How to Show Up in Google Search A Practical Guide

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To show up in Google search, your site first needs to be discoverable and understandable to search engines. It's a process that combines a few key things: smart keyword research, on-page SEO to signal what your content is about, and the right technical setup so Google can easily find and index your pages.

Getting these three pieces right is the blueprint for gaining visibility.

Laying the Foundation for Google Visibility

Before any page of your Notion-powered blog can hope to rank, you need a solid game plan. Getting found on Google isn't about luck; it's about deliberately building a site that both search engines and people can actually understand and trust.

The whole thing starts with a simple concept: Google can't rank what it can't find. If you really want to get how this works, diving into a complete guide like What Is Web Indexing? A Complete Guide to Search Optimization is a great starting point. Without proper indexing, your content is basically invisible, no matter how great it is.

Defining Your Niche and Audience

First things first, you have to get specific. Trying to be everything to everyone is a classic mistake that usually ends with you being nothing to anyone. You need to carve out your niche—the specific corner of the internet where you can become the go-to expert.

Ask yourself these questions:

Who am I really writing for? Get specific. Is it a startup founder juggling a million tasks? A freelance writer looking for better clients?

What problems are keeping them up at night? Your content should be the solution they're looking for.

What’s my unique angle? This is what sets you apart from everyone else.

Nailing down these answers helps you attract the right kind of traffic, not just random visitors. A focused approach makes it way easier to create content that resonates and satisfies user intent, which is a huge ranking factor for Google.

Finding Out What Your Audience is Actually Searching For

Once you know who you're talking to, you need to figure out the exact words and phrases they're typing into Google. This is keyword research. It's less about guessing and more about understanding the language your audience uses every day.

Think of it like this: a startup founder is probably searching for something practical like "how to publish a website from Notion," not some super technical jargon. Your job is to uncover these real-world queries. This insight ensures the content you create is a direct match for what people need, which dramatically boosts your chances of showing up when they search. You can learn more about that in our guide on how do you publish a website.

This entire workflow—from research to on-page tweaks and technical setup—is a connected process, as you can see below.

This shows how each step builds on the last. It's not a one-and-done task but a continuous cycle.

In May 2024, a leak of over 14,000 potential Google search ranking factors gave us a rare peek behind the curtain. The documents confirmed what we already knew about things like backlinks and content quality, but they also highlighted factors like 'siteAuthority' and 'hostAge.' It was a stark reminder that Google uses a massive number of data points to decide who ranks where.

Creating Content That Google and Users Value

Alright, with the technical stuff sorted, it’s time to get into what really moves the needle: your content. Creating high-quality articles is single-handedly the most powerful thing you can do to show up on Google.

But let's be clear about what "quality" means. It isn’t just about slick writing. It’s about creating something genuinely valuable that answers a user’s question or solves their problem, full stop. Google’s entire business hinges on finding the best answer for every search. Your job is to be that answer.

This requires a mental shift—stop thinking about just publishing articles and start creating definitive resources.

Decoding Search Intent

Before you type a single word, you have to nail search intent. This is the "why" behind what someone typed into the search bar. Every search has a goal, and your content absolutely must match it.

There are three main types you'll run into:

Informational Intent: The user wants to learn something. Think queries like "what is a sitemap" or "how to improve site speed."

Navigational Intent: The user is trying to get to a specific site. A search for "Feather blog" is a perfect example.

Transactional Intent: The user is looking to buy or take action. Searches like "best blogging platform for Notion" or "Feather pricing" are clear signals.

Matching your content to the right intent is non-negotiable. If someone is searching for a "how-to" guide (informational intent), throwing a hard-sell product page at them will just make them hit the back button. Google sees this and will rank a more helpful resource instead.

Crafting Comprehensive and Authoritative Content

Once you know the why, your next job is to create content that answers the user's question more thoroughly and clearly than anyone else. This is how you build authority and earn trust with both people and search engines.

A flimsy, 300-word post that just skims the surface won’t make a dent in competitive topics. Your goal should be to create the definitive resource for that query. This doesn’t mean fluffing up your word count; it means covering the topic from all angles, answering follow-up questions, and giving people real, actionable advice.

Key Takeaway: Google rewards depth and expertise. Your content should be the last click a user needs to make because it so completely fulfills their need. Think of it as creating a one-stop resource.

To make sure your posts hit the mark, it's worth digging into some actionable SEO content writing tips. Getting the structure right is just as important as the words themselves.

Just how important is this? The data is pretty clear.

The following table breaks down the most influential ranking factors according to a recent analysis of Google's algorithm. Notice what's at the very top.

Key Google Ranking Factor Weights

Ranking Factor	Influence Weight
Satisfying Content	23%
Links	22%
User Engagement	14%
Domain Authority	12%
Technical SEO	11%
User Experience	9%
Brand Strength	9%

The single biggest factor—weighing in at 23%—is the consistent creation of satisfying, high-quality content. This isn't a one-and-done deal; it's about consistently meeting user needs over time.

Weaving Keywords in Naturally

Keywords are still the bridge connecting what people search for to the content you create. But the old days of keyword stuffing—cramming your keyword in as many times as possible—are long gone. Doing that today will hurt you, not help you.

Now, it’s all about natural language and semantic relevance.

Here’s how to get it right:

Hit the Key Spots: Your primary keyword should appear naturally in your page title, your main H1 heading, somewhere in the first 100 words, and in a couple of subheadings (H2s or H3s).

Use Synonyms & Related Terms: Google is smart enough to understand context. If you're writing about "site speed," you should also be using phrases like "page load time," "website performance," and "Core Web Vitals." These are often called LSI keywords, and they help Google confirm what your page is about.

Write for Humans First: Never, ever sacrifice a good sentence just to shoehorn in a keyword. If it feels forced, it probably is. Rephrase it or find a better spot. Your reader always comes first.

When you combine in-depth, intent-matched content with naturally placed keywords, you send a powerful signal to Google that your page is the right result for the query. That’s the core of a content strategy that actually gets you seen.

Mastering On-Page SEO for Better Rankings

Alright, you've put in the work and created some stellar content. Now what? The next move is to optimize the page itself—a process we call on-page SEO. This is where you give Google crystal-clear signals about what your content is about.

Think of it as adding signposts to your article. These elements guide both search engines and human readers, making your content easier to understand and, ultimately, easier to rank. It's one of the most direct ways you have to influence how your blog shows up in the search results.

Without these optimizations, even the most brilliant article can get lost in the digital noise. Getting this right is absolutely fundamental. If you want a deeper dive into how all the pieces fit together, check out our guide on what is search engine optimization.

Nailing Your Title Tag and Meta Description

Your title tag and meta description are basically your digital storefront on a crowded Google results page. They're the first impression you make and are massively important for earning that click.

The title tag is that clickable blue headline in the search results. It has to be compelling and must include your main keyword, preferably as close to the beginning as possible. Keep it under 60 characters so it doesn't get awkwardly cut off.

Your meta description is the short blurb of text that appears right under the title. While it's not a direct ranking factor anymore, a well-written meta description acts like ad copy, convincing people that your page has the answer they're looking for. Aim for around 155 characters.

Structuring Content with Clear Headings

Well-structured content isn't just a nice-to-have for readers; it's a must-have for search engines. Headings (H1, H2, H3, and so on) create a logical hierarchy that Google’s crawlers use to understand the main topics and subtopics of your page.

It’s pretty straightforward. Just follow this structure:

H1 (Your Main Title): Use this once and only once per page. This should be your main headline and contain your primary keyword.

H2s (Main Sections): Use H2s to break your article into its main, logical sections. Sprinkle in your primary or secondary keywords here where it feels natural.

H3s (Sub-sections): For topics within an H2 section that need more detail, use H3s to break them down even further.

This simple structure makes your content instantly scannable for busy readers and gives Google a clear, clean outline of what’s important.

A well-organized page with a clear heading hierarchy tells Google, "This content is thoughtfully structured and easy to understand," which can directly impact its ability to rank for relevant queries.

This isn't just about making things look pretty; it's about providing clear context. An article that's just a wall of text is tough for both people and algorithms to interpret, which will sink your SEO efforts before they even get started.

Optimizing Images for Search

Images do more than just make your content engaging—they're another untapped on-page SEO opportunity. Since search engines can't actually "see" an image, they rely on the text you provide to figure out what it is.

This is where alt text comes in. Alt text (or alternative text) is a short, written description of an image. Its main job is for accessibility, helping screen readers describe images to visually impaired users, but it also gives search engines valuable context.

Good alt text is descriptive but concise.

Bad Example: alt="image1.jpg"

Good Example: alt="A graph showing user engagement metrics on a blog post"

Also, get in the habit of using descriptive file names before you upload your images. Instead of IMG_1234.jpg, name it something like on-page-seo-checklist.jpg. These little details really do add up, helping your images show up in Google Image Search and reinforcing the overall relevance of your page. It’s a small task with a surprisingly big impact.

Building Authority and Trust Off Your Website

Getting your on-page SEO right is a huge piece of the puzzle, but what happens off your website can be just as critical for climbing up the Google rankings. This is where off-page SEO comes in. It's all about building your site's reputation, authority, and trustworthiness across the web.

Here’s a simple way to think about it: on-page SEO is you telling Google you're an expert. Off-page SEO is when other respected websites vouch for you, proving you actually are. That external validation is a massive signal to Google that helps you rank for the topics your audience cares about.

The Power of High-Quality Backlinks

At the core of almost all off-page SEO are backlinks—links from other websites that point to yours. Google's original algorithm was basically built on this concept: a link from one site to another is like a vote of confidence. When a relevant, reputable site links to your content, it tells Google your page is a valuable resource worth showing to people.

But here’s the catch: not all backlinks are created equal. Far from it. A single link from a well-known industry publication is worth way more than a hundred links from spammy, low-quality directories.

The real goal is to earn these links naturally by creating content so genuinely useful that other people can't help but share it.

Earning Links the Right Way

So, how do you get these powerhouse links without resorting to sketchy tactics that could get your site penalized? It all comes down to creating real value and building genuine relationships.

Here are a few strategies that have stood the test of time:

Create Link-Worthy Content: This is your foundation. I'm talking about original research, super-detailed guides, eye-catching infographics, or even free tools that solve a genuine problem for your audience. When you create the absolute best resource on a topic, links tend to follow.

Strategic Guest Blogging: Writing for other well-regarded blogs in your niche is a classic for a reason. The point isn't just to snag a link; it's about delivering real value to another site's audience and introducing them to your brand in the process.

Digital PR and Outreach: This is where you create newsworthy content—like a unique data study or a compelling story—and reach out to journalists, bloggers, and industry publications who might want to cover it. It takes work, but it can land you some seriously authoritative links.

Google has been using link-based criteria for a long, long time. Back in 2005, patents revealed that Google was looking at factors like content update frequency, user behavior, domain history, and, you guessed it, link-based criteria. You can dive deeper into how Google has historically used this data by reading about these foundational ranking factors.

Building a strong backlink profile is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on creating exceptional content and building authentic relationships. The high-quality links will come as a byproduct of that effort.

While backlinks are the heavyweight champion of off-page SEO, they're not the only thing that matters. Google is also paying attention to unlinked brand mentions. When your brand gets discussed on forums, social media, or other websites—even without a hyperlink—it shows that people are talking about you. This chatter contributes to your overall authority.

Likewise, an active and engaged social media presence can indirectly boost your SEO. When you share your content, you get it in front of more eyeballs. This increases the odds that someone with a website will see it, love it, and decide to link to it.

Ultimately, building authority off-site is about becoming a recognized and trusted name in your field. By creating fantastic content and genuinely engaging with your community, you're sending all the right signals to Google that your site is a reliable source worthy of that top spot.

Ensuring a Flawless Technical Foundation

Think of technical SEO as the engine under the hood of your blog. You can have the slickest design and the most persuasive content, but if the engine is busted, you're not going anywhere. If Google's crawlers can't efficiently find, access, and understand your content, your chances of showing up in search results are next to zero.

This is the foundational work—the stuff you do before you worry about keywords and backlinks. A solid technical setup ensures all your hard work creating great content doesn't just disappear into the digital void. The good news? If you're using a platform like Feather, most of the heavy lifting is done for you. Still, understanding what's happening behind the scenes is key.

These aren't just minor details; they are the absolute prerequisites for getting seen. A technically sound site signals to Google that you’re serious about providing a quality experience, making it far more likely to reward you with higher rankings.

Prioritize a Mobile-First Experience

We live on our phones, and Google knows it. For years, Google has used mobile-first indexing, which means it primarily looks at the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing. If your blog looks amazing on a desktop but is a jumbled mess on a phone, you've got a serious problem.

This isn't negotiable. Your blog must be responsive, automatically adjusting its layout to fit any screen size, from a giant monitor to the smallest smartphone.

A clunky mobile experience sends users running, which cranks up your bounce rate. That behavior sends a massive red flag to Google, telling it your page isn't a good search result. Thankfully, platforms like Feather are built to be responsive from day one, so that's one less thing for you to worry about.

Make Your Website Lightning Fast

Page speed isn't just a geeky metric; it’s a user experience deal-breaker that directly impacts your bottom line. How much? Research shows that even a one-second delay in page load time can slash conversions by 7%. People have zero patience for slow sites—they'll leave before they even read your first sentence.

Google’s Core Web Vitals are specific metrics it uses to measure real-world user experience, focusing on:

Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): How long does it take for the main content to load?

First Input Delay (FID): How quickly does the page become interactive?

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Does the page layout jump around while it loads?

Guide Google with a Sitemap and Robots.txt

You can't just cross your fingers and hope Google finds all your important pages. You need to hand it a map. That's precisely what an XML sitemap does—it's a file that lists every single URL on your site you want search engines to crawl and index.

Submitting your sitemap via Google Search Console is one of the very first things you should do after launching a blog. It helps Google discover your content much faster and get a handle on your site's structure.

On the flip side, a robots.txt file tells search engines which pages they shouldn't access. This is super useful for blocking things like private admin areas, thank-you pages, or any duplicate content from being indexed. Think of it as putting up "Staff Only" signs on the parts of your site you don't want the public—or Google—to see.

Secure Your Site with HTTPS

Online security is a big deal, and having a secure website is no longer optional. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts the data flowing between a user's browser and your site, protecting their privacy and information.

Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking signal. But more importantly, modern browsers like Chrome will slap a "Not Secure" warning on any site that isn't using it. That label can instantly kill a visitor's trust. A secure site is a basic expectation and a clear sign of credibility to both users and search engines, making it a non-negotiable for anyone serious about showing up in Google search.

Got Questions About Google Search? We've Got Answers.

Jumping into SEO can feel like learning a new language. There are a ton of questions that pop up, especially when you're starting out. Getting real, no-nonsense answers is the key to building a strategy that actually gets you somewhere. Let's break down some of the most common things people ask when trying to get their site to show up on Google.

How Long Does It Take to Show Up on Google?

This is the big one, and the honest answer is: it depends. For a totally new website, you're looking at anywhere from a few days to several months just for Google to find, crawl, and finally index your pages.

You can give Google a nudge. Submitting your XML sitemap through Google Search Console is like handing over a map to your website, which can definitely speed things up. But getting indexed is just step one. Earning enough trust and authority to actually rank for competitive keywords is a long game that takes consistent work.

Do I Have to Pay to Show Up in Google Search?

Nope, not at all. Showing up in the organic search results—the main listings that aren't marked as ads—is completely free. That’s what SEO is all about: earning your place by creating genuinely helpful content and a great site experience.

Those paid listings you see at the very top of the page? That's Google Ads. It's a totally separate thing where businesses pay every time someone clicks their ad. Paid ads can bring in traffic right away, but organic traffic from SEO builds a sustainable, long-term audience without you having to constantly pay for it.

Why Isn’t My Website Showing Up on Google?

It’s one of the most frustrating feelings: you've put in the work, but you're still invisible on Google. It's rarely one single thing causing the problem; usually, it's a mix of a few different issues.

Here are the usual suspects I tell people to check first:

Technical Glitches: A simple mistake in your robots.txt file could be accidentally telling Google to stay away. It’s a super common problem and, thankfully, usually an easy fix.

Indexing Issues: Your site might be findable, but not yet officially "indexed" by Google. Pop a specific page URL into Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool to see what's going on.

Stiff Competition: If you’re trying to rank for a super popular keyword, you're fighting against websites that have been around for years. You might need to pivot and target more specific, long-tail keywords where you actually stand a chance.

Low Authority: Your site might not have enough quality backlinks or other trust signals for Google to take it seriously yet. Building authority is a slow burn that comes from creating killer content that other people naturally want to link to.

If you're nodding along to any of these, a good next step is to go back to basics. Our complete guide on how to show up on Google search walks you through how to diagnose and fix these exact problems.

Should I Keep Blogging if My Posts Aren't Ranking?

Absolutely. One post flopping doesn't mean your entire strategy is broken. Think of SEO blogging as an investment that grows over time. I've seen countless successful blogs that got almost zero traffic in their first year. They stuck with it, kept publishing useful content, and eventually built the authority they needed to rank.

Don't give up. Use it as a chance to learn.

Spy on the Competition: What are the top-ranking pages for your keyword doing? How is their content laid out? What did they cover that you missed?

Check the Search Intent: Did you really deliver what the user was looking for? An informational post will never rank for a keyword where people clearly want to buy something.

Make Your Content Better: Could you add more depth, include some unique data, or create a helpful graphic? Sometimes, a simple refresh is all a post needs to start climbing the ranks.

Patience and a willingness to adjust your strategy are your best friends in SEO. Every single article you publish is another shot at connecting with your audience and building up your site's reputation.

Ready to turn your Notion pages into a lightning-fast, SEO-optimized blog without touching a line of code? Feather handles the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on creating amazing content. Start publishing in minutes and get seen on Google. Check out Feather and launch your blog today.