Over the years, Google's ranking algorithms have constantly changed the way websites are ranked in its SERP (search engine result page). And in order to get sustainable, long-term gains in SEO, you'll need to consider all of those factors and optimize them. 

That being said, ranking high on Google results isn't set in stone! You may optimize for all those elements that Google tells you to and still not get results. On the other hand, simply creating high-quality, relevant content with proper keyword inclusion can land you on its first page. 

Sounds bizarre?

That's because there are so many elemental aspects in SEO that every marketer, content creator, and SEO specialist should focus on primarily. We've curated a list of the top search ranking factors in 2022 that'll help you improve your website ranking and gain higher visibility.

Let's take a look at what these factors are:

Core Web Vitals

Core web vitals were released by Google in 2020, detailing the importance of the overall user experience in ranking content on SERP. In a nutshell, core web vitals include the page load speed and other aspects that determine your web pages' user-friendliness. 

Search Intent

Search intent indicates the user's need to search a particular query online. Google introduced the E-A-T principles, which means Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness; the search engine considers the value your content gives to the users. This marked a shift from focusing on keywords to providing valuable information that the searcher is looking for. 

Mobile Responsiveness

Give mobile responsiveness of your site priority, as Google announced in 2019 that it would prioritize mobile searches over any other device. Mobile responsiveness means the ability of your web pages to adjust to the screen size of mobile phones with proper visual elements. 

On-page and Off-page Elements

While on-page optimization refers to improving your website to make it more SEO friendly, off-page optimization includes acquiring high-quality links to increase the trustworthiness of your site. Common onsite elements include meta titles and descriptions, URL structure, domain health, content quality, graphic quality, etc. 

These were some of the top search ranking factors in 2022. While these alone may not guarantee top spots in the SERP, they're definitely fundamental for SEO. Without optimizing these elements, it's near-certain that your content isn't going to be placed anywhere near Google's first page.