I get your frustration—SEO can be tough, especially when you see poorly optimized sites outranking you. It’s important to remember that ranking isn’t always about who has the 'best SEO' but about who aligns best with Google's current understanding of user intent and experience.
Here’s a systematic approach to uncover what might be holding your rankings back:
- Check Competitor Relevance: Even if their pages seem low-quality, it’s possible that Google sees their content as more relevant to the search intent. Do a thorough competitor analysis to figure out what they might be doing right. Are they targeting a slightly different intent? Sometimes, even small keyword differences can play a big role in rankings.
- Content Depth & User Intent: Does your page fully satisfy the intent behind the keyword? Even if you’ve optimized the technical aspects, Google prioritizes user experience. If their content—despite being 'bad'—addresses the user query better than yours, Google may still favor them. Analyze the top 3 results to see if there's something in their content that Google might see as meeting user intent more effectively.
- Engagement Signals: Google increasingly factors in user engagement metrics like time-on-page, bounce rate, and return visitors. If your page isn’t getting enough interaction, it may not rise. Try improving the layout, design, or interactive elements (like videos, FAQs, etc.) to keep users engaged longer.
- Backlink Quality and Relevance: It’s not just about the number of backlinks but also the quality and relevance. If you have a ton of backlinks from irrelevant or low-authority sites, they may not be passing much value. Check your link profile and focus on acquiring links from highly relevant and authoritative domains in your niche.
- Technical SEO and Core Web Vitals: Ensure your site’s technical SEO (site speed, mobile-friendliness, structured data, etc.) is up to par. Core Web Vitals are now a ranking factor, and if your site performs poorly in these areas, it could explain the ranking issues. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Ahrefs/Screaming Frog to diagnose any technical weaknesses.
- CTR & Meta Optimization: You mentioned that CTR manipulation isn’t working, but have you tested your title tags and meta descriptions? Optimizing them for higher click-through rates (without manipulating) can help Google view your page as more relevant and drive up your rankings.
Since you've already put a lot of effort into your site, it might just need a few adjustments. I'd recommend reviewing these factors and keeping in mind that SEO is dynamic. Even poorly optimized pages can outrank solid content if they align better with what Google currently favors.