The 5 SEO Factors We Use to Rank #1 on Google and YouTube

We’ve ranked #1 on Google and YouTube for high-value keywords like “Google Ads for Golf Courses.”

Here’s exactly how we do it.

The phrase we're going to be examining is "Google Ads for Golf Courses" which we'll use in all our examples, so reverse engineer what we do with your own keyword/phrase.

There are 5 core on-page SEO placements that send strong signals to Google and to AI tools like ChatGPT. We do these every time. And then there’s a 6th bonus move that most people skip,  but it drives even more traffic from YouTube and strengthens your search rankings.

You can copy this entire setup. We’ll show screenshots for both WordPress and HubSpot CMS so you can implement it clean, fast, and right.

TLDR / Key Summary

• Your keyword should be placed in 5 specific areas on the page.
• These placements help your article rank in Google and show up in LLMs.
• The 6th bonus factor is syncing your YouTube video with the blog content.
• This works across both WordPress and HubSpot CMS.
• It’s how we hold top rankings for competitive search terms—without hacks.

1. Put the Keyword in the H1 Tag

This is your page’s headline. It needs to include your keyword exactly. Don’t get cute with it. Google and LLMs treat the <h1> as the clearest signal of what the page is about.

WordPress Example:

Note: If a Wordpress website is coded properly, the title should automatically be the H1 tag of the page or post. There are many different ways to code a WP site where you may enter the H1 differently or within a visual composer with a text block. Either way, make sure you have only one H1 tag in there.

HubSpot Example:

Pro tip: You only get one H1 per page. Don’t waste it.

2. Use the Exact Keyword in the URL

Your URL should match the keyword exactly. Strip out any filler. Avoid stop words unless they’re part of the phrase people are actually searching.

Bad Example:

• EXAMPLE.COM/paid-campaigns-golf-industry-guide

Good Example:

• https://torro.io/blog/google-ads-for-golf-courses

WordPress Example:

If it's not an exact match in Wordpress, you'll want to edit the Permalink (URL) to be more specific with the exact phrase match where the URL isn't too long (which is unnecessary), like this:

Edit >> Remove Unnecessary words >> Hit "OK"

So the end result looks like this:

HubSpot Example:

Google scans your URL early. Make it count.

3. Include the Keyword in the First Sentence

Search engines and LLMs read from the top down. Mentioning the keyword early tells them “this is the main topic.” It also helps users instantly know they’re in the right place.

Example:

Golf courses don't need more traffic. They need the right traffic. The kind that books tee times, joins the club, or reserves a table after 18 holes. That’s where Google Ads come in.

Note: I know the above it's an exact phrase match but we do mention the core topic within the first sentence.

WordPress Example:

HubSpot Example:

4. Add the Keyword to the SEO Title (Search Result Title)

Your SEO title is what appears in the search results as the blue, clickable headline.

It should include your keyword—ideally at the start.

Example:

SEO Title: Google Ads for Golf Courses: Real Results, No Fluff

WordPress Example (Yoast or RankMath):

We recommend RankMath over Yoast, which you need to first put in the Focus Keyword (which obvious needs to match what we've been discussing and going for this whole time):

Then you'll hit the blue "Edit Snippet" button to place the SEO Title you want:

RankMath and Yoast auto-populate these based on the title of the page, but it's best to go in and make sure that it matches exactly what you want it to say as you're given more characters to work with typically.

HubSpot Example:

The blog title is actually the SEO Title within HubSpot so this will already be aligned for you:

If your keyword isn’t in your SEO title, you’re not going to rank. Period.

5. Repeat the Keyword in the Meta Description

The meta description shows below the SEO title in search results. It doesn’t directly impact rankings, but it does affect clicks. And LLMs often use it when summarizing pages.

Example:

Learn how to run high-performing Google Ads for golf courses. Target memberships and tee times, optimize campaigns by season, and track real ROI.

WordPress Example (Yoast/RankMath):

HubSpot Example:

Make sure the phrase is there exactly. Don’t reword it.

YouTube Step-by-Step Tutorial on this 5 SEO Factors

Bonus Tip: Put the Keyword in Your YouTube Title + Description

This is the 6th factor that helps close the loop!

If you’re embedding a YouTube video in your blog (which you should), make sure the title of the video and the description also use the exact same keyword phrase.

Example YouTube Title:

• Google Ads for Golf Courses: Tracking Ad Performance

By syncing your blog and YouTube metadata, you build relevance across platforms. It helps you rank better on both.

YouTube Studio Screenshot:

Final Thoughts

This isn’t theory. This is the checklist we follow every time. It’s how we’ve ranked:

• #1 on Google for “Google Ads for Golf Courses”
• #1 on YouTube for the same phrase
• And we’re getting picked up by AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity because the keyword placement is so clean

Copy this system. Implement the 5 factors on your site. Embed a video that’s optimized. And watch your rankings move.