If your website isn’t showing up on the first page of Google, you’re missing out on valuable traffic, leads, and sales. With over 90% of search traffic going to results on page one, ranking higher is more critical than ever. But SEO strategies are constantly evolving, and what worked last year may not be enough now.
To help you stay ahead, here are the top 9 SEO strategies you can implement this year to improve your rankings and drive more organic traffic.
1. Focus on Search Intent
Ranking well isn’t just about keywords—it’s about matching user intent. Google’s algorithm has gotten smarter at understanding what users are really looking for. Are they researching, comparing, or ready to buy?
Action Tip:
Before creating content, determine the search intent behind each keyword. For informational searches, provide thorough blog posts. For transactional ones, create landing pages optimized for conversions.
2. Optimize for Core Web Vitals
Google’s Core Web Vitals are a set of user experience metrics that affect rankings. These include:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): Page loading time
- FID (First Input Delay): Time before users can interact
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): Visual stability
Action Tip:
Use Google PageSpeed Insights, Search Console, or GTMetrix.com to identify performance issues, and address them by optimizing images, improving server response times, and minimizing JavaScript.
3. Target Long-Tail Keywords
Highly competitive short keywords are hard to rank for, especially for newer sites. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords—specific phrases that are easier to rank for and often bring in more qualified traffic.
Action Tip:
Use tools like Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, or Google’s Keyword Planner to find long-tail variations with lower competition and decent search volume.
4. Create High-Quality, In-Depth Content
Google prioritizes authoritative, helpful content that answers the user’s query completely. Thin content or fluff pieces won’t cut it.
Action Tip:
Use the “skyscraper technique”: find top-ranking content on a topic and create something even better—more comprehensive, more current, and more visually engaging.
5. Optimize On-Page Elements
Simple tweaks to your title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and images can significantly impact rankings.
Action Tip:
- Include primary keywords in your meta title and H1 tag
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich alt text for images
- Write compelling meta descriptions to increase click-through rate
- Use internal links to guide users and distribute link equity
6. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks remain one of the strongest ranking signals. But quality beats quantity—one authoritative link is worth more than dozens of low-quality ones.
Action Tip:
- Reach out to industry blogs and offer guest posts
- Create original research, infographics, or tools others want to reference
- Make sure any links you pursue are do-follow links, not no-follow links
7. Improve Mobile Experience
More than 60% of searches come from mobile devices, and Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily uses your mobile version to rank your site.
Action Tip:
Ensure your site is responsive, loads quickly on mobile, and provides a seamless user experience. Test it on a mobile device.
8. Leverage Internal Linking
Internal links help search engines understand your site structure and guide users to related content.
Action Tip:
- Link new blog posts to cornerstone content
- Use descriptive anchor text
- Avoid overloading pages with excessive links
A smart internal linking strategy keeps users engaged longer and distributes page authority throughout your site.
9. Refresh and Update Old Content
Google favors fresh, relevant content. If you’ve been publishing for a while, some of your older pages might be outdated or underperforming.
Action Tip:
- Revisit posts over 12 months old
- Update statistics, improve structure, add multimedia
- Re-optimize for new keywords and trends
- Resubmit updated URLs to Google for faster reindexing
Bonus Tip: Monitor and Measure Everything
Implementing these strategies is only half the job—you need to track what’s working and adjust your tactics accordingly.
Action Tip:
Use tools like:
- Google Analytics (to monitor traffic and user behavior)
- Google Search Console (to track performance, fix indexing issues, and see keyword data)
- Ahrefs or SEMrush or SEMDash (for backlink and competitor insights)
Set clear SEO goals and review your progress monthly.
Final Thoughts
SEO isn’t about quick tricks or shortcuts—it’s about creating a solid foundation, delivering value, and continually improving your site’s performance. These 9 strategies will give you a competitive edge in today’s crowded search landscape.
Whether you’re a small business owner, content creator, or marketing professional, consistent application of smart SEO practices can lead to long-term growth and higher rankings.
Start by tackling the most impactful strategies on this list and build from there. Google rewards sites that put users first—and if you do that well, the rankings will follow.
John Eberhard is President of Real Web Marketing Inc., a full service digital marketing agency servicing clients nationwide.
