What is a ranking signal?
Ranking signal is also known as user signal. It is probably one of the most important ranking factors for Google. The signals include bounce rate, dwell time and CTR.
What significance do ranking signals have for SEO?
The goal of every webmaster is to do well in the rankings. Everyone wants to be visible and appear high up in the search results lists. As Google sees user signals as a ranking factor, they play a major role in SEO.
If the user signals are negative in the evaluation, search engine optimizers should first find out why this is the case. A bounce rate may be due to a long loading time. Less relevant content or the structure of the website are also conceivable.
Once the source of the error that is contributing to negative user signals has been discovered, it must be rectified. If it is the content, it should be adapted, restructured and made more interesting. The texts should encourage users to read on and keep them on the site for a long time. Visual elements and well-structured articles are the be-all and end-all.
If it is due to the performance of the page, this must be remedied. The server may be too slow so that it takes too long for a page to load. Sometimes it only takes seconds for users to leave the site. Nobody wants to wait a long time for the desired page to be displayed.