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How Google Determines Relevance

πŸ”Ή Understand how search engines evaluate, rank, and prioritize content based on keywords, search intent, and page quality.

Updated over a week ago

Search engines prioritize the most relevant content for every search. They determine relevance by analyzing keywords found in a page’s visible content (on-page) and invisible content (on-site elements like metadata and schema markup).

🧠 Understanding On-Page and On-Site Content

  • On-page content includes what users can see β€” headings, paragraphs, and visuals.
    ​On-site content includes both visible copy and invisible metadata that help search engines interpret context.

When users type a query like β€œItalian Restaurant NYC”, Google looks for:

  • Exact and related terms in the page content.

  • Focus keywords such as pasta, burrata, or parmesan that indicate topical depth.

  • Frequency and placement of relevant terms to determine content focus.

The more related terms your content includes, the more likely Google is to see it as a relevant result.

πŸ”‘ Keyword Selection Strategy

🎯 Focus Keywords

Focus keywords are supporting terms that reinforce the main topic and show search engines that your content comprehensively covers the subject.

🚦 Selecting Keywords

You cannot rank for everything β€” focus your optimization on keywords that match your target audience’s intent.

  • High-volume keywords = best for ad-driven or readership-based sites.

  • Conversion-focused keywords = best for purchase or participation-driven sites.

Example:

  • Rain β†’ high search volume, but low conversion intent.

  • Custom umbrella β†’ lower volume, but higher purchase intent and CPC.

βœ… Only target keywords that bring converting traffic.

🧩 Four-Step SEO Content Process

1️⃣ Keyword Research

Identify what terms users type when looking for your product or service.
Use keyword tools to analyze competitors, traffic sources, and conversion-driving terms.

2️⃣ Ranking Analysis

Evaluate keyword difficulty, competition, and focus keywords used by top-ranking pages.
Harder keywords need longer, more comprehensive content.

3️⃣ Content Optimization

Two parts:

  • Create meaningful content that provides user value.

  • Optimize for search engines with focus keywords, headings, and metadata.

4️⃣ Adding Links

Use internal links to connect relevant content and external links to reference authoritative resources.
Internal links improve navigation and help search engines crawl your site.

🍝 Example: Italian Restaurant NYC

πŸ” Keyword Research

Target Keyword: italian restaurants nyc

  • High volume: 4,300 searches/month

  • Low difficulty: 8

  • Strong CPC: $6

Use competitor analysis or tools like the Content Optimizer to identify supporting focus keywords.

πŸ“Š Ranking Analysis

Identify missing focus keywords by comparing your content to top 10 ranking pages.
Example missing focus keywords: Central Park, Romantic restaurants, Brick oven, Fine dining, Wine bar.

✍️ Content Optimization

Incorporate additional focus keywords naturally into your page copy.
Include contextually related phrases and locations to increase relevancy.

🧱 Check Content Ranking Power

Run optimized content through an SEO tool to ensure inclusion of sufficient focus keywords.
Aim for 20+ relevant focus terms for competitive topics.

πŸ”— Adding Links

Internal Links

Help users navigate and allow search engines to crawl your site efficiently.

  • Link to related content (e.g., menu β†’ catering).

  • Add CTAs linking to forms, bookings, or quotes.

External Links

Show authority and build trust by referencing reliable sources.
Quality sites link to other quality content β€” search engines recognize this as a trust signal.

βš™οΈ Actionable Takeaways

🧾 Get More Words on the Page

  • Include your target keyword in the first paragraph.

  • Aim for 2,000–4,000 words on core pages.

  • Add media, links, and CTAs to encourage engagement.

  • Use headers strategically β€” they carry more ranking weight.

  • Include video transcripts when possible.

πŸ”— Link Between Pages

  • Ensure every page is accessible through at least one internal link.

  • Remember: search crawlers only find pages linked from existing content.

πŸ“£ Add Calls to Action (CTAs)

  • Include CTAs in your main nav, top, and bottom of pages.

  • Encourage conversions: Call Now, Get Started, Request a Quote.

  • Use heatmaps to find drop-off points and place CTAs strategically.

πŸ“ˆ Keep Content Valuable

High-quality content should be:

  • User-friendly

  • Unique

  • Authoritative and trustworthy

  • Aligned with search intent

  • Regularly updated

Pro tip: Review and refresh content periodically to maintain value and relevance.

βœ… Closing Note

By aligning keywords, intent, and on-page optimization, you help search engines identify your content as highly relevant β€” improving visibility, engagement, and conversions.

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