The talk is still about the upcoming Penguin update — which still hasn’t arrived — but I’d like to talk about three different ways you can improve your rankings before the update and afterward. These techniques are based on your site already having a good ranking, but these will lift you up on the page beyond your organic results.

The first is based on Google Featured Answers. You’ve seen them, the answers to search questions that pop up at the top of the search results, above even the number one search spot. The way to get your site in this spot is by explicitly asking and answering the question on your page. You’ve got to already be on page 1 of Google for this keyword string, but it’s a great way to propel you toward that number one spot.

Google News is another great way for your site to get featured near the top of the page. If you don’t run a new site, and if you don’t offer new content three or more times a day, the best way to get your piece featured in the news is by syndicating it to relevant news sites. Be sure to include the key phrase you’re trying to rank for in the content.

The final way to rank higher on the front page is by using Twitter. I know everyone is saying that Twitter is dying off, but if you use it consistently it can give your site an added boost in the rankings. Your search term must be in the title, but ranking for this can help you to dominate that first page.

Finally, a prediction: Google’s Penguin update will happen next week. That’s the feeling I’ve got. Let’s see what happens.

Jim Stewart is a leading expert in search engine optimisation. His business StewArt Media has worked with clients including Mars, M2 and the City of Melbourne.