This SEO checklist is 10+ yrs in the making. It has been battle-tested across hundreds of articles and various industries. Proven to work time & again.
1. Compare to the competition
Search your target keyword on Google. Read 1st page SERP content. Improve yours to be even better!
2. Use Hub & Spoke method
Don't just create blog content for the sake of it. Build Hub & Spokes w/ internal linking. Educate as much as you possibly can.
3. Optimize for keyword clusters
Don't stop at 1 target keyword. Research a keyword cluster of 3-10+. Optimize your blog content to hit on all of them.
4. 3+ external links
Link out to tools you mention. Include research studies to back up your claims. Link to terms that your reader may want to learn more about.
5. Make a killer hook
You only have 1-3 sec's to capture attention. Custom-write each first line & make it POP. Your 1st line is your hook make it matter.
6. 5+ internal links
Internal link like you mean it! Refer readers to useful content on your website. This adds value & builds authority for your site.
7. 4+ Images with alt tags
Use images to break up the text. Add an image alt tag. This helps Google understand what the image is when crawling.
8. 1 captivating featured image
Don't forget a featured image for the blog. Something that catches the eye and speaks to the content of the blog. Use Unsplash.com
9. Add an infographic
At the top, include an infographic. People love visual aids. Infographics bring your content to life in a fun way.
10. Simple, short permalink
Make your permalink your target keyword. The simpler, the better!
11. Complementary video
Go to Youtube and find a highly reviewed video on the blog topic. Embed it into your blog. Makes the experience better for your readers.
12. Metadata & description
Research what's winning on Google 1st page. Optimize your content to be even better. Preview & make sure it's up to par!
13. Optimize for mobile
Review the blog on mobile and tablet. Fix any inconsistencies and bad UX. 50%+ view on mobile..don't forget them.
14. Use H1s, H2s, H3s, and H4s
Create a proper outline for each blog. Use H2s, H3s, and H4s to show topics & subtopics. This makes it easier for the reader to skim & browse.
15. Write to 1 specific reader
Know who your ideal reader is while writing. Speak directly to them & don't vary from it. Speak to their problems & desires.
16. Add FAQ for PAA rankings
Use AlsoAsked to find FAQs to add in your blog. Answer the FAQs in depth. Add this to every single blog article.
17. Target featured snippets
Search the keyword on Google & look for featured Snippets. See what's winning. Recreate it in your blog to try to win as well.
18. Insert personal stories
In the world of AI, personal stories reign supreme. Share your own experiences and lessons learned. Make it personal!
19. Check for plagiarism
Throw your blog content into a plagiarism checker. Easy to do & super important. Should only take 1-2 mins.
20. Optimize for User Intent over Word Count
Forget rigid word counts. Google ranks content that comprehensively answers the user's query. Look at top-performing competitors as a baseline, but focus on eliminating fluff and covering the topic deeply.
21. Proper spacing for readability
No one wants chunky paragraphs. Limit paragraphs to 3 lines. Add spaces between all paragraphs and text. Make it readable.
22. Simplify & remove long sentences
Most times, you can use less words. While editing, simplify & make your content shorter. Be clear and concise!
23. Add exit intent offer
Turn your readers into leads for your biz. Add a high value offer w/ an exit intent pop up. Helps them & will help you as well. Win - win.
24. Lead magnet offer
Using a side menu, offer a relevant & high-value lead magnet. Again, helps them & you. Put it throughout the blog as well.
25. Include "About Company" at end
Lastly, put an "About" section at the very end. Short 2-3 sentences about your business. Great way to build awareness w/ readers.
Bonus #1: Run old blogs through this checklist & optimize them for further reach & rankings.
Bonus #2: Train an Editor to run through this checklist w/ each blog before it's published.
1. Compare to the competition
Search your target keyword on Google. Read 1st page SERP content. Improve yours to be even better!
2. Use Hub & Spoke method
Don't just create blog content for the sake of it. Build Hub & Spokes w/ internal linking. Educate as much as you possibly can.
3. Optimize for keyword clusters
Don't stop at 1 target keyword. Research a keyword cluster of 3-10+. Optimize your blog content to hit on all of them.
4. 3+ external links
Link out to tools you mention. Include research studies to back up your claims. Link to terms that your reader may want to learn more about.
5. Make a killer hook
You only have 1-3 sec's to capture attention. Custom-write each first line & make it POP. Your 1st line is your hook make it matter.
6. 5+ internal links
Internal link like you mean it! Refer readers to useful content on your website. This adds value & builds authority for your site.
7. 4+ Images with alt tags
Use images to break up the text. Add an image alt tag. This helps Google understand what the image is when crawling.
8. 1 captivating featured image
Don't forget a featured image for the blog. Something that catches the eye and speaks to the content of the blog. Use Unsplash.com
9. Add an infographic
At the top, include an infographic. People love visual aids. Infographics bring your content to life in a fun way.
10. Simple, short permalink
Make your permalink your target keyword. The simpler, the better!
11. Complementary video
Go to Youtube and find a highly reviewed video on the blog topic. Embed it into your blog. Makes the experience better for your readers.
12. Metadata & description
Research what's winning on Google 1st page. Optimize your content to be even better. Preview & make sure it's up to par!
13. Optimize for mobile
Review the blog on mobile and tablet. Fix any inconsistencies and bad UX. 50%+ view on mobile..don't forget them.
14. Use H1s, H2s, H3s, and H4s
Create a proper outline for each blog. Use H2s, H3s, and H4s to show topics & subtopics. This makes it easier for the reader to skim & browse.
15. Write to 1 specific reader
Know who your ideal reader is while writing. Speak directly to them & don't vary from it. Speak to their problems & desires.
16. Add FAQ for PAA rankings
Use AlsoAsked to find FAQs to add in your blog. Answer the FAQs in depth. Add this to every single blog article.
17. Target featured snippets
Search the keyword on Google & look for featured Snippets. See what's winning. Recreate it in your blog to try to win as well.
18. Insert personal stories
In the world of AI, personal stories reign supreme. Share your own experiences and lessons learned. Make it personal!
19. Check for plagiarism
Throw your blog content into a plagiarism checker. Easy to do & super important. Should only take 1-2 mins.
20. Optimize for User Intent over Word Count
Forget rigid word counts. Google ranks content that comprehensively answers the user's query. Look at top-performing competitors as a baseline, but focus on eliminating fluff and covering the topic deeply.
21. Proper spacing for readability
No one wants chunky paragraphs. Limit paragraphs to 3 lines. Add spaces between all paragraphs and text. Make it readable.
22. Simplify & remove long sentences
Most times, you can use less words. While editing, simplify & make your content shorter. Be clear and concise!
23. Add exit intent offer
Turn your readers into leads for your biz. Add a high value offer w/ an exit intent pop up. Helps them & will help you as well. Win - win.
24. Lead magnet offer
Using a side menu, offer a relevant & high-value lead magnet. Again, helps them & you. Put it throughout the blog as well.
25. Include "About Company" at end
Lastly, put an "About" section at the very end. Short 2-3 sentences about your business. Great way to build awareness w/ readers.
Bonus #1: Run old blogs through this checklist & optimize them for further reach & rankings.
Bonus #2: Train an Editor to run through this checklist w/ each blog before it's published.
