People often want to see their content visible on the first page of Google and other search engines or even dominate the web for a long period.
The truth is that most of the time they don't often get what they want - frustrated and overwhelmed, they ask; what they are not doing right...
On the other hand, they see some old-written blog articles still rank higher - for instance - Wikipedia articles.
You might conclude that the reason Wikipedia items are being ranked higher is because it is an encyclopedia or it has been on the game for a long time.
Yes, you are right somehow but don't forget that Google doesn't rank articles because it's coming from a big website - but because they are people-first content.
The truth: Achieving consistent top rankings on Google searches requires a diverse approach.
This means that you have to adjust your content the way Google crawler and users can understand it. But how?
This guide delves into crucial strategies like crafting compelling titles, establishing enduring permalinks, and creating long-lasting content that prioritizes both user needs and search engine relevance.
I am gonna explain each of these in a step-by-step order of how posts are written
So let's get started.
1. Use a long-term title
Blog titles are the first thing people see when searching. They are the first impressions that would determine if users can learn more about your page. This implies that it should be written well to capture their interest at the same time fall in line with what search engines would like to see.
Over time, some titles may seem to be outdated but a long-term title never dies. What then is a long-term title?
In short, a long-term title is a type that never goes dead or vanishes on search but rather is consistent no matter how old it is.
Take a look at the screenshot below
Many of you who are learning SEO guides may have seen it - it is a title written for an SEO starter guide by Google
The idea of the image above is to help you understand how long that blog title was written - more than a decade ago. Though the blog content has been modified many times the title has not been changed
The truth is that the title is not just there because is from the Google website but rather, it adheres to a standard way of writing content titles.
What can you learn from it? Let see.
How to write a long-term title for your blog
1. Make it under 60 to 70 characters: all title types are recommended to fall within this length. While a longer title is not bad, an average or medium-sized headline will do better. The reasons are as follows:
- Search engines truncate titles of more than 70 characters: Google only displays a title full-on snippet when it is within seventy character
- Click-through rate:Users tend to click on the title that shows in full on the search
2. Focus on evergreen topics: Instead of referencing current trends, target topics with lasting interest to your audience. For example, Delicious and Healthy Salad Recipes for Every Season will be more relevant over time than The 5 Hottest Summer Salads of 2024. The reason is that after the summer of 2024, the second will be outdated while the first will still be relevant because it does not focus on a particular season but on all.
If you plan to use a date in your title, remember to update it to the current date to avoid being irrelevant to people and search engines.
3. Use strong keywords: Consider including keywords that people might search for related to your topic. This will help your post get discovered organically through search engines over time. Keyword tools can help to find such words that the audience might search for over time.
2. Write people first content
People-first content is one that comprehensively addresses the needs of users instead of manipulating search ranking by stuffing keywords all over the writeup. This type of post takes the interest of people at heart. It explains the ins and outs of the topic being discussed while keeping to the quality standard
Let's say you want to write a blog post on how to choose a good Hiking Backpack for your needs, instead of just explaining only the means of hiking backpack and their list, People First Content would offer a guide that helps readers consider their hiking style, capacity needs, comfort preferences, and budget to choose the perfect backpack. It would include clear explanations, comparisons, and real-life examples to empower readers to make informed decisions.
Why important? Let's find out in the next section
3. Provide a hands-on experience on the topic
Google wants users to have a positive experience when they search for information. This means finding well-written, well-structured content that is easy to understand and navigate.
Content that demonstrates an understanding of the user's intent and addresses their specific needs is more likely to be seen as valuable and contribute to a positive user experience.
In its
E-E-A-T framework, Google makes it clear that its system gives more attention to content that demonstrates hands-on experience and trust.
Effective writing hinges on understanding your subject matter. Whether you possess personal experience or delve into thorough research, grasping the topic ensures informed and accurate writing. While venturing into new areas is encouraged, prior knowledge or exploration becomes crucial to demonstrate your expertise and instill trust in your reader.
4. Speak with authority
To make people and search engines trust your content, you need to convince them. communicating your knowledge in a way that informs, engages, and builds trust with your readers will help them recognize your authority. The following can't help you to achieve that:
- Use active voice: Writing in active voice strengthens your writing and makes it more engaging. Instead of saying "The results were analyzed," say "We analyzed the results. Use pronouns like " I", "we", and "us".
- Use a confident tone: While remaining humble, project confidence in your knowledge and writing. Express your ideas with conviction and avoid phrases like "I think" or "maybe" unless presenting an opinion or analyzing possibilities.
- Use specific instances and anecdotes: Illustrate your points with concrete examples, stories, or case studies that resonate with your readers. This helps them connect with your information on a deeper level and understand your expertise
5. Link to a reputable source
Search engines like Google follow links in your content to validate the information you are passing to your audience.
When you share information, it's like telling a story. Just like you might trust a friend who knows their stuff, search engines trust information that comes from reliable sources. So, if you're talking about something important, like a fact or a number, it's good to show where you got it from. Think of it like adding a footnote in a school paper. It helps people know you're not just making stuff up!
For example, if you're talking about how many people use social media, you could link to a study or a report that shows where that information came from. Or, if you're explaining a tricky topic, like how vaccines work, you could link to a simple explanation from a trusted website.
Using reliable sources not only makes you look more trustworthy but also helps people understand things better.
If there is any need to support your proof with content from a trusted site like an encyclopedia, do it.
6. Avoid using dates in your permalink( URL )
While dates are not bad for some content like news articles, it is not recommended to be added to a permalink of a blog post that would last for years. Here are some reasons:
Reduced timelessness: Dates make the content appear less relevant over time, potentially discouraging readers from accessing it even if the information remains valuable.
For example, if I have a post about how to start in 2024, I'll not include 2024 because If I do after 2024 the URL would look outdated.
When you don't include the specific date, it will be easier for you to update only the content while the permalink remains relevant.
SEO considerations: While not a direct ranking factor, dated URLs can lead to duplicate content issues if the content is updated. This can confuse search engines and potentially harm your website's SEO performance.
Many CMS platforms like Blogger and WordPress automatically generate URLs from your title. Make sure you verify the post permalink before you publish the post otherwise, you might not be able to adjust it unless you want to republish it.
The fact is clear: good content (not just good, but long-term) can still dominate the search no matter how old it was written.
Ideally, not every content can stay on top of search results forever. Some are made to be there for a sometimes (i.e. news, celebrities, advertisements, and Event-specific content, etc) while others can stay on it as they exist on search engines (i.e. how-to, Listicles, tutorials, articles, etc).
Keep in mind that the type of content that I am specifically talking about are exception to news and announcement-related content.
Sometimes, limited long-term usefulness can be valuable depending on the context and audience. For instance, archived news articles can be crucial for historical research, and event-specific content might be relevant for participants who want to revisit the experience.
