If you know anything about SEO, you know that it is not an easy job. For an expert SEO strategist or even a business owner using basic search engine optimization, it is necessary to continually follow Google updates to know what plays into getting higher rankings in search engine results. The task is essentially to get into Google’s mind and make your website cater to what pleases it. However, this isn’t as simple as it sounds. Not only is Google always changing what it wants, but it keeps adding more and more demands to its long list. Now, experts claim that Google focuses on 200 ranking factors in its algorithm.

Here, our SEO team takes a look at the list of 200 ranking factors that Google uses to analyze and rank your site, as put together by Backlinko and Single Grain. This list goes to show the huge amount of tiny details that can make a huge difference to your search engine ranking, which is part of why SEO is challenge. Check out what results are made of:

Despite this incredible list of factors, many in the SEO industry remain skeptical. Does Google really consider all of these factors when ranking website? Of course, some factors will seem to more heavily on the decision making: anything to do with keywords is important, as is having proper titles and backlinks. Then there are elements that cannot be changed once is built such as domain name and domain age. A lot of other elements, like using a keyword as the first word of a title or guest posting, are up for debate between different SEO experts, who differ in their opinions of how much these things matter. Finally, there are some elements on the list that cannot possibly ranking factors, like employees listed in Linkedin and Facebook shares, since Google cannot know this information. But, these factors may affect overall branding outside of search results.

Ultimately, while the list of Google 200 ranking factors does go to show just how complex SEO is, it should be taken with a grain of salt as well, realizing that some factors are much more important for a website than others. Want to discuss more? Contact us to come in to discuss more about SEO and ranking on Google, and even get a free consultation.