Why Your Website or Blogs Aren’t Ranking on Google: 19 Reasons 

So you have launched your website and started writing blogs on it. That’s fantastic! But hold on, something isn’t quite right. Is your amazing content not showing up on Google searches? That’s concerning but don’t panic. There are several reasons why this may be happening. And guess what? We have solutions for each one. 

In this blog, Upreports – the best digital marketing company in India – will unveil the secrets behind low website rankings. We will share tips to fix them and climb those search engine ladders. So, let’s dive in and get your website shining! 

Why is My Website Not Ranking? 

We understand that search engines like Google can feel elusive sometimes. You’ve built a fantastic website yet these aren’t showing it the love it deserves. To get to the problem’s root, we have divided potential issues into four key areas: 

• Indexing and Crawl issues
• Technical issues
• Linking issues
• Content and keyword issues

#1 Indexing and Crawl Issues 

Okay, the first few reasons on our list are about indexing and crawl issues. Simply put, you can’t rank if your website and blogs are not on Google in the first place. 

Reason 1: Your website isn’t on Google’s radar 

There’s no doubt that ever since you created your website, you searched for it on Google. However, the results are… nada. This can be frustrating but there’s a simple explanation. Google and other search engines need to find and index your site or blogs that you’ve written for it before they can show up in search results. 

Once you’ve taken care of it, crawlers will find and add them to their massive index. Here are a few ways to ensure search engines see your website and its pages: 

• Submit a sitemap: A sitemap is like a roadmap for your website. It helps search engines discover all your pages. Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console so that they can have an idea of where to look. 

• Build backlinks: When high-quality websites link to yours, it tells Google that your business site and its content are valuable. Focus on creating great content that others will naturally love to link to. 

Reason 2: Your website is new kid on the block 

Launched your website yesterday and expect it to dominate search results today. Well, hold your horses! New sites and their web pages (blogs, service pages, etc) take time to get indexed by Google. Like there’s no magic number. It can take weeks or even months, depending on the size and competitiveness of your niche. 

So, give some time to Google to explore. Meanwhile, you can do these tasks to get it indexed faster: 

• Share your site and blogs on social media: Yes, you read it right. This can help Google and other search engines discover your new site. 

• Submit to relevant directories: Another thing that you can do is to submit your website and web pages (blogs) to relevant directories like Yelp, Blograma, SoMuch, Viesearch, etc. 

Reason 3: No index found a.k.a forbidden zone 

Ever heard of a no-index tag? We bet some of you have figured out what it means. A fancy way of telling search engines to not index a specific web page. Although this can be helpful for pages like “Thank you, visit us again” or login forms, it can turn out to be a ranking roadblock if applied to your entire website. 

Here’s what you should do to unblock your site’s potential again: 

• Inspect your CMS settings: Some content management systems (CMS) have built-in settings to prevent indexing. Do check your CMS settings to guarantee your website or its blogs are set to be indexed. 

List of HTTP status and redirection codes used in SEO

Reason 4: blocking power of robots.txt 

Imagine seeing No Crawlers Allowed sign out of nowhere at your site’s entrance. How does it make you feel? Frustrated, of course! But that’s essentially what your robots.txt file can do. For those who don’t know, it is useful for controlling which pages Google crawls like internal search results or login pages. However, accidental misconfigurations can block search engines entirely. 

Here’s how you can give Google a green light using the robots.txt file: 

• Review this file: Check for any lines that might be blocking search engines from crawling your site or blogs that you wrote. You can use online tools or your site’s CMS to access and edit this file. 

• Test your robots.txt file: Google Search Console offers robots.txt tester tool. Using it, you can see how Googlebot sees your site and its content. We suggest you use it to identify any crawl directives that might be causing issues. 

Reason 5: Internal server errors 

No one is perfect. The same goes for your website. Sometimes, technical glitches can occur. One culprit for hindering indexing is internal server errors. These errors prevent Google and other search engines from properly accessing and understanding your web pages, be it services, blogs, etc. 

Here’s how you can silence the internal server errors and speak to Google: 

• Identify and fix: Use website monitoring tools to pinpoint and fix any internal server errors that might be affecting your business site. You can consult your web developer for the same. 

• Resubmit affected pages: Got internal errors fixed? Bingo! Now it’s time to use Google Search Console to resubmit impacted pages. This will signal to search engines that web pages of your site are healthy again and ready for indexing. 

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#2 Technical Issues 

Sometimes, the problem with low rankings isn’t about content or popularity. But the nuts and bolts of your website itself. Technical issues can create roadblocks for Google and hinder your website blogs’ visibility in search results. Here are some common technical culprits: 

Reason 6: Website speed demon

Let’s say you’re standing in a queue at McDonald’s, waiting for your order to arrive. However, 30 minutes have already passed. Makes you feel impatient, right? Well, not just users but also search engines feel the same when your web pages take forever to load. 

Google prioritizes sites that load quickly and efficiently. If yours is slow, here’s what you need to consider to optimize its speed: 

• Image optimization: Large, unoptimized images are the major culprit for slow loading times. Use tools like TinyPNG, JPEG Optimizer, and Optimizilla to compress images without sacrificing quality. 

• Code minimization: Clean, efficient code loads faster. Consider minifying your website’s code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to remove unwanted characters and whitespace. 

Reason 7: Not-so mobile friendly 

There was a time when had to sit in front of a desktop or laptop to browse the internet. Then mobile phones entered the scene and BOOM! The way we access internet changed dramatically. 2024 is all about being mobile-first and if your site isn’t a BFF of smartphones, well, your website and its blogs might not get the love they seek from visitors. And yes, not even from Google! 

How could you identify that your site isn’t mobile-friendly? Tiny texts, unclickable buttons, elements that don’t fit screens – these are some signs. 

Here’s how you can make your site smartphone’s BFF: 

• Responsive design: This approach uses a single website that adapts its layout automatically to fit the screen size of the device being used (desktop, tablet, mobile). 

• Hybrid mobile app: Don’t want to make changes to your site but still want to catch the attention of smartphone users. Consider reaching mobile app development experts to create a hybrid application that works for both iOS and Android devices. 

Reason 8: Secure sockets layer (SSL)

If your website is a building, SSL is its digital security guard. It encrypts information exchanged between your site and visitors. To be more precise, SSL protects sensitive data like login details and credit card numbers. It ensures a safe browsing experience for users. 

Google prioritizes secure websites with SSL certificates. How can you see it? Well, sites with SSL can be identified by the https:// in the address bar. Make sure your business website has a valid SSL certificate. That way, you can build trust among visitors and potentially improve search rankings. 

Reason 9: Too many plugins 

Although it’s true that plugins offer amazing features for your website, having too many or outdated ones can cause conflicts and slow things down. Regularly update your plugins. Also, keep only those essential for your site’s core functionality. This will help you maintain optimal performance and a smooth user experience when people browse through your site or blogs. 

Reason 10: Broken links and redirects  

Another crucial reason that indicates why your website or blogs aren’t ranking on Google! Imagine clicking a link and ending up in a dead-end internet alley. Broken links and incorrect redirects frustrate users and confuse search engines. These are like broken highways on your site. They disrupt navigation and hinder search engine understanding. 

Regularly check for broken links. Ensure redirects are set up properly. By doing so, you can guarantee a trouble-free journey for visitors. Not to mention, help search engines index your website dexterously! 

Here are quality backlink strategies for 2024! 

#3 Linking Issues 

When it comes to search engine rankings, links act like votes of confidence for your website. Google sees your new website content as valuable if the linking has been done properly. Here are some common linking issues and solutions to strengthen your business site’s link profile: 

Reason 11: Internal linking labyrinth 

Internal linking connects your website’s different pages. It makes it easier for users to navigate and for search engines to understand your site’s structure. Crawlers can efficiently discover and index all your blogs and service pages, potentially improving your search ranking. 

Not having clear pathways between pages will sway away potential traffic reaching your site. Visitors will wander aimlessly, unable to find the information they need. 

Here’s how you can ensure effective internal linking: 

• Identify relevant connections: Look for natural opportunities to link between related pages on your website. For instance, a blog about SEO basics could link to a page with more advanced SEO techniques. Or even a page about SEO services that your company provides. 

• Use descriptive anchor text: Make sure that the text used to link to another webpage is clear and relevant to the content of the linked page. It’s better if you use keyword of that specific page. This helps users understand where the link will take them. It will also provide search engines with clues about the linked page’s content. 

Reason 12: Few backlinks to your site

Backlinks act like votes of confidence from other websites. When a high-quality site links to yours, it tells Google that your content is valuable and trustworthy. This can significantly improve your business website’s ranking in search results. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more authority search engines perceive your site has. 

Here are some strategies to get started on building a strong backlink profile: 

• Create high-quality content: The best way to attract backlinks is to create content so valuable that make others to link to it naturally. Focus on in-depth articles, insightful research, or unique data that stand out in your niche. 

• Guest blogging: Contribute guest blogs to relevant websites in your industry. That way, you can showcase your expertise and earn a backlink to your site within the content. 

• Broken link building: Another amazing tip to consider if your website is not ranking on Google. Find sites with broken links on pages relevant to your niche. Create content that offers a better alternative. Reach out to the website owner and suggest your content as a replacement link. 

#4 Content and Keyword Issues 

Optimized your website technically? Nice. Ensured proper linking structures? Amazing. Addressed other potential roadblocks but still your rankings haven’t budged? Hmm… if that’s the case, the culprit may lie within your content and keyword strategy. 

Let’s delve into some common content and keyword issues that is causing your website or blogs not to rank high on Google: 

Reason 13: Facing high competition 

We know you’ve poured your heart into writing amazing blogs. But hey, there’s a chance that they might get lost in a sea of similar articles from established websites. This could be because of high keyword competition. Certain keywords are highly sought-after by sites with significant online authority. 

Ranking for these terms can be extremely difficult for new websites. Mind you, we said DIFFICULT; not IMPOSSIBLE. You just need a strategic approach here: 

• Target long-tail keywords: For those who don’t know, long-tail keywords are more specific phrases with lower competition. For example, instead of targeting running shoes, you should target the best running shoes for men with wide feet. 

• Optimize for local SEO: If your business has a local focus, it’s best to try strategies like GMB optimization and location-specific keywords to improve your ranking in local search results. 

Reason 14: Low quality or mismatched intent 

It’s all about quality! Even the most SEO-optimized websites can struggle if their content isn’t up to par. Low-quality content like thin articles with little substance or content irrelevant to user search intent can negatively impact your ranking. Here’s how to create high-quality, user-centric content: 

• Focus on depth and value: Go beyond the surface-level information. Provide in-depth analysis, unique insights, or actionable advice to set your content apart! 

• Align with search intent: Try to understand what your users are searching for when using your target keywords. Craft content that directly addresses their needs and answers their questions comprehensively. 

Reason 15: Targeting wrong keywords 

Keyword targeting is very important when it comes to curating content to reach the right audience. Choose the wrong ones and you may attract irrelevant traffic or miss out on potential visitors altogether. Here’s how to find the right keywords to target: 

• Keyword research: Use keyword research tools like SEMrush, Google Keyword Planner, and UberSuggest to identify relevant keywords with sufficient search volume but lower competition.

• Semantic search: Focus on not just the exact keyword phrase but also related terms and concepts that users might be searching for. 

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Reason 16: Freshness fumble 

Search engines like Google favor websites that regularly update their blogs. Okay, let’s say you walk into to a store with dusty shelves and outdated products. Would you buy them? Of course not! Similarly, a business site with stagnant content can appear slate. It may lose its appeal to search engines and visitors alike. 

Here’s how to maintain a continuous flow of fresh content: 

• Plan your content creation to ensure regular updates. Create a calendar. 
• Revisit older content. Refresh its information and optimize for new keywords.
• Experiment with different content formats like videos, infographics, or podcasts to keep your audience engaged. 

Reason 17: Missing out on tags and meta magic 

Ah, headings, meta descriptions, and URLs… These might seem like minor details to many readers. Trust us, they play a crucial role in ranking your website on Google. They are like signposts. Irrelevant or missing title tags, vague meta descriptions, and keyword-less URLs can all confuse search engines and make it difficult for them to understand your content. 

• Targeted titles and descriptions: Incorporate target keywords naturally into your title tags and meta descriptions. 

• Clear and concise communication: Keep your title tags under 60 characters. And meta descriptions of around 160 characters. This will ensure they display fully in search results. Make sure to write clear and concise descriptions that entice users to click on your blogs. 

• URL relevance: Craft URLs that are descriptive and relevant to content. Include target keywords and avoid words like “a”, “and”, and “of”. Google also recommends using hyphens instead of underscores in URLs. 

Reason 18: Plagiarism in content 

Search engines value originality. If your content is blatantly copied from other sources, it can severely hurt your ranking as well as your reputation. So, make sure your content is fresh and unique. It should reflect your own voice and insights. 

Reason 19: AI assistant, not AI author

AI writing tools can be fantastic for sparking content ideas and generating keyword lists. However, relying solely on AI to write blogs for your website can backfire. Search engines prioritize original and human-crafted content. AI-generated content lacks a unique voice. It lacks the perspective and depth that users and search engines crave. 

Focus on using AI as a brainstorming partner then cook your content dish with your own human spices and expertise. Trust us, its fragrance will capture user interest and potentially improve your ranking. 

Why is My Website Not Ranking: Final Words 

Above are some reasons why your website might not be ranking on Google. By considering the solutions we provided, you can avoid common pitfalls and optimize your site for better visibility. We understand that tackling these aspects can feel overwhelming, especially for businesses just starting their SEO journey. If you’re one of them, we suggest you hire a leading digital marketing agency. 

With years of experience and a team of SEO and content experts, Upreports can help you navigate the complexities of search engine optimization. We can tailor a strategy to your specific requirements. Don’t let technical SEO roadblocks hold you back!  

Contact us today at hello@upreports.com. Let us help you climb search engine ladder and achieve your online marketing goals. 

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