12 Quick SEO tips to improve your existing website content
When you are writing an article, you want to ensure that it is read. Therefore whether you like it or not thinking about SEO is important. In this article, we present a step-by-step guide to improve your article. Going through the importance of competitor analysis, keywords, internal linking and an introduction and summary both readers and search engines will like to read and process.
1. Find keywords your article can rank for
Choosing the right keywords is crucial for SEO. A well-optimized keyword strategy improves rankings and visibility.
- Use Google Search Console to find keywords your article already ranks for.
- Check Google Ads Keyword Planner for high-traffic, relevant keywords.
- Analyze top-ranking pages to identify important keywords and topics.
- Use SEO tools like SurferSEO and SEMrush for additional keyword ideas if you want to.
- Explore “People also searched for” on Google to find related search terms.

When you do a search of your main keyword, you can find secondary keywords in the bottom of the page.
2. Pick a primary keyword + decide on secondary keywords
Choosing the right primary and secondary keywords is crucial for ranking and structuring your content effectively. A well-optimized keyword strategy ensures better visibility and readability.
- Select a primary keyword that best represents the article’s focus.
- Identify secondary or related keywords that support the main topic.
- Decide if secondary keywords should be included in the same article or covered in a separate post.
- Optimize the article title based on the primary keyword and plan future articles for related topics.
Common problems when choosing keywords
One common issue is finding keywords that are nearly identical to your primary keyword. For example, if your target keyword is “jumping rope workout”, you may also find that “jumping rope exercise” has a similar search volume.
To handle this:
- Prioritize the keyword with the highest search volume.
- Mention the alternative keyword a few times naturally, but keep the focus on the primary keyword.
- Avoid keyword stuffing, this keeps the article readable and SEO-friendly.
- If multiple similar keywords exist, ensure the primary keyword appears the most to maintain clarity for search engines.
3. Structure the article with proper headings
Clear, well-structured headings improve readability and help search engines understand your content. They also make it easier for users to navigate your article.
- Use only one H1 per page.
- Follow a logical hierarchy (e.g., H1 > H2 > H2 > H3 > H2 > H3 > H4).
- Keep headings clear, concise, and easy to understand.
- Include target keywords naturally in headings.
- Analyze top 20 ranking articles to identify missing or valuable headings
- Check headers being used in articles in the top 20 ranked pages on Google and see what is missing
4. Add internal links to related articles
Internal links help search engines understand your site structure and keep readers engaged by guiding them to relevant content. Proper linking improves SEO and enhances user experience.
- Link to relevant articles that add value to the current article.
- Avoid linking to unrelated content.
- Ensure links are useful and interesting to your target audience. Explain why they should click.
- Use the target keywords of the linked articles as anchor text.
5. Analyze top 20 results & cover all key points
Your article must be as complete and relevant as possible to outrank competitors. Studying top-ranking pages ensures you don’t miss important topics or keywords.
- Review the topics covered in the top 20 ranking pages for your target keyword.
- Focus on the top 7 articles, and make sure your article addresses every key point they cover.
- Add relevant headers to structure these topics clearly.
- Analyze pages ranking 8-20 for additional insights and unique angles.
- Identify commonly used terms and phrases in competing articles and incorporate them naturally.
6. Make your article more comprehensive than the top 7
To rank higher, your article must be more valuable than the competition. A comprehensive, well-structured article increases the chances of ranking above the top results.
- Compare your article to the top 7 ranking pages for your target keyword.
- Identify missing information or weak points in those articles and improve upon them.
- Add unique insights, data, or examples to provide extra value.
- Ensure your article is better organized, easier to read, and more engaging.
- Use clear formatting, visuals, and interactive elements (where relevant) to enhance user experience.
- Continuously update the article to stay ahead of competitors.
7. Check image count in top 5 ranking articles
Images improve readability, user experience, and SEO. The right number of high-quality, relevant images can help your article rank higher.
- Check how many images the top 5 ranking articles use.
- Match or exceed the image count of the top 3 articles, ensuring quality and relevance.
- If top-ranking articles lack images, add well-placed visuals to break up large text blocks.
- Use images strategically, more is better if they add value to the content.
- Optimize image file names and titles with primary keywords, synonyms, and secondary keywords.
- Ensure images are visually appealing and relevant; low-quality or irrelevant images should be avoided.
- Include infographics, tables, or unique visuals to make your article stand out from competitors.
8. Bold key information for emphasis
Strategic bolding makes key takeaways stand out, improving readability and helping readers quickly grasp important points.
- Bold only the most important information, no fluff.
- Highlight key numbers, essential tips, and critical points to remember.
- Use bolding sparingly to avoid overwhelming the reader.
- Ensure bolded text enhances clarity and doesn’t disrupt the reading flow.
9. Match top 4 articles in paragraph size & word count
Proper paragraph structure improves readability and keeps readers engaged. Matching top-ranking articles helps with SEO while ensuring your content is easy to digest.
- Analyze paragraph sizes in the top 7 ranking articles.
- Keep paragraph length similar or better while ensuring clarity.
- Ensure each paragraph contains valuable information and includes relevant keywords naturally.
- Use an average-sized paragraph for readability—avoid long blocks of text.
- Make your paragraphs clearer and easier to understand than competitors’.
10. Optimize title, meta description & keyword usage
A well-optimized title and meta description improve rankings and increase click-through rates. They should be compelling, clear, and keyword-rich to attract both search engines and users.
- Analyze competitor titles for length, structure, and effectiveness.
- Ensure the title is the right length, engaging, and relevant.
- Make the title click-worthy without being misleading—users should know what to expect.
- Craft a meta description that is concise, compelling, and easy to read.
- Naturally, include primary keywords in both the title and meta description for better SEO.
- Balance SEO optimization with readability to make the article appealing and valuable.
11. Include main keywords, topics & links in the intro
A strong introduction sets the stage for the article, helping readers and search engines understand its value. It should be clear, engaging, and optimized for SEO.
- Include primary keywords and key topics naturally.
- Clearly state what the article will cover to encourage readers to keep scrolling.
- Add 1-2 relevant internal links to show readers there’s more valuable content on your site.
- Keep it concise—no fluff, just straight-to-the-point information.
- Hook the reader immediately by addressing their question or problem.
12. Reinforce keywords, topics & links in the conclusion
A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression, reinforces key points, and guides readers to more relevant content. It should be concise, engaging, and informative.
- Summarize the most important takeaways from the article.
- Naturally, it includes primary keywords and key topics.
- Add 1-2 internal links, explaining why they are valuable and what readers will learn.
- Keep it direct, no fluff, just a clear wrap-up.
- End on a positive note by thanking the reader or reinforcing what they’ve gained.
Ranking is determined by many different factors
Search algorithms, like Google’s and Bing’s, are complex and constantly evolving. While no one fully understands all the ranking factors, one thing remains clear: there are many ranking factors, and quality and quantity matter a lot.
The steps in this guide help structure your article to benefit readers and search engines. By optimizing keywords, headings, internal links, and formatting, you make it easier for search engines to understand your content while improving the user experience. Next to this, if you want to rank better on Google, following a structured approach to make an article is key.
Search engines are also becoming more human-like. With AI advancements like Copilot, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity AI, search engines are shifting toward understanding content contextually rather than just matching keywords. This means your content should be clear, informative, and structured in a way that AI bots can scan and reference. Ensuring your website is a trusted source allows AI-driven search tools to direct users to your content for articles from an expert or to contact you.
Last point: instead of chasing loopholes, write valuable content that answers real questions. Combine SEO best practices with useful, engaging content, and over time, your rankings will improve, and people will come. If not, you can always advertise your great content, but that is for another story.