How to Increase the Ranking of an Already Ranked Post on Google

In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization, maintaining a high ranking on Google is a must for any website owner. But what about those already-ranked posts that have slowly started to slip down the SERPs? Fear not! There are actionable steps that you can take to boost their ranking and reclaim their former glory.

In this blog post, I’ll delve into the strategies and tactics you can use to increase the ranking of an already-ranked post on Google. So if you’re ready to give your content a second chance, keep reading!

Importance of Optimizing Already Ranked Posts on Google

Optimizing already ranked posts on Google is essential for maintaining and improving your online visibility, attracting targeted traffic, and staying competitive in search engine rankings. It’s an ongoing process that ensures your content remains relevant, valuable, and aligned with the evolving SEO landscape. Here are some key reasons:

• Increased Visibility: By optimizing your already ranked posts, you can improve their visibility in search engine results. Higher visibility means more potential clicks and traffic to your website.
• Targeted Traffic: Optimizing your posts allows you to target specific keywords or topics that are relevant to your content. This helps attract more targeted traffic, increasing the chances of converting visitors into customers or achieving your desired goals.
• Stay Competitive: SEO is an ongoing process, and your competitors are likely optimizing their content regularly. By optimizing your already-ranked posts, you can maintain a competitive edge and ensure your content remains relevant and up-to-date.
• Improved User Experience: Optimization often involves enhancing the user experience of your posts. This includes improving the readability, structure, and overall appeal of your content. When users have a positive experience with your posts, they are more likely to engage with your website and share your content, leading to increased visibility and organic growth.
• Long-Term Value: Optimizing your already ranked posts can provide long-term value. Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving, and by keeping your content optimized, you can adapt to these changes and maintain your rankings over time.
• Maximizing ROI: Optimizing already ranked posts can be a cost-effective strategy. Instead of creating new content from scratch, optimizing existing posts allows you to leverage the potential of your current assets. This can lead to a higher return on investment by maximizing the value of the content you have already produced.
• Authority Building: Consistently optimizing your already ranked posts showcases your expertise and authority in your niche. As you update and improve your content, you establish yourself as a reliable source of information, which can help attract more visitors and backlinks, and ultimately improve your overall search engine rankings.

Evaluating the Current Position and Performance of Your Post

Evaluating the current position and performance of your post is crucial for optimizing and improving its ranking on Google. Here are some key aspects to consider:

• Search Engine Ranking: Determine the current position of your post in search engine results for target keywords. Conduct a search using relevant terms and see where your post appears. This will give you an idea of its current visibility and ranking.
• Organic Traffic: Analyze the amount of organic traffic your post receives. This data can be obtained through web analytics tools like Google Analytics. Look for the number of visits, unique visitors, and pageviews specifically for that post. This will help you understand how well your post is attracting organic traffic.
• Bounce Rate: Evaluate the bounce rate of your post, which indicates the percentage of visitors who leave your post without engaging further. A high bounce rate may suggest that visitors didn’t find what they were looking for or that the content needs improvement.
• Time on Page: Assess the average time visitors spend on your post. Longer engagement times generally indicate that your content is engaging and valuable to readers. If the average time on a page is low, it may indicate a need for more compelling or relevant content.
• Conversion Rates: If your post is intended to drive conversions (e.g., sign-ups, purchases, etc.), monitor the conversion rates specifically associated with that post. Analyze the number of conversions generated from the post and compare it to the total number of visitors. This will help you assess the post’s effectiveness in achieving its intended goals.
• Backlinks and Referring Domains: Examine the number and quality of backlinks pointing to your post. Backlinks from reputable websites indicate authority and can positively impact your search engine rankings. Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to identify the number of referring domains and assess the overall quality of your backlink profile.
• Social Media Engagement: Evaluate the level of engagement your post receives on social media platforms. Look at metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and retweets. Social media engagement can contribute to increased visibility, traffic, and potential backlinks.

7 Strategies to Increase the Ranking of an Already Ranked Post on Google

Strategy – 1: Evaluate and Optimize the Content

You have to evaluate and optimize the existing content based on user behavior and search engine data. To optimize existing content, you can follow these steps:

• Update the title and meta tags: Review and update the title tag and meta description of your content to include targeted keywords. Make sure they accurately reflect the content and are enticing to users, as they appear in search engine results.
• Improve the content structure: Ensure your content is well-structured and easy to read. Use headings (H1, H2, etc.) to organize your content and make it scannable. Break up long paragraphs into smaller ones and use bullet points or numbered lists to present information.
• Optimize the body of the content: Incorporate your target keywords naturally throughout the content. Ensure they flow naturally within the sentences and avoid overstuffing. Add related keywords and synonyms to make the content more comprehensive and relevant.
• Add multimedia elements: Enhance your content by adding relevant images, videos, infographics, or other multimedia elements. Optimize these elements with descriptive file names, alt text, and captions that include keywords where appropriate.
• Internal and external linking: Include internal links within your content to other relevant pages on your website. This helps search engines understand the context of your content and improves user navigation. Additionally, link out to authoritative external sources that provide further information or support your content.
• Incorporate user engagement elements: Encourage user engagement by adding features such as social sharing buttons, comment sections, or interactive elements. Increased user engagement can signal to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant.

Strategy – 2: Build High-Quality Related Backlinks

Building high-quality backlinks for an already ranked post on Google SERP can help improve its visibility, authority as well as rankings. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Content promotion: Actively promote your already ranked post by sharing it on social media platforms, industry forums, and relevant online communities. Engage with your target audience and encourage them to share your content, which can lead to natural backlinks.
• Outreach to relevant websites: Identify authoritative websites, blogs, or influencers in your niche that could benefit from your post. Reach out to them with a personalized email or message, highlighting the value your post provides and suggesting a collaboration or request for a backlink.
• Guest blogging: Offer to write guest posts for reputable websites or blogs that are relevant to your post’s topic. Include a link back to your already ranked post within the guest post, providing additional value to their audience and gaining a backlink in return.
• Broken link building: Find websites in your niche that have broken links or outdated content related to your post. Reach out to the website owner or webmaster, informing them about the broken link and suggesting your already ranked post as a replacement resource. This can result in acquiring a backlink when they update their content.
• Resource page inclusion: Identify websites with resource pages that list helpful content related to your post’s topic. Reach out to the website owner, suggesting your already ranked post as a valuable addition to their resource page. If the content aligns well, they may include your post and provide a backlink.
• Infographics or visual content sharing: Create visually appealing infographics or visual content related to your post. Share them on social media platforms, submit them to infographics directories, or reach out to websites that publish visual content. Include a backlink to your already ranked post as a source for more information.
• Testimonials and reviews: If you have used products or services related to your post, offer to provide testimonials or reviews in exchange for a backlink. Reach out to the company or website owner, expressing your positive experience and offering to share your testimonial on their website with a link back to your post.
• Monitor brand mentions: Set up alerts or use social listening tools to monitor mentions of your brand or post across the web. If someone mentions your post without linking to it, reach out to them and kindly ask for a backlink to be included.

Strategy – 3: Optimize the Content for Featured Snippets

Featured snippets are dynamic, and Google continually tests and changes the way they are displayed. It’s important to monitor your post’s performance and make adjustments as necessary to increase the likelihood of being featured. Now, to optimize your already ranked post for featured snippets on Google SERP, consider the following strategies:

• Identify featured snippet opportunities: Conduct keyword research to identify queries that commonly trigger featured snippets. Look for question-based queries (e.g., “how to,” “what is,” and “why does”) and informational queries that align with your already ranked post.
• Format your content for snippet-friendly structure: Structure your content to provide clear and concise answers to the target query. Use headings (H2 or H3) to frame the question and provide a concise answer in the following paragraph or bullet point format. This helps search engines identify the relevant information for a potential featured snippet.
• Include relevant schema markup: Implement schema markup on your already ranked post to provide additional structured data to search engines. Schema markup can help search engines understand the context of your content and increase the chances of it being featured as a snippet.
• Optimize content with question-based headings: Use question-based headings that directly align with the queries you want to target. For example, if the query is “How to optimize a website,” include a heading such as “How to optimize your website for better performance.” This increases the likelihood of your content being featured as a snippet for that specific query.
• Provide concise and informative answers: Focus on providing direct, concise, and valuable answers to the target query. Anticipate the user’s intent and address it in a comprehensive yet succinct manner. Aim to offer the most helpful information within the character limits typically used for featured snippets.
• Use bullet points and numbered lists: Utilize bullet points or numbered lists to present information in a clear and structured format. This makes it easier for search engines to extract information and display it as a featured snippet.
• Include relevant images or visuals: Supplement your answers with relevant images, diagrams, or visual content. Visual elements can enhance the user experience and increase the chances of your content being selected for a featured snippet.
• Optimize meta description and title tag: Craft a compelling meta description that summarizes your content and entices users to click. Incorporate the target query within the meta description and consider rephrasing it as a question if applicable. Additionally, optimize the title tag to align with the target query and make it clear that your content provides a solution or answer.
• Keep content up to date: Regularly update your content to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. As search engines prioritize fresh content for featured snippets, staying up to date can increase your chances of being selected.

Strategy – 4: Build Internal and External Links

Building both internal and external links for your already ranked post on Google SERP can help improve its visibility, authority, and overall SEO performance. Here’s how you can approach building these types of links:

Internal Linking:

• Identify relevant anchor text: Identify keywords or phrases within your already ranked post that are relevant to other content on your website. These keywords will serve as anchor text for your internal links.
• Link to related content: Look for other relevant posts or pages on your website that can be linked to from your already ranked post. Ensure the linked content provides additional value and context to the reader.
• Use descriptive anchor text: When creating internal links, use descriptive anchor text that accurately reflects the content of the linked page. Avoid generic terms like “click here” and instead use descriptive phrases that provide context to both readers and search engines.
• Create a logical link structure: Establish a logical hierarchy and structure within your website by linking from high-level pages to more specific or detailed content. This helps search engines understand the relationships between different pages on your site.

External Linking:

• Identify authoritative and relevant websites: Identify reputable websites or blogs in your industry or niche that have content related to your already ranked post. Look for websites with strong domain authority and a good reputation.
• Reach out for link opportunities: Contact the website owners or webmasters and inform them about your already ranked post. Explain why your content is relevant and valuable to their audience and request a link back to your post. Personalize your outreach and provide a compelling reason for them to link to your content.
• Guest blogging: Offer to write guest posts for authoritative websites or blogs in your niche. Within the guest post, include a relevant and contextual link back to your already ranked post as a reference or additional resource.
• Participate in industry forums and communities: Engage in online forums, discussion boards, or social media groups related to your industry. Provide valuable insights and answers to questions while naturally referencing your already ranked post when relevant. Be mindful of forum or group rules regarding self-promotion.
• Create valuable and shareable content: Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that others in your industry or niche would find useful and share-worthy. Content that stands out is more likely to attract organic backlinks from external websites.
• Monitor brand mentions: Set up alerts or use tools to monitor mentions of your brand or content online. If you come across instances where your already ranked post is mentioned without a link, reach out to the website owner or author and kindly request a backlink be added.

Strategy – 5: Add Multimedia Elements on the Post

Adding multimedia elements to your already-ranked post on Google SERP can enhance the user experience, increase engagement, and potentially improve its visibility. Here are some multimedia elements you can consider incorporating:

• Images: Include relevant and high-quality images that support and visually enhance your content. Optimize the image file size for faster loading and use descriptive file names and alt tags that include relevant keywords. Images can help break up the text, provide visual examples, and make your post more appealing.
• Videos: Embed informative or instructional videos related to your post’s topic. You can create your videos or leverage existing ones from reputable sources such as YouTube or Vimeo. Ensure the videos are relevant, provide value to the audience, and align with your post’s content.
• Infographics: Create visually appealing infographics that summarize key information or data from your post. Infographics are highly shareable and can attract attention from users and other websites, potentially leading to more backlinks. Include an embed code for easy sharing on other websites.
• Slideshows or Presentations: Convert your post’s content into a slideshow or presentation format using tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides. Share the slides or presentation on platforms like SlideShare or your own website. This format can be engaging and easily shared across different channels.
• Audio: Consider incorporating audio elements such as podcasts or audio snippets. You can provide an audio version of your post or include relevant audio clips that supplement the written content. Make sure to provide a transcript or summary for accessibility and SEO purposes.
• Interactive Elements: Add interactive elements such as quizzes, surveys, or interactive diagrams that engage users and encourage them to actively participate. Interactive content can increase time spent on your post and improve user engagement.
• Charts and Graphs: Present data or statistics using charts, graphs, or other visual representations. These visual elements can help convey complex information in a more digestible format and make your post more informative and visually appealing.

Strategy – 6: Promote the Post

Promoting your already ranked post on Google SERP can help increase its visibility, attract more traffic, and potentially improve its ranking. Here are some effective strategies to promote your post:

• Social media promotion: Share your post on your social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Craft engaging captions and use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience. Encourage your followers to share your post with their networks.
• Email marketing: Send an email to your subscribers notifying them about your new post. Provide a compelling preview of the content and include a direct link to encourage click-throughs. Consider segmenting your email list based on relevant interests or demographics for targeted outreach.
• Influencer outreach: Identify influencers or thought leaders in your industry who may find your post valuable to their audience. Reach out to them with a personalized message, explaining the benefits of your post and requesting them to share it with their followers.
• Collaborate with other bloggers or website owners: Connect with bloggers or website owners who have a similar target audience. Offer to contribute guest posts or collaborate on content where you can link back to your already ranked post. This cross-promotion can help you reach a wider audience and gain valuable backlinks.
• Engage in online communities and forums: Participate in relevant online communities, forums, and discussion boards where your target audience gathers. Provide valuable insights, answer questions, and share your post as a helpful resource when appropriate. Be mindful of community guidelines regarding self-promotion.
• Paid advertising: Consider investing in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platforms like Google Ads or social media advertising to promote your already ranked post. Set up targeted campaigns using relevant keywords and audience demographics to reach users actively searching for related content.
• Content syndication: Explore content syndication platforms or websites in your industry that allow you to republish or distribute your content. Ensure you follow their guidelines and include a link back to the original post to drive traffic and establish authority.
• Engage with your audience: Actively respond to comments, questions, and feedback on your post. Engaging with your audience helps build relationships, encourages social sharing, and increases the chances of your content being shared by others.
• Utilize your website and blog: Promote your post on your website’s homepage, sidebar, or footer. Consider featuring it in relevant blog posts or creating a dedicated section for popular or evergreen content. Internal promotion can drive more traffic and increase the visibility of your already-ranked post.
• Monitor and leverage trends: Stay informed about industry trends, news, or events related to your post’s topic. When relevant, update your post with new information or create supplementary content that capitalizes on trending topics. Promote this updated content to attract attention and capitalize on the increased search interest.

Strategy – 7: Monitoring and Analyzing Performance

Monitoring and analyzing the performance of your already-ranked post on Google SERP is crucial to understand its effectiveness and making informed decisions for optimization. Here are steps to help you monitor and analyze the performance:

• Google Analytics: Set up Google Analytics on your website to track various metrics related to your post’s performance. Monitor metrics like pageviews, bounce rate, average time on page, and conversion rate. Analyze how users are interacting with your post and identify areas for improvement.
• Search Console: Use Google Search Console to gather data specific to your post’s performance on Google SERP. Monitor the number of impressions, clicks, average position, and click-through rate (CTR) for your post. Identify keywords driving traffic and track changes in rankings over time.
• Organic Traffic: Monitor your website’s overall organic traffic and track any noticeable increases or decreases. Compare the performance of your already ranked post with other pages on your website to gauge its relative success.
• Backlinks: Keep an eye on the backlinks your already ranked post has acquired over time. Monitor the quantity and quality of these links using tools like Ahrefs or Moz. Analyze the impact of backlinks on your post’s visibility and ranking.
• Social Shares and Engagement: Track the number of social media shares, comments, and engagements your post receives across different platforms. Assess the impact of social media promotion on your post’s visibility and overall engagement.
• User Feedback: Pay attention to comments, feedback, and reviews related to your post. Analyze the sentiment and identify areas where users express satisfaction or raise concerns. Use this feedback to improve and optimize your post.
• Conversion Tracking: If your post has a specific conversion goal (e.g., newsletter sign-ups, product sales, form submissions), set up conversion tracking to measure its effectiveness. Analyze the conversion rate and the impact of your post on driving desired actions.
• Heatmaps and User Behavior: Use tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg to generate heatmaps and analyze user behavior on your post. Understand how users navigate, scroll, and interact with your content. Identify areas that attract the most attention and optimize accordingly.
• A/B Testing: Experiment with different variations of your post to identify what resonates best with your audience. Conduct A/B tests by making changes to headings, visuals, formatting, or calls to action. Measure the performance of each variation to determine the most effective elements.
• Continuous Optimization: Regularly analyze the performance data and insights gathered. Identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement. Based on your analysis, make data-driven decisions to optimize your post, whether it’s updating content, improving SEO elements, or refining your promotional strategies.

The Closure

Finally, optimizing an already ranked post on Google SERP requires a strategic approach to improve its visibility, engagement, and ranking. By understanding the current position and performance of your post, you can identify areas for enhancement.  With consistent effort and optimization, you can increase the ranking and success of your already-ranked post on Google SERP.