Ranking agreements are contracts entered into by two parties, typically a website owner and a search engine optimization (SEO) agency or consultant. The purpose of these agreements is to outline the goals and expectations of both parties, and how success in search engine rankings will be measured.

Ranking agreements should include the target keywords or phrases the website wishes to rank for, the timeline for achieving these rankings, and the metrics that will be used to measure success. It is important to note that while ranking agreements can be helpful in setting goals and outlining expectations, it is impossible to guarantee specific rankings.

When entering into a ranking agreement, it is important to choose realistic and achievable goals. For example, ranking highly for a broad and competitive keyword such as “travel” may not be feasible for a new or small website. Instead, it may be more realistic to focus on long-tail keywords or local search terms that are more specific and less competitive.

Another important aspect of ranking agreements is transparency and communication. Both parties should be clear on what specific tasks or strategies will be implemented to improve rankings, and regular reporting and updates should be provided to ensure progress is being made.

It is important to note that ranking agreements should always adhere to search engine guidelines and best practices. Unethical or spammy tactics may result in penalties or even a complete ban from search results. A reputable SEO agency will always follow ethical practices and prioritize the long-term success of a website`s search rankings.

Overall, ranking agreements can be a useful tool for setting goals and expectations in SEO campaigns. However, it is important to choose realistic and achievable goals, prioritize transparency and communication, and always follow ethical practices. By doing so, businesses and SEO agencies can work together to improve search rankings and drive organic traffic to a website.