The Ultimate Guide to Ranking #1 on Google: A Step-by-Step Process

Introduction

  • Founder of Backlinko and his journey with SEO
  • Importance of ranking #1 on Google
  • Overview of the step-by-step process

Step 1: Find Three Keywords

  • Explanation of long-tail keywords
  • How to find low competition keywords using Answer the Public, Reddit, and Exploding Topics

Step 2: Create Epic Content

  • Importance of creating high-quality content
  • Buzzsumo study on the effectiveness of longer content
  • Tips for creating epic content, including adding hooks

Step 3: Keyword Optimize Your Content

  • Explanation of on-page SEO
  • Importance of including target keyword in key areas
  • How to use LSI keywords to give Google context

Step 4: Optimize Your Content for Users

  • Importance of user experience for SEO
  • Tips for optimizing content for users, including structuring content and improving design
  • Importance of backlinks for SEO
  • Proficient Digital's study on the continued importance of backlinks
  • Broken link building as a strategy for building backlinks

Conclusion

  • Recap of the step-by-step process
  • Importance of patience and persistence in SEO
  • Call-to-action to put the process into action

The Ultimate Guide to Ranking #1 on Google: A Step-by-Step Process

Are you tired of struggling to get your website to rank on the first page of Google? Look no further than this ultimate guide to ranking #1 on Google. As the founder of Backlinko, the go-to source for marketers seeking higher rankings and more traffic, I've spent years testing and experimenting with SEO tactics. In this article, I'll share with you my proven step-by-step process for ranking #1 on Google.

Introduction

Before we dive into the process, let's take a moment to discuss the importance of ranking #1 on Google. Simply put, the higher your website ranks on Google, the more traffic you'll receive. And not just any traffic, but highly-targeted traffic that is more likely to convert into customers or subscribers.

My journey with SEO began with frustration. Despite following the advice of supposed SEO experts, my first website wouldn't rank no matter what I did. But rather than giving up, I decided to run numerous SEO experiments. Over time, I developed a process that has helped me rank #1 on Google for competitive keywords.

Step 1: Find Three Keywords

The first step in the process is to find three keywords that you'll create content around. But not just any keywords - low competition keywords that are specific to your niche. One great tool for finding such keywords is Answer the Public, which turns questions people ask on forums and social media into keywords. Another option is Reddit, where you can find topics that your target audience is discussing. Finally, Exploding Topics bubbles up trending topics and industries, which can lead to untapped keyword opportunities.

Step 2: Create Epic Content

Now that you have your keywords, it's time to create epic content around them. My team recently analyzed 912 million articles and found that 94% of all online content has zero links. To avoid being lost in the sea of content, your content must be epic - not just good or great. Longer content tends to get more links, so aim for in-depth content that covers an entire topic. To make your content stand out even more, add hooks that make it unique and shareable.

Step 3: Keyword Optimize Your Content

Optimizing your content for keywords used to mean stuffing your page with them, but that no longer works. Instead, the goal of on-page SEO today is to give Google context about your page. Include your target keyword in key areas, but also use LSI keywords - words and phrases closely related to your target keyword.

Step 4: Optimize Your Content for Users

Google pays attention to how users interact with your website. To rank well, your content must be optimized for users as well as search engines. Structure your content so that users can quickly find actionable information. Improve your website's design to reduce bounce rates.

Backlinks are still important for SEO. Broken link building is a strategy for building backlinks that involves finding dead links on other websites and offering your content as a replacement.

Conclusion

Ranking #1 on Google is a process that requires patience and persistence. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to higher rankings and more traffic. Don't wait - put this process into action today.