Ranking Results on Google Why Aren't I Showing Up Analyzing SEO Ranking Fluctuations

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Analyzing SEO ranking fluctuations is a crucial step in understanding why your website isn't showing up on Google. This involves identifying patterns and trends in your website's performance over time.

Google's algorithm changes frequently, with some updates affecting up to 1 billion searches per day. This means your website's ranking can fluctuate rapidly in response to these changes.

SEO ranking fluctuations can be caused by various factors, including changes in keyword usage, link building, and content quality. For instance, a sudden drop in rankings might be due to a decline in keyword relevance.

To accurately analyze SEO ranking fluctuations, you need to track your website's performance using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console.

Why Your Site Isn't Showing Up

Your site isn't showing up in Google's search results, and you're wondering why. One reason could be that you've made changes to your site within the last 7 days, such as incorrectly placed redirects.

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To identify the cause, you can use a built-in crawler to compare two crawls side-by-side and discover what has changed between two crawl dates. This can help you pinpoint whether any of those changes could have impacted your rankings.

Your website needs to meet certain technical benchmarks to rank on Google, including loading speed, security, and hosting quality. If your site has technical issues, it could prevent it from appearing in the search results completely.

Site Not Listed

You've checked your website's search engine rankings and it's nowhere to be found. This can be frustrating, especially if you've invested time and effort into creating high-quality content.

A common reason for a site not being listed is poor website architecture, which can make it difficult for search engines to crawl and index your site.

If your site is not mobile-friendly, it may not be indexed by search engines, as they prioritize mobile-friendly sites in their rankings.

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Google's algorithm favors sites that load quickly, so if your site takes too long to load, it may not be listed in search engine results.

If your site has duplicate or thin content, it may not be seen as a quality site by search engines, which can prevent it from being listed.

Make sure your site's URLs are descriptive and include relevant keywords, as this can help search engines understand the content of your site and list it in search results.

If your site has a lot of broken links or images, it can negatively impact your search engine rankings and prevent your site from being listed.

Google's algorithm favors sites that have a strong backlink profile, so if your site doesn't have many high-quality backlinks, it may not be listed in search engine results.

What Is?

Keyword ranking is where your website lands in search engine results when someone looks up a word or phrase that matches your content.

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Less than 1% of searchers will look past the first page of Google search results, making it crucial to appear on the first page.

The goal is to have your site pop up as close to the top as possible.

You start by picking the right keywords, which are the terms people type into Google, hoping to find answers you've covered on your site.

Keywords need to be popular enough to get searched but not so competitive that you have no chance of ranking well.

Focusing on quality content and smart keyword use gives you a chance to stand out and climb up in those rankings.

Why Matters

Ranking high in search results means more organic traffic, and that's the traffic you don't have to spend money to get.

It's impressive that some websites can rank on page 2 for high-ranking keywords just a few weeks after launch, as Chris P's website did. Chris used Yoast SEO and followed various tips and tricks to achieve this.

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Understanding which keywords you're ranking for can tell you a lot about your audience. It shows you what they're searching for, giving insights into their needs and interests.

This knowledge can help you tailor your content even better and reach more potential customers who might be looking for exactly what you offer but have not heard of your brand yet.

A strong SEO strategy can lead to significant sales and revenue growth, as mentioned in the article.

Optimization and Technical Issues

You can't rank if your page or site isn't on Google in the first place. Indexing and crawl issues are the first things to check. Technical problems can also prevent your page from ranking, even if it's indexed.

A good internal linking structure and quality backlinks are essential for ranking high. Google crawls the web following each link it finds, so lacking links can cause problems. Ensure your XML sitemap is current and accurately represents your site structure, and submit it to Google Search Console to help Google find your pages.

Technical issues affecting ranking can be identified by examining the Index Coverage report in Google Search Console. Common errors include 'Crawled – currently not indexed' in Search Console, 404s, server errors, or redirect issues. These errors can prevent pages from being indexed.

Indexing and Crawl Issues

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Indexing and Crawl Issues can be a major roadblock to ranking high on Google. You can’t rank if your page or site is not on Google in the first place.

To fix indexing issues, check the Index Coverage report in Google Search Console to see why pages are not indexed. You might find many pages falling under “Error” or “Excluded.”

Make sure your XML sitemap is current and accurately represents your site structure. Submit it to Google Search Console to help Google find your pages.

Pages with low-quality or duplicate content might be excluded from the index, so focus on creating unique, valuable content that provides genuine user engagement.

Use the URL Inspection tool to request indexing for crucial pages not yet indexed, and review the insights it provides into how Google perceives your page.

Blocking Google with robots.txt can also prevent pages from being indexed. Check if your site or WordPress is blocking search engines and uncheck the Search Engine Visibility setting to make your site available again.

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Your site’s web server could be acting up and presenting server errors, or buggy bits of JavaScript in your code could trip up the crawler. Make sure Google can crawl your site easily.

To identify and fix crawl errors, examine the Index Coverage report and review any crawl errors such as 404s, server errors, or redirect issues.

Site Still Too New

If your site or page is new, it might simply be a matter of chilling out and checking back in a little while. Sometimes, it takes days or maybe even weeks for Google to finish its discovery process.

There are many moving parts in getting your content crawled, indexed and ranked. Google has to discover your website, crawl its pages, and then index the content.

If you check and find your site is not on Google yet, you can install Yoast SEO and submit the generated XML sitemap to Google Search Console to help Google discover your website.

The URL Inspection tool in Search Console can also help determine how specific pages are doing. It tells you exactly how Google crawls and views your site.

Website Factors

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Website Factors play a crucial role in determining your page's visibility on Google. Your website's speed, for example, is a key factor, with Google monitoring how fast it loads. A slow website can negatively impact your rankings.

Mobile-friendliness is another important factor, with Google taking into account whether your website is easily accessible on mobile devices. If your website isn't optimized for mobile, it can lead to a poor user experience and lower rankings.

The amount of time people spend on your website is also a key metric, with Google using it to gauge user engagement. If people are leaving your website quickly, it can indicate that it's not providing value, leading to lower rankings.

Here are some key website factors to consider:

A website's overall authority, measured by its Domain Rating, also plays a significant role in its rankings. Higher Domain Ratings tend to correlate with higher rankings on Google's first page.

Right Placement

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To optimize your content for search engines, it's essential to place your keywords in the right places. Ensure your keywords are strategically placed throughout your content, including titles, headings, meta descriptions, and body text.

This optimization enhances your chances of ranking higher in search results. Google frequently adjusts its search algorithms, leading to fluctuations in rankings, but don't panic if you experience fluctuations, especially if you're within the top 10 search results.

Aiming to rank on the first page of Google, especially in the top positions, should be the goal of your SEO strategy. The top 10 organic search results are prime real estate, and you want to be there to get noticed.

Remember, having keyword-rich H1 tags may not be a strong enough ranking signal to help a page move up the first page results.

Mean Word Count of First Result

The mean word count of a Google first page result is a staggering 1,447 words. This is a key takeaway from a study that analyzed the content of top 10 Google results.

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Long-form content tends to appear on Google's first page, but it's not the only factor that determines ranking. In fact, the study found no direct relationship between word count and rankings.

Pages with higher word count don't necessarily have a better chance of ranking highly on the first page compared to pages with a lower word count. This means that other factors, such as keyword optimization and link building, play a more significant role in determining ranking.

The study's findings suggest that long-form content can help you crack the first page, but it won't guarantee a top spot.

HTML Size and Performance

Technical issues can be frustrating, especially when they affect your website's ranking. Is your page or website indexed but not ranking? Then, technical problems need to be checked.

Google looks at more than just the words on your site, it also monitors how fast it loads and whether it's mobile-friendly. These factors tell Google if your site is user-friendly and worthy of a top spot.

A common speculation in the SEO community is that larger pages with bloated HTML are at a disadvantage. However, according to analysis, page size can't be tied to rankings.

Short URLs Rank Better

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Short URLs tend to rank slightly better than long URLs. Google recommends using "Simple URLs" and advises against "extremely long" URLs.

The average URL length for a top 10 result in Google is 66 characters. This is significantly shorter than most URLs on the first page of Google, which are approximately 40 to 100 characters.

Short URLs may improve SEO by leading to a higher organic CTR. In fact, our large-scale organic CTR study found that short URLs have a higher CTR vs. long URLs.

A long URL tends to point to a page that's several clicks from the homepage, resulting in less authority flowing to that page. This usually means lower rankings.

For example, a URL to a vase product page represents a page that's far removed from the site's authoritative homepage.

The correlation between shorter URLs and higher rankings is clear. URLs at position #1 are on average 9.2 characters shorter than URLs that rank in position #10.

SEO Factors Affecting Rankings

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Your page or site may not be ranking due to content or keyword issues, even if everything else is optimized. This is a common problem that can be frustrating to solve.

Content and keyword optimization are crucial for ranking, and a well-optimized page can improve its chances of appearing on the first page of Google. According to a study, pages with more backlinks tend to rank higher than those with fewer backlinks, with the #1 results having an average of 3.8x more backlinks than the results rankings #2-#10.

Short URLs tend to rank slightly better than long URLs, with the average URL on Google's first page being 66 characters long. This is likely because short URLs lead to a higher organic click-through rate (CTR) and help Google understand what your page is about.

Websites with above-average "Time On Site" tend to rank higher in Google, with an average time on site of 2.5 minutes for a Google first page result. This suggests that high-quality content that keeps people engaged is a key factor in ranking well.

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Here's a summary of the key SEO factors affecting rankings:

Factors Affecting You

Your website's ranking is influenced by several key factors, and understanding these can help you optimize your site for better visibility.

Pages with more backlinks tend to rank higher than those with fewer backlinks, with the #1 results having an average of 3.8x more backlinks than the results rankings #2-#10.

Having zero backlinks is common, with approximately 95% of all pages having none, but creating high-quality content can attract links from other websites.

A website's overall link authority, measured using Ahrefs Domain Rating, correlates to higher first-page Google rankings, with average Domain Rating increasing by SERP position.

Websites with above-average "time on site" tend to rank higher in Google, with the average time on site for a Google first-page result being 2.5 minutes.

Tracking what keywords your content ranks for can help you identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in your SEO efforts.

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Your site's content and keyword issues can affect ranking, even if everything else is optimized correctly.

Here are some common issues that can prevent your page from ranking, even if it's optimized:

  • Your site/page is blocking Google with robots.txt
  • Your content lacks uniqueness
  • Your content doesn't match the intent of people searching for your keyword
  • Your site has low-quality content or the wrong type of intent

Meta Descriptions

Meta Descriptions play a crucial role in SEO, giving users a snapshot of what your page is about in search results. A compelling meta description can improve your click-through rate, signaling to Google that your page is valuable to searchers.

These short previews are essential for enticing users to click on your page, and a well-crafted meta description can make all the difference.

Target Keywords

Targeting the right keywords is crucial for attracting targeted traffic to your website. High-volume keywords get a lot of searches, but they're also super competitive.

To improve your SEO strategy, it's essential to continuously monitor your keyword search rankings. This will help you identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in your SEO efforts.

Targeting a mix of high- and low-volume keywords can attract more targeted traffic. High-volume keywords get a lot of searches, but they're also super competitive.

Tracking the keywords for which your content is ranking will help you identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in your SEO efforts.

Tracking and Improving Rankings

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Tracking your keyword search rankings is essential for improving your SEO strategy. Continuously monitoring your rankings helps you identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

To do this, keep a close eye on the keywords for which your content is ranking. This information will help you see where you're succeeding and where you need to adjust your strategy.

Track Your Rankings

Tracking your rankings is crucial to understanding how your website is performing in search engine results. You can use tools like Google Search Console to see where your site ranks for specific keywords.

Keep a close eye on the keywords for which your content is ranking. This information helps you identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in your SEO efforts.

Monitoring your keyword search rankings is essential for improving your SEO strategy. Continuously tracking your rankings will give you valuable insights into what's working and what's not.

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You can use paid SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMRush to get in-depth information about your search engine rankings. These tools show data about how your website ranks on Google that Search Console doesn’t.

Here are the key benefits of using paid SEO tools:

Understanding your rankings is just the first step. Now that you know where you stand, it's time to think about how to improve your ranking on Google.

What Was Impacted?

To understand what was impacted by a drop in rankings, you'll want to evaluate specific page types or content types that were affected the most. This will help you prepare a plan of action to revert the drop.

You can use a standard SEO tool to audit what was impacted, but for those who want to complete the process at scale, you can use a platform like seoClarity.

To take into account search volume, set the metric to weighted average rank. This will give you a more accurate picture of the impact.

Filtering Rank Intelligence by Folders can also help you see a pivot of the keywords table, where the ranking folders are shown along with their selected metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my top results on Google?

To get top results on Google, focus on improving your website's on-site SEO, adding relevant keywords, and creating high-quality content that matches search intent. Follow our 7-step guide to boost your online visibility and climb the search engine rankings.

Francis McKenzie

Writer

Francis McKenzie is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a focus on technology and software development, Francis has established herself as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice in the field of Next.js development.

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