1. User satisfaction metrics
Google isn’t just looking at time on page anymore.
They’re watching micro-signals: scroll depth, click patterns, even how users interact with your internal links.
Make your content scannable, engaging, and frictionless.
If users enjoy your site, Google will too.
2. Traffic diversity
Too much traffic from Google alone is a red flag.
Mix in traffic from email, YouTube, social, and PPC.
It boosts rankings AND makes your site more algorithm-proof.
3. Goal completion
Google’s algorithm tracks if your site ends the user’s search.
If someone finds their answer and doesn’t bounce back to the SERP? You win.
Put your answer up top. Add TL;DR sections. Provide CTAs early.
4. Topical authority
Random blog posts won’t cut it anymore. Map your topic clusters and go deep.
Cover every subtopic in your niche with intent-driven, high-quality content.
AI tools are great for speeding up this process.
5. Content depth
Word count is a myth. What matters is how thoroughly you cover a topic.
If the top 10 results average 2,000 words, that’s your benchmark.
But stuffing fluff will tank your engagement signals.
Go deep. Not long.
6. Quality backlinks
With AI flooding the SERPs with similar content, links separate the winners from losers.
Digital PR and strategic guest posting work best right now.
Focus on relevance and authority over quantity.
7. Brand search volume
Google rewards brands more than ever.
More branded searches = higher trust = better rankings.
Run cheap engagement ads, post job listings, and get into “best of” listicles to spike brand searches.
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