Free SEO Training: How to Rank on the First Page of Google

Introduction

• Presenter: Nathan Gotch, founder of Gotch SEO
• Content: Proven in-house SEO process
• Series: Subscribe to SEMrush YouTube channel for more videos

What is SEO?

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Process of improving rankings in Google's organic search engine
• Importance: Best inbound marketing channel due to search intent
  • Example: SEMrush free trial – bottom of the sales funnel

SEO Opportunities

• High search volume compared to other channels
• Top 5 websites: Search-driven (Google, YouTube, Amazon)
• Google’s market share: 87% (as of 2021)

SEO Process: Four Pillars

1. Keywords
2. Technical
3. Content
4. Backlinks

Pillar 1: Keywords

• Foundation of SEO: Searchers use keywords to find solutions
• Keyword Research Process
  • Identify keyword opportunities
  • Existing organic traffic: Use SEMrush’s Organic Research tool
    • Focus on low-hanging fruits (Keywords in positions #2-15)
  • No organic keywords: Use SEMrush's Keyword Gap tool
    • Compare with competitors to find opportunities
• Choosing Keywords
  • Prioritize high transactional intent and low competition
  • Intent types: Informational, Investigative, Comparison, Transactional, Navigational

Pillar 2: Technical

• Importance: Foundation for first-page rankings
• Quick Wins
  • Use SEMrush’s Site Audit tool
• Optimization Focus Areas
  • Crawlability and Indexability: Verify with SEMrush Audit
  • User Experience (UX): Improve page loading speed and Core Web Vitals
  • Site Architecture: Internal linking and crawl depth
    • Ensure pages are within three clicks of the homepage
    • Enhance internal link coverage

Pillar 3: Content

• Optimize Pages
  • Check for keyword cannibalization: Use SEMrush’s Position Tracking tool
  • Upgrade existing content
  • Basic on-page SEO: Include primary keyword strategically
  • Use SEMrush’s On-Page SEO Checker for further optimization
  • Ensure adequate internal link coverage
  • Develop topical authority through related content

Pillar 4: Backlinks

• Importance: Backlinks are the top ranking factor
• Audit Existing Backlinks
  • Use SEMrush’s Backlink Audit tool
  • Manage toxic backlinks through quality acquisition and removals
• Quality Backlink Characteristics
  • Relevance to your site
  • Real website with organic traffic
  • Authoritative site with high-quality backlinks
• Use SEMrush to vet potential backlinks

Conclusion

• The four pillars ensure a foundational and strategic SEO approach
• Stay tuned for the next video on advanced keyword research techniques
• Actions: Like, subscribe, and enable notifications for the SEMrush channel for more content
• Engagement: Submit questions in the comments section