1. Crawling Blocks
Google can’t rank a page it can’t access. If your page is blocked by robots.txt, password protection, or other methods, Google won’t be able to crawl it. Solution: Make sure your page is accessible to search bots by checking for crawl restrictions in Google Search Console.
2. Indexing Issues
If Google can’t index your page, it won’t show up in search results. Solution: Use the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console to check if your page is indexed. If not, fix the issue and request re-indexing.
3. Lack of Internal Links
Internal links help Google understand the importance of your page. If no other pages link to it, Google might not give it enough weight. Solution: Add relevant internal links from other pages within your site to help boost the page’s importance.
4. Slow Page Speed
Google values user experience, and page speed plays a major role. Solution: Use tools like Google’s Core Web Vitals to check your page speed and optimize it for faster loading times. Prioritize optimizing Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
5. Rendering Issues
If Googlebot can’t render your page properly, it won’t be able to see its content. Solution: Use Google Search Console’s “Render” feature to test how Google sees your page. If there are rendering issues, fix them in your code.
6. Keyword Cannibalization
When multiple pages on your site target the same keywords, Google might get confused about which one to rank. Solution: Use Google Search Console to identify keyword cannibalization and ensure that each page targets unique keywords.
7. Content Format Mismatch
If Google believes that users would prefer a different content format, your page might not rank. Solution: Check the SERPs for your target keywords to see what content format is ranking (e.g., articles, videos). Consider adding multimedia like videos to complement your written content if needed.
8. Misalignment with Searcher Intent
If your page doesn’t match the intent behind a user’s search query, it won’t rank well. Solution: Ensure that your content addresses the user’s intent directly. For example, if someone is searching for “how to do embroidery,” make sure your page provides detailed, actionable answers.
9. Your Competitors’ Content is Better
Sometimes, your content may not be as comprehensive or helpful as your competitors. Solution: Analyze your competitors’ pages that rank well and see how you can improve yours. Are they offering more in-depth information? Do they have better visuals or multimedia? Take note of these elements and update your page accordingly.
10. Poor Optimization
It’s not enough to simply have good content; you also need to optimize it properly for SEO. Solution: Revisit your page’s keyword optimization. Ensure that your target keywords are used strategically in titles, headers, and throughout the content.
11. Lack of Uniqueness
If your content doesn’t offer something new or unique, Google may overlook it in favor of pages that do. Solution: Add unique insights or perspectives to your page. Offer something that other pages don’t, whether it’s through original research, case studies, or user-generated content.
12. Language Issues
If your content isn’t in the language that most of your target audience uses, it can impact your rankings. Solution: Make sure your page is written in the language that your users are searching in. If you’re targeting a multilingual audience, use hreflang tags to guide Google to the correct language and region.
13. Manual Actions
If your page violates Google’s guidelines, it could be penalized with a manual action. Solution: Check for manual actions in Google Search Console. If your site has been penalized, resolve the issue and submit a reconsideration request.
14. Lack of Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from authoritative websites can significantly improve your page’s credibility and rankings. Solution: Focus on building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites. Use outreach, guest posts, and content marketing strategies to acquire these valuable links.
15. E-E-A-T Signals
Google’s algorithm pays attention to a page’s Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), especially for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics. Solution: Build E-E-A-T signals by showcasing your expertise, earning trust, and gaining backlinks from authoritative sources.
16. Algorithm Changes
Sometimes, a drop in rankings could be due to a change in Google’s algorithm. Solution: Stay updated on Google’s algorithm changes and be proactive in optimizing your site. Ensure that your page is in line with the latest SEO best practices.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons your page might not be ranking on Google, but identifying and addressing the issues can help you improve its chances of success. Start by using Google Search Console to pinpoint any technical issues, and then move on to optimizing content, building backlinks, and improving your page’s E-E-A-T signals. With a methodical approach and consistent effort, your page will be on its way to ranking higher!
