Looking for the ideal SEO checklist for blog posts?
You’re at the right place!
In this article, we will talk about things to do before hitting that publish button that will help you optimize your content to rank better, and get more traffic & sales.
Let’s get started!
1. Create a clear and simple permalink structure
Google can show your permalink/ URL in the SERP like this:
If you’re not optimizing your permalink, it can create a bad user experience and confuse Google about the page’s context and relevance.
- Make your URL short, clear, and descriptive
- If needed, add localized keywords in the URL
- Try to use your target keyword in the URL in a meaningful way
- Use hyphens (-), not underscore (_)
- Try not to use Year or numbers in the URL
- Avoid using unnecessary words or characters in the URL
2. Optimize Your Meta Data For CTR and SEO
Metadata (page title and meta description) is the first thing a user will notice about your brand in the SERP.
- Use your focus keyword in the title and description meaningfully
- Avoid clickbait or exaggerated titles
- Include power words like “complete guide”, “step-by-step”
- Keep your page title and meta description under 580 px and 920 px respectively
3. Include related internal links
Internal linking helps search engines discover your other articles and pass the page rank from high authority pages to new and important pages.
- Use Google search operators to find internal linking opportunities
- Link from pages with high-quality backlinks
4. Cite trustworthy references
Linking to external sources helps build credibility and trust with your audience and search engines.
- Link to companies, expert bios, or data sources
- Use descriptive text when linking
- Check for broken or spammy links
- Cloak long affiliate URLs with clean, branded ones
5. Optimize for On-page SEO
On-page SEO is in your full control. You can:
- Optimize for your primary keyword
- Match search intent
- Improve dwell time and internal linking
- Use proper headings, subheadings, and paragraph structure
6. Include a Table of Contents
Table of Contents improves readability and can boost CTR via sitelinks in SERPs.
- Allows users to jump to important sections quickly
- Helps with Google rich results
7. Create a featured image
Use eye-catching, optimized featured images for branding and engagement.
- Size should be at least 1200px wide
- Compress images for better loading
8. Optimize your images
Images can drive SEO traffic from Google Image search if optimized properly.
- Add alt text and image titles
- Use brand-consistent graphics
- Compress images for speed
9. Create a compelling author bio
Build trust and credibility with a well-written bio.
- Include credentials, social links, and a headshot
- Use structured data for the author name and profile
10. Add schema markup
Use structured data to help Google understand your page better and enable rich results.
- Article schema, FAQ schema, Author schema, etc.
- Validate your code with Google’s rich results tool
11. Add quotes from experts
Quotes make your content more authoritative and boost social sharing and backlinks.
- Reach out to experts with a personalized email
- Credit them properly and link back
12. Add Multimedia
Include infographics, embedded videos, and social media posts to enhance user experience.
- Increases engagement and dwell time
13. Add Charts and graphs
Make your data visual and easier to digest.
- Use custom visuals for uniqueness and backlinks
- Support data claims with visuals from trusted sources
14. Proofread your article and make final edits
- Use Grammarly or similar tools to spot errors
- Read with fresh eyes or ask someone else to review
- Check for plagiarism or overuse of AI-generated content
Structure your content properly using H2s and H3s. Make intros/conclusions short and impactful.
15. Optimize your posts for social shares
- Include share buttons
- Create social media graphics
- Use Open Graph and Twitter card metadata
16. Hit the publish button
After final checks, go live! Promote your article via:
- Social media
- Email newsletters
- Communities and groups
Conclusion: SEO Checklist for Blog Posts 2024
I hope you liked our article. I will update the article with a free printable version of this checklist very soon.
If you have any doubts about blog SEO or your content strategy, feel free to get in touch.
Note: This article may contain referral links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
