How one can Get to the Prime of Google Search Outcomes (10 Ideas)

Showing prominently on the high of Google’s search outcomes can improve visibility, web site visitors, and gross sales. 

Google crawls (finds), indexes (shops in a database), and ranks (determines what reveals and the place) webpages utilizing complicated processes. However there are many simple methods to rank in conventional search outcomes and AI Overviews—even when your web site is new or small.

And there are extra alternatives to seem in AI Overviews than you may assume. Right here’s a take a look at how continuously AI Overviews seem within the high 20 outcomes throughout a wide range of industries, in keeping with Semrush Sensor knowledge from September 10, 2025:

By the top of this information, you will know particular steps to enhance your web site’s visibility in Google.

Let’s start.

How one can Get to the Prime of Google Search: 10 Strategies

Listed here are 10 methods to get your pages to the highest of Google Search:

1. Goal the Proper Key phrases

Concentrating on key phrases which can be related to your small business and that you would be able to feasibly rank for provides you one of the best likelihood of reaching the highest of Google’s outcomes. 

Use Semrush’s Key phrase Magic Device to determine the correct key phrases. Merely launch the software, enter a seed key phrase (a broad time period associated to your small business), choose your goal nation, enter your area (to get customized metrics), and click on “Search.”

Subsequent, you’ll see doubtlessly hundreds of key phrases associated to your seed key phrase. 

And metrics like:

• Quantity: The estimated variety of occasions a key phrase is looked for monthly. You wish to choose phrases that get not less than an affordable variety of searches. 
• Private Key phrase Issue (PKD %): A rating that signifies how exhausting it will be on your particular web site to rank in Google’s high 10 outcomes for a time period. A decrease rating means a better likelihood of rating.
• Potential Visitors: The quantity of visitors you possibly can entice should you acquire your most predicted rating
• Intent: What searchers are hoping to attain when utilizing a selected key phrase. The primary intent varieties are informational (I), transactional (T), navigational (N), and industrial (C).

One notably good method to discover nice alternatives is to filter for phrases with low Private Key phrase Issue scores. Particularly in case your web site is new or on the small aspect.

Select the “Private KD %” drop-down, set a customized vary from 0 to 29, and choose “Apply.” Which can then present you solely key phrases that you just stand likelihood of rating for. 

Research the narrowed listing to seek out phrases most related to your small business. Use them to tell your content material.

Then, use the “Superior filters” drop-down, choose the “Any” drop-down below “SERP options,” test the field subsequent to “AI Overview,” and click on “Apply.” You’ll then solely see phrases that set off AI Overviews.

Right here’s an instance of an informational time period CeraVe targets that’s extremely related to them. And you’ll see they’re rating within the first spot within the AI Overview and within the first natural spot.

2. Create High quality Content material

Creating high-quality content material that’s genuinely helpful and aligned with what searchers are searching for provides you likelihood of exhibiting in AI Overviews and natural rankings as a result of that’s the kind of content material Google needs to point out.

First, examine search intent past figuring out the fundamental sort (informational, navigational, industrial, or transactional). You are able to do that by looking out the time period to see what sort of outcomes you get.

For instance, the time period “face wash for pimples” primarily reveals a preferred merchandise carousel and product pages. Which suggests it is best to create one thing comparable. 

Then, take into account Google’s Search High quality Rater Tips—the handbook that high quality raters (individuals who work for Google) use to measure the standard of search outcomes. These tips talk about Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).

Right here’s what every a part of E-E-A-T means:

• Expertise: The creator’s first-hand expertise working with the subject
• Experience: The creator’s information on the subject they’re writing about
• Authoritativeness: The publication’s repute within the trade
• Trustworthiness: The diploma to which the content material is correct and cites reliable sources (amongst different components)

Google has shared some extra recommendations on how web sites can present up of their AI options, together with AI Overviews. One of many components they emphasize is creating distinctive and useful content material—they usually advocate following recommendation beforehand shared inside the useful content material replace.

Primarily based on Google’s suggestions, content material ought to embody:

• Authentic info, reporting, or analysis
• A complete overview of a subject
• Substantial worth compared to different search outcomes
• Right grammar and spelling

Moreover, take into account how one can construction your content material with direct and concise solutions which can be extra prone to be displayed in AI Overviews. 

CeraVe achieves this by offering a bulleted listing of advantages. The AI Overview very clearly mirrors that listing :

3. Optimize for On-Web page search engine optimization

On-page search engine optimization entails making webpage changes that assist Google perceive your content material and match it to person queries.

Listed here are some on-page search engine optimization parts to optimize:

Title Tags

A title tag is HTML that specifies your web page title for engines like google and should present in search outcomes, that means it may be the very first thing about your web page that searchers see. 

A transparent and compelling title tag can enhance your search engine rankings and click-through charges. Like this one:

Listed here are some finest practices for writing title tags:

• Use a novel title tag for every web page
• Embody your goal key phrase naturally
• Hold it to 60 characters or fewer
• Keep away from generic titles like “House”
• Make it compelling with out utilizing clickbait language that misleads searchers

Meta Descriptions

A meta description is HTML that gives a short abstract of your web page and might present in search outcomes.

Meta descriptions aren’t used for rankings, however they will affect clicks when displayed in search outcomes. Particularly after they’re genuinely compelling just like the one under.

To optimize your meta descriptions:

• Write a novel description for every web page
• Use key phrase variations naturally
• Hold it to 105 characters or fewer
• Entice customers with click-worthy particulars (e.g., “Free template,” “Free transport,” and so forth.)

Heading Tags

Headings give construction to your content material, making it simpler to scan and serving to Google perceive the important thing subjects lined in your web page.

Listed here are some finest practices for heading tags:

• Use just one H1 per web page
• Add key phrase variations in H1-H3 tags
• Hold a transparent hierarchy (H2s below H1, H3s below H2s, and so forth)
• Match headings with what the part is about

Let’s check out one article from CeraVe to see how they construction their content material:

By following heading finest practices, they’re making certain their web page is simple for each their viewers and engines like google to grasp.

Multimedia

Photographs and movies make your web page extra partaking and might result in extra rankings—in the event that they’re optimized for search engine optimization. 

Right here’s how:

• Add descriptive alt textual content to all photos. This transient description ensures photos are accessible to all customers (like those that depend on display screen readers) and that engines like google can perceive.
• Compress photos for sooner loading occasions. Google prefers sooner loading occasions. And your customers won’t stick round in case your web site takes too lengthy to load.
• Select file names on your photos that embody worthwhile info related to the picture’s content material. This can assist engines like google perceive and index your visuals successfully.

We used the Picture Alt Textual content Viewer to see alt textual content on CeraVe’s web site. 

And we discovered that almost all of photos on their web site have descriptive alt textual content. Like right here, the place every product picture has the identify of the product clearly talked about within the alt textual content:

Inner Hyperlinks

Inner hyperlinks level from one web page in your web site to a different to assist customers navigate your web site, allow Google to seek out your pages and perceive how they’re associated, and distribute rating authority. 

So, evaluate your weblog articles, product pages, and different essential content material to see the place you’ve gotten alternatives to hyperlink to associated content material in your web site.

Then, be sure to hyperlink to contextually related pages. It’s additionally a good suggestion to prioritize pages with worthwhile info that want a visitors increase. 

Use Semrush’s On Web page search engine optimization Checker to seek out inside linking alternatives. 

Observe the prompts to configure your mission.

When you’re on the “Overview” tab, click on the blue quantity to the correct of “Technical search engine optimization Concepts.”

Undergo the listing of pages by clicking the “# concepts” button subsequent to every.

Scroll all the way down to the “Technical Points” part. And see whether or not the message “Add inside hyperlinks that time to this web page” seems. 

If that’s the case, work to hyperlink to that web page from different related pages. 

Now, let’s take a look at how CeraVe provides contextual hyperlinks to different articles on their web site, utilizing related anchor textual content (textual content on the clickable a part of the hyperlink):

4. Set Up Your Google Enterprise Profile 

In case you’re an area enterprise, organising a Google Enterprise Profile (GBP)—a free software that permits you to handle how your small business seems in Google Search and Google Maps—permits you to optimize your itemizing to extend native visibility. 

For instance, you may seem in Google’s native pack. Which shows high native companies in Google search outcomes alongside a map.

Observe these tricks to optimize your Google Enterprise Profile:

• Full your profile. Fill out all essential particulars, together with your small business identify, tackle, telephone quantity, web site, hours, and class.
• Add high-quality photographs and movies. Add clear photos and movies of your storefront, crew, and so forth., to construct belief with potential prospects.
• Put up updates frequently. Share information, promotions, and occasions to maintain your profile lively.
• Use the Q&A piece. Reply frequent questions so potential prospects can extra rapidly get the knowledge they want. 
• Hold your small business hours up to date. In case your hours change for holidays or particular occasions, replace them to make sure prospects all the time have the proper info

5. Get Different Citations

For native companies, getting different citations permits you to attain extra prospects and helps Google confirm details about your small business, which may doubtlessly result in better search visibility.

Plus, totally different engines like google pull native search outcomes instantly from different citations.

As an illustration, Bing makes use of listings from websites like Fb and Tripadvisor.

Guarantee constant identify, tackle, and telephone quantity (NAP) info throughout all listings to keep away from complicated potential prospects. And to assist engines like google confirm that what you say about your self is true. 

You may get and handle citations manually, however Semrush’s Itemizing Administration software permits you to mechanically distribute your small business particulars throughout key directories. 

6. Get and Reply to Buyer Critiques

When you have an area enterprise, getting and responding to buyer critiques issues for a way your small business seems to potential prospects and can assist you get extra visibility in native search outcomes.

When looking for extremely aggressive native phrases, you’ll discover that almost all of the companies rating in search outcomes typically have many critiques, like those under:

You can also make getting extra critiques straightforward by together with hyperlinks to your Google evaluate web page in affirmation emails, QR codes at your bodily location, and so forth.

Google additionally encourages companies to reply to buyer critiques, whether or not they’re good or unhealthy. As a result of it:

• Exhibits prospects that you just worth their suggestions
• Builds belief and credibility with prospects

So, make it a behavior to answer each evaluate in your GBP.

To simply handle critiques throughout a number of directories, use Semrush’s Evaluation Administration software. 

You may as well reply to Google critiques instantly inside the software.

Listed here are just a few ideas to answer buyer critiques:

• Say thanks. All the time begin with gratitude. A easy “Thanks!” goes a great distance.
• Be well mannered. Even when the evaluate is adverse, keep respectful {and professional}.
• Acknowledge any points. If the shopper has an issue, tackle it. Present that you just care.
• Hold it brief. Temporary replies are finest. In case you’re coping with a considerable concern, present a method for the shopper to contact you instantly.
• Invite the shopper again. Encourage blissful prospects to return for one more optimistic expertise. Additionally encourage return visits to those that’ve left adverse critiques and provide to rectify unhealthy experiences.

7. Construct Excessive-High quality Backlinks

Constructing backlinks (hyperlinks on different web sites that time to your web site) from reliable web sites indicators to engines like google that your web site is credible and value exhibiting prominently in search.

Basically, Google sees respected websites linking to your content material as a belief sign. And will view your content material as worthwhile and value exhibiting to customers.

Creating high-quality content material is a good way to draw backlinks naturally. Significantly, content material like analysis stories, infographics, free instruments, and in-depth guides. 

Listed here are another hyperlink constructing techniques:

• Create visitor posts. Write articles for different trusted web sites in your trade to presumably earn backlinks in return.
• Do damaged hyperlink constructing. Discover damaged exterior hyperlinks on track web sites and counsel your related content material as a alternative.
• Discover unlinked model mentions. Uncover mentions of your model on-line that don’t embody a hyperlink and ask for one.

We explored CeraVe’s backlink profile utilizing Semrush’s Backlink Analytics software. And located they’ve gathered backlinks from high-authority sources like CNN, Healthline, The New York Occasions, and extra.

We will’t say for sure how CeraVe is getting these backlinks, nevertheless it’s in all probability a mixture of digital PR methods like pitching tales to publications, serving as knowledgeable sources for journalists, and working inventive campaigns.

For a better method to step up your hyperlink constructing efforts, use Semrush’s Hyperlink Constructing Device.

To get began, enter your area and click on “Begin Hyperlink Constructing.”

Observe the prompts to arrange your mission. Which entails including your key phrases and rivals.

The software will take a minute or so to gather and analyze the info. As soon as it’s performed, go to the “Prospects” tab to view a listing of internet sites you may attain out to for backlinks.

From right here, click on “To In Progress” subsequent to any web site you wish to contact. You’ll be able to then craft and ship a personalised electronic mail instantly inside the software. 

For extra steerage on choosing the proper technique on your web site, we advocate studying our full information on hyperlink constructing. 

8. Make Your Web site Cellular-Pleasant

Google prioritizes the cellular model of your web site when indexing and rating pages, which implies it’s vital that your web site be optimized for cellular units. Plus, a mobile-friendly design ensures a greater person expertise.

To test in case your web site is mobile-friendly, use Semrush’s Web site Audit software. 

Observe the prompts to configure your crawl—you may even depart the default settings in place.

As soon as the audit is full, go to the “Points” report and search “cellular.” This may spotlight mobile-specific points. Like viewport meta tag errors.

Click on “Why and how you can repair it” subsequent to any concern to study extra and how you can resolve it. Then, work via addressing each error and warning. 

We ran a Web site Audit for CeraVe to test if their web site has any mobile-related points, and it appears they’re doing a wonderful job:

Having a mobile-friendly web site is one other piece of the puzzle that doubtless helps CeraVe rank extremely in search outcomes.

9. Enhance Web page Pace

Enhancing web page pace might assist with visibility as a result of Google makes use of web page pace as a rating issue—and it’s higher for the person expertise. 

To test how briskly any web page in your web site hundreds, use Google’s PageSpeed Insights software.

Simply enter a URL. The software will present a full report with efficiency scores and a listing of points to deal with.

For a extra holistic take a look at how your web site performs, use Semrush’s Web site Audit software and choose “View particulars” below “Web site Efficiency.”

You’ll discover your common web page load pace in seconds. Right here, we are able to see that CeraVe’s common pace is 0.3 seconds, which is superb. And will have a small influence on their search visibility.

10. Repair Different Technical search engine optimization Points

Fixing technical search engine optimization points associated to crawling and indexing can enhance your web site’s efficiency in search outcomes.

Consider it this fashion: If Google can discover and perceive content material, your pages usually tend to present in search outcomes.

Google has even highlighted the significance of assembly technical necessities to make sure your web site can present up in AI search experiences like AI Overviews. 

To determine technical search engine optimization issues (along with mobile- and speed-related points), run your web site via Semrush’s Web site Audit software. 

We checked CeraVe’s web site for technical points. Their total Web site Well being is fairly good (particularly in comparison with different web sites within the “Magnificence & Health” class. 

CeraVe’s AI Search Well being can be fairly good, however we are able to see that they’re blocking 157 pages from Googlebot, which could possibly be an issue in the event that they’re not intending to maintain these pages out of natural outcomes and AI Overviews. 

CeraVe additionally has room for enchancment in “Worldwide search engine optimization.”

After we view points associated to worldwide search engine optimization, we are able to see some points that CeraVe may tackle to additional enhance efficiency.

Monitor Your search engine optimization Efficiency

Now that you just’ve realized how you can get to the highest of Google, take motion.

Which may imply implementing just a few of the following pointers. Or all of them.

Both method, you’ll want the correct instruments. And Semrush gives a variety of choices for all the pieces from key phrase analysis to technical audits.

Join a free trial to discover what’s doable.