Your business may not be appearing in Google Search results in Australia because Google primarily uses a system called RankBrain, combined with its core algorithm, to understand search intent and deliver relevant results; this system assesses numerous factors, and your website may not yet meet the criteria for ranking for relevant search terms.
As of December 2025, RankBrain, a machine learning component, analyses search queries and website content to determine relevance. Google’s algorithm now includes factors like Core Web Vitals – measuring page experience including loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability – which significantly impact rankings. Google Business Profile (GBP) verification is crucial for local search; businesses must be verified to appear in Google Maps and local search results, and currently, over 97% of Australian searches originate on Google. In 2026, Google continues to refine its AI-powered spam detection systems, meaning content deemed low-quality or manipulative is increasingly penalised. Google’s indexing process, which discovers and stores webpages, relies on ‘crawlers’ that follow links; if your site isn’t linked to from other reputable websites, or has a robots.txt file blocking access, it may not be fully indexed.
Ultimately, Google’s search ranking system functions by evaluating a website’s relevance, authority, and user experience to determine its position in search results.
