How Search Engines Rank Pages

Three Jobs Search Engines Do

To rank pages, a search engine first crawls the web to find pages, then indexes what they're about, and finally ranks them when someone searches. Get all three right and you show up.

Help It Crawl and Index

• Make sure pages are linked and reachable
• Don't accidentally block important pages
• Submit a clear sitemap
• Use descriptive titles and headings

What Influences Ranking

• **Relevance** — does the page match the search intent?
• **Quality** — is the content genuinely helpful and trustworthy?
• **Experience** — fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to use
• **Authority** — do other reputable sites link to it?

Match Intent, Not Just Keywords

Google tries to satisfy what the searcher actually wants. A page that truly answers the question beats one that just repeats the keyword. Ask what someone searching this really needs, then deliver it.

Earn Authority Honestly

Links from respected sites act as votes of confidence. You earn them by being useful, original, and worth referencing — not by buying shortcuts.