SEO Checklist for blog posts
From titles and meta descriptions to headings, internal links, and schema — this checklist covers every SEO detail for your blogs.
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Keyword & Search Intent Research
Do Keyword Research First
Find search terms your target readers use (use tools like Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner, or autocomplete). Pick one main keyword and a few related ones.
Understand Search Intent
Classify the keyword as informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational. Write your post to match what people are really looking for.
Use Keyword Variants in Subheadings
Include related terms or secondary keywords in your H2/H3 headings. This helps Google understand content depth and semantic relevance.
Use “People Also Ask” & Related Searches to Expand Content
Check Google’s “People Also Ask” boxes and related searches for subtopics your competitors may be missing. Add those sections.
Planning & Content Structure
Create a Clear, Keyword-Rich Title
Include your main keyword near the beginning of the title. Keep it under ~60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
Set a Unique Meta Description
Write a short description (~150–160 characters) that summarizes the post and includes the keyword. It encourages people to click your result.
Use a Clean URL / Slug
Make the blog post URL simple and readable (e.g. /blog-seo-checklist). Include the main keyword and avoid extra words or parameters.
Use One H1 and Structured Headings
Have one H1 (main heading), then subheadings like H2 and H3 to organize your content. Use keywords naturally in headings where relevant.
Create a Table of Contents / Jump Links
Add a clickable TOC at top for longer posts so users can navigate sections. It improves usability and signals structure to search engines.
Place the Keyword Early
Include your main keyword in the first 100 words of the post to help search engines understand your topic early.
Write In-Depth and Helpful Content
Cover the topic well. Aim to answer questions, provide examples, and include insights others may miss. Better content often ranks higher.
Use Related Keywords Naturally
Add similar words and related phrases throughout your post. It helps search engines understand your topic without overusing the same keyword.
Use Schema / Structured Data (if applicable)
If your post includes FAQs, recipes, reviews, or other structured types, add schema (JSON-LD) so search engines can show rich results.
Content Writing & On-Page Optimization
Make Content Readable & Scannable
Use short paragraphs, bullet points, lists, and whitespace. People skim — structure so key ideas stand out.
Add Media (Images, Videos, Charts)
Embed visuals to break up text and illustrate points. Media adds engagement and helps your post stand out.
Add Descriptive Alt Text to Images
Write short, meaningful alt text that describes what’s in each image. This improves accessibility and helps search engines understand visuals.
Compress and Optimize Image Files
Reduce image size before uploading to make pages load faster. Use tools or plugins and save in modern formats like WebP for better performance.
Use Rich Media (Charts, Interactive Elements, Infographics)
Add visuals or interactive content to make posts more engaging, shareable, and link-worthy. Unique formats often stand out in search.
Add Internal Links to Other Posts
Link to relevant pages or blog posts within your site using clear anchor text. This helps spread SEO value and keeps readers exploring.
Add External Links to Quality Sources
Link out to well-respected, relevant sources when you reference data or ideas. It shows you’ve done research and supports your credibility.
Add a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Tell readers what to do next: subscribe, read another article, download, or contact you. Good CTAs guide engagement.
Add an Author Bio Section
Include a short author bio at the end of each post. It builds trust, supports E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trust), and helps readers connect with your brand or writer. It also helps you rank in AI answers.
Use Tags and Categories Thoughtfully
Choose a few relevant categories/tags. Don’t over-tag — too many tags create thin archive pages or duplication issues.
Technical SEO & Performance
Ensure Page Speed and Core Web Vitals Are Strong
Test your post pages with Google PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse. Optimize images, caching, and scripts to improve LCP, INP, and CLS for better rankings and user experience.
Implement Lazy-Loading for Embedded Videos & Media
Delay loading large embedded videos, iframes, or scripts until a user scrolls near them. Helps page speed and Core Web Vitals.
Use Canonical Tags for Duplicate or Syndicated Content
If a post is republished elsewhere or has alternate formats, use to point to your preferred version to avoid duplicate content issues.
Preview & Test on Multiple Devices
Check how your post appears on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Make sure it’s readable, images align, and no layout breaks.
Add “Last Updated” Date
Show when the post was last updated to demonstrate freshness. It may boost user trust and search relevance for time-sensitive topics.
Publish & Submit to Index
After publishing, submit the URL (or sitemap) to Google via Search Console so the post gets crawled faster.
Promotion & Engagement
Encourage Social Sharing / Comments
Include share buttons or prompts. Engagement (shares, comments) can drive traffic and visibility.
Push Content Updates via Social / Newsletter
After publishing or updating, share via social media or email. Early traffic can help with signals and visibility.
Use Internal Linking to New Posts Early
When you publish a new post, link to it from high-traffic existing posts. This helps search engine discovery and spreads authority quickly.
Add Related Blog Post Cards
At the end of each article, display related or recent posts. This keeps readers on your site longer and strengthens internal linking across similar topics.
Review, Monitoring & Maintenance
Review & Proofread Carefully
Fix typos, grammar, and formatting issues. Mistakes reduce credibility. A clean post reads better and signals quality.
Monitor Performance & Revise
Track clicks, impressions, dwell time, and bounce rate via Analytics and Search Console. Update content and optimize over time.
Update Old Blog Posts Periodically
Refresh older posts with new data, new links, or fresh visuals. This helps maintain rankings and keeps content current.
Monitor Featured Snippets / SERP Changes
Search your keywords and see if featured snippets appear. If yes, see how to optimize your content to be eligible or improve your snippet copy.
Monitor Content for Plagiarism
Use tools like Copyscape or Google Alerts to check if others replicate your content. If you find plagiarism, request removal or request attribution with links.