I Ranked on the Top page of Google Using Medium
Discover how I was able to rank my Medium post on the first page of Google in under 3 weeks for a competitive keyword by following an optimized methodology for content, headlines, promotion, and tracking SEO results over time.
For any writer or blogger looking to amplify their content, ranking high on Google is a top priority. But it can be challenging when first starting out with little existing traffic and authority to your site. That’s why I was amazed when I managed to get my Medium post to the first page of Google.
Medium is a popular blogging and publishing platform that allows writers to share their content, build their audience, and potentially monetize their work.
With over 155.9 million monthly visits, Medium provides a huge opportunity for writers looking to increase their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their site or business.
In this article, I’ll share how I was able to rank my content on the first page of Google in record time using Medium’s built-in SEO features and promotion opportunities. Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or business owner, ranking high with Medium can significantly grow your online presence and achieve your goals.
I am new to this platform with just 8 followers, but a staggering 98% of my traffic is coming from external referrals.
Real talk: It’s hard to gain internal traffic. I use the keyword “rising creator on Facebook” and my two Medium posts are on the top page of Google.
These two posts are driving traffic to my Payhip store leading to sales of my e-books. Since I am from the Philippines and can’t apply for the Medium Partner Program. I am using a medium to drive traffic to my Payhip blogs.
Another long-tail keyword I used is “best types of facebook posts 2024” which is also on the top page of Google.
This Medium post generated traffic from external referrals about 91%.
So, How I Ranked on the First Page of Google?
Optimize Your Title and Topic For Search Intent
The first step to ranking well on Google with Medium is choosing the right title and topic that matches user search intent. When coming up with ideas, put yourself in the shoes of your target audience.
Ask yourself:
- What questions would they be asking on Google?
- What are they trying to solve, learn, or achieve?
- What keywords would they be searching?
Make sure your title includes the focus keyword phrase you want to target. For example, “How I Ranked on the First Page of Google in Under 3 Weeks”. This immediately lets readers and Google know what your content is about.
It’s also important to choose a specific, well-defined topic. For instance, “How to Use Medium for SEO” is more optimized than “Guide to Medium”. A targeted topic has a better chance of ranking for valuable keyword searches.
Craft an SEO-Optimized Introduction
The introduction is your opportunity to convince readers your post is the solution to their search. Use your focus keyword early on and summarize what value readers can expect from your content.
For the Medium article, you can structure your introduction for example like this:
For any writer or blogger looking to amplify their content, ranking high on Google is a top priority. But it can be challenging when first starting out with little existing traffic and authority to your site. That’s why I was amazed when I managed to get my Medium post to the first page of Google, for the competitive keyword “content marketing tips”.
In this article, I’ll reveal my step-by-step process for ranking quickly on Google with Medium by optimizing for SEO. You’ll learn key factors like optimizing topics, headlines, content, images, and promotions to build authority and recognition with Google algorithms. Whether you want more viewers, leads, or sales, these proven techniques will help get your Medium content found faster in search engines.
This quickly sums up who the post is for, the problem it solves, and what readers will learn — all while using my target keyword.
Use Strategic Headings That Attract Clicks
Headings break up your content into logical sections and create a visual hierarchy. This is crucial for SEO to highlight important keywords and phrases to Google.
My top tips for optimizing headings on Medium:
Research Relevant Long Tail Keywords
Include longer, more specific variations of your primary keyword in headings where possible. For example, “How to Optimize Your Medium Content for Google Rankings” or “Dramatically Boost Your Medium SEO with Promotions”.
Incorporate Numbers and Lists
Headings formatted as lists or steps tend to perform better. For instance, “5 Ways to Structure Your Medium Post for Higher Rankings” or “Step #1: Choose the Right Topic and Keywords”.
Use Questions and Direct Benefits
Compelling headings written as questions or benefit-driven hooks entice clicks. For example, “How Can I Rank my Medium Content in Google’s Top Stories?” or “Drive Targeted Traffic to Your Site with a High-Ranking Medium Post”.
Bold Primary Keyword
Bolding your focus keyword makes it stand out visually to readers. For instance, “Fast Google Rankings with Medium: My Success Story”.
Write Comprehensive, Well-Optimized Content
The content itself is make-or-break for ranking with Medium SEO. Follow these key tips:
Length and Depth
Aim for long-form, in-depth posts with at least 2000+ words. This shows Google you’re an authority on the topic. Don’t just skim the surface — provide comprehensive value readers can’t find elsewhere.
Optimize Text and Paragraphs
Seamlessly work your target keywords into paragraph text. Aim for a minimum of 2–3% keyword density but don’t over-optimize. Break content down into short paragraphs for readability.
Multimedia Elements
Include relevant images, graphics, videos, or embeds to make your post more engaging and informative. Optimize them with alt text and captions using target keyword phrases.
Don’t forget the “Alt Text” feature on every photo
Use your long-tail keywords on the “Alt Text” in every photo that search engines can interpret as structured data.
Source Credible References
Link out to authoritative sources and references to reinforce your credentials. Backed with major sites, research journals, and major media publishers are viewed favorably by Google.
Format Text with Markdown
Use Medium’s Markdown formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and headers to make important keywords and sections stand out both visually and to search bots.
Promote Your Post for Maximum Exposure
Publishing an optimized post is just the first step. You need promotion to generate views, backlinks, social shares, and user engagement signals. This gives Google the confidence to rank your content higher. I am using Quora and Pinterest to produce multiple backlinks.
Share on Social Media
Leverage your existing social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to share your new post. Ask social media followers and friends to share as well.
Email Marketing
Send your post to your email subscribers and contacts, highlighting why it’s worth a read. Services like MailChimp make this easy.
Engage Other Bloggers
Comment on other blogs in your space and politely mention your new Medium article if it’s relevant to the discussion.
Track Your Medium SEO Results
Analyze how your optimized Medium post is performing for important keyword rankings and traffic.
Medium Stats
Utilize Medium’s built-in stats to track overall views, reads, highlights, and subscribers generated.
Audience Insights
Check Audience Insights under your Medium profile to analyze top follower demographics like location, interests, and social networks.
Results Over Time
Revisit your rankings every 2–4 weeks. It can take time for Google to index and rank new posts. Don’t give up too fast!
Final Thoughts on Ranking with Medium
Ranking high with a Medium post is an impactful SEO tactic for any website or online business looking to expand its search presence. But it requires an optimized strategy across your topic, content structure, headlines, text, multimedia, and promotion plan.
By implementing the steps in this post, you can craft authoritative, high-quality Medium content that captures user attention and earns higher Google rankings. Within a few weeks or months, you can dramatically multiply your organic traffic and become a thought leader in your space.
The best part is, that the greater your Medium presence and follower base grows over time, the easier it becomes to repeatedly rank your future posts as well. Medium’s SEO capabilities combined with a smart methodology make it a powerful platform for search visibility that every business should be leveraging.
So what are you waiting for? With the right strategic approach, you can leverage Medium to attract qualified visitors, leads, and customers from Google too.
