Medium.com SEO Guide: How to Rank Medium Articles on Google First Page
Introduction
Medium.com is one of the most powerful writing platforms on the internet. Many beginners start their online writing journey on Medium because it is simple, clean, and does not require technical knowledge. You do not need hosting, a domain, or coding skills. You only need good ideas and the courage to write.
However, one common question every Medium writer asks is:
“How can my Medium article rank on the first page of Google?”
The good news is this:
Medium articles can rank on Google, sometimes even faster than new blogs. But this only happens when SEO is done correctly.
This guide is written for complete beginners.
The language is simple, clear, polite, and energetic.
Every point is explained deeply with a human touch and real emotions.
By the end of this article, you will clearly understand how to optimize your Medium articles for Google and increase your chances of ranking on the first page.
Table of Contents
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Why Medium is Powerful for SEO
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How Google Treats Medium Articles
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Keyword Research for Medium Articles
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Writing SEO-Friendly Titles on Medium
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How to Write a Strong Introduction
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Proper Use of Headings on Medium
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Writing High-Quality, Helpful Content
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Internal and External Linking Strategy
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Image Optimization on Medium
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Engagement Signals That Help Ranking
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Medium Tags and Their SEO Role
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Publishing Consistency and Authority
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Real Life Story: Ranking a Medium Article
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Common SEO Mistakes on Medium
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FAQs
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Conclusion
Why Medium is Powerful for SEO
Medium has very high domain authority. This means Google already trusts Medium as a platform. Because of this trust, Medium articles often get indexed faster than articles on new websites.
Another big advantage is that Medium already has:
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Strong technical SEO
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Fast page speed
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Mobile-friendly design
As a writer, you do not need to worry about these things. You can fully focus on content quality and user value.
How Google Treats Medium Articles
Google does not rank platforms.
Google ranks pages.
If your Medium article:
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Solves a real problem
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Matches search intent
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Is easy to read
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Keeps users engaged
Then Google can rank it on the first page, even above big websites.
However, low-quality or copied content will not rank, even on Medium.
Keyword Research for Medium Articles
Keyword research is the foundation of SEO.
Before writing, you must know:
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What people are searching for
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What exact words they use
Choose long-tail keywords because they are easier to rank.
Example:
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Bad keyword: SEO
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Good keyword: How to rank Medium articles on Google
Use tools like:
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Google search suggestions
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Google “People also ask”
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Free keyword tools
Always select one main keyword and a few related keywords.
Writing SEO-Friendly Titles on Medium
Your title is the first thing both users and Google see.
A good SEO title:
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Clearly explains the topic
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Includes the main keyword
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Feels natural and human
Example of a strong title:
Medium.com SEO Guide: How to Rank Medium Articles on Google First Page
Avoid clickbait titles that do not match the content. Google tracks user behavior, and misleading titles reduce trust.
How to Write a Strong Introduction
The introduction decides whether readers stay or leave.
A strong introduction:
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Connects emotionally
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Explains the problem
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Promises a clear solution
Keep sentences short and simple. Use transition words like:
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However
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Therefore
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At the same time
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As a result
This improves readability and NLP signals.
Proper Use of Headings on Medium
Headings help Google understand your content structure.
Use:
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One main heading for the topic
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Clear subheadings for each section
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Natural keywords inside headings
Do not stuff keywords. Headings should guide readers smoothly through the article.
Writing High-Quality, Helpful Content
Google loves content that helps users.
To write helpful content:
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Explain concepts clearly
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Use simple examples
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Answer common questions
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Write with honesty
Avoid writing just for SEO. Write for humans first. SEO will follow naturally.
Internal and External Linking Strategy
Linking improves content value.
Internal links:
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Link to your other Medium articles
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Keep users on the platform longer
External links:
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Link to trusted sources
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Add credibility to your content
Always use links naturally. Never force them.
Image Optimization on Medium
Images improve engagement.
For SEO:
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Use relevant images
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Write clear alt text
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Avoid heavy or unnecessary images
Alt text helps Google understand what the image is about and improves accessibility.
Engagement Signals That Help Ranking
Google observes user behavior.
Positive signals include:
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Time spent on the page
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Scrolling
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Reading till the end
To improve engagement:
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Write conversationally
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Use short paragraphs
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Add emotional connection
When readers feel understood, they stay longer.
Medium Tags and Their SEO Role
Medium allows you to add tags.
Tags help:
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Medium algorithm understand your topic
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Show your article to the right audience
Choose relevant tags related to your keyword. Avoid using unrelated popular tags.
Publishing Consistency and Authority
One article can rank.
But consistency builds authority.
When you publish regularly:
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Google trusts your profile more
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Medium promotes your work more
Even one high-quality article per week is enough.
Real Life Story: Ranking a Medium Article
A beginner writer published articles on Medium but got no traffic at first. There was frustration and self-doubt.
Then the approach changed:
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One clear keyword per article
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Simple English
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Deep explanation
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Honest writing
After a few weeks, one article reached Google’s first page. Slowly, more articles followed.
The biggest change was not SEO alone.
It was belief, patience, and consistency.
Common SEO Mistakes on Medium
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Writing without keyword research
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Copying content from other websites
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Overusing keywords
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Ignoring reader experience
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Giving up too early
SEO is a process, not magic.
FAQs
Can Medium articles rank on Google?
Yes. Many Medium articles rank on the first page when SEO is done correctly.
Is Medium better than a blog for beginners?
Yes. Medium is easier for beginners because technical SEO is already handled.
How long does it take to rank?
It can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on competition and content quality.
Should I use AI tools for Medium writing?
You can, but always edit and add your personal touch.
Does Medium allow SEO optimization?
Yes. Titles, headings, tags, links, and content structure all matter.
Conclusion
Ranking Medium articles on Google is completely possible, even for beginners.
You do not need advanced tools or technical skills.
You need:
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Clear keywords
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Helpful content
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Simple language
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Human emotion
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Consistency
Medium gives you the platform.
SEO gives you visibility.
Your honesty gives you trust.
When these three come together, growth becomes natural.
Start with one well-written article. Improve step by step.
Your first-page ranking is closer than you think.
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