Why Your Blog Isn't Ranking on Google: The 12 Possible Culprits
Feel that?
That’s the gut-punch of disappointment as you realize your blog posts just aren’t ranking in Google searches. It happens to the best of us, but fear not!
Many bloggers and content creators struggle with getting their posts to show up on the first page of search results. But the good news is, there are a few common mistakes that could be holding you back.
At TalktheTalk, we're going to go over 12 reasons why your blog posts might not be ranking on Google, and give you some pro tips on how to fix them.
1. Poor keyword research
One of the most important things you can do when creating a blog post is to conduct proper keyword research. This means finding out what people are searching for on Google that is related to your topic.
If you're not using the right keywords in your post, Google won't know what your post is about, and it won't show up in search results. To fix this, make sure you're using a keyword research tool like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs, and that you're including your keywords in the right places, like the title, the meta description, and the body of the post.
2. An utter lack of backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website. They're like votes for your website, and the more votes you have, the more likely it is that your website will rank well on Google.
So if you're not getting enough backlinks to your blog posts, that could be why they're not ranking well. To fix this, you can reach out to other websites and ask them to link to your post, or you can guest post on other websites and include a link back to your own website.
3. Are you using keywords correctly?
Just using keywords in your post isn't enough, you also have to use them correctly. This means using them in the right places, like in the title, meta description, and headings. But it also means not overusing them.
If you stuff your post full of keywords, Google will know and will penalize you for it. So make sure you're using keywords naturally, and that they make sense in the context of your post.
4. Missing the mark on search intent
There's picking the wrong keywords, and then there's picking the right keywords, but using them in a way that doesn't match what the user is looking for. This is known as search intent, and it's one of the most important things you can get right when writing your blog post.
If you're not writing your post with the right search intent in mind, it's not going to rank well on Google. The four types of search intent are informational, navigational, transactional, and commercial.
Navigational intent refers to when someone is searching for a specific website or page, such as "WordPress login" or "Paypal account."
Informational intent means the person is trying to learn more about a topic, like "how to start a WordPress blog" or "how to send a PayPal invoice."
Transactional intent indicates that the person is searching for a product and is likely ready to make a purchase, like "WordPress travel theme."
Lastly, Commercial intent is when someone is looking for more information before making a purchase, for example, "WordPress vs Squarespace."
Make sure you're writing your post with the right search intent in mind and that it meets the user's expectations.
5. Is your blog mobile-ready?
More and more people are using their phones to access the internet, which means it's essential that your website is optimized for mobile devices. If it isn't, Google will penalize you, and your posts won't rank as high in search engine results pages (SERPs).
To fix this issue, make sure your website is mobile-friendly and that it loads quickly. You can use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool to see if your website passes the test.
6. Do you have slow, eye-roll-inducing website speed?
If your website is slow to load, that's going to hurt your search engine rankings. People are less likely to stick around and read your post if it takes forever to load. Make sure you optimize your images, minify your code, and use a content delivery network (CDN).
Hard truth #7: You might not be providing enough value to readers
Every blog post is a marketing asset. It's a chance to show off what you know and provide readers with valuable information. But if your post is packed full of fluff, it's not going to rank well in Google or attract new readers.
So this is a big one! Google wants to show its users the best possible results, so if your post isn't providing value to your readers, it's not going to rank well. Make sure your post provides valuable and relevant information to your readers. This will not only improve the user experience but also increase the chances of your post being shared and linked to.
Every blog post should be easy to read and navigate by using headings, bullet points, and images. Use a clean and simple layout and format your post correctly.
Need help with high-quality blog posts? At TalktheTalk, we make sure that every blog post we deliver is optimized for search engine rankings and that they provide valuable information to our readers.
8. You're not formatting your blog posts right
Speaking of formatting, make sure you're using the right kind of formatting in your posts. This means including headings, lists, images, and short paragraphs. This makes it easier for people to read your post and helps them understand the content better.
Google also uses this information to determine how relevant your post is and if it should be ranked higher in the SERPs.
9. You're sleeping on image optimization
Images can slow down your website, and also affect the user experience, so make sure to optimize them by compressing them, and using the appropriate file type and size.
10. Psst, maybe you're not targeting the right reader.
If you're not targeting the right audience, your post may not get the traction it needs to rank well on Google. Make sure you understand who your target audience is and what they're looking for.
Everything from the language you use to the topics you cover should be tailored toward your target audience. This will help you create content they'll love and ensure that it ranks well on Google.
11. You have to promote your content
Just because you've written a great post, doesn't mean people will automatically find it. You need to promote your content on social media, through email marketing, and by reaching out to influencers in your niche to help get the word out. And don't forget to optimize your post for social media sharing by using catchy titles and featured images.
12. You don't have a topic pillar strategy
A topic pillar strategy is all about creating a structure for your content that makes it easy for Google to understand the main topic of your website and the different subtopics it covers. If you don't have a topic pillar strategy in place, your blog posts may not be as effective in terms of search engine optimization.
For this, you'll want to create a content calendar and map out the main topic and subtopics you want to cover in your blog.
Skip these mistakes with a professional hand
So there you have it, 11 reasons why your blog posts might not be ranking on Google. By avoiding these common mistakes and following the pro tips we've shared, you'll be well on your way to getting your posts to show up on the first page of search results.
And if you ever need help with your blog posts or SEO content, don't hesitate to reach out to TalktheTalk Creative, we research, plan, write, and optimize content for SEO to give your blog the best ranking chances.
Get in touch today, and let's make it happen!
