Ever wondered how the biggest brands consistently land at the top of Google’s search results? You’re not the only one. The fact is there’s no single magic trick—it’s a combination of advanced strategies, fine-tuned over time, that keep them ahead of the competition. The good news? You don’t have to be a global powerhouse to use these same tactics.
At RS Digital, we’ve cracked the code behind how top brands dominate search rankings, and today, we’re spilling the secrets. If you want to outrank your competitors, drive more traffic, and convert more customers, keep reading. Or, if you’d rather leave it to the pros, give us a call on 01282 452096 or visit www.rsdigital.co.uk to get started.
They Prioritise User Experience (UX) Above All Else
Google’s algorithms have evolved to favour websites that provide exceptional user experiences. Big brands understand that rankings aren’t just about stuffing keywords into content—they’re about making websites faster, more intuitive, and highly engaging.
Here’s what they do right:
✔ Lightning-Fast Load Times – Google recommends page speeds under 2.5 seconds. If your site is slow, you’re losing rankings (and potential customers).
✔ Mobile-First Design – Over 60% of searches happen on mobile. If your site isn’t mobile-optimised, you’re already behind.
✔ Seamless Navigation – A simple, well-structured site makes it easier for users (and Google’s crawlers) to find what they need.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify speed issues and fix them fast.
They Dominate Search with Authority-Boosting Content
Big brands know that content is king, but only if it’s high-quality, relevant, and authoritative. They don’t just create content—they become the go-to source in their industry.
Here’s how they do it:
✔ Long-Form, Value-Packed Content – Studies show that articles over 2,000 words rank higher. Why? Because they provide in-depth answers.
✔ Topic Clusters & Internal Linking – Instead of writing one-off articles, top brands build content clusters, linking related articles together to establish authority.
✔ Evergreen & Updated Content – Old content is regularly refreshed to stay relevant. If your blog posts are gathering dust, it’s time for a revamp.
Action Step: Analyse your competitors’ top-ranking content using Ahrefs or SEMrush, then create something even better.
They Invest Heavily in Link Building (But the Right Way)
Google’s ranking algorithm heavily relies on backlinks—but not just any links. Top brands focus on quality over quantity.
✔ Authority Backlinks – A single link from a high-authority site (like Forbes or the BBC) is worth more than 100 low-quality links.
✔ Strategic Guest Posting – Writing for reputable sites in your industry establishes authority and generates referral traffic.
✔ Digital PR & Viral Content – Big brands create buzz-worthy content that naturally attracts media coverage and backlinks.
Pro Tip: Avoid spammy link-building tactics. Google’s Penguin algorithm penalises low-quality or manipulative links, so always focus on earning links, not buying them.
They Dominate Local SEO with Google Business Profile
Even global brands prioritise local SEO because 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information. If you want to dominate your area, you need a fully optimised Google Business Profile (GBP).
✔ Complete Business Information – Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are consistent across all platforms.
✔ Regular Google Posts & Updates – Active businesses rank higher. Post updates, promotions, and customer interactions weekly.
✔ Collecting & Responding to Reviews – Businesses with more (and better) reviews appear higher in search results.
Action Step: Run a local SEO audit to check for inconsistencies in your listings.
They Master Technical SEO & Structured Data
Many businesses ignore technical SEO, but the top brands don’t. They ensure their websites are perfectly optimised behind the scenes, making them easier for Google to crawl and index.
✔ Schema Markup – Adding structured data helps Google understand your content, increasing chances of rich snippets.
✔ Canonical Tags – Prevent duplicate content issues that could hurt rankings.
✔ XML Sitemaps & Robots.txt – Ensuring search engines can crawl and index the right pages.
Pro Tip: Use Google Search Console to spot and fix any technical SEO errors holding your site back.
They Stay Ahead with AI and Machine Learning
Google’s RankBrain and BERT algorithms have made SEO smarter, favouring sites that offer relevant, natural, and engaging content.
✔ Optimised for Semantic Search – Instead of keyword stuffing, top brands focus on answering user intent.
✔ Voice Search Optimisation – With more searches happening via Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, brands use conversational keywords.
✔ AI-Generated Insights – Using AI tools like SurferSEO or Frase helps craft content that aligns with Google’s expectations.
Action Step: Shift your keyword strategy from exact-match phrases to question-based and conversational searches.
Beat the Competition with Pro-Level SEO
The biggest brands don’t rank at the top of Google by accident—they invest in smart, strategic, and data-driven SEO. The good news? You can apply these same tactics to your own business right now.
✔ Optimise for user experience
✔ Create valuable, in-depth content
✔ Build high-authority backlinks
✔ Dominate local SEO
✔ Master technical SEO
✔ Stay ahead with AI-driven SEO strategies
At RS Digital, we help businesses of all sizes implement these high-level SEO strategies to skyrocket rankings, drive traffic, and boost conversions. If you want to dominate Google like the top brands, contact us today.
Let’s make your website the one that everyone sees first.
