How Long Does it Take to Rank on Google: Answered by an Expert

According to Moz, the first page of Google captures 71% of search traffic clicks and has been reported to be as high as 92% in recent years. This makes it clear why everyone wants to be on page 1.

However, how long it takes to rank a website is still a question. A week ago, I received an email from one of my clients, “Sean,” who had started a new website and was curious to know when he could expect rankings.

He also had some other questions, so I put them all in this blog to help clear everyone’s doubts. 

Read on to know when you can expect to rank on Google in 2024.

Hi, I’m Amit, a seasoned SEO and content marketing professional with a decade of experience. 

Sean: What factors determine how long it takes to rank on Google?

Amit: There are several factors included here, and each has its significance. I’d start with the most important, website authority. Established sites with strong backlink profiles tend to rank faster. Furthermore, keyword competition influences ranking speed; highly competitive keywords require more time and effort to rank for.

Newer updates also evaluate content quality and use it as a metric to rank websites. Technical factors such as website optimization and user experience also impact ranking speed. A well-optimized site with fast loading times and mobile-friendliness is more likely to rank quickly.

Sean: Is there a typical timeframe for ranking on Google?

Amit: When authority sites like Forbes publish an article, it can rank within a day, whereas newer sites take much longer to rank. You might have seen news websites rankings within a few hours, because of their authority and niche. 

The algorithms change every day, and there is no typical timeframe for ranking on Google or any other search engine. You need to build authority first to rank your site quickly.

Sean: Can I expect instant rankings after optimizing my website?

Amit: There’s nothing known as “instant rankings.” When you optimize your website, the search engine will crawl through the web pages, and it may take some time. It's essential to have realistic expectations and understand that SEO is a gradual process.

Monitor your site’s performance consistently to see if the optimization is working as you expected. With time and effort, you can expect to see improvements in your rankings, but instant results are unlikely.

Sean: How long does it take for new content to rank on Google?

Amit: It can vary widely, but it can take 3 to 6 months for new websites. Sites with an established authority can expect results faster because search engines trust them. It’s crucial to produce high-quality content, and you’ll need a solid backlink profile to rank quickly.

Focus on user engagement signals, such as publishing your content on social media to drive more traffic. 

Sean: Does the competitiveness of keywords affect ranking time?

Amit: Yes, it does! Highly competitive keywords take more time to rank compared to low-competition keywords. For example, ranking for “best workouts for weight loss” will take more time than ranking for “best at-home workouts for belly fat.” The level of competition determines how much effort and time you'll need to invest to achieve a high ranking.

Sean: Can I speed up the ranking process with paid advertising?

Amit: Paid advertising can temporarily boost traffic to your site, but it won't directly improve your organic search rankings. You’ll see a surge in traffic while your ads are running, but this effect disappears once you stop the ads. 

For long-term benefits, focus on improving your organic rankings through high-quality content, strong backlinks, and effective SEO practices. Organic rankings provide sustained visibility and traffic without the ongoing cost of paid ads.

Sean: Are there specific strategies to expedite the ranking process?

Amit: Yes, there are some strategies that you can use to expedite rankings. Begin with comprehensive keyword research and target long-tail keywords with lower competition. These keywords are easier to rank for and can drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Make sure to create high-quality content that provides comprehensive value and addresses user intent. Such content is more likely to attract backlinks and engage users, which can boost your rankings.

Lastly, optimize your on-page SEO. Ensure that titles, meta descriptions, headers, and content are optimized for your target keywords.

Sean: Does consistent content creation impact ranking speed?

Amit: You're on the right track, Sean. Consistently publishing high-quality content is helpful, as it makes you an authority in a particular niche. However, the content must cover all aspects of a topic, which means you need to have topical authority. This means comprehensively covering all aspects of a particular topic within your niche.

The more comprehensive your content is, the stronger this foundation becomes, further solidifying your expertise for search engines.

Sean: Should I expect fluctuations in rankings over time?

Amit: Yes, fluctuations in rankings are normal. Search engine algorithms are constantly updated, which can cause changes in rankings. Additionally, competitors' actions, new content, and changes in user behavior can also impact your rankings. It's important to regularly monitor your SEO performance and adapt your strategies to maintain and improve your rankings over time.

Sean: When should I reassess my SEO strategy if I'm not seeing the desired results?

Amit: If you're not seeing the desired results from your SEO efforts, it’s time to re-evaluate your SEO strategy. SEO is a long-term process, and it may take several months to see significant results. However, if it's been six months to a year without noticeable improvement, it's a good idea to change your approach.

Additionally, evaluate the performance of your content. If certain pieces aren’t driving traffic or engagement, consider updating or replacing them with more relevant, high-quality content.

Changes in search algorithms can impact your rankings, and you may need to adapt your SEO strategies accordingly. 

Final Thoughts 

Ranking on Google or any other search engine takes time, and it depends on several factors. It’s crucial to have a strategy depending on the age and authoritativeness of your site to see tangible results. 

At Rank-Jacker, we specialize in providing SEO services to help you rank better for the desired queries. Whether you have a new site or one with an established presence, count on us for excellent results.

Schedule a consultation for a free website audit and understand why your SEO efforts aren’t working.