How to Write SEO Friendly Blog Posts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Are you trying to get more visitors to your blog but not sure how to write content that shows up in search results? You’re not alone. Many beginners struggle to create blog posts that both help readers and rank well on Google.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to write SEO-friendly blog posts, even if you’re just starting out.

So, keep reading to learn how to pick the right topic, use the right keywords, structure your post properly, and much more.

Why SEO Matters for Blog Posts

If you’re putting effort into writing blog posts, you want people to actually find and read them. That’s where SEO comes in. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of making your blog posts more visible in search engines like Google and Bing.

When done right, SEO helps your blog get discovered by people who are already searching for the kind of information you’re offering.

What SEO Means for Blogging

SEO isn’t just about adding keywords here and there. It’s about aligning your content with what people are actively searching for and making it easy for search engines to understand and show your blog to the right audience.

Here’s what SEO means for a blog post:

Targeted reach: SEO helps bring the right people to your blog—those who are already interested in your topic.
Free traffic over time: Unlike paid ads, SEO brings long-term, organic traffic without ongoing costs.
More visibility: Ranking higher on search engines means more eyes on your content and more clicks.
Better user experience: Many SEO practices (like clear structure and fast load times) also make your blog more enjoyable for readers.
Authority and trust: Showing up in search results builds credibility and trust for your website.

How SEO Helps Drive Traffic and Improve Visibility

Without SEO, even great blog content can go unseen. But when your blog is optimized properly:

Your posts appear on the first page of Google (where most clicks happen).
You get continuous traffic, even while you sleep.
You can beat competitors who aren’t using SEO effectively.
Your blog can become a go-to source for information in your niche.

Let’s say you write a blog post about “best indoor plants for beginners.” If your post is optimized for SEO, someone searching that exact phrase on Google might find your article at the top. That’s a potential new reader, without spending a single dollar on advertising.

Step 1: Pick the Right Topic for Your Targeted Niched Audience

Before you write anything, you need to pick the right topic. This is the first and most important step in creating an SEO-friendly blog post. Even if your writing is great, it won’t help much if the topic isn’t something people care about, or search for.

a. Choose Topics That Match Your Blog’s Theme

Your blog should focus on a specific niche or theme. This could be fitness, digital marketing, personal finance, food, fashion, or anything else. Every post you create should stay within that theme.

Ask yourself:

Does this topic relate to my blog’s main focus?
Will this topic help my audience solve a problem, learn something new, or make a decision?
Can I write more articles around this topic later to build a full content cluster?

If your blog is about digital marketing, for example, writing about “email marketing strategies” fits your niche. Writing about “best pizza recipes” in the same blog does not have relevance to the niche you are pursuing, even if you’re passionate about it.

b. Make Sure Your Audience Actually Searches for It

Instead of writing what you feel like, focus on what your readers are actually searching for.

Here’s how to check:

Think of problems or questions your audience might have.
Type a few ideas into Google and look at the autocomplete suggestions.
Scroll to the “People also ask” and “Related searches” sections.
Use free tools like AnswerThePublic, Google Trends, or Ubersuggest to see what people are searching for.
Browse forums like Reddit or Quora to see what real users are asking in your niche.

Example:

If you run a blog about home fitness, “best resistance bands for beginners” is a great topic. It’s specific, searchable, and targeted to people looking to start working out at home.

The goal here is simple:

Don’t guess what to write. Instead, validate the topic before you write.

Once you’ve picked a topic that matches your niche and has real search interest, it’s time to move to the next step: Keyword research.

Step 2: Do Keyword Research Before You Start Writing

Before you begin writing your blog post, you need to know which keyword or phrase your audience is searching for. This main keyword is known as the focus keyword, and it plays a big role in helping your blog post show up on search engines like Google.

Start with Seed Keywords You Already Know

Begin your research with a few basic keyword ideas, which are called seed keywords. They should relate to your niche and the topic you want to cover.

Example:

If your blog is about digital marketing and you want to write about growing traffic, your seed keyword might be:

“increase website traffic”.
“get more blog visitors”.
“grow traffic online”.

Now it’s time to expand these seed ideas using tools.

Use Free or Paid Tools to Find Searchable Keywords

There are many tools that help you find out what people are actually typing into search engines. Some popular options include:

Free Tools:

Google Autocomplete
Google Trends
Ubersuggest (free version)
AnswerThePublic
AlsoAsked.com

Paid Tools:

Ahrefs
SEMrush
Keysearch
LowFruits
Keywords Everywhere (cheap browser extension)

These tools show you how many people search for a keyword each month, how hard it is to rank, and even related keywords you might not have thought about.

Example: Using Ubersuggest

Let’s say you enter “grow blog traffic” into Ubersuggest. It might suggest alternatives like:

“How to increase blog traffic fast”.
“Get blog traffic without ads”.
“Free ways to grow a blog”.

Now you can pick a keyword with decent traffic but low competition.

Use Competitor Research to Save Time

If keyword research feels time-consuming, there’s a shortcut: spy on your competitors.

Search Google for a mid-level, established website in your niche that has lots of content. Use a keyword tool to plug in their domain and see what keywords they’re already ranking for.

Then you can:

Pick a keyword they rank for.
Create content that’s more useful, detailed, or up to date than theirs.
Add your own unique value (e.g., case study, infographic, video).

Example:

If a competitor ranks for “best email marketing tools,” and their post lists 5 tools, you can make a post listing 10 tools, updated for this year, with pros and cons, and maybe a short comparison table.

That way, you give more value and stand a better chance of ranking higher.

Check the Search Intent of Each Keyword

Once you’ve selected your keyword, make sure your content matches what readers expect to find. This is called matching the search intent.

To do this:

Google the keyword.
Look at the top 5–10 results.
Ask yourself: What kind of content is showing up?
- Is it a guide, list, tutorial, review, or comparison?

Now, plan your blog post to match that format, but improve it.

Example:

You want to target the keyword: “how to start a food blog”. You Google it and see:

Step-by-step guides.
Beginner tutorials.
Articles with platform comparisons.

That means your blog post should also be a guide for beginners. It can be done with images, screenshots, and real examples to make it more helpful.

Doing this keyword research before you write gives your post the best chance to rank, attract readers, and build consistent traffic over time.

Step 3: Create The Content Silo

Once you’ve gathered a list of keywords, the next step is to organise them into a content silo. This structure not only helps readers navigate your blog easily, but also makes it easier for search engines like Google and Bing to understand what your site is about.

What is a Content Silo?

A content silo is a way of grouping related blog posts under a main topic. Think of it like a tree:

The top is the main topic (usually a broad, high-traffic keyword).
The branches are detailed blog posts targeting more specific, lower-competition keywords.

This structure shows Google how all your content is connected, and tells it which topic you’re an authority in.

How to Build a Content Silo

i. Start With Your Main Keyword

Choose the main keyword you want your site to rank for. This will be your core topic, the top of the silo.

Example: “SEO for Beginners”

ii. Find Related Keywords for Supportive Posts

Use the keyword research tools to find related, low-difficulty keywords around your main topic.

These keywords should:

Have lower traffic volume.
Be easier to rank for.
Be closely connected to your main topic.

Examples:

“What is SEO?”.
“How to write SEO-friendly blog posts”.
“SEO keyword tools for beginners”.
“Best free SEO plugins”.

iii. Decide the Blog Titles Based on Search Intent

Now, take those keywords and create blog titles that answer real questions or match what people type into search engines.

Instead of: “SEO Tips You Should Know”
Use: “How to Do SEO Step-by-Step for Beginners”

You may wonder why the second way is better. It’s because the second one clearly matches how people actually search.

iv. Group These Articles Together

After creating the posts, link them to each other and to the main topic page. This builds a strong internal link structure and helps Google crawl your site better.

Why This Matters for SEO

Google can understand your site better when related content is grouped and linked.
Your main page ranks higher when supporting posts send internal links to it.
You build authority around a single topic, which helps all your posts perform better.
You start small, with easy-to-rank keywords, and move upward as your traffic grows.

A Simple Visual Example

Let’s say your blog is about SEO.

Main keyword (top of silo):

→ SEO for Beginners (High traffic, high competition)

Supporting keywords (bottom of silo):

→ What is SEO
→ How to Find Keywords for SEO
→ Best SEO Tools for Beginners
→ On-page SEO Checklist

Each supporting article will:

Target its own keyword.
Link back to the main “SEO for Beginners” post.
Also link to other related articles in the silo.

This builds a clean structure that helps both users and search engines.

Step 4: Start Creating Content with the bottom of the Content Silo

Now that your content silo is ready, it’s time to start creating blog posts. We recommend starting from the bottom of the silo.

The bottom of the silo contains keywords that are:

Easier to rank for.
Lower in traffic (usually around 400 to 900 searches per month).
Less competitive (low keyword difficulty).

These keywords may not bring in huge traffic individually, but they are much easier to win, and they help you build a strong traffic foundation for your blog.

Why Start at the Bottom?

If your website is new or doesn’t have strong authority yet, it’s very difficult to rank for high-competition keywords. That’s why it’s smarter to target low-difficulty keywords first.

When you rank for these easier terms:

You start getting real traffic to your blog.
Google sees that users are engaging with your content.
Your site builds trust and authority over time.
This makes it easier to rank for tougher keywords later.

Example:

Let’s say your main keyword is “SEO for beginners” which has 7,000 monthly searches, where keyword difficulty is high.

Instead, you can start with:

“What is SEO?” – 800 searches, easy difficulty.
“Best SEO plugins for WordPress” – 500 searches, easy.
“SEO tools for beginners” – 700 searches, easy.

These posts are more likely to rank faster, bringing in early traffic and setting the stage for ranking the tougher one later.

Fulfill Search Intent to Win Clicks

Even for easy keywords, simply adding a bunch of text isn’t enough. Your content must match the search intent, meaning it gives readers exactly what they expect to find when they search.

If someone searches for “Best free SEO tools for beginners,” they’re expecting:

A clear list of tools.
Honest pros and cons.
Maybe a comparison table or screenshots.

If you deliver that, your chances of ranking are much higher.

Build Up Step by Step

Think of it like climbing stairs:

Start at the lower steps (easy keywords) in your keyword/content silo.
Build content around them.
Interlink all of them to the relevant article as well.
Slowly climb your way up the silo toward more competitive topics.

This strategy gives you momentum, builds trust with Google, and keeps your content organized.

Now that you know where to start, it’s time to look at how to plan your blog post structure so that each post is easy to read, engaging, and SEO-friendly.

Step 5: Plan Your Blog Post Structure

Now that you’ve chosen where to start in your content silo, the next step is to plan a clear and effective blog post structure. A well-structured blog not only improves readability but also helps your content rank better in search engines.

Creating a strong structure before writing saves time, improves flow, and ensures every part of your post has a purpose.

Start with a Simple Blog Outline

Your blog post should follow a format that’s easy to scan and easy to understand, for both readers and search engines. Here’s a basic outline structure to follow:

Title that matches a search intent.
Brief introduction.
Table of contents (especially helpful for long posts).
Key takeaways or highlights section.
Main content with well-organized subheadings.
Conclusion.
FAQs related to the topic or keyword.

Let’s go through each of these briefly:

i. Title That Matches a Real Search

Make sure your title is based on something people actually search for.

Do this:

“How to Start a Blog in 2025”
“What is SEO and How Does It Work?”

Avoid this:

“Understanding the Power of SEO”
“My Blogging Journey and Lessons”

You may wonder why. It’s because people don’t usually type those fancy terms into Google. Think like your audience and write titles in their language.

ii. Write a Brief Introduction

Keep it short and set clear expectations.

Let the reader know:

What the article is about
What they will learn
Why they should keep reading

iii. Add a Table of Contents (Optional but Useful)

Especially for long blog posts, a clickable table of contents helps readers jump to the section they’re most interested in. It also helps with featured snippets in Google.

iv. Include a Key Takeaways Section

Before diving into the main content, you can add a short “Key Points” or “What You’ll Learn” section. This:

Helps scanners get quick value.
It also helps you spot great snippet opportunities in Google.
Assists AI tools and LLMs (like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Gemini SERP overview, etc.) to summarize your post.
Boosts engagement and keeps users on the page longer.

v. Write the Main Content with Strong Subheadings

This is the core of your blog post. Structure it with headings and subheadings that guide the reader from one point to the next. Keep it logical and smooth.

Use H2s, H3s and H4s wisely:

H2 for major sections.
H3 and H4 for detailed points within that section.

While planning your subheadings, try to match search intent.

Example:

If someone searches:

“What is SEO?” → Use that exact phrase as your subheading
“How to write a blog outline?” → Make that your H2 or H3

Avoid vague subheadings like:

“Let’s dive deeper”.
“More information”.
“A few things to consider”.

Be specific. Think: “How do keywords help SEO?” rather than “Keyword Importance.”

vi. Conclusion

Wrap up the content with a short summary of the main points. You can also:

Encourage action (comment, share, read next article).
Add a final thought or tip.
Link to a related guide.

vii. Add a Relevant FAQ Section

Use FAQs to answer common questions related to your main keyword or topic.

This helps:

Capture extra search traffic.
Show up in Google’s “People also ask”.
Improve your article’s chances of ranking for multiple related queries.

Tip: Keep FAQ answers short and direct, without unnecessary fluff.

A clear blog structure helps you write better content, keeps readers engaged, and signals to Google that your article is useful and well-organized.

Step 6: Write The Blog Post

Now that you’ve built your outline (from Step 5), it’s time to turn it into a complete blog post. Writing a blog post that is SEO-friendly means writing with both your readers and search engines in mind. The key is to follow the structure you’ve already planned, section by section, while keeping your writing clear, relevant, and easy to follow.

Below are the essential writing elements to focus on.

i. Write a Catchy and Clear Title

Your title is the first thing a reader (and search engine) sees. It should be:

Clear and to the point.
Include your main keyword close to the beginning.
Written to spark interest and encourage clicks.
Within 50–60 characters, including spaces (ideal for Google and Bing SERP display).

Example title format:

Learn Link Building: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

This kind of title is direct, keyword-focused, and search-friendly.

ii. Write an Engaging Introduction

The introduction should:

Hook the reader in the first two lines.
Explain what the article is about.
Set clear expectations on what they’ll learn.
Mention the main keyword naturally.

After the intro, include a Key Takeaways section (especially useful for SEO and AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity).

This short list should highlight:

What problems the post solves.
The main points covered.
Why the reader should keep scrolling.

iii. Use Headings and Subheadings Properly

To keep your content well-organized and easy to scan:

Break the content into logical sections using H2 and H3 headings.
Ensure each heading answers a potential search query.
Avoid vague or abstract headings like “A Deeper Look” or “Understanding the Problem”.

Instead, use:

What is Link Building?
How to Write a Meta Description That Ranks
Why SEO Matters in 2025

This improves SEO and gives clarity to both search engines and human readers.

iv. Keep Paragraphs Short and Scannable

Most users read content on mobile. Long blocks of text are hard to follow, especially on small screens.

To make your post easier to read:

Break text into short paragraphs (3 to 4 lines max then break the paragraph).
Add visual space between ideas.
Use bold text for key points (only where necessary).

If a paragraph looks too dense, break it up. White space makes reading less stressful and keeps people on the page longer.

v. Use Lists, Bullet Points, and Numbering

Don’t let your post turn into a wall of text. Use formatting to keep readers engaged:

Bullet points for lists or summaries.
Numbered steps for how-to content.
Bold or italic for emphasis (use sparingly).

This keeps your content flowing and allows readers to skim and still retain value.

vi. Add Keywords Naturally

To keep your blog post SEO-friendly:

Use your main keyword in the title, introduction, headings, and conclusion.
Spread it throughout the content, but avoid stuffing.
Add related keywords and variations where they fit naturally.

A good rule is to keep your writing helpful and informative. If a keyword feels forced, reword the sentence or use a related term.

Once your post is written, the next steps include optimizing the meta description, slug, and adding internal/external links. We’ll cover those in the next section.

Step 7: Optimize Meta Description and Slug

After writing your blog post, the next important step is to optimize the meta description and slug. These two elements are not visible inside your article, but they play a major role in how your content appears and performs in search results.

What is a Meta Description?

A meta description is the short summary that appears under your blog post title in search engine results(SERP). It tells users what your article is about and helps them decide whether to click.

Key things to keep in mind:

Keep it between 150 to 156 characters, including spaces.
Include your main keyword naturally.
Write it like a sales pitch, which should be clear, helpful, and click-worthy.
Avoid vague phrases or filler content.

Example (for a blog about link building):

Learn how to do link building the right way in 2025 with this easy, step-by-step guide for beginners. Tools, tips, and examples included.

A well-written meta description increases your click-through rate (CTR), even if your post ranks a little lower than others.

What is a Slug?

A slug is the part of your URL that comes after the domain name. It should be simple, short, and explain what the article is about.

Example:

Website: https://www.learnseo.com
Slug: /learn-backlinking
Full URL: https://www.learnseo.com/learn-backlinking

In this case, “learn backlinking” is the target keyword, and the slug matches it exactly. This tells both Google and users what the page is about right away.

Best Practices for Creating a Slug

Use hyphens instead of spaces (e.g., how-to-start-blogging)
Keep it short and relevant (avoid unnecessary words like “a,” “the,” or “your”)
Include the target keyword
Make sure it matches the search intent

Another example:

If your article title is How to Make Red Apple Juice at Home, then:

You should avoid a slug like: “/red-apple”
Instead, use something clearer like: “/how-to-make-red-apple-juice”

This makes the topic clear to both search engines and users, and increases the chance your content appears for the exact search query.

As you can see, a strong meta description improves your visibility and gets more clicks. Furthermore, a well-crafted slug helps your article rank better and makes your content easier to understand at a glance.

Step 8: Make Sure to Add Alt Text for All Images, Tables, and Other Elements

Adding images, tables, charts, or infographics can make your blog post more engaging and easier to understand. But to get the most out of them, both for SEO and accessibility, you need to add alt text to each one.

What Is ALT Text?

Alt text (alternative text) is a short description of an image or visual element. It appears in the image’s HTML code and serves two main purposes:

Accessibility – Helps visually impaired users understand what the image shows when using screen readers.
SEO – Gives search engines context about the image so it can be indexed properly.

Without alt text, search engines can’t understand your images. And if your image breaks or fails to load, the alt text is shown in its place.

Why Alt Text Matters for SEO

Adding alt text can boost your overall content visibility, not just in normal search results, but in image search platforms too.

Here’s how it helps:

Improves image indexing in search engines like Google Images and Bing Images.
Increases discoverability through visual search queries.
Supports topical relevance for your blog post by reinforcing your main keyword.
Enhances accessibility, making your site usable for all visitors.

What this simply means is that if your image matches the intent behind a search query, and your alt text is descriptive and accurate, your image could appear in the SERP image tab, and lead users directly to your post.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

When writing alt text, follow these guidelines:

Keep it short and descriptive.
Use relevant keywords naturally (without stuffing).
Avoid phrases like “image of” or “picture of”. Just describe what it is.
Make sure the description matches the actual image content.

Examples:

Alt text for a chart: “Monthly blog traffic growth from January to June 2025”
Alt text for an image: “Screenshot of Ahrefs keyword explorer showing search volume for ‘SEO tools'”

Also, remember to add alt text for:

Tables
Graphs
Infographics
Icons (if they convey meaning)

As you can see, adding visuals alone won’t help your SEO unless they’re optimized with alt text. So, make sure every visual element in your blog supports your content and is properly described for both users and search engines.

Step 9: Check and Edit Your Post

Before hitting publish, it’s important to go through your blog post with a fresh set of eyes. Even a well-planned post can lose its impact if it has grammar mistakes, unclear sentences, or off-topic content. A quick edit can improve the reader’s experience and give your post a better chance of ranking.

Proofread for Grammar and Spelling

Check for spelling errors, punctuation mistakes, and awkward sentences.
Use free tools like Grammarly, Hemingway App, or Google Docs spell check to catch issues.
Read your post out loud. It helps spot unnatural phrasing or missing words.
Edit for clarity. Make sure your sentences are simple and easy to understand.

Mistakes reduce trust. Clean, professional writing increases your blog’s authority.

Make Sure Your Post Is Clear and On-Topic

Every section should serve a clear purpose and support the main topic.
Remove unnecessary details or off-topic ideas that could distract the reader.
Check if all subheadings follow a logical flow.
Make sure your post answers the main search intent clearly and fully.

Keep your content focused and relevant from start to finish.

Add a Call to Action (CTA) in the Right Places

Adding a call to action gives your reader a next step. Without it, they may leave without engaging further.

Here are some effective CTA ideas:

Ask them to leave a comment.
Encourage them to share the article.
Suggest they read a related post.
Invite them to join your newsletter.
Prompt them to download a resource or follow you on social media.

Make sure your CTA fits naturally into the article. Don’t force it.

For example:

After a tutorial, suggest reading a related guide.
At the end of a product review, invite the reader to check out your comparison post.

Why Search Engines Value CTAs

Search engines like Google measure user signals such as:

Time spent on page.
Click-through rate.
Internal link engagement.
Bounce rate.

When readers interact with your CTAs (click a link, read another post, leave a comment), it sends a positive signal. This shows Google that users find your content helpful and engaging, something it values when deciding rankings.

In other words, a CTA not only improves user experience, but it also helps your SEO performance.

Once your post is clean, well-structured, and includes smart CTAs, you’re ready to add internal and external links for your post.

Step 10: Add Internal and External Links

Once your blog post is written and edited, the next important step is to add both internal and external links. This is more than just hyperlinking words. It plays a key role in SEO, user experience, and Google’s ability to crawl and index your site properly.

What Are Internal Links?

Internal links are links that point to other pages or posts within your own website.

Why use them?

They help guide readers to related or helpful content.
They keep users on your site longer by showing them more relevant information.
They help Google understand the structure of your website and how your content connects.
They distribute link value (also known as “link juice”) across your blog, boosting SEO for multiple posts.

Example:

If your article is about “how to write SEO-friendly blog posts,” you can internally link to other posts like:

“Best Free Keyword Research Tools”.
“How to Improve On-Page SEO in 2025”.

These links support your main topic and guide readers deeper into your content.

What Are External Links?

External links are links that point to reliable sources outside of your own site.

Why use them?

They back up your claims with credible data or references.
They build trust with both users and search engines.
They show Google that you’re providing value by citing authoritative sources.
They help you avoid creating “thin” content that lacks supporting evidence.

Example:

If you’re recommending a keyword research tool, link to the official website (like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or Google Trends).

Make sure to:

Only link to relevant, trustworthy sites.
Avoid linking to low-quality or unrelated pages.
Use descriptive anchor text (don’t just say “click here”).

How Links Help Google Crawl Your Site

When Google crawls your content, it follows all the links in your post, both internal and external.

Internal links help Google discover and index more pages on your site.
External links help Google verify your content’s context and authority.
A well-linked article helps Google understand your site’s topic clusters, which improves how your content is ranked.

Think of links as road signs for both your readers and search engines, they guide the way and provide structure.

Important Tips:

Add internal links naturally where it makes sense in your post.
Use external links to support claims, offer tools, or cite data.
Review each link to ensure it opens correctly and adds value.

Once your internal and external links are in place, your article is nearly complete. The next step is to submit it to search engines and keep it updated over time.

Step 11: Publish and Tell Search Engines

After finalizing your content, optimizing it for SEO, and adding all the necessary elements, it’s time to publish your blog post. But hitting “publish” isn’t the final step. You also need to let search engines know that your new content exists.

This is how your post gets crawled, indexed, and ranked on search engine result pages (SERPs).

i. Publish the Post on Your Website

Before moving to submission, do a final check:

Does the post display correctly on desktop and mobile?
Are all links, images, and formatting working properly?
Is the slug clean and keyword-focused?
Have you included your meta title and meta description?

Once everything looks good, hit publish.

ii. Submit to Google and Bing

Even though search engines will eventually find your content, submitting it manually helps speed up the process and improves your chances of indexing faster.

Here’s how to do it:

Google Search Console:

Go to Google Search Console.
Paste the full URL of your new blog post into the URL inspection tool.
Click “Request Indexing”.

This tells Google to crawl the page sooner, rather than waiting for it to be discovered automatically.

Bing Webmaster Tools:

Go to Bing Webmaster Tools.
Use the URL submission tool.
Submit the new blog post URL.

Bing, like Google, benefits from knowing about your content directly.

3. Use a Sitemap (Optional but Recommended)

If you publish regularly, set up a sitemap that updates automatically and submit it to search engines once. Your CMS or SEO plugin (like Rank Math or Yoast) usually handles this.

Make sure:

Your sitemap includes the new blog post.
It’s linked in Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

This ensures that all your content, not just a single post, gets indexed properly and quickly.

Why This Step Matters

Search engines rely on crawling to discover new content. If they don’t find your post:

It won’t appear in search results.
You’ll miss out on traffic, engagement, and ranking opportunities.

Submitting your URL manually helps Google and Bing:

Discover your new content faster.
Prioritize it for crawling and indexing.
Rank it more accurately within relevant queries.

Once your post is published and submitted, you’re officially live and visible to the world. But your work doesn’t end here. You should keep your content updated and consider promoting it to build authority.

Step 12: Update and Improve Posts Regularly

Publishing your blog post is just the beginning. To stay competitive in search results and keep your readers engaged, you need to revisit and refresh your content regularly. Search engines prefer updated and accurate content, and so do your readers.

Why Updating Content Matters

Search engines like Google value freshness. If your post becomes outdated or lacks recent information:

It can lose rankings.
Users may bounce quickly, affecting engagement metrics.
Your site may appear less trustworthy or inactive.

By updating your content, you send a signal to search engines that your website is active and committed to providing value.

What to Update in an Existing Blog Post

Here are a few key areas to focus on when refreshing your old posts:

Add new statistics or data: Replace outdated figures with current ones from trusted sources.
Fix broken or outdated links: Check both internal and external links to make sure they still work and are relevant.
Add internal links to newer content: If you’ve published new posts related to the topic, link them within the older post.
Include new tools, examples, or steps: SEO strategies and tools evolve. Make sure your post reflects current best practices.
Rework your introduction or CTA: Small tweaks can make your post more engaging and conversion-friendly.
Update images, screenshots, or charts: Outdated visuals can mislead readers or reduce credibility.
Reoptimize your meta description and headings: Align them with new keywords or search intent changes.

How Often Should You Update?

There’s no fixed rule, but here’s a general guideline:

High-performing content: Review every 3 to 6 months.
Evergreen or pillar content: Review every 6 to 12 months.
Time-sensitive or trend-based content: Update as needed.

Set reminders or use a content calendar to track update cycles.

How It Helps SEO

When you update a blog post:

Google may crawl and re-index it faster.
Your post can regain or improve its ranking position.
Readers are more likely to stay, engage, and share.

Search engines aim to serve users the most relevant and up-to-date content. Keeping your posts fresh gives you a competitive edge.

After updating, don’t forget to resubmit the URL in Google Search Console. This encourages Google to crawl the changes faster.

Additional Actions You Could Take to Boost Reach and SEO

Once your blog post is published, optimized, and submitted to search engines, there are still a few more steps you can take to increase its visibility, build authority, and drive more traffic.

These actions aren’t mandatory, but they can make a big difference in how your content performs over time.

1. Share on Social Media Platforms

Distribute your blog post across platforms where your target audience is active. Examples include:

Pinterest (great for visual content and tutorials).
LinkedIn (if your content is professional or B2B).
Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram (for general awareness and shares).
Reddit or niche-specific forums (if your post solves a direct problem).

Tip: Use relevant hashtags, short captions, and eye-catching graphics when posting.

2. Ask for Backlinks from Niche-Relevant Sites

Backlinks are a strong ranking signal in Google’s algorithm. Try to:

Reach out to other bloggers in your niche.
Offer to guest post and include a link back to your article.
Submit your post to relevant directories or roundup articles.

A few high-quality backlinks can significantly boost your page authority and search visibility.

3. Create a Short YouTube Video Related to a Subtopic

Take a small section or subheading from your blog post and turn it into a 3–10 minute video.

Then:

Upload it to YouTube with a matching keyword title and description.
Embed it within your blog post where it fits naturally.

This approach has multiple benefits:

You increase your reach via YouTube search.
The video may appear in Google SERP video suggestions.
If a user clicks the embedded video, they remain on your site, improving engagement time.
You get both YouTube views and blog readers from one piece of content.

This method is a powerful way to combine written and video content, enhancing both visibility and reader interaction.

4. Repurpose the Blog Post into Other Formats

To make the most of your effort, turn the blog post into:

A carousel post for LinkedIn or Instagram.
An infographic or chart to share on Pinterest.
A slide deck for SlideShare.
A short email newsletter or weekly roundup post.

Repurposing content helps you reach different audience segments while reinforcing your message.

5. Add the Post to a Content Series or Email Funnel

If this post is part of a larger topic or series, include it in:

An email onboarding or nurture sequence.
A linked resource hub on your website.
A downloadable PDF guide.

This helps users dive deeper into related content and gives your blog more structured value.

Taking these extra steps can extend the life and reach of your blog post far beyond the initial publish date. Whether you’re aiming for organic growth or building a brand presence, these tactics help you stand out and strengthen your content marketing strategy.

Final Thoughts

Writing SEO-friendly blog posts may seem like a big task at first, but once you follow the steps, it becomes much easier. The main goal is to create useful content that people are already searching for. If your post helps the reader and gives clear answers, it will naturally perform well in search engines.

Start with simple topics, do proper keyword research, and build your content step by step. Make sure to add the right headings, use keywords in the right places, and keep your writing easy to read. Also, remember to update your old posts from time to time so they stay fresh and useful.

Keep learning, keep improving, and your blog will grow over time. The more helpful your content is, the more people will find and trust your website.

Key Takeaways

SEO helps your blog get found – Writing with SEO in mind increases visibility and brings more organic traffic from search engines.
Choose topics your audience actually searches for – Don’t just write what you want; write what solves real problems for your readers.
Do keyword research before writing – Use free or paid tools to find low-competition keywords with good search volume.
Use a content silo structure – Organize your blog around a main topic and build supporting posts underneath to strengthen SEO.
Start writing from the bottom of the silo – Target easier, low-volume keywords first to build momentum before going after harder terms.
Plan your blog post with a clear structure – Include a strong title, introduction, table of contents, key points, subheadings, and a conclusion.
Make your content readable – Use short paragraphs, clear headings, lists, and plain language to keep readers engaged.
Add keywords naturally – Place your main and related keywords in the title, headings, and content without overdoing it.
Include alt text, internal links, and a good meta description – These elements help search engines understand and rank your content better.
Keep your posts updated over time – Regularly refresh content, fix outdated links, and improve posts based on new insights.

FAQs

What keywords should I use in my blog post?

Use keywords that are relevant to your topic and have good search volume. Incorporate both primary and long-tail keywords naturally throughout your content, especially in headings and the first paragraph.

How long should an SEO blog post be?

There is no fixed length, but SEO friendly blog posts typically range from 1,000 to 2,500 words, but can go up to 6000 words, depending on the topic and competition. The key is to cover the subject comprehensively and provide value to the reader.

How to Write SEO Friendly Blog Posts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Jennifer Wilcox

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