Optimise your Google Sites for search engines by strategically placing keywords where they matter most
Proper keyword placement helps your Google Site rank higher in search results, making it easier for your audience to find your website and content.
Google Sites is a simple, drag-and-drop website builder, but without proper SEO, your site may struggle to rank on Google. One of the most effective ways to improve visibility is by using keywords—the terms people search for—in the right places. This guide covers where to place keywords in Google Sites for maximum SEO impact, ensuring your content gets found.
The page title (the headline at the top of your page) is the single most important place for keywords. Google uses this to understand what your page is about.
Place your primary keyword near the beginning.
Keep it under 60 characters to avoid truncation in search results.
Make it clear and descriptive (e.g., "Best Budget Laptops for Students – 2025 Guide")
The URL (web address) of your page should include your target keyword. Google Sites automatically generates URLs, but you can edit them.
Use hyphens between words (e.g., `/best-keyword-tools`).
Avoid long, complex URLs (e.g., `/page123?id=456`).
Keep it short and relevant.
Useful tip: How to edit URLs in Google Sites
Find the page you want to edit and click the three dots (⋮) menu.
Select the Properties option and in the popup window, select the Advanced option in the bottom left
A pop-up will appear with the current URL. Edit the URL Slug
Only the last part (slug) can be changed (e.g., /old-name → /new-name).
Keep it short, descriptive, and keyword-rich (e.g., /seo-tips).
To save your changes, click Done
Headings help structure your content and signal to Google what each section is about.
Use H1 (Title) for the main title (only one per page).
Include keywords in H2 (Heading) and H3 (Subheadings) where natural.
Keep headings clear and scannable.
Headings help structure your content and signal to Google what each section is about.
H1 (Title): Best SEO Tools for Beginners (Primary Keyword)
H2 (Heading): Why Keyword Research Matters (Secondary Keyword)
H2 (Subheading): Free vs. Paid SEO Tools (Related Keyword)
Google rewards high-quality, relevant content. Keyword stuffing hurts rankings, so use keywords naturally. Good practice includes:
Include your primary keyword 2-3 times in the content
Use synonyms and related terms (LSI keywords)
Write for readers first—Google prioritises user experience
For example: "If you’re looking for the best SEO tools, start with free options like Google Keyword Planner. Over time, you may upgrade to premium SEO software for deeper insights."
Not all search engines can "see" images, so alt text tells search engines what an image shows. Best practices include:
Be descriptive (e.g., "woman-typing-on-laptop-for-seo").
Include keywords if relevant, but don’t force it.
Keep it under 125 characters
Linking to relevant pages helps Google understand your site’s structure. General good practice includes:
Link to other pages on your site (internal links)
Link to high-authority sites (e.g., [Google’s SEO Starter Guide]).
Use descriptive anchor text (e.g., "Learn more about SEO best practices" instead of "Click here")
Optimising keywords in Google Sites is straightforward if you focus on the right places: page titles, URLs, headings, content, images, and meta descriptions. By following these best practices, your site will rank higher and attract more visitors. And remember:
Publish regularly – Fresh content helps rankings
Check mobile-friendliness – Google priorities mobile-optimised sites
Use Google Analytics & Search Console to track performance