Google Knows What Works—Give It What It

IMPORTANT: A Little-Known but Powerful Tip Below

Google has unparalleled insight into websites.

Most of the world’s internet activity begins with Google, and with tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager, and even Google Fonts, websites themselves feed Google immense amounts of data. Add to that the browsing data from Google Chrome, insights from Android devices, and even voice search data from Google Nest, and it’s clear—Google knows almost everything about how users interact with websites.

Why Does This Matter?

Google’s primary goal is to rank the page with the VERY BEST USER EXPERIENCE at the top of its search results.

If you keep this core principle in mind, whether you're optimizing for SEO or running PPC campaigns, you’ll have a significant advantage over competitors.

But here’s the real tip:

The websites already ranking on page one for your target keywords are there because they provide a user experience that aligns with what Google deems the best for that keyword.

What defines the best user experience can vary greatly by niche and even by specific keywords. For instance:

• A wedding photography site might rank highly because it offers a clean design with stunning, high-quality images and a simple contact form.

• A page selling a new vitamin supplement might achieve success with a detailed, 10,000-word article that includes references to medical studies.

By analyzing what’s already ranking, you can optimize your own pages to improve both user experience and conversions while also signaling to Google that your content aligns with what works best.

How to Apply This Strategy

For each keyword you want to target, perform a simple search and analyze the top 10 ranking pages. Look for patterns in the following:

1. Content Quantity

   • How much content do they have? Short summaries or in-depth articles?

2. Content Style

   • Is it informal or formal? Does it include questions, large paragraphs, or clear calls to action?

3. Use of Media

   • Are images and videos prominent? If so, how are they used? Do they enhance the user’s experience?

4. Navigation

   • What menu options or navigational features are present?

5. Layout

   • What is the overall structure of the page?

   
   

If most of the top-ranking sites share similar features and your page is significantly different, it may take much longer—or prove impossible—for your content to rank well. Google uses its vast data to understand what works, and aligning with those metrics gives your page a much better chance of success.

Practical Tip

Before creating a webpage for a specific keyword:

1. Search the keyword on Google.

2. Open the top-ranking pages.

3. Note what they have in common and what you like about their structure, content, and design.

4. Use these insights to shape your page’s content, layout, style, and calls to action.

   
   

By following this approach, you’re giving Google what it already knows works best, significantly increasing your chances of ranking on page one while also improving the user experience for your visitors.