We use YouTube and Google to look up answers every day.

Have you ever wondered why some websites rank higher on Google while others are buried on page 10? Or why some videos barely show up on YouTube while others receive millions of views?

That is Search Engine Optimization’s (SEO) power.

The Value of SEO

• When was the last time you searched something up on Google?
• Did you click on the first link you came across?
• Despite the immense power of search engines, what determines which website you see first?
• It’s SEO, not magic. Let’s take it one step at a time.

How Google Operates

Google wants its users to see the best results possible. It accomplishes this by adhering to the E-A-T principle, which stands for:

• Experience: Are you genuinely knowledgeable about the subject?
• Expertise: Are you knowledgeable?
• Do you have the trust of others?
• Trust: Are you sincere, secure, and trustworthy?

Google uses these four factors to determine whether your content merits a higher ranking.

The Algorithm: Google’s Trade Secret

In reality, how does Google choose which website to display first? The Google algorithm enters the picture here. Simply put, an algorithm is a clever collection of guidelines or directives. Consider it a recipe, and there are numerous ingredients in this recipe:

• Your content’s keywords
• Your content’s quality
• Mobile friendliness and page speed
• User indicators, such as whether visitors stay on your page

Google uses its algorithm to combine all of these factors before determining which website should be ranked first.

The fundamentals stay the same despite the algorithm’s constant changes: 👉 High-quality, authentic, and helpful content always prevails in the long run.

Keywords: What Are They?

The precise phrase that users enter into Google or YouTube is known as a keyword. For instance, “best running shoes for beginners” is typed by someone. It’s a keyword. You have an opportunity to rank if you produce content centered around it. Keyword research is essential if you want to know what people are searching for before you start creating content.

How to Begin Keyword Research

With the help of free online resources, you can begin your keyword research.

Remember this:

Knowing what people search for, not what you believe they search for, is the key to creating effective keywords.

What Comes Next?

In order to get Google and YouTube to notice you, we’ll go into more detail in the upcoming video on how to use those keywords in your titles, descriptions, and content.

Final points

Understanding your audience and producing content that benefits them is the goal of SEO, not fooling Google. When you focus on providing value and aligning your content with what people genuinely search for, success naturally follows. Keep in mind that SEO is the link between your audience and your content, not just a digital ability.