When it comes to SEO, nothing compares to Google. Google owns 92 percent of the online search market, with over 5.6 billion searches performed every day. Your ability to have your website appear in Google search result rankings can make all the difference in whether or not you can reach new customers and grow your business.

While there are many factors that can affect your Google search ranking, some people wonder whether Google assigns websites a Quality Score, similar to what it does for PPC ads.

Here’s what you should know about the possibility of quality scores and how they could affect your site ranking.

Evidence For Google Implementing Quality Scores

Search Engine Journal recently conducted an analysis evaluating whether Google has (or is planning to implement) a Quality Score system for websites. Google currently gives quality scores to PPC ads based on their expected clickthrough rate, ad relevance, and the landing page experience.

According to Search Engine Journal’s research, Google has previously filed patents related to website quality scores, and made statements regarding how low-quality content can affect the ranking of an individual webpage. 

In 2021, Google’s John Mueller said that the company didn’t have a “quantifiable” quality score, and instead that websites were ranked using a variety of algorithms. At the same time, however, he indicated that Google could introduce this type of scoring system in the future. Search Engine Journal concluded that there is a possibility of Google using website Quality Scores, though nothing can be confirmed either way.

Implementing Best Practices, Regardless of Quality Scores

While it’s unclear whether Google has a formal website scoring system in place, its method for evaluating quality for other types of content can provide important lessons to website owners.

First, Google looks at three key criteria when determining whether the content on an individual web-page is “high-quality.” The expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness of the web page and its content all come into play. Content on each page should strive to meet these attributes.

It can also be helpful to consider how Google rates PPC ads on their relevance and landing page experience. This can also be applied to your website. Is your content relevant to the search term an individual user is typing into Google? Are your pages easy to navigate, and do they provide helpful information? Do they load quickly, and are they free of bugs or errors that disrupt the user experience?

Even without a formal “score” for your website, making sure that your content addresses these concerns — from navigation and layout to the content itself — will deliver a better user experience, which will help improve your site rankings over time.

Create a User-Friendly Site

When you create your website using WordPress, you can have confidence in your ability to provide user-friendly layout and navigation. And with Site Rockstar on your side, you’ll have everything you need to keep that site running smoothly. With 24/7 security and monitoring, automatic theme and plugin updates, and more, you will be able to deliver a quality experience that helps your customers and improves your standing with Google — regardless of whether they have a formal scoring system.