Let’s face it. We all want that top spot on Google. The one that gets all the clicks. All the traffic, All the attention.
But here’s the thing—Google’s not playing the same game anymore.
2025 came in with a bang. And so did some big changes in SEO.
So if you’re still stuck on old tricks—keyword stuffing, random backlinks, —Here’s a quick guide on how to rank #1 on Google.
Let’s break it all down. With real advice that works today.
1. People First, Always
Let me tell you a quick story.
A friend of mine built a sleek-looking site for his travel blog. Stunning photos. Neat layout. But he forgot one thing—people. His pages were slow. No clear structure. And visitors bounced faster than a tennis ball.
Google noticed.
Now? He’s fixing it. Better navigation. Faster load times. More real info.
Lesson? User experience is not optional. It’s everything.
So ask yourself:
- Can visitors find stuff easily?
- Does your site work on mobile?
- Is it loading fast or making people rage-quit?
Keep it smooth. Clean. Functional. That’s what Google loves now.
2. Core Web Vitals Aren’t Just Fancy Terms
These aren’t buzzwords. They’re Google’s way of saying: “Make your website better.”
Here’s the breakdown:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): Your page should load its main content in under 2.5 seconds.
- FID (First Input Delay): Interaction should be quick. Under 100 milliseconds.
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): Stop stuff from jumping around. Keep it steady. Under 0.1.
You don’t need to memorize this stuff. Just test your site. Use PageSpeed Insights. Or Lighthouse.Fix what’s broken.
3. AI Is Watching
And it’s smart. Real smart.In 2025, AI is part of the SEO game. Big time.But no—it’s not here to steal your job. It’s here to help.Use it.
- Need content ideas? AI can help brainstorm.
- Confused about trends? Machine learning can track and predict what users want.
- Chatbots? Yeah, they work. And they collect feedback that matters.
So don’t ignore the robots. Learn to dance with them.
4. Google Wants Experts
Have you heard of E-E-A-T?
If not, let me introduce you: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.This is Google’s gold standard.
Here’s what to do:
- Talk about what you know. Real stories. Real tips.
- Show credentials. Even basic ones.
- Get backlinks from real sites.
- Use HTTPS. Write a privacy policy. Be transparent.
Basically, Be strategic. That’s what gets rewarded.
5. Content Still Rules. But Make It Count.
Let me be honest. No one cares about fluff.You could write 3,000 words, but if it says nothing? It’s not worth it.
Here’s how to stand out:
- Go deep. Write guides. Share useful stuff.
- Update old posts. Google notices when content stays fresh.
- Mix in visuals—images, charts, videos. Break the text.
6. Voice Search Is Booming
“Hey Google, where’s the best pizza near me?”
That’s voice search.It’s growing like crazy.
To win here:
- Use conversational keywords.
- Think questions: “How do I…” “What’s the best…”
- Target local terms: “in Pune,” “near Bibvewadi,” you get it.
- And if you can land a featured snippet? Boom. You’re golden.
7. Video = Traffic Magnet
Google owns YouTube.So, guess what ranks well? YouTube videos. Don’t ignore video content. It doesn’t have to be Hollywood-level.
Just make it:
–Helpful
– Clear
– Keyword optimized (in titles, tags, and descriptions)
– Add transcripts too. Google loves words.
– And always, always, use custom thumbnails. Make people want to click.
8. Backlinks Are Still the Real Deal
But not just any link.You want the good ones. From trusted, related sites.
Here’s how to get them:
- Guest post on blogs that matter.
- Create stuff people want to link to (like data, tools, or original research).
- Use broken link building. (Find dead links. Offer yours instead.)
- Don’t beg. Don’t buy. Earn links.
9. Use Schema Markup
Sound boring? Yeah, maybe.But it works.Schema tells Google what your content is about. It’s like giving your site a pair of glasses so Google sees it clearly.
Add:
- FAQ schema
- Review schema
- Product schema
- Article schema
This helps you appear with rich snippets. More clicks. More power.
10. Don’t Sleep on Algorithm Updates
Google’s always tweaking stuff.If you’re not paying attention? You’ll fall behind.Set Google Alerts. Follow blogs like Search Engine Journal or Moz.Use Google Analytics. See what’s working—and what’s not.Adapt. That’s the name of the game.
What Most People Forget (But You Shouldn’t)
Alright. You’ve got the basics. The strategy. The tools. But let’s go deeper.
1. Build a Brand, Not Just a Website
Google knows when people search for your name.
- Focus on brand awareness:
- Be active on social
- Get people talking about you
- Encourage reviews and mentions
That kind of buzz? It helps SEO too.
2. Use Internal Linking Like a Pro
Don’t let your content live alone.Link your blogs to each other. Connect product pages. Guide your visitor deeper into your site.
This does two things:
- Helps Google crawl better
- Boosts time-on-site (which Google loves)
Think of it like creating a trail of breadcrumbs. Keep people moving.
3. Clean Up Old Content
Got blogs from 2020? Outdated info? Pages that barely get traffic?
Time to clean house.
Either:
-Update them
-Merge them
-Or delete them
Less clutter = better rankings. Simple
4. Use Google Search Console
It’s free. And it tells you exactly what Google sees.
Check:
– Which keywords you’re showing up for
– Which pages are performing
– What errors need fixing
This is your SEO dashboard. Don’t ignore it.
5. Focus on User Intent
Not just what people search—but why they search it.
Are they looking to buy? Learn? Compare?
Craft your content to match the intent. If someone types “best running shoes,” they want comparisons, not a single product.Meet them where they are.
See, SEO’s not some one-time hack. It’s not like flipping a switch and—boom—you’re ranking forever. It’s like working out. You don’t hit the gym once and expect abs the next day. You’ve got to keep showing up. Modify stuff. Experiment. Fail a bit. Then try again.
That’s the game now.
Bonus Strategies for Staying Ahead in SEO
1. Stop Chasing Keywords—Start Understanding Intent
Here’s the thing.
Keywords used to be gold. Stuff them in, sprinkle them around, and hope for the best. Not anymore.
Now? Google wants to know why someone’s searching. Not just what they’re typing. There’s a big difference between someone searching “best laptops” and someone typing “cheap laptops under 30k with long battery.”
Intent matters.
Think like your reader.
- Are they researching?
- Ready to buy?
- Just curious?
Craft your page around that. Not just a list of words.
For example—“best running shoes”? Don’t repeat the phrase 20 times. Instead, build something helpful.
Like:
- Side-by-side comparisons.
- Pros and cons.
- Your honest opinion.
Useful stuff.
2. Be the Expert (Not the Tourist)
You ever land on a blog that clearly has no clue what it’s talking about?Yeah. Feels gross.Google agrees.If your blog covers SEO, don’t drop a single article on it and bounce. That’s tourist behavior.
Become a local. Write more. Dig deeper. Own your topic.
Not just “What is SEO?” but:
- Local SEO
- Technical SEO
- AI in SEO
- Mobile-first indexing
Make it a rabbit hole people want to fall into. And connect your posts like a little web of knowledge.Feels legit. Google thinks so too.
3. User Signals = Your Secret Sauce
Here’s a story.
A client of mine had a blog ranking on page 1. But the bounce rate? Yikes. People were clicking, skimming, then leaving fast.
Guess what? That blog fell off the map in a few weeks.Google saw the signals. And it didn’t like ‘em.So now? We do things differently.
Catch attention early. First 5 seconds? Critical.
Use:
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points
- Images
- Clear headings
Keep people reading. Keep ‘em clicking. Google loves that.
If users are happy? Google is happy.
4. Don’t Overdo It
Funny thing—people hear “optimize,” and they go overboard.I mean stuffing every header with the same keyword. Or building 100 backlinks in a week. Or repeating anchor text like a broken record.That stuff?
Google’s smarter now. It knows when you’re trying too hard.
Be natural. Be chill.
- Use synonyms.
- Let backlinks happen organically.
- Write like you talk—not like you’re programming a robot.
Slow and steady are not for the patient. But it works.
5. Beyond Google—Explore New Search Frontiers
Let’s be honest.Not everyone’s on Google 24/7.
A lot of people find stuff on YouTube. Even voice assistants. Heck, someone told me they found my blog through ChatGPT.Crazy times.So don’t just live in one box.
Here’s how to branch out:
- Turn blog posts into short videos. (Even if it’s just you talking over slides.)
- Post bite-sized tips on Instagram.
- Answer niche questions in video form.
- Use schema to help voice search pick you up.
- Optimize for visuals. Think Google Lens.
Every platform is a chance to be found.Don’t wait for people to come to you. Go where they are.
Final Thought: Google Follows People
This might sound strange.You’re here for SEO tips, right? For Google.
But here’s the honest truth: Google doesn’t care about tricks. It cares about people.If your content helps people? Makes them smile? Teaches them something?Google will find a way to reward it.
So yeah—do the technical stuff. Set your tags. Track your metrics.
But also:
– Speak from experience
– Answer genuine questions
– Share stories
-Build trust
That’s how you stay on top.Not just Google. But of everything.