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Ranking on Google News is no mean feat, and if you’ve been trying to do so, you’ll know what I’m talking about, and this article is for you.
In today’s digital age, ranking on search engines is crucial for the success of any news website. Google News, in particular, is a highly sought-after platform that publishers strive to be featured on.
However, many news websites have been facing challenges in getting their sites ranked on Google News, despite their efforts.
In this article, we will explore some possible reasons why your news website may not be ranking on Google News and offer insights to improve your chances.
1. Algorithmic Selection Process:
One significant change occurred in December 2019 when Google announced the launch of the new Publishing Center. It shifted the selection of websites for indexing and ranking on Google News exclusively to the algorithm, eliminating the human factor of manual review.
While this change aimed to streamline the process, it made it even more stringent and challenging for publishers to get their websites ranked.
2. Website Age:
Analysis of a dataset revealed that the algorithm seemed to favour websites that had been established for more than a year. Websites launched after the revamped Publisher Center had a significantly lower chance of ranking on Google News.
This suggests that the algorithm may consider website age as a criterion for trust and authority. Newer websites are often less popular, have fewer pages with high-quality content, and lack sufficient backlinks and traffic.
3. Expertise, Authority, and Trust (E-A-T):
Google’s ranking algorithm focuses on the E-A-T principles, which stands for Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness. Websites with many individual pages that demonstrate high levels of E-A-T are more likely to surface on Google News and Discover.
Established websites tend to have a greater number of pages showcasing expertise and authoritativeness, increasing their chances of ranking on the News tab.
4. Backlinks and Referring Domains:
The number and quality of backlinks leading to a website play a significant role in determining its authority and ranking potential. Websites with a higher number of quality backlinks and referring domains are more likely to rank on Google News.
Building a strong network of backlinks from reputable sources can improve your website’s authority and increase its chances of being featured.
5. Slow Mobile Version Speed:
The performance of your website’s mobile version is another crucial factor. Google considers the mobile experience as a key ranking signal. If your website has slow loading times on mobile devices, it may negatively impact its ranking on Google News.
Optimizing your website for mobile speed and usability is essential to improve its chances of being featured.
6. Organic Traffic:
The volume of organic traffic your website receives can be an indicator of its engagement and expertise. Websites with higher organic traffic tend to have more engaged readerships and demonstrate a higher level of expertise in their niche.
Google may consider this as a signal of the website’s quality and relevance, influencing its ranking on Google News.
Ranking on Google News can significantly boost the visibility and credibility of your news website. However, meeting the technical requirements and content policies of Google News is essential.
The algorithmic selection process implemented by Google is stringent and relies on factors such as backlinks, website age, organic traffic, and mobile performance.
Building a strong backlink profile, optimizing your website for mobile, and increasing organic traffic can increase your chances of ranking on Google News.
Remember to prioritize expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in your content to align with Google’s E-A-T principles.
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