We've Been Waiting for These! The Moz 2015 Search Ranking Factors Are In!
Every two years, those of us working in SEO await the results of Moz's detailed survey into Google's Ranking Factors. It's a chance for us to see what other professionals think about strategies, techniques, and best practices to follow for the months ahead.
Because Google's algorithm is constantly changing - and Google isn't fond of telling us how to do our jobs - the best way for us to keep up with what's new in search is to talk to others about what's working for them. The Moz survey is a great starting point, and we usually come away with new strategies to improve our sites.
If you don't have a background in SEO, it's still worth taking a look at the survey. If nothing else, it will give you an idea of how complex search engine optimization can be. Our 100+ Ranking Factors to Consider post is another good example of the complex thinking that goes into a good SEO plan.
In order of importance, here are the main ranking factors discussed in the survey:
- Domain-level, link authority features
- Page-level link metrics
- Page-level keyword and content metrics
- Page-level keyword-agnostic features
- User usage and traffic/query data
- Domain-level brand metrics
- Domain-level keyword usage
- Domain-level keyword-agnostic features
- Page-level social metrics
Each one of those is further broken down into various factors that influence Google's overall perception of a site's value and reputation.
What's more, the survey goes on to make predictions for the future of Google's algorithm over the next 12 months. It's no surprise that SEOs anticipate mobile-friendliness as a factor that will continue gaining importance, while social signals like Tweets and shares are likely to maintain their current value.
There weren't a lot of surprises in the 2015 Moz survey, but the result still give us a very important reminder: SEO takes time, effort, and a solid strategy in order to succeed.
We'd love to hear from you! Is there anything you would add to the 2015 Ranking Factors? Tell us in the comments below!
