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Top 25 Powerful official SEO best practices

Introduction

Google is a huge company, and it’s easy to assume that everything they do has been tested and refined over years. However, Google is constantly testing new features and making revisions to its algorithms. When building your own website or app, it can be tempting to just copy what other sites are doing or rely on the current SEO best practices. But you should always do your own research and make sure that your site is built with all the latest techniques in mind!

Google search centre

In this post, I’m going to go through some of the important elements of SEO for websites, which include all the important aspects of SEO best practices on should follow, that fulfill Google guidelines for content creation.

Crawl your website

In order to know if your website is crawlable, you will need to do the following:

Check for crawl errors in Google Search Console.

Use a tool like Screaming Frog or another crawler that checks for broken links and duplicate content across your site this will help you improve your link profile.

Page titles can be longer than 155 characters

Google allows you to use up to 255 characters in your page titles. The first 65 characters are most important because they give users an idea of what the page is about. After that, it’s okay to include additional details that help people find the content they’re looking for on your site.

You may have noticed that some pages have more than one title tag (a sign of duplicate title tags). This can happen if you have different versions of titles across different pages and aren’t consistent. For example, one version might contain keywords while another doesn’t.

Use only one version of each title tag and make sure all other versions are removed from search results as soon as possible!

Choose a page title based on your search intent and user intent

Types of Search intent example

If you’re not writing for search engines, then you don’t need to worry about keyword phrases. However, if your page is designed with the intent of ranking well in Google Search results, then it’s important that the title of your page reflects what the user wants and needs.

The first 60 characters of content on a web page are crucial for helping Google determine how relevant and useful your content is for its users.

That’s why it’s so important that the first 60 characters include relevant keywords to target the audience as well as visible locations such as headers and subheaders.

Write meta descriptions for all pages

Writing meta descriptions for all pages is a crucial step in the SEO checklist for any website.

Meta descriptions are meta tags used to describe what your page is about, and they’re usually visible in search results.

They should be short and concise and contain relevant keywords. Google has said that it’s more important now than ever before to have unique meta descriptions on each page of your site as opposed to using one description across multiple pages.

This means that if you have 10 products on your eCommerce site then each product should have its own individualized description within SERPs.

In addition to being unique, Google recommends including a call-to-action in your meta descriptions so that users know what they’ll get if they click through!

Organize topics with headings

Use headings to create a hierarchy of information, which helps users understand the structure of your content.

For example, If you’re writing about how to use Google Search Console to track SEO performance across devices and browsers.

You might have one section with the heading “Track Your Rankings Across Devices.” Then within that section, you could subheadings like: “Desktop,” “Mobile,” and so on.

Don’t forget about context!

Headings are also useful for showing the structure of your content and providing context for readers as they scroll through it (or click through it).

If possible, try not to put all your headers at the beginning—put them where they’re most relevant so readers can quickly scan through them.

Do not stuff keywords in URLs, use semantic URLs

Ways to Avoid keyword stuffing

The URL should be a logical expression of what your content is about.

For example, if you are writing an article about how to get fit on a budget, then the title should contain words like “budget” and “fitness”, but not just something like: ‘how-to-get-fit-on-a-budget’.

This will help Google understand the purpose of each page and improve the relevance of results for users.

Another important aspect is that each piece of content has its own unique URL.

We recommend using real words from your topic instead of numbers or letters only.

Use structured data in the right way

Structured data is a set of markup languages that allows you to provide rich snippets on search engine results pages.

You can use structured data to help search engines understand what your page is about and provide useful information in Google Search results.

You can do this by adding schema.org markup to the section of your page. In addition to ensuring that the content itself provides all necessary information for us and other search engines to be able to understand it properly.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist for using structured data:

  • Use schema.org markup for product pages
  • Use schema.org markup for organization pages (for example, business name or address)
  • Use schema.org markup for events. (for example, date published)
  • Use schema.org markup for news articles (for example, author name)

Use breadcrumb navigation

Breadcrumb navigation is a technique that helps users understand the structure of a website.

It helps users to understand the relationship between pages on a website and allows them to navigate through it easily.

This can be used as an alternative to hierarchical titles and descriptions, which can be difficult for search engines to read.

Make sure that your navigation is simple

Use simple navigation
Use simple navigation

You should make sure that your navigation is simple and straightforward. This will help users navigate through your website easily, which in turn increases the number of people who land on the page.

Navigation should be clear and understandable so that users don’t have to guess what they’re supposed to do next. If a page says “Click here” or “Click this link,” then there’s no question about it—they know exactly what needs doing!

It also helps if navigation features are consistent throughout all pages of your site. This means having an overall look and feel across all pages.

If certain elements appear on one page but not another one nearby in terms of location or size/color scheme etc. Then those might confuse visitors instead of guiding them through each section smoothly from start to finish.

Make your 404 pages useful

Use the 404 page to help the user find what they are looking for. So that they stay on your site.

Use relevant humor when there is an error.

Avoid distracting ads

Avoid distracting ads
  • To avoid distracting ads, use a simple, non-distracting design.
  • Make sure the ads don’t interfere with the main content.
  • Use the right ad size and placement for your site’s content areas.

The ad should be below or above your content area but don’t put it on top.

If you’re using an image as part of a larger image gallery, make sure that there is enough room in between pictures so that viewers can see all of them without having to scroll through them before they reach their desired one!

If possible and depending on how much money you want to spend, consider creating “stacked” ads. It is displayed multiple as ads side by side instead of wrapping them around each other like puzzle pieces. So that visitors have an easier time seeing all parts together without having any issues.

This might sound complicated but really isn’t too difficult once you know how things work!

Give a descriptive text for links

You should give descriptive text for links.

When users click on a link, they want to know what they are going to find when they arrive at the destination page.

For example:

  • About Us link: http://example.com/about-us

Combat comment spam with the rel=”nofollow” attribute

Comment spam is a problem that often crops up in the form of comments on your site’s blog posts. This can make it difficult for readers to get around and interact with your content. You may also have an issue with comment spammers trying to make it difficult for you or others from commenting.

To combat spam comments problems, Google recommends using rel=”nofollow” on comments.

This helps keep things clean while still allowing people who are interested in what you have written about. That encourages commenting about whatever topic was discussed within those particular posts

Optimize your images

Image optimization techniques for better seo

You should be optimizing your images in order to achieve a high ranking.

Image size is important, but it’s not the only thing that matters.

You should make sure that you are using descriptive filenames and alt text for images.

The alt text should be relevant to the image and should not be too long, since Google will only display it if it fits within the size of their search results window (around 800 pixels wide)

This will help Google determine whether or not they can trust your site when they encounter an image on their search results page, which means they will show up higher in SERPs.

Use relevant keywords in each file name, such as “logo.png” or “shop_banner.jpg

Create easy-to-read content

easy to read content
  • Use short sentences.
  • Use short paragraphs.
  • Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs to break up information and make it easier to consume.
  • If you have a lot of content, use headings (such as “Heading 1,” “Heading 2,” etc.) so that each section is easily identified by the user when reading through the page.

Organize topics with subheadings

You can use subheadings to organize topics, break up long sections of text, create a hierarchy of information, or make your content easier to read.

  • Organize topics
  • Break up long sections of text to increase readability.
  • Create a hierarchy of information.
  • Make your content easier to read.

Edit and proofread your content before publishing it

proofread like a pro
proofread like a pro
  • Spell check and grammar check.
  • Read your content out loud. It’ll sound different when read aloud, which can help you spot errors or awkward phrasing.
  • Have someone else read it to you. They may pick up on mistakes that you don’t notice because you know what you wrote, not what’s written.
  • Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for words that could be considered repetitive or too formal for example “utilize” might be replaced by “use”.
  • Use Google Search to find synonyms. Enter a word into Google and see what other words come up when searching for synonyms. This will give some insight into how others view the meaning of similar words so that they can be used appropriately within the context and without repetition.

Create unique content by covering the topics deeply and extensively. Be the definitive guide to your topic.

  • Create unique content by covering the topics deeply and extensively. Be the definitive guide to your topic.
  • Use your own words, not jargon, when possible.
  • Do not use duplicate content across multiple pages or sites this may result in a penalty.
  • Use a keyword research tool like Google’s Keyword Planner to find new topics and then brainstorm related keywords.

Mobile-friendliness

mobile friendly is ranking signal

Mobile-friendliness is a ranking signal. It’s one of the most important factors in search engine optimization (SEO), and it affects how your website ranks.

To check for mobile-friendliness, you can use these tools:

  • Google Search Console – This tool allows you to see whether or not websites are responsive and comply with best practices for mobile design across all devices. If there are any problems with your website’s responsiveness, they will be flagged here.
  • Google Analytics – You should also look at the bounce rate and session duration metrics on your site using this service because they’ll tell you. If visitors are spending more time on pages that aren’t optimized for their devices or browsers then they’re likely not seeing results properly!

Mobile users search for a mobile version of your page, so make sure that the content and navigation are easy to find on all devices. Make sure it loads quickly and doesn’t take too long to load at all times. Use responsive design to ensure that all pages look great even when viewed on smaller screens (like phones).

Make sure your site is easy to read and understand. And that there’s enough information available without having to scroll through several pages to find something specific!

HTTPS security

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s a secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website you’re visiting.

HTTPS is important because it encrypts the connection between your browser and the website. This ensures that all of your personal information stays private while browsing online.

Internal linking

Use internal links with anchor text

Internal linking is the process of directing readers to other pages on your website. The most basic form of internal links is anchor text links. Which simply uses the same keyword phrase as an anchor text in an image, article, or link.

Anchor texts are useful because they provide Google with information about what page a user is looking at when they click on the link.

For example, if you have an article titled “How to do SEO” and it contains several images that reference specific content within those images (e.g., “how-to-do-seo”). If each time someone clicks on one of these images from within your site’s search results page (SERP).

Google will understand that this is actually referring back to another section/article within that particular SERP!

This helps Google understand your website is well structured so it can better rank pages based on their relevancy score rather than just being passed over because there aren’t any discernible words in front of them.

XML sitemaps, HTML sitemaps

Sitemaps are a powerful tool for search engines to crawl your site.

The sitemap tells search engines what pages exist on your website and where they can find them.

It also tells search engines how often to crawl your site, which is particularly helpful. If you’re working with an eCommerce site or running multiple versions of the same content (e.g., blog posts).

Internationalized websites for multi-regional and multilingual sites(hreflang)

Internationalized websites for multi-regional and multilingual sites

<a href="https://aptBlogger.com" hreflang="gr">AptBlogger</a>

hreflang = “de”

en: German

If you have a website with different language versions, then you should consider using hreflang.

It helps to target the right users in their native languages by providing them with relevant content in their preferred language and region.

By using it, people can find a specific version of your content based on their location. You can also use this metadata tag to preload images. So that they don’t download until someone visits them from within another country’s domain name or IP address range

Promote your website in the right ways.

Social-Media to promote blog
Use Social Media for promoting your blog

Now that you know what to look for and how to fix it, let’s talk about promotion.

  • Make sure your site is good. Your website needs to be clean and easy to use in order to rank well on Google. If people can’t find what they’re looking for on your site, then there’s no way that they’ll stay long enough for it to rank well.
  • Don’t spam people with ads (or any other type of marketing). The last thing you want is for someone to see an ad pop up right after they searched for something related. When using advertising services like AdWords or Facebook Ads Manager make sure everything works smoothly.

FAQ

What is Google Search Central document?

Formerly Google Webmasters it is an official Google document to help understand how to create websites SEO friendly. It’s an official document that is a must-read by anyone starting or practicing SEO.

What is robot.txt

It prevents the Search Engine to stop indexing certain pages not relevant. To do that include the page link to the robot.txt file. In WordPress robots.txt file is automatically created.

What is structured data?

Google uses structured data to understand web content. Structured data ensures rich results in Google Search in order to maintain a high-quality search experience for our users. Use the rich results Test to know if you follow the structured data guidelines.

What is nofollow link?

The nofollow tag tells search engines like Google or Bing to ignore that link in your backlink profile.

How to organize your topics clearly?

Organize your web page with paragraphs, subheadings, or layout separation.

What is metadata?

Metadata contains information about data. In SEO context it is:

  • Page Title known as Title Metadata is the most important.
  • A Meta description is a short summary of your content.
  • Relevant Keywords
  • Meta robot tags like nofollow/dofollow and Index/Noindex.
  • Alt Tags relevant description about image and natural keyword.

Why mobile friendliness is important for websites?

70% of web traffic is mobile and 80% of all top sites are mobile-friendly.

What is a sitemap?

A sitemap is a file that provides information about the pages, images(image sitemap), videos(video sitemap), and other files on your site, and the relationships between them. Search engines like Google read(Crawl) this file index your website more efficiently.

Conclusion

The Google Search Central document is a comprehensive list of things you should be doing to optimize your website for Google. The checklist above is a quick recap of all the items in that document, and we hope it will help you get started on the right path with your SEO.

I hope you like the blog post.

Also, read the following blog post to create a better SEO-friendly website or blog:

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