Positive Keyword Ranking Factors for 2025

I have compiled the most important keyword ranking factors for Google in 2025.

1. Use an exact match domain (EMD). An EMD is a domain name that includes the keyword(s) a website wants to rank for. For instance, whitmoreplumbing.com or whitmoreplumbingAtlanta.com (if you want to geo-locate the city you want to rank in).

2. Use your keywords in the Meta Title. A meta title, also known as a title tag, is the element that labels a webpage. You will see the meta title in the search engine results pages (SERPs) in blue text.

   

3. Use the Keywords in the Meta Title in the H1 (Heading 1) on the page it’s linking to. Also put keywords in the H2s and H3s you create.

   

4. Optimize your Home page for one keyword (your “money” keyword) plus variations.
   If your main keyword is “dentist”, you want to optimize your page around that keyword, plus variations of that word. You can use Page Optimizer Pro to suggest variations of your keyword.
   

5. In your page content, make sure your target keywords are in the first 100 words of the page, preferably in the first sentence.
6. Create a separate page for every service that you do. For example, if you are a dentist, you may have services like Tooth Extractions, Dental Implants, Teeth Whitening, etc. A separate page should be created for each service. Creating a page where you write about all your services dilutes the purpose of the page in Google’s eyes.
   

7. When writing content for your keywords pay attention to keyword spacing. Google is clearly looking at the distance between words. The closer the words are to each other, the stronger the relationship between them. For example, you could write a sentence like this: “Here is some information on air conditioners. The best time to buy air conditioners is in the spring, etc. etc.” In this example the keyword “air conditioners” is within 5 words. Do this with exact match keywords and with variations of your keywords.

8. Pay attention to Keyword Density, or how many times you should use a keyword on a page. Use a keyword density of around 2.5%. To help you with keyword density, use Page Optimizer Pro.

9. Keyword Density or Word Count – which is more important? We know that both keyword density and word count are positive ranking factors. Testing clearly shows that keyword density is a stronger factor than word count. The implication is that you should only increase word count if you can maintain the proper keyword density.

10. If you are a local business, include your geo location in the Meta Title, H1 and in the body of your text. If you are a plumber in Atlanta your Meta Title will be “Atlanta Plumber” and your H1 will be “Atlanta Plumber.” If you can also use your location in the domain name. You can also add the state if you want. These tactics tell Google that you are doing business in that city.

11. Should you put the city in front of the keyword or behind the keyword? Most SEO specialists have always said to put the keyword in front of the city. But recent testing has shown that putting the city first outranks putting the keyword first, but not by much. I think what matters most is that you have the keyword and city in the phrase.

12. Use keyword variations to increase ranking. Keyword variations are different versions of the same core keyword. If your keyword is “probate” variations of that term might be: probate attorney, probate lawyer, probate law, etc. Rather than repeat your exact phrase over and over, you can utilize variations to continue to optimize your page without overdoing the exact phrase. I use Page Optimizer Pro to see keyword variations for a particular keyword.

13. Do internal linking. Internal linking refers to the hyperlinks that connect different pages within the same website or domain. Internal links guide users and search engines through your website’s structure. The results are improved PageRank Distribution. PageRank is a concept where link “juice” (a measure of importance) is passed between pages. Internal links help distribute this “juice” across your site. Try to use exact match anchors to pages that you want to rank.

14. Supporting Content. Does the content answer a question that leads to a sale? Any search volume is worth a sale.

15. Use the structure that the top pages in the SERPs are using for your keywords. For example:
    www.wilsonroofing.com
    www.wilsonroofing.com/roofers
    www.wilsonroofing.com/roofers/roofing-horizon-city (location page)

    Using these SEO keyword tips will help you move up in the SERPs.