🔥 2025 Google Ranking Factors: What’s Actually Moving the Needle?

Google’s at it again. In 2025, search is shifting — but not in the way you might think.

We’ve combed through the latest SEO studies from Backlinko, Ahrefs, and Analytify so you don’t have to.

Here’s what’s really ranking sites this year — and how you can stay ahead.

✅ Still Crushing It:

1. Content That Hits Intent
Google’s BERT updates now expect you to answer the “why” behind a search — not just the “what.”

Analytify’s 2025 study confirms: intent-first content is one of the most critical ranking factors this year.

2. High-Authority Links
- Backlinks aren’t dead — they’re just smarter.
- Backlinko lists backlinks as one of Google’s top 3 ranking signals.
- Ahrefs reports a 960% increase in external backlinks since 2020.
- One link from a niche authority > 50 generic ones. Especially for local.

3. UX and Tech Performance
- Page speed
- Core Web Vitals
- Mobile usability.

Analytify and Backlinko both name these among the top three ranking factors.

If your site’s slow, Google’s not loving it. Simple.

🚀 Rising Fast:

4. Video Content SEO
- Optimized, embedded videos now count as ranking signals.
- Analytify’s data shows Google prefers content with clear, structured video markup.

5. Internal Linking
- Ahrefs shows internal backlinks jumped 112.5% this year.
- Tighten your architecture. Build smart silos. It works.

6. Social & Brand Signals
- Backlinko and BizIQ both confirm social engagement and brand authority are influencing rankings.
- Shares, mentions, brand searches — they’re moving the needle.

🔍 For Local SEO?

- BizIQ ranks GBP as the #1 local SEO factor for 2025.
- Local backlinks, consistent NAP citations, and reviews with responses are winning local packs.
- Proximity still matters — but that part’s out of your hands.

👉 The Big Takeaway?

Google’s rewarding clarity, authority, speed, and trust.

If your site (or your client’s) isn’t built for people first, the algorithm won’t help you.

To rank in 2025, stay focused on:

• Intent-matching content

• Smart, authority-driven link-building

• Seamless mobile experiences

• Clean internal architecture

• Authentic signals (reviews, social, video)

Need help building the kind of link profile Google wants in 2025?

That’s what we do.

Sign up now to get access to vetted publishers, fast turnaround, and links that actually rank.

Everything you need.

Nothing you don’t.

Best,

Patrick from SERPpro

P.S. Backlinko, Ahrefs, and Analytify all point to the same thing: backlinks are still one of the strongest ranking factors this year.

Guest posts, link insertions, and digital PR are working — and we can help you scale them.