Andrew Givens

When your website appears on the first page of Google's search results, it's much more likely to get clicks. Few users click through to the second page. On desktop, the top of the first page typically includes ads, but there are many chances to rank organically (for free). Typically, the first page includes seven to ten organic search results, often with SERP features like "People also ask" boxes.

Google ranks organic search results according to five main factors:

Meaning: The intent behind the user's search
Relevance: How well the content satisfies the user's intent
Quality: The content's helpfulness
Usability: The page's functionality and accessibility
Context: The user's search settings and history

Below, you'll learn how to get on Google's first page using beginner-friendly SEO techniques.

1. Choose a Target Keyword

A target keyword is the search term you want to rank for. Once you know your target keyword, you can map out how to get on Google's first page for that term.

Improving existing rankings first is often a good idea, especially for keywords that rank on the second page. If you're on page two, Google already views your page positively. You just need to outperform the competitors ranking above you.

Check Existing Rankings in Google Search Console: Go to the "Performance" section, click "Search results," then click the "Average position" check box. Scroll down to the "Queries" table to see a list of keywords your website ranks for. Open your data in a spreadsheet to filter for keywords ranking in positions 11-20 (which roughly corresponds to the second page of Google).

Check Existing Rankings in Keyword Gap Tools: Use a keyword gap tool to compare your rankings with up to four competitors. Filter for keywords where you rank in positions 11-20 and competitors outrank you. Use metrics to find keywords with the best potential:

Keyword difficulty (KD%): How hard it will be to get on the first page. Start in the "Very Easy" to "Easy" range (0-29%).
Volume: The average number of monthly searches, indicating potential reach.

2. Understand Search Intent

Search intent is the purpose behind a query — the why behind a user's search. For instance, "toy dog" and "dog toy" sound similar, but Google shows different results because users have different goals. "Toy dog" yields results about a dog breed, whereas "dog toy" results are product-related.

Search intent isn't always obvious. The best way to understand it is to analyze the SERP. Use a keyword overview tool to reveal the type of search intent, which can be one or more of the following:

Informational: Users want to learn more about something (e.g., "toy breed dogs")
Navigational: Users want to find a specific page (e.g., "dog toys amazon")
Commercial: Users want to do research before making a purchase decision (e.g., "good toys for dogs")
Transactional: Users want to complete a specific action (e.g., "buy dog toys")

The SERP analysis section provides information about the top 10 organic results, including SERP features and search traffic. If you want to compete for your target keyword, align your content with what is already ranking — then make it even better.

3. Create Quality Content

If you already have a page that aligns with your target keyword's search intent, update it. Otherwise, create a new page. To get on Google's first page, quality content should be:

Helpful
Comprehensive
Accurate
Trustworthy
Original

Look at high-ranking pages to determine the best content type(s). For example, if the search results predominantly feature listicles with product details, images, and subtopics, your content should follow that format. Top-ranking pages also show strong E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).

Check Page Experience Issues: A good page experience means the page is fast, secure, and mobile-friendly. Use Google Search Console to identify page experience issues by entering the URL you want to inspect and reviewing the recommendations. Site speed, security, and mobile-friendliness all matter.

4. Optimize for Google

Optimizing for Google involves creating content for humans and search engines. Google says, "SEO can be a helpful activity when it is applied to people-first content." If you want to rank on the first page of Google, further optimize your people-first content for search engines. This is on-page SEO.

Add Keywords: Include your target keyword and related keywords with the same intent. One of the easiest ways to find related keywords is to review your competitor's top-ranking keywords. These keywords can form a keyword cluster. Choose a primary keyword with a manageable KD score and use the others as secondary keywords.

Incorporate keywords naturally where indicated:

Early in the main text
Subheadings (as appropriate)
Title tag
Main heading (H1)
URL slug

Use an SEO content template to get recommendations based on the top 10 results for your target keywords. You'll find suggestions for semantic keywords, text length, readability, and backlinks. When you're ready to write, use a writing assistant for real-time feedback on readability, SEO, originality, and tone.

5. Build Backlinks

Building links from other websites can boost your rankings. When Google finds a link to your page on another website, the search engine may treat your link as a recommendation. These types of links are called backlinks. Along with strong content, backlinks can help you get on the first page of Google.

Check your backlinks using a backlink analysis tool. Enter your page URL to view key data, including:

Total backlinks
Referring domains
Anchor text

Compare your backlinks with competitor pages to see how you stack up. If you need more backlinks, try link building techniques such as:

Outreach: Send your content to potential publishers
Broken link building: Find broken links and suggest your resource as a fix
Unlinked mentions: Identify where your brand is mentioned but not linked, then request a link

Find link prospects and organize outreach using a link building tool that helps you manage and track the process.

6. Track Your Rankings

Track your rankings to ensure they move in the right direction. With a position tracking tool, you can:

Track keywords at any location level (country, city, ZIP code)
Monitor SERP features
Set alerts when you enter or leave the top 10 Google results

Set up alerts for when you "Enter the top 10" (the typical first page of Google) and when you "Leave the top 10." To review your rankings, filter keywords by position:

"Top 10" > "All" to look at first-page rankings
"Top 10" > "Lost" to look at rankings that dropped off the first page
"# 11-20" > "All" to look at second-page rankings

Use the SERP Features filter to find missed opportunities, then craft a strategy to win these SERP features.

7. Improve Your Sitewide SEO

Improving your sitewide SEO can help multiple pages rank on Google's first page. That's because Google evaluates a site holistically. It takes all of your pages into consideration when ranking your site.

Top site recommendations:

Improve or remove unhelpful content
Find and fix technical SEO issues
Build high-quality backlinks to your domain
Build internal links between relevant pages on your website

Use an on-page SEO checker to analyze your pages against the top 10 results for your target keywords, providing content, backlinks, and technical suggestions.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Get on the First Page of Google?

The amount of time it takes a website to rank on the first page of Google varies significantly. Some pages rank quickly; others take months of improvement. Rankings change constantly — and Google algorithm updates can shift results. Focus on creating people-first, long-term SEO content and pursue multiple relevant keywords to increase your chances.

Should I Advertise on the First Page of Google?

Yes, you can advertise on the first page of Google. Google Ads allows you to pay for first-page spots, paying only when users click your ads. PPC can be an effective strategy if you do not yet rank organically or want faster results. The right approach depends on your resources and goals.

Expert Perspectives

Industry experts emphasize that earning a spot on the first page requires a combination of factors:

"Google ranks organic search results according to five main factors: meaning, relevance, quality, usability, and context," notes the Semrush team. "To get on the first page, you need to excel in all of these areas."

Final Thoughts

Getting on the first page of Google without paying for ads is achievable with the right strategy. Choose the right keywords, understand search intent, create quality content, optimize for search engines, build backlinks, and track your progress. While it takes time and effort, the organic traffic and credibility you gain from first-page rankings make it well worth the investment.