7 Key Google Ranking Signals You Might Be Overlooking
Think of search engine optimization as a never-ending board game where the rules are always shifting. Just when you think you've mastered the moves, new levels emerge, and suddenly, it's time to rethink your strategy all over again.
Sounds complicated, right? Well—yes and no. The good news is many core SEO principles have held steady for years. Mastering these basics and fine-tuning your content around them can keep you from slipping off the search radar.
Getting to know Google ranking signals is a smart first step. It’s like learning the basic rules of a board game. Once you understand how the key pieces and elements work, navigating the game becomes a whole lot easier.
But if you’re after a real competitive edge, you’ll need sharper, more advanced techniques. Those are the moves that can set you apart from the crowd.
I often describe these as cheat codes—hidden or lesser-known SEO ranking signals that can really help you “win the game”. Once you know these factors, you’re able to boost online visibility and outshine the competition.
Today, I’ll be sharing seven examples and highlighting why they’re vital for your success. But first, let’s kick things off with some must-know basics.
What are Google Ranking Signals?
A ranking signal is any element Google uses to determine where your website should appear in search results.
How Many Google Ranking Signals Are There?
There are over 200 ranking factors that affect search engine optimization. While some are outlined by Google, many others are uncovered by SEO experts through testing and strategy.
Do Ranking Factors for Google Change Over Time?
Yes, Google frequently updates its algorithm, making major changes a few times a year and smaller tweaks almost daily. These updates introduce new ranking factors and impact how existing ones are prioritized.
7 Easily Overlooked Ranking Signals for Google (And Why You Shouldn’t Miss Them)
Now that we've covered the basics, let's look at the most commonly missed Google ranking signals to remember. These can boost your SEO strategy, help your content stand out, and attract more leads through Google.
1. CONTENT STRUCTURE
Content structure is super important for SEO because it helps search engines understand how your page is organized. You always want to place the most important information near the top and break your content into smaller paragraphs, so it’s easier for Google to crawl. Using bullet points and adding visuals also make your content more likely to rank high.
Links and URLs are another key part of content structure, since they guide search engines through your site. Internal links create clear paths between related pages, making it easier for Google to understand the relationships between content—which ultimately strengthens your rankings.
2. ANCHOR TEXT
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink, usually describing the linked page's content. This text is a known Google ranking signal, yet it often slips through the cracks.
To optimize anchor text, keep it relevant to the page you’re linking to, so readers know exactly what to expect from clicking through. You also want to vary your text to prevent spammy repetition. (I.e. Don’t just use “click here” for every link.)
Lastly, it’s always best to keep anchor text short and natural—avoiding long, forced phrases or heavy keyword stuffing. These practices make your text seem unnatural to readers and can lead to search engine penalties.
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3. IMAGE OPTIMIZATION
The images on your website probably aren't the first thing that come to mind when you think about SEO ranking signals, but they actually have a major impact on your site's visibility.
Google figures out what an image is about by looking at the surrounding content, including captions and image titles. It then considers that information when deciding where to rank your site.
To help Google—and users—understand your images better, place them close to relevant text and on pages that align with the image's topic. Then make sure you include valuable, informative alt text content that naturally incorporates your targeted keyword(s). But don’t overdo it! Keyword stuffing can hurt user experience and cause Google to rank your page lower.
4. BACKLINK RELEVANCE
When quality websites link to your content, especially if they’re in the same niche, it boosts your credibility with Google and helps you rank higher. However, brands often forget this because they’re focused on getting a high number of backlinks, rather than ones with authority or relevance to what they’re sharing.
Remember, relevant backlinks carry far more weight than irrelevant ones. Don’t underestimate their power—invest the time to build meaningful, niche-specific backlinks if you want to drive organic website traffic and achieve sustainable results. It’s quality, not just quantity!
5. GRAMMAR AND SPELLING
We all know Google values high-quality content, but we can’t forget that proper grammar and spelling play a big role in establishing that quality.
Keep in mind that if visitors spot errors in your content, they're much less likely to trust your brand, and they'll probably bounce right off your site. That’s a big deal because bounce rate is a ranking factor for Google. Plus, search engines crawl your content and take note of any misspellings or grammar mistakes, which can lead to a drop in your rankings.
Moral of the story? Always make sure your content is extra polished!
6. LINK-TO-TEXT RATIO
Link-to-text radio is all about finding the right balance between the amount of text on your page and the number of links you include. If you pack your page with too many links and not enough content, it can send up red flags for search engines, making your site appear untrustworthy or low-quality.
A lot of site owners get so focused on building links that they forget to maintain a healthy ratio. Don’t let yourself be one of them! My advice? Regularly audit your content. Start by reviewing your pages to check the number of links compared to the amount of text. Aim for a balance where links enhance the content rather than overwhelm it. The more you do, the better chance you’ll have of ranking higher on Google.
7. CONSISTENT PUBLICATION OF ENGAGING CONTENT
The Google algorithm loves fresh content, especially when it keeps readers coming back, signaling that your site is active and valuable. The problem? It’s normal for businesses to experience gaps in their content schedule—employees leave, priorities shift, or sometimes creating fresh content just falls by the wayside. But here’s the thing: these gaps can hurt your Google rankings.
If you want to keep or improve your position in search results, avoid big gaps in your content schedule. Consistent posts—whether blogs, videos, or infographics—show Google your site’s active and delivering real value to your audience. You can also refresh old content to let search engines know you’re active (which benefits rankings too).
Go for SEO Gold With Expertly-Crafted Content
Let’s make Google notice you! As your Edmonton SEO copywriter, I’ll make sure your content meets search engine standards and engages your audience.
From blog posts to landing pages, each piece is strategically written to get your site the visibility it deserves.