results is significant. With Google’s shift towards a Mobile First approach, search results now include mobile phones and tablets in addition to desktop and laptop computers. As a result, search volume has increased, and the effectiveness of each keyword can now be broken down based on user devices. This has opened up the possibility for new keyword phrases and long-tail keywords that previously had low search results to gain traction due to mobile use. Keeping track of these new search volume results is crucial for businesses looking to optimize their SEO strategy and stay ahead of the competition.

Mobile Search versus Desktop

Mobile Search vs Desktop: Understanding User Intent and Local Search Phrases

With the rise of mobile devices, it’s important to understand how users behave differently on mobile compared to desktop. According to Statista, most mobile users primarily use their smartphones for social media, instant messaging, and watching videos. This suggests that mobile usage is more intent-driven rather than research-based.

Think about your own mobile search behavior. How often do you search for information on your phone with a sense of urgency or purpose? It’s likely that you’ve used search terms such as “near me”, “address”, “phone number”, or “hours”. These types of phrases are referred to as local search phrases, as they are location-specific and often indicate an intent to visit a physical location.

Understanding the differences between local search phrases and national search terms can help you tailor your SEO strategy to better match user intent. One effective approach is to incorporate long-tail keyword phrases that combine multiple keywords, such as “best Italian restaurant near me” or “24-hour pharmacy open now”.

By optimizing your website and content for these specific search terms, you can improve your visibility in local search results and increase your chances of attracting relevant traffic. So when it comes to mobile vs desktop, remember to consider user intent and local search behavior in your SEO strategy.

Google Voice Search: What It Is, How to Use It, and Advantages

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t type in a search query, but needed to find something quickly? Perhaps you were driving, cooking, or your hands were simply occupied. This is where Google Voice Search comes in handy.

What Is Google Voice Search?

Google Voice Search is a feature that allows you to search the web using your voice instead of typing. You simply speak your search query and Google will provide you with the results. It is available on both mobile and desktop devices and has become an increasingly popular way to search the web.

What Is Google Voice Search?

How to Use Google Voice Search?

To use Google Voice Search, you need to have a device that has a microphone and an internet connection. Here are the steps to use it:

Open the Google app or go to the Google search page on your browser.
Tap on the microphone icon or say “Hey Google” if your device supports the voice-activated feature.
Speak your search query clearly and concisely.
Google will provide you with the results.

Advantages of Using Google Voice Search

Convenience: The biggest advantage of using Google Voice Search is its convenience. It allows you to search the web without having to type anything, making it ideal for situations where you can’t use your hands.
Speed: Voice search is faster than typing, especially if you are a slow typer. You can speak your search query in seconds, and Google will provide you with the results in a matter of seconds.
Accuracy: Google Voice Search is surprisingly accurate. It understands natural language and can interpret your search query even if you don’t speak clearly or use specific words.
Multitasking: Voice search allows you to multitask while you search the web. For example, you can search for a recipe while you are cooking or look up directions while you are driving.
Accessibility: Google Voice Search is a great tool for people with disabilities or those who have difficulty typing on a keyboard. It allows them to use the web without having to type anything.

Google Voice Search is a convenient, fast, and accurate way to search the web. It allows you to multitask, and it is accessible to people with disabilities. Try it out and see how it can improve your search experience.

Combing Multiple Keyword Lists

Optimizing your website’s SEO requires a thorough understanding of the keywords that potential visitors use to search for your business or service. One way to ensure that your keyword research is comprehensive is by combining multiple keyword lists. Fortunately, Google’s keyword planner now offers a new feature that allows you to easily and quickly combine multiple keywords together. This feature eliminates the need for the manual merging of lists and enables you to choose multiple keyword options and combine your lists in just a few clicks. For instance, if you have three keywords as ‘Houston’, ‘SEO’, and ‘developer’, the keyword planner will generate valuable keyword ideas that can help you rank higher on search engines. By leveraging this feature, you can save time and gain valuable insights into the most effective keywords for your website.

You Need an AdWords Account

Previously, the Google Keyword Tool was accessible to anyone by simply entering a captcha. However, currently, the Keyword Planner is only available to users who have an AdWords account. Fortunately, it is free to create an account, so this requirement should not pose a significant hurdle for anyone (as long as it remains free).

While this change may seem inconvenient at first, it is actually a wise move. The results obtained from the Keyword Planner are much more accurate and comprehensive when you are logged into your AdWords account. So, it’s a good idea to take advantage of this opportunity and create an account if you haven’t already done so.

Choosing the Right Keywords for Your Website: Understanding Website Authority and Keyword Difficulty

After conducting thorough research and creating quality blog content, it can be frustrating to see no significant improvement in page rankings. This highlights the importance of selecting the right keywords based on your website’s authority. It’s crucial to understand the impact that keywords have on both your domain authority and page ranking, which is often overlooked in many keyword blogs and articles. In this section, we will define the concepts of keyword difficulty and competition, website authority, and how they are interconnected. By gaining a clear understanding of these concepts, you can choose the best keywords for your website and boost your page rankings.

Keyword Difficulty vs. Keyword Competition: What’s the Difference?

Do you often get confused between the terms “Keyword Competition” and “Keyword Difficulty”? While people tend to use these terms interchangeably, it’s important to note that they are actually two separate metrics. Here’s what they mean:

Keyword Difficulty: This metric determines the level of difficulty you’ll face in trying to rank for a particular search term.
Keyword Competition: This metric, on the other hand, looks at how many other websites are competing for the same search term. (Note that this metric typically applies to paid search.)

In addition to these metrics, it’s also important to understand the following terms related to website authority:

Website Authority: This refers to an overall rating given to a website or domain. While many people refer to this as Domain Authority, it’s not the same as Moz’s DA metric.
Domain Authority (DA): This metric is a search engine ranking score that estimates how well a domain or website will perform on Google’s search engine results page.
Domain Rating (DR): This metric, commonly used by Ahrefs, looks at the quality of external backlinks to a website. Like DA, it is also measured on a 0 to 100 scale.

By understanding these terms, you’ll be better equipped to optimize your website for search engines and improve your overall online presence.

Exploring the Relationship between Keyword Difficulty and Web Authority

Despite Google’s denial of using any website authority metrics, their representative John Mueller revealed that they do use some sort of sitewide scoring. This is a subtle difference between Domain Authority and Sitewide Score, but an interesting revelation nonetheless. Additionally, Google once displayed a domain’s ranking or authority on its SERP, but it was eventually removed several years ago.

A study conducted by Ahrefs revealed that a website’s authority was a useful metric in determining its ability to rank compared to specific keywords and their difficulty. This study was based on 218,713 domains, leading to the conclusion that a website’s domain authority (DA) should not exceed the keyword difficulty (KD) by more than 10. For instance, if your website has an authority of 60, you should focus on keywords with a difficulty of 60 or below.

The connection between domains and keywords is often misunderstood, and this method of selecting the right keywords is not commonly discussed. By discussing the relationship between keyword difficulty and web authority, I hope to shed some light on this often-overlooked topic and provide valuable insights to improve your SEO strategy.

A Fresh Perspective on Keyword Difficulty vs. Domain Authority

While I do acknowledge the role of domain authority in measuring keyword difficulty, I believe that they are not always directly proportional, as demonstrated by the test conducted. To better understand this, consider any website, including your own, and take note of the keywords you currently rank for or are within the top three search results. Make a list of these keywords and examine their average keyword difficulty. By doing so, you will notice a slight variation, providing you with valuable insight into which difficulty level to target. This approach offers a new and useful perspective in determining the best keywords to pursue. Check out this informative video that explains the process in detail.

Keyword Research – A Guide to Using Google AdWords

Generating traffic from Google is crucial for any website, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through the use of keyword research tools like Google AdWords. Regardless of the method chosen, identifying the right keywords is essential to driving traffic to your website.

Search engine results pages, or SERPs, are the pages that appear in response to a search query. Numerous factors contribute to the ranking of each site, and while Google’s exact criteria are unknown, certain elements impact the most relevant search results for any given keyword.

Domain age and authority, as well as the number of backlinks, all influence site rankings. Links between authoritative sites also boost rankings. Furthermore, the site must reflect the content of the page associated with the keyword sent by the searcher. Developing a well-optimized site can be challenging, especially when competing for highly sought-after keywords, so it is crucial to be selective and focus on those with low competition.

Google keyword research is vital, and while there are free tools available, many cannot identify the most profitable keywords that have little competition. If your site is optimized for your keywords, it will receive traffic and favorable indexing.

The right-hand side of the SERP is reserved for paid ads. Anyone can purchase ads from Google, selecting the words they believe will be popular and then creating an ad that appears when that keyword is triggered by a search. You pay Google the amount you set for that specific keyword when someone clicks on your ad. While Google AdWords is an effective way to generate traffic, it can be costly, with clicks on competitive words often expensive as many commercial companies use this method.

Experienced advertisers know which keywords are the most cost-effective after avoiding those who pay to appear at the top of the search results. Unfortunately, it’s easy to spend money unnecessarily by targeting highly competitive words or setting high bids for clicks that fail to convert into sales. Google AdWords provides tools to identify low-cost, low-competition keywords that you may not have thought of but have decent search rates.

Instead of spending time and money on a trial-and-error approach to finding the most relevant phrases, you can take advantage of Google’s keyword research software. Some of Google’s software is impressive and allows you to legitimately identify the most profitable phrases used by your competitors, providing you with low-cost but highly effective keywords.

Understanding CTR – Click-Through Rate

If you’re new to the world of web marketing, you’ve likely come across the term CTR or Click-Through Rate. But what exactly is CTR and why is it important? In simple terms, CTR is the ratio of visitors who click on a specific link to the number of total visitors who viewed a page or email. For instance, if you send an email to a group of 1,000 people and 200 of them click on the link you provided, your CTR will be 20%. Similarly, if you publish a marketing article and 36 out of 200 visitors click on your affiliate link, your CTR will be 18%.

The importance of CTR cannot be overstated. A high CTR indicates that your content or advertisement is effective in capturing the audience’s attention and encouraging them to take the desired action. This metric is a key performance indicator (KPI) for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. By tracking your CTR, you can make informed decisions about what works and what doesn’t, and optimize your content to improve your click-through rate.

In conclusion, CTR is a straightforward metric that measures the success of your marketing efforts in terms of clicks. By understanding this metric and using it to guide your strategy, you can increase engagement, drive traffic, and boost conversions.

The Importance of Click-Through Rates (CTR) in Online Marketing

The click-through rate (CTR) is a crucial metric in online marketing that indicates how well your web copy is performing. A high CTR implies that your ad, post, or email is compelling and piques the interest of your target audience, leading to more clicks and visits to your website. On the other hand, a low CTR may suggest that your content is not resonating with your audience, and it may be time to revisit your marketing strategy and try something new.

However, it’s important to note that a high CTR is not the only metric that matters. Your content must also deliver on the promise made in your marketing copy; otherwise, your sales and credibility may suffer in the long run.

What is considered an acceptable CTR? The answer depends on several factors, such as your industry and business type. For example, if you’re sending out email campaigns, a CTR of 25% is considered excellent. If you’re running an AdWords campaign, a 1% CTR for your target keywords is a good benchmark. If you have Google AdSense on your website, a CTR of 10-15% is desirable. And if you’re doing article marketing on reputable directories, aim for a 15% CTR in your resource box.

In summary, a high CTR is essential for online success, and it’s a skill that can be learned and improved upon. By crafting compelling and relevant content and keeping an eye on your CTR metrics, you can drive more traffic to your website, increase your sales and revenue, and build a strong online presence.

Cost Per Click (CPC) Explained: A Smart Way to Reach Targeted Customers

Cost Per Click (CPC) is a crucial metric in online advertising. It determines the amount you pay each time a user clicks on your ad. You only pay up to the maximum bid you specify for the ad group, keyword, or placement. CPC advertising is one of the most traditional and effective methods of online advertising.

With CPC advertising, you can set the amount you pay for each click and set a ceiling on how much you spend. This means you only pay for actual clicks, reaching only the targeted customers and saving you money.

For instance, if you advertise with a CPC-based search engine or directory listing, your ad will display each time a user enters a keyword that matches your pre-arranged keyword list. You only pay when a user clicks on your ad, not every time it displays.

To create a successful advertising campaign, you need to tailor it to internet marketing. Don’t make the mistake of creating generic ads that don’t grab the attention of your potential customers. A winning advertising campaign connects with its audience, speaks their language, and resonates with their needs.

To gather more information, you can ask new customers or clients where they heard about your business. This will help you understand which advertising methods are working and which ones need improvement.

By learning from the results of past campaigns, you can improve your future campaigns and move closer to achieving your advertising goals. As internet users become more immune to banner and button ads, and click-through rates for these types of ads decrease, CPC advertising has become a more popular choice for businesses.

CPC is one of the most cost-effective ways to target your products to a specific audience. You only pay a fee based on your bid when a user clicks on your ad, which allows you to manage your budget more effectively.

In summary, CPC advertising is an effective way to reach your targeted audience at a reasonable cost. By tailoring your advertising campaign to Internet marketing and analyzing past results, you can improve your advertising strategy and achieve your advertising goals.

Keyword Research: Uncovering the Secret to Achieving High Rankings

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an essential aspect of any online business or website. The ultimate goal of SEO is to rank high on the first page of Google’s search results for relevant keywords. However, many SEO agencies and tools only provide surface-level hints and tips, without revealing the real factors behind the successful ranking. This leaves many website owners and online businesses in the dark about how to achieve their SEO goals. In this section, we will delve deeper into the world of SEO and reveal the secret factors behind successful ranking that many SEO experts are hesitant to share.

What is a Google Ranking Factor?

A Google ranking factor is a metric or criteria used by Google’s algorithm to determine the relevance, quality, and authority of a website or web page. Google’s ranking algorithm uses hundreds of factors to rank websites and web pages for various search queries.

Ranking factors are divided into two categories:

On-page and off-page factors. On-page factors include the content, structure, and design of a website, while
Off-page factors include external factors like backlinks, social signals, and user behavior.

On-Page Ranking Factors

On-page ranking factors are website elements that can be optimized to improve the website’s search engine ranking. These factors include both content and technical elements that are directly within the control of the website owner or developer. Some of the most important on-page ranking factors include:

High-quality, relevant, and original content
Proper use of keywords and keyword density
User-friendly URL structure
Optimized page titles and meta descriptions
Well-structured headings and subheadings
Use of multimedia, including images and videos
Mobile responsiveness and fast loading times
Secure and accessible website design, including the use of alt tags for images
Internal linking structure and use of anchor text.

Optimizing these on-page ranking factors can help improve a website’s visibility in search engine results pages, ultimately leading to increased traffic and better user engagement.

Off-Page Ranking Factors

Off-page ranking factors are factors that are not directly related to a website’s content, structure, or design. These factors include external signals like backlinks, social signals, and user behavior. Off-page ranking factors are used by Google to determine the authority and relevance of a website or web page. Websites that have strong off-page signals are more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages. Some important off-page ranking factors include:

Backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites
Social signals, such as likes, shares, and comments on social media platforms
User behavior, such as click-through rate, bounce rate, and time on site
Online reputation, including reviews and ratings
Brand mentions on external websites
Local citations and listings
Guest blogging and article submissions
Influencer marketing and collaborations

By optimizing these off-page ranking factors, website owners can improve their website’s authority, relevance, and visibility on search engine results pages.

What are the Most Important 7 Ranking Factors?

Assuming on-page optimization has been done, the following seven ranking factors are considered the most important by SEO experts:

Content: High-quality, relevant, and informative content that meets the user’s search intent is a crucial ranking factor. Google prioritizes content that answers user queries in-depth, is well-researched, and provides value to the user.
User Experience: A website’s user experience, including page layout, navigation, and mobile-friendliness, is critical for ranking. Websites that offer a smooth and engaging user experience are favored by Google.
Mobile-Friendliness: With more than half of all searches coming from mobile devices, mobile-friendliness is crucial for ranking. Google prefers websites that are mobile-friendly and responsive, with fast load times and easy navigation.
Page Speed: The speed at which a website loads is another critical ranking factor. Slow-loading websites frustrate users and can result in a high bounce rate. Google favors websites that load quickly and provide a seamless user experience.
Keywords: The use of relevant keywords in website content, meta tags, and other on-page elements is essential for ranking. Keywords should be used naturally and strategically to help Google understand the content of the website.
Social Signals: Social signals, such as likes, shares, and comments on social media platforms, can indirectly impact a website’s ranking. Social signals can indicate the popularity and relevance of a website or page to the user.
Backlinks: Backlinks are links from external websites that point to a website or web page. Google uses backlinks to determine a website’s authority and relevance. Websites with high-quality backlinks from reputable sources are favored by Google.

These seven ranking factors are crucial for improving a website’s visibility and ranking on Google’s search engine results pages. By focusing on these factors, website owners can improve their website’s performance and achieve better search engine rankings.

How Ranking Works

To achieve a first-page ranking on Google search results, it’s crucial to understand the factors that contribute to this accomplishment. The most significant factors are those shared by the sites on the first page. Generally, the websites showing up on page 1 of Google will have a similar Page Authority (PA) or Domain Rating (DR), will be known for or in similar niches, and have may have a similar backlink profile. Now there may be an anomaly or two causing what I will call a ‘rogue site’ to show up on page one that simply doesn’t fit the pattern. These random sites could have a low PA or DR but spent months building a HUGE backlink profile that pushed their site to the first page. Or it could be Google testing a brand new site, and testing its user appeal by having it show up as a means of evaluating its content. Nevertheless, I typically will ignore these anomalies as I am looking for an apple-to-apple comparison; but ignore is a tad harsh as KeySearch and the other tools make it easy to do a quick glance over (WordCount? Backlinks? High PA vs a Low DA?). So in a high overview, the combination of the site’s DR & PA, Niche Profile, backlinks, and article all get graded to come out with an overall hidden score (Google will not tell us). This overall score is what determines where a page will be placed on Google’s search pages (SERP).

Click to View a Larger Version (PA, DA)

Playing Detective and Analysing Google’s SERP

Long Tail Keyword: “TikTok Dance”

Now since Google keeps its overall score to itself, users like myself have to play detective to determine what is important to Google. The image on the left represents the top 5 results from Google for the long tail keyword of “Tiktok dance”. The top 4 of 5 DAs are closely related around 95, with the PAs between 50 and 60. (NOTE: Reference the above content for a refresher on DA and PA). Now if you have a fairly new site with a DA between 0 to mid-30s – Id skip this keyword and look for another less competitive one. Even with our Rogue Site, we can see his domain is a DA 36, but his PA is 40, with 37 backlinks to the page specifically and 4,300 backlinks to the domain.

Now look at the top two links which are from the exact same domain (tiktok.com) but on two different pages. Although Domain has a huge impact, remember each page is unique within Google’s structure and multiple pages could rank or compete for similar keywords.

Why is Musicgrotto.com showing up on the list?

According to wordcount.weglot.com, MusicGrotto.com has a word count of 5283 words, which is a 484% increase compared to the top 3 rankings. The website has 37 backlinks (Doms) and 4,300 unique linking domains (DomsD) to the domain as a whole. When looking at the top 5 Doms Chart, MusicGrotto.com appears to have a similar number of links on the page as the other websites on the list.

The high number of linking domains for MusicGrotto.com, except for nytimes.com, may explain why it appears on the first page of Google search results for the “TikTok dance” keyword, despite having a lower DA and PA than the other sites on the list. This suggests that the website is a reliable source of information on the topic. Additionally, the lower competition for the “TikTok dance” keyword may have contributed to MusicGrotto.com’s high ranking, as other websites may be targeting multiple keywords or have more competition for this specific keyword. Overall, while the high number of linking domains is a significant factor in the website’s ranking, other factors such as user engagement and relevance of content may also play a role.

How can we look into this example and come up with a ranking strategy?

Based on the analysis and data provided, it’s difficult to determine a DEFINITIVE ranking formula for the “tiktok dance” keyword. However, there are some factors that can contribute to higher search rankings.

Firstly, having a high number of linking domains to your website can indicate to search engines that your site is a credible source of information on the topic.
Additionally, having a higher word count on your page, with in-depth and relevant content, can also help to increase your search ranking.
Other factors that can influence search rankings include:
- The relevance and authority of your website
- User engagement metrics such as click-through rates
- Time spent on site, and lastly,
- The overall competitiveness of the keyword.

While there is no guaranteed formula for ranking high in search results, focusing on these factors and continuously improving your website’s content and user experience can help to improve your search ranking over time.

Long Tail Keyword: “Plumber in Houston”

So to keep you and I on the same page, to rank on the first page of Google, several factors come into play, including Domain Authority, Page Authority, the number of Links to a page and domain, and Word Count. Looking at the SERP for the long tail keyword “plumber in houston”, it is clear that the websites with the highest domain authority and page authority are ranking better on Google.

To increase your chances of ranking on the first page of Google, it is recommended to have a Domain Authority (DA) of at least 30 and a Page Authority (PA) of at least 40. The number of links to a page and domain should also be high. The number of links for the domain should be over 500, while the number of links to a page should be at least 100.

The word count also plays a significant role in ranking on Google. The recommended word count for a webpage is between 1500 to 2500 words. The higher the word count, the more in-depth and informative the content is likely to be, which is favorable for Google’s algorithm.

So to rank on the first page of Google, it is necessary to have high domain authority, page authority, a high number of links to a page and domain, and a considerable word count. By optimizing these factors, it is possible to increase the chances of appearing on the first page of Google’s search results.

It’s not magic, but just have to play a bit of detective work. Also before anyone starts the chant… YES, BACKLINKS WORK! There is a proper strategy we can discuss another time.

Section 2: Pulling it Together

So now that we understand the basics of rankings, let us look at how we can apply this to your situation. So first off, we need to find out what your site’s PA, DR, & etc is (These tools below can help you check our competition’s DR as well). From the samples above, I used KeySearch.co and a FREE word count site. Here are a few others you can use:

SEO Tools to Help Calculate Your Domain Rating

If you’re familiar with the digital marketing industry, you’ll likely recognize many of the tools on the list. With so many options available, it’s important to choose the tool that resonates with you the most, as each one has its own unique benefits. Ultimately, all of these tools are valuable in their own way and can be useful for optimizing your digital marketing strategy.

Key Search – Keysearch.co is a web-based keyword research tool designed for content creators, bloggers, and SEO professionals to find profitable and relevant keywords to target for their websites. The tool provides various features such as keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink analysis, and rank tracking, to help users improve their search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to their sites. Keysearch.co also offers a user-friendly interface, detailed reporting, and affordable pricing plans. (Plans Starting at $0, $17, $34 /mo)
- KeySearch’s Domain Rank Strength Checker
Ahrefs.com is an all-in-one SEO toolset that helps businesses and individuals improve their online presence. It includes features such as keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, content analysis, and rank tracking. Ahrefs.com has a comprehensive database of indexed pages, backlinks, and keywords that enables users to gather insights and make data-driven decisions. Marketers, SEO professionals, and content creators use this toolset to optimize their websites, improve online marketing strategies, and increase traffic. Ahrefs.com has both free and paid plans with varying features and capabilities. (Plans Starting at $99, $199, $399 /mo – A Powerful Tool – But do you need all that?)
- Ahrefs – Authority Checker
SEMrush is a comprehensive digital marketing tool that enhances online visibility, drives traffic, and tracks website rankings. It offers features for SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, and competitor analysis, with tools for keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and content optimization. With a user-friendly interface, customizable dashboards, and detailed reporting, SEMrush is a must-have tool for businesses and website owners seeking to expand their online presence. (Plans Starting at $119, $229, $499 /mo)
- SEMrush’s Domain Rating – Domain Overview
Moz.com is an SEO platform with tools like keyword research, site audits, link building, on-page optimization, and rank tracking to boost a website’s search engine ranking and attract more traffic. It also offers webinars, guides, and a community forum for staying up-to-date with SEO trends. Popular among businesses and SEO professionals for its user-friendly interface and robust features. (Plans Starting at $99, $179, $299, $599 /mo)
- Moz’s Domain Rating – Authority Checker

How to Rank a Brand New Website

Here’s a step-by-step strategy for a brand new site with a brand new domain, focusing on how to build up PA and DA. I am using the niche: dance studio:

Research keywords: Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, KeySearch, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify the most relevant keywords for your dance studio niche. For example, keywords could be “dance classes,” “ballet classes,” “salsa lessons,” etc.
Create high-quality content: Write informative and engaging blog posts targeting these keywords. Some suggested article titles could be:

- “10 Benefits of Taking Dance Classes”
- “The History of Ballet: A Brief Overview”
- “How to Choose the Right Dance Shoes for Your Feet”

Optimize on-page SEO: Optimize the content with the chosen keywords and include them in the title, meta description, and headers.
Build backlinks: Reach out to other relevant websites in the dance industry and ask them to link back to your website. You can also guest post on other websites and include a link to your site in the author bio.
Leverage social media: Create social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to promote your dance studio and share your blog posts.
Engage with your audience: Respond to comments on your blog and social media accounts, and encourage user-generated content like dance videos or photos of your classes.
Utilize local SEO: Add your dance studio to local directories like Google My Business and Yelp, and encourage customers to leave reviews.
Monitor and improve: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance and make improvements as needed, such as tweaking your content strategy or adjusting your SEO tactics.

Additional tips for building up PA and DA:

Consistently produce high-quality content to establish your site as an authority in the dance studio niche.
Network with other professionals in the industry and collaborate on content or events to gain exposure.
Keep your website up-to-date with fresh content and regular maintenance to improve user experience and site performance.