How to rank higher on Google in simple 10 steps?

If you’re not on page 1 of Google, you don’t exist.

This guide shows you exactly how to rank higher on Google – using real-world SEO tactics that work right now.

And if ranking higher in search results feels like some kind of SEO sorcery, don’t worry. We’re breaking it down into clear, doable steps you can apply today.

How Google decides what ranks?

Google scans hundreds of signals to decide which page earns that sweet page-one spot.

Here’s what matters most:

• Keyword intent– Does your page answer what the user actually wants?
• Relevance – Are you using the right keywords in the right places?
• Content quality – Is it original, in-depth, and trustworthy?
• Usability – Does it load fast, work on mobile, and offer a great experience?

It also considers context like location and search history to personalize results.

Google wants answers – fast, relevant, and valuable ones. If your site check those boxes? You’ll rank higher on Google.

Step #1: Match your content with search intent

If your content doesn’t match search intent, it won’t rank.

Google has gotten scary good at figuring out whether your page delivers what searchers actually want. Thanks to machine learning updates like RankBrain, it can sniff out mismatches faster than you can say “bounce rate.”

If you’re serious about ranking higher on Google, your #1 job is to create content that’s the perfect answer to the user’s question.

1. Start by understanding 3 types of search intent

Type of Intent	What it means	Example search term	What they’re looking for	Your content strategy
Informational intent	The user wants to learn something, not buy, not browse. Just answers.	how to structure a meta description	Step-by-step SEO tutorials, real examples, and best practices for writing a good meta description that drives clicks.	Create a skimmable how-to guide packed with practical advice, screenshots, and examples.
Commercial intent	The user is comparing options. They’re almost ready but still researching.	best SEO plugin for Shopify	Honest breakdowns, keyword rankings comparison, pros/cons, and how each plugin handles keyword placement and technical SEO.	Write a detailed comparison post or listicle. Bonus points for charts and verdicts.
Transactional intent	They’re ready to act. Think: buy, call, sign up.	local seo services near me	Google Business Profile info, fast-loading pages, trust signals, business information, CTAs. Everything to convert in local search results.	Use a dedicated landing page with strong CTAs, business info, schema markup, and social proof.

2. Spy on the top-ranking search results

Search your keyword in incognito mode and look at the search engine results page (SERP). Google’s top results are practically a blueprint for search intent.

Look for patterns:

• Do you see step-by-step tutorials? That’s probably informational intent.
• Are the top results listicles? That usually screams “commercial intent.”
• Are product pages or service pages showing up? Transactional.

Also, check out the “People Also Ask” box. This goldmine tells you exactly what questions are people searching for around that topic – perfect for structuring your content strategy.

3. One-up for what Google rewards

If you want to rank higher in Google search results, your page needs to tick a few non-negotiable boxes:

• Matches the search query like a glove
• Has a clear page title, compelling meta description, and smart keyword placement
• Loads fast, looks great on any mobile device, and works flawlessly with screen readers
• Uses high-quality images (with alt tags) and even some video content
• Includes smart internal linking to boost SEO and guide users
• Uses descriptive link text that helps both users and search engines understand the page
• Delivers a better experience than every other result on page one

That last one is key. If you want to rank high on Google, your page has to be better than what’s already on page one.

So go all in on formatting. Use meaningful visuals. Write for search intent. Craft title tags that get clicks. And above all – create a page so good, it deserves the top spot.

Step #2: Do your on-page SEO

If your site isn’t optimized for search engines, good luck ranking higher on Google. So here’s how to dial in your on-site SEO for better Google rankings.

1. Put your target keyword in meta title

Google reads your title tag to understand what your page is about. And guess what? If your keyword’s buried at the end, you’re telling Google it’s not that important.

So lead with your primary keyword. Like this:

Old title: 10 Tips to Lose Weight with the Keto Diet

Better title: Keto Diet Tips: 10 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Faster

Your title should also:

• Stay under 60 characters
• Be unique
• Speak to the user intent behind the query

Why does this matter? Because frontloaded, relevant title tags improve click-through rate – and CTR is a known ranking factor.

2. Write meta descriptions that boost clicks

No, meta descriptions don’t directly impact your Google rankings.

But they do impact whether anyone clicks your result in the first place. And if no one clicks, Google assumes your content isn’t valuable. Bye-bye first page.

So write a good meta description:

• Keep it between 150–160 characters
• Summarize what users get by clicking
• Add your main keyword (naturally)

Make it click-worthy. Think of it as ad copy, not a boring summary.

3. Use your keyword like a pro

Old-school keyword stuffing? Dead.

Today, it’s all about keyword placement and intent alignment.

Here’s where your target keyword should show up:

• Page title (title tag)
• Meta tags
• H1 tag
• First paragraph
• A couple of H2s
• Image alt text
• URL slug

And no, you don’t need to repeat it 37 times. Add LSI keywords (like “google search,” “search results,” and “relevant searches”) to help Google connect the dots.

4. Craft URLs: Clean, short, and simple 

Clean URLs matter.

This:

https://example.com/how-to-rank-higher-on-google

Not this:

https://example.com/index.php?id=1234&page=seo&_=true

Use:

• Short, readable slugs
• Hyphens, not underscores
• Your target keyword, naturally

Because clear URLs = better indexing = better rankings.

Step #3: Boost relevance with LSI keywords

Google doesn’t just scan for your exact keyword. It looks for LSI and semantic keywords – the related terms that prove your content actually answers the user intent behind a query.

They help Google and other search engines understand your content’s context, improving your chances of showing up in more search queries.

So, how do you find LSI keywords?

Option 1: Use Google itself.

Start typing your main keyword into Google Search and check out the autocomplete suggestions. These aren’t random – they’re based on real queries.

Let’s say your target keyword is “home exercise”. As you type, Google may suggest:

• home exercise equipment
• home exercise program
• home exercise routine

These are golden. Add them naturally into your content where relevant.

Option 2: Check “Related Searches.”

Scroll to the bottom of the search results page. Google hands you a list of semantically related terms your audience is also searching for.

Option 3: Use SurferSEO or NLP tools.

Surfer, Clearscope, Frase or even Google Search Console can pull dozens of semantic phrases based on actual search results. These are perfect for optimizing your content’s topical authority.

Pro tips to integrate LSI keywords:

• Use them in your headers, alt text, and internal links
• Sprinkle them into your content naturally – don’t force it
• Optimize your meta title and meta description with a few semantic terms
• Add them to your on-page elements like title tag and page title
• Use Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor what’s driving clicks

The goal? Make it easy for Google to connect the dots between your content and what people actually search. That’s how you rank higher on Google without playing guessing games.

Step #4:– Add meaningful visuals

Visual content keeps them glued to the page.

Visuals do two things brilliantly:

1. They improve UX (especially on mobile devices)
2. They make content link-worthy without you begging for it

By using valuable visuals, you help create a link worthy site that naturally attracts backlinks and boosts SEO.

Smart visuals – charts, annotated screenshots, custom graphics – can:

• Improve dwell time
• Match search intent
• Earn backlinks (yes, really)
• Help your content rank on Google Images
• And even land you in a featured snippet

1. Match the SERP’s visual vibe

Before you create visuals, Google the keyword you’re targeting. Then scroll through the SERP.

Are the title card images showing up? Infographics? Social post screenshots?

Then that’s what searchers and Google Search expect to see.

If the SERP for “January marketing ideas” shows Pinterest-style tiles and calendar graphics, your blog on that topic better not lead with a stock photo of a desk.

2. Use visuals that teach

Google’s not giving brownie points for fluffy illustrations or stock images of smiling people shaking hands.

What to use instead of stock photos:

• Charts that break down complex stats
• Annotated screenshots to walk users through a process
• Diagrams to explain SEO concepts (e.g., internal linking or technical SEO)
• Product or feature images that match relevant queries
• Custom graphics that reflect your topic

3. Optimize images

Want to rank high on Google and keep mobile users happy? Don’t ignore your images.

Do this:

• Compress images (without wrecking quality)
• Add alt text to help search engines understand content of the images
• Use descriptive filenames (like on-page-seo-checklist.jpg instead of IMG1234.jpg)
• Include high quality images to boost engagement

Bonus: Screen readers and text-only browsers will thank you too.

Step #5: Publish high quality content

Quality is the #1 Google ranking factor. Publishing amazing content helps ensure your content is seen.

If your content isn’t better than what’s already on Google’s front page, you’re invisible.

That means creating content that:

• Satisfies keyword intent better than anyone else,
• Packs a unique value that users can’t get anywhere else, and
• Earns natural backlinks like it’s your full-time job.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Focus on long-form content

Long-form content generally performs better in search engines and tends to attract more backlinks compared to shorter content.

Studies show that content with 2,000+ words tends to rank higher on Google.

Why? Because it’s more likely to:

• Answer multiple related questions, reducing bounce rates
• Include relevant keywords naturally
• Get picked up for People Also Ask or featured snippets

Pro tip: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to find what’s already working… then go bigger and better.

Also, structure matters. Use proper H1s, H2s, SEO titles, and metadata so both Google bots and real humans know exactly what they’re getting.

2. Be the source

If you want other websites to link to you, give them something worth linking to. That means original research, surveys, case studies, or even well-sourced roundups.

These aren’t just good for backlinks – they also signal authority and trust to Google’s algorithm.

And the best part? Data gets cited – a lot.

Example: Say you run a productivity SaaS. Survey 1,000 remote teams on their biggest time-wasters. Then break it down into bite-sized charts. Boom – instant link magnet.

Use visuals like charts, graphs, or heatmaps to boost engagement and help your data actually get shared. This builds authoritative content Google rewards in its search results.

And yes, this kind of content screams E-E-A-T – Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness.

Bonus: Add your voice

Here’s what most people forget: originality matters.

Google doesn’t just want another rehashed listicle. It wants your take – your voice, your expertise, your lived experience.

Ways to add real value:

• Share first-hand insights or real examples
• Break down complex ideas using stories or analogies
• Include expert commentary or personal experience
• Challenge common myths or present a new angle

This kind of content gives Google exactly what it wants: authoritative, high-quality content that satisfies intent better than anything else.

Step #6: Fix your technical SEO issues

Here’s the hard truth: if Google can’t crawl, understand, or index your site properly, you can kiss those higher search engine rankings goodbye.

That’s where technical SEO comes in.

Let’s break it down and fix it up.

1. Make your site mobile-friendly

Mobile optimization is important for better rankings, as over half the world’s website traffic comes from mobile devices.

Google uses mobile-first indexing. That means it looks at the mobile version of your site to decide how you’ll rank in search results.

That translates: If your site’s a mess on mobile devices, you’re toast.

Here’s how to make sure your mobile game is strong:

• Run a Core Web Vitals check using Google PageSpeed Insights. This tool will tell you if your site is fast, responsive, and stable on smartphones and tablets.
• Do a manual test. Visit your pages from a real phone. Make sure buttons are tappable, text is readable, and pop-ups aren’t blocking the screen like an annoying fly.
• Optimize images for mobile users. Compress and resize them so they load lightning fast without eating up bandwidth.
• Keep layouts flexible with responsive design. Your site should look clean on every screen – whether it’s a Galaxy Fold or an iPhone Mini.

Google cares about mobile usability as a ranking factor. Nail this, and you’ll rank higher on Google in both desktop and mobile search results.

2. Add schema markup

Schema markup is like a secret translator for search engines. It helps Google understand your content better – and gives you those eye-catching rich snippets in search results.

Here’s what to do:

• Use schema.org to add structured data to your pages (especially blog posts, FAQs, products, and reviews).
• Highlight elements like star ratings, price, author name, and publication date.
• Test your markup using Google’s Rich Results Test.

3. Speed up your site

Slow sites are the silent killers of SEO.

Here’s how to crank up your site’s speed and score better in search engine optimization:

• Minimize HTTP requests
• Compress images (use WebP format if you can)
• Enable browser caching
• Use a content delivery network (CDN)
• Choose a high-performance hosting provider
• Clean up unnecessary code bloat (especially if you use page builders like Elementor)

Tools like WebPageTest.org, PageSpeed Insights, or your favorite SEO plugin can help pinpoint what’s slowing you down.

4. Solve crawling and indexing issues

Google won’t rank pages it can’t see.

Make sure your content is easily discoverable by search engines:

1. Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console
2. Check for errors under “Indexing > Pages”
3. Make sure important URLs aren’t blocked by your robots.txt file
4. Use internal linking to help Google understand the structure of your site and distribute page authority throughout your web pages.

Blocking non-useful file types or low-quality pages can improve website performance and crawl efficiency.

Also, keep an eye on broken links. They hurt your SEO results, confuse crawlers, and frustrate users. Fix or remove them regularly.

5. Use a trusted SEO plugin (if you’re on WordPress)

If your site runs on WordPress, install a trusted SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.

These tools help you:

• Optimize your meta title, meta description, and slug
• Manage on-page SEO and keyword placement
• Add image alt text and LSI keywords
• Generate sitemaps and control indexing

Step #7: Build backlinks to your site

Backlinks are a significant Google ranking factor.

In Google’s eyes, every quality backlink is like a vote that says, “This content is legit.” The more trusted sites pointing to yours, the more likely you are to rank higher on Google.

But here’s the thing: not all backlinks are created equal. You don’t need 10,000 links. You need the right ones – from legit, trusted, relevant sites.

No matter how great your content is, if no one sees it… It’s not going to help you rank higher on Google.

You should be spending 50% of your effort creating link-worthy content (think: useful tools, data-driven posts, or insanely helpful guides) and 50% actively promoting it.

1. Audit your backlink profile

Not all backlinks help your Google rankings. Some can actually hurt.

Use tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console to:

• Spot spammy or irrelevant links
• Disavow toxic backlinks (Google’s Disavow Tool)
• Prioritize links from relevant, high-authority sites

This isn’t optional. It’s about keeping your site’s backlink profile healthy and trustworthy.

Remember: Google wants to recommend authoritative content, not content hanging out with shady neighborhood sites.

2. Use link gap analysis

If your competitors are outranking you, they’re probably doing something right, like scoring backlinks from sites in your niche.

You can uncover these backlink goldmines with link building tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz.

Here’s how:

• Plug your site and a few competitors into a link gap tool
• Identify other sites linking to them, but not you
• Reach out to those sites with a better, more current, or more complete resource

3. Find broken links and suggest replacements

You help someone clean up a dead link (a broken experience for their visitors), and you get a juicy backlink in return.

Here’s the play:

1. Use Semrush’s “Broken Pages” report on competitor domains.
2. Find broken URLs with a high number of referring domains.
3. Reach out to those sites and suggest your content as a replacement.

Don’t be robotic. Use a real name, personalize your outreach, and keep it helpful, not salesy.

You can also find broken backlinks pointing to your own content using Search Console or Ahrefs and fix them to reclaim lost SEO value.

4. Land backlinks from resource pages

Resource pages are curated lists of valuable content around a topic. And they’re backlink magnets – if your content belongs there.

You can find them with search terms like:

• intitle:resources + [your niche]
• best tools for [industry]
• [keyword] useful links

Then, pitch your content – only if it’s truly helpful.

Step #8: Keep your content fresh

Search engines constantly reshuffle results to surface the most relevant, up-to-date content. That’s why regularly updated content is viewed as one of the best indicators of a site’s relevancy.

Here’s how to keep your content (and rankings) alive and thriving:

1. Update old content regularly

Google doesn’t just glance at your publish date. It digs deeper.

To keep your search rankings strong, make meaningful updates. That means:

• Adding new stats or examples
• Updating screenshots or high quality images
• Answering new queries based on current trends
• Optimizing for fresh target keywords or changes in keyword intent

Set a reminder to audit your long-form content every 3–6 months. Don’t just tweak a sentence – publish relevant, valuable updates.

2. Add new content consistently

Search engines love a site that keeps growing.

Publishing content regularly shows Google that your site is active and delivering new value. Focus on:

• Blogging about trending questions in your niche
• Answering long-tail keywords with detailed guides
• Covering gaps in your existing topic clusters

Each new page creates another chance to rank higher on Google search and capture more organic traffic from different angles.

3. Don’t ignore metadata

Even if your content rocks, your SEO title, meta description, and schema markup still need attention.

• Refresh your meta title to reflect new keyword research
• Rewrite your meta description to boost click-throughs – think benefits, not just keywords
• Use Schema markup for publish/modified dates, FAQs, how-tos, and more to earn rich snippets

Step #9: Make your content well-structured

People don’t read online – they scan. You’ve got seconds to grab attention before someone clicks the back button and vanishes into the Google search abyss.

Well-structured, engaging content helps people decide to click on your result instead of a competitor’s. If you want to rank higher on Google, your content should be written for users first, not search engines.

Here’s how to make your content skimmable and SEO-friendly:

1. Use proper heading tags

Wrap subtopics in real heading tags (<h2>, <h3>) so both Google and users can make sense of your page structure. Clear, keyword-rich headings help with search engine optimization and improve search intent matching.

2. Write headings that say something

Vague, playful subheadings might be fun, but they won’t help you rank on Google. Your headings should be specific enough that someone can get the gist of your content just by scanning the titles.

Here’s what works:

Weak heading	Strong heading
Let’s get visual	Add high quality images with descriptive alt tags
Nail it	Write meta description that boosts CTR
Mobile first	Improve mobile usability for higher rankings

Your page title, title tag, and subheadings are some of the most important ranking factors – don’t waste them.

3. Use lists, bullets, and visuals

Skimmable content isn’t just about headings. Use:

1. Bullets (like this)
2. Numbered steps
3. Bolding for emphasis
4. Short paragraphs (no wall of text)
5. Visuals like screenshots or infographics
6. And plenty of white space

Writing precise and understandable sentences also improves user engagement.

This helps screen readers, text-only browsers, and, of course, your target audience digest the content faster.

Step #10: Track your SEO performance with Google Analytics

If you want to rank higher on Google, you’ve got to measure what matters.

1. Start with Google Analytics: Head to the Traffic Acquisition report to see if your organic traffic from search engines is growing. That’s your clearest indicator that your SEO strategy is working. You can also track the performance of Google Ads campaigns to compare paid and organic visibility.
2. Check Google Search Console: The Performance report shows impressions, clicks, keyword rankings, and queries – so you know how often your site appears in search results and what drives the most traffic.
3. Track leads, sales, and ROI: Tools like GA4’s Key Events help you connect SEO results to real revenue.
4. Use a rank tracker: It will help you monitor SERP features, local positions, and competitor movement, so you’re always one step ahead in your journey to higher search engine rankings.

How SaaSMonks helps you rank higher in Google?

At SaaSMonks, we offer link building services designed to help your content earn links from relevant, trustworthy websites that actually move the needle in search results. Our focus is on quality, not quantity: real sites, contextual placements, and ethical outreach that boost your domain authority and support long-term SEO growth. Whether you’re closing a backlink gap or scaling traffic with a link-worthy site, we focus on earning the right links that actually help your rankings stick higher on Google.

Wrap-up

So there you have it – everything you need to know about how to rank higher on Google. From nailing your on-page SEO to earning backlinks from authoritative content, fixing technical SEO gaps, and using meaningful visuals that align with user intent, this guide gives you the complete roadmap.

If you’re serious about higher search engine rankings, don’t just read and bounce. Audit your site today, pick two or three steps from above, and start applying them right away.

And remember to keep tracking your SEO performance in Google Analytics and Search Console so you know what’s actually working.

Now I’d love to hear from you: which strategy are you going to implement first? Or did I miss something you’ve seen move the needle in your SEO efforts? Drop your thoughts below – I read every comment.