The 3 pillars of SEO
The 3 pillars of SEO are technique, content and authority. Together, they guarantee better indexing, quality organic traffic and optimal positioning on Google. Find out how these pillars structure an effective and sustainable SEO strategy.
Search engines like Google use complex algorithms to analyze and rank web pages. To do this, they rely on numerous criteria, which can be grouped into three main pillars: technique, content and popularity. Understanding and optimizing these three aspects is essential for a lasting appearance in the top search results.
When it comes to implementing a good SEO strategy, where do you start? It's not always easy to get started, even when you know the importance of SEO. And yet, it's essential: it enables a website to rise to the top of the Google rankings.
Over 90 % of searches are made on Google, and 70 % of clicks are concentrated on the first 3 SERP results. Hence the importance of building a solid strategy around the 3 pillars of SEO: the technique, contentand authority (or netlinking).
Contents
- SEO strategy: definition
- The 3 pillars of SEO
- Natural referencing techniques
- Content and its importance
- Authority through netlinking
- Why optimize your site for SEO?
SEO strategy: definition
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) covers all the techniques used to improve a website's visibility on search engines, in a natural way (without advertising).
Not to be confused with SEA (Search Engine Advertising), which concerns paid ads, SEO focuses on organic results. It's based on a detailed understanding of Internet users' search intent, as well as Google's indexing criteria.
Understanding the needs of your ideal customer (persona) is crucial. This enables you to write more relevant content, which really meets the expectations of web users, while optimizing your visibility on search engines.
The 3 pillars of SEO: technique, content, authority
SEO is traditionally based on three main pillars: on-page SEO, off-page SEO and technical aspects. This classification is equivalent to the pillars we will detail here.
- On-page SEO corresponds to everything that's present on your site: textual content, visuals, keywords, page structure, tags and so on. This is what enables Google to understand your theme and associate it with the searches of Internet users.
- Off-page SEOor off-page referencing, groups together all the elements outside your site that influence your authority: mainly backlinks, but also notoriety on social networks, brand mentions, and so on.
- Technical SEO concerns the invisible but essential foundations: performance, security, mobile adaptability, indexing... everything that enables Google to crawl and index your site efficiently.
Pillar 1: Technology
Technical SEO covers all the actions taken on your site to make it easier to crawl, index and speed up:
- Loading speed compress images, optimize code, enable caching.
- Architecture logical structure, clear URLs, fluid navigation.
- Mobile-first Mobile-friendly site.
- Indexation robots.txt file control, XML sitemap, noindex tags.
- HTTPS secure site.
- Custom page 404 : propose a redirection or a clear action.
Pillar 2: Content
SEO content is designed to meet the needs of your audience while respecting the requirements of search engines:
- Research intention informative, navigational, transactional or commercial.
- Keyword search main, secondary, long tail.
- HTML structure H1 to H3 tags, short paragraphs, lists.
- Internal linking Suggest other relevant articles.
- Optimized visuals : reduced weight, alt tags, descriptive texts.
- CTA : call to action (register, download, contact).
- Meta title & description optimize for click-through rate.
- Unique content avoid duplicate content.
Writing for the web also requires you to choose a tone suited to your audience, develop a rich semantic field, and integrate clear, unobtrusive calls to action to guide your visitors.
Pillar 3: Authority (netlinking)
The popularity of your site depends on the quality and quantity of the backlinks you obtain:
- Backlinks links from relevant, recognized third-party sites.
- Guest blogging guest articles on other sites.
- Partnerships exchanges between players in the same niche.
- E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Reliability) expert content, solid reputation, verifiable information.
- Social networking indirect support through sharing and awareness.
A quality backlink acts as a vote of confidence for your site. The more it comes from an influential site in your field, the more it reinforces your credibility in Google's eyes.
Why is SEO essential?
Key figures :
- 90 % of clicks are on Google's 1st page
- 70 % on the first 3 links
- SEO is a sustainable acquisition lever
Working on the 3 pillars in a coherent way will increase your visibility, generate targeted traffic and boost conversions.
SEO is a progressive, ongoing investment. It forms part of a global digital strategy and offers a lasting return on investment.
Conclusion: A 360° strategy to last
SEO is based on a continuous method that is at once technical, creative and strategic. By combining the 3 pillars - Technical, Contents, Authority - you build a high-performance, durable and visible site.
Don't give up: every SEO action is a brick towards Google's first page!
