SEO Writing Guidelines

The anatomy of a perfect SEO blog post: After analyzing 1,000+ top-ranking articles, here's the exact formula: 🎣 The Hook (First 100 words) Start with a surprising statistic or bold statement Promise specific value ("Here's the exact process...") Address the reader's pain point immediately Include your target keyword naturally 📋 Content Structure (H2/H3 Hierarchy) H1: Primary keyword + compelling angle H2s: Subtopics covering search intent completely H3s: Detailed breakdowns and examples Use numbered lists and bullet points for scannability 🔍 SEO Optimization Checklist ✅ Target keyword in first 100 words ✅ LSI keywords throughout content ✅ Meta description 150-160 characters ✅ Title tag 50-60 characters ✅ URL slug short and descriptive ✅ Alt text for all images ✅ Internal links to 3-5 relevant pages ✅ Schema markup for rich snippets 📊 User Experience Elements Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max) Subheadings every 200-300 words Visual breaks (images, videos, infographics) Fast loading speed (<3 seconds) Mobile-optimized design Clear call-to-action 📝 Content Depth Requirements 2,000+ words for competitive keywords Cover topic comprehensively Answer all related questions Include expert quotes and citations Provide actionable takeaways Add unique insights or data 🔗 Authority Building Author bio with credentials Link to authoritative sources Include original research or data Showcase relevant experience Add social proof (testimonials, case studies) 📈 Performance Optimization Optimize for featured snippets Target "People Also Ask" questions Include FAQ section Add table of contents for long content Optimize for voice search queries Real Example: Our article "Complete SEO Guide for SaaS" follows this formula: 🎯 4,200 words comprehensive coverage 🎯 23 actionable tips with examples 🎯 12 internal links to related content 🎯 3 original case studies 🎯 Featured snippet optimization Results: #1 ranking for "SaaS SEO" (3,600 monthly searches) Content Promotion Strategy: Share on LinkedIn with engaging hook Email to newsletter subscribers Post in relevant communities Reach out to mentioned experts Create social media snippets Repurpose into other formats Common Mistakes to Avoid: ❌ Keyword stuffing (keep density under 2%) ❌ Ignoring search intent ❌ Poor internal linking ❌ No clear value proposition ❌ Weak introduction ❌ No call-to-action Pro Tip: Write for humans first, optimize for search engines second. Google rewards content that genuinely helps users. What's your blog post writing process?

Most SEO content reads like a high school research paper - people just regurgitate what is already said in the Google search results. Let's look at how to create content that actually helps readers while still ranking well. (full video sharing examples in the comments) I'm going to share the contrast between "basic SEO content" and high-quality writing by contrasting two SEO articles we found in the SERP focused on targeting the keyword "omnichannel reporting." Basic SEO content: "Omnichannel reporting is essential in today's digital landscape where businesses need a 360-degree view of customer interactions across multiple touchpoints" Just empty words that say nothing specific. Better version: "To do omnichannel reporting right, you need to standardize data across channels. Example: Amazon shows pageviews while GA tracks users - you need to align these metrics to compare performance" Basic SEO content fills space with jargon: "Prevent data silos by implementing a holistic approach to reveal customer behavior and interactions across channels" What does this actually mean? 🤔 Better version: "Most companies store Shopify data separately from Amazon sales. This makes it impossible to see total product performance across all sales channels without manual spreadsheet work" Basic content relies on generic stats: "87% of businesses say omnichannel is important" Better content explains specific problems: "If you have multiple Shopify stores, you can't aggregate their data in one dashboard" Basic content tells readers obvious things: "First, identify the metrics relevant to your business" Better content assumes readers know basics and dives into unique insights from real experts. Basic content avoids mentioning products. Better content shows specifically how your product solves problems: "Our tool automatically standardizes views vs. pageviews across channels so you can compare performance" Key takeaways for how to produce better content: -Without subject matter input, writers default to basic "Google research paper" content. Use interviews to inform your writing if you're not the expert. -Use specific examples and real scenarios. -Don't be afraid to show how your product helps solve the problem.

How I optimize blog article content before publishing to ensure "perfection": Most people hit publish too soon. They write, skim once, and send it live. That's not how you get GREAT results. SEO content isn’t just well-written—it’s structured, formatted, & designed to rank. Steal my SOP and get better SEO results: 1. Keyword Optimization - Ensure primary keyword appears naturally in the title, intro, and subheadings. - Add secondary & LSI keywords where relevant. 2. Headline & Meta Data - Write a compelling SEO title (H1) w/ the primary keyword. - Optimize the meta title & description for CTR. 3. URL Structure - Keep it short, clean, and keyword-rich. - For example: website/seo-checklist 4. Header Formatting (H1, H2, H3) - Use a clear hierarchy (H1 for title, H2s for sections, H3s for subtopics). - Break content into scannable sections. 5. Internal Linking - Link at least 3-5 relevant articles on your site. - Use descriptive anchor text (not just "click here"). 6. External Links to Authority Sources - Add at least 2-3 links to high-authority sources. - Open in a new tab for better user experience. 7. Readability & Formatting - Short paragraphs (2-3 lines max). - Use bullet points & bolding to highlight key takeaways. - Add quotes, callouts, and dividers for flow. 8. Image Optimization - Use at least one image per major section. - Add descriptive alt text with keywords. - Compress images to reduce load time. 9. Mobile & UX Check - Preview the post on mobile devices. - Ensure fast load speed & easy navigation. 10. Featured Snippet Optimization - Structure answers in lists, tables, or short paragraphs. - Use FAQ sections for more visibility. 11. Call-to-Action (CTA) Placement - Guide the reader to next steps (subscribe, book a call, read another post). - Place CTAs naturally—not forced. 12. Grammar & Proofreading - Run through Grammarly & Hemingway. - Read the post out loud to catch awkward phrasing. 13. SEO Final Check - Scan with SurferSEO or Clearscope for keyword coverage. - Ensure it's not over-optimized (avoid keyword stuffing). --- What did I miss? ♻️ REPOST if you learned something new. P.S. TrioSEO has mastered this process. Not happy with your SEO? Reach out & let's chat.

Feeling stuck when it comes to writing SEO-optimized content? Let me make it easier for you. SEO is more than just keywords it’s about creating valuable content that speaks to your audience while satisfying search engines. When I started focusing on SEO, I often found myself overwhelmed by all the strategies. But here’s what worked for me—breaking it down into actionable techniques. Here are 7 proven tips I’ve learned to craft content that ranks: Focus on Long-Tail Keywords ↳ Target keywords with less competition and more intent. → They help attract the right audience. Prioritize Mobile Optimization ↳ A mobile-friendly website isn’t optional anymore—it’s mandatory. → Ensure seamless experiences for all users. Write Engaging Meta Descriptions ↳ Craft compelling summaries that drive clicks. → First impressions happen in the SERPs. Update Content Regularly ↳ Fresh, relevant content ranks higher. → Keep your pages optimized for ongoing traffic. Use Schema Markup ↳ Help search engines understand your content’s structure. → Improve visibility with rich results. Leverage Internal Linking ↳ Create a strategic content network within your site. → Boost navigation and rankings. Monitor Analytics ↳ Track and adapt based on what works. → SEO isn’t “set it and forget it.” The secret? Focus on your audience first. Search engines follow. P.S. Which tip are you implementing next? Let me know!

15 Semantic Writing Rules That Actually Rank Content After ranking for impossible keywords like "drug rehab" “SEO Audit” and training 200+ agencies, here are the semantic writing rules that genuinely work: 1. Answer First, Details Later - Example: When asked "What is SEO?", start with "SEO optimizes websites to rank higher in search engines" then expand with details. 2. Stay Under 40 Words For Key Answers - Example: Instead of a lengthy explanation about how N8N works, write "N8N creates custom knowledge bases and scrapes web data to automate marketing workflows." 3. Single Topic Focus - Example: A page about GHL should focus purely on GHL features/usage - not branch into general marketing advice or competitor comparisons. 4. Use Factual Statements Only - Example: Replace "Email marketing will help you get leads" with "Email marketing generates leads through automated sequences." 5. Match Question/Answer Structure - Example: Q: "How does GHL work?" A: "GHL works by automating email sequences, ads, landing pages and AI agents." 6. Bold Answers Not Keywords - Example: Q: What is N8N? A: N8N is a **workflow automation tool that connects APIs and creates custom solutions**. 7. Create Clear Content Hierarchy - Example: H1: N8N Guide → H2: Key Features → H3: API Integration → H4: Setup Steps 8. Include Multiple Examples - Example: Don't just mention one N8N workflow - show three different automation examples with specific use cases. 9. Define Terms On First Use - Example: "GHL (Go High Level) is a marketing automation platform that..." 10. Build Topic Relationships - Example: Link "marketing automation" to both "GHL features" and "N8N workflows" to show semantic connections. 11. Keep Sentences Short - Example: Replace "Marketing automation is a complex topic that requires understanding of multiple tools and platforms which can be challenging to learn" with "Marketing automation connects multiple tools. Each tool serves a specific purpose. Integration creates powerful workflows." 12. Use Proper HTML Lists - Example: Structure feature lists with <ul> and <li> tags rather than manual bullets. 13. Space Information Properly - Example: One core concept per paragraph. New paragraph for each new idea. 14. Write Linear Flow - Example: Start with basic GHL concepts → move to setup → then advanced features. Never jump between basic and advanced randomly. 15. Include Supporting Data - Example: Back up claims with specific numbers - "GHL automation reduced manual tasks by 47% across 200 client campaigns." Want to see how I implement these rules? Join our Skool community where I share my best strategies. Remember: These aren't theory - they come from actual ranking results.

IMPORTANT SEO Considerations! 💡1. Always check rendered output (what Google can see) Go to Google Search Console, use LIVE URL Inspection, copy the HTML on the output, go to the same page in another tab, open DEVTOOLS, edit the OPENING HTML tag and paste the rendered output there to see what Googlebot is likely to see ➤ Ensure render is complete ➤ Ensure resources for render remain ACCESSIBLE ➤ Avoid dynamic rendering where possible ➤ Remember any content loaded via an interactive class that's not preloaded is unlikely to be seen by Googlebot ➤ Use pre-render on JS driven websites 💡 2. Maintain the TIGHTEST, CLEANEST index you can this means ➤ No internal redirection ➤ Eliminate all or as much "canonicalised URLS" as possible ➤ Choose a canonical representative for "similar" content and noindex, follow anything that can't be properly differentiated ➤ Noindex, follow on pagination ➤ PushState on infinite scroll ➤ Ensure CONSISTENT internal linking (www/NON www, trailing slash etc) ➤ Ensure non standard URLS are handled with single hop redirect ➤ Consider indexability of category pages, tag pages ➤ Properly manage parameter driven URLS - reduce canonical reliance 💡 3. Focus EXPLICITLY on clearing up & improving content on your website ➤ Eliminate aged content that does nothing (0 click, low impression, no link equity, no other source traffic) ➤ Look at topical diversity and viability for your site - are you a master of something but not everything? ➤ Address content in decay, isolate decay point and attribution to what i.e. core update - segment and review content ➤ Perform NLP audits and look for content with topical gaps ➤ Consider content quality as a whole (alignment to intent, orientation, depth of information and whether its required, alignment with SERP, digestibility, GSC served query alignment, writing style & TOV, interaction points, engagement time) ➤ Update content that's aged where there has been decay and where your content may no longer be aligned with SERP or may have fallen out of scope i.e. depth, change in what users want/need ➤ Look at content internal link relationships (journey, content alignment) ➤ Look for content over optimisation or "keyword focus" - anything that looks or sounds unnatural ➤ Replace with user-first content that stays within typical SERP length limits where content is topically complete, to the point and presented in a way that is likely to yield a positive experience via behaviour ➤ Identify decaying content with a negative behaviour profile and hit that content first ➤ Eliminate cannibalisation ➤ Consolidate content of a similar nature (run a query gap overlay analysis) 💡 4. Internal Linking & User Journey ➤ Quality of internal links and relevance ➤ Internal link counts ➤ Anchor consistency & alignment to target page ➤ Link context (within content) ➤ Typical user paths (sub nav) 💡 5. Build Brand ➤ Focus on driving up brand searches ➤ Build good quality links #seo #seotips

Here's why your blog posts won’t convert: The thing is, quality content isn’t “just” well written It must be relevant and structured properly to keep readers engaged and drive conversions. Here’s my 5-step blog blueprint that has added over $1M in SEO value for my clients: 1. Use strong headers and sections Your headings should add value, not just take up space. Instead of generic labels like "Introduction" or "Conclusion," use action-driven or curiosity-based titles. Example: ❌ "SEO Tips" ✅ "5 SEO Strategies That Doubled My Traffic in 60 Days" A strong heading hooks the reader before they even read the first sentence. 2. Eliminate fluff Every word should earn its place. No long winded intros No pointless conclusions. Get to the point fast and keep every sentence sharp. ❌ “In today’s digital world, content is important because…” ✅ “Authoritative content makes money. “Value” content wastes time.” Readers don’t need a lecture, they need solutions. 3. Optimize for the right word count Long form content usually performs better on Google, but long doesn’t mean rambling. The sweet spot? Short tail keywords → Aim for 2,500+ words to compete. Long tail keywords → 1,200–1,800 words is what it takes to rank well. If the search intent demands depth, give it depth. But if a topic is simple, don’t overcomplicate it. 4. Use internal links strategically Google rewards well structured websites. Internal linking helps: Improve SEO rankings (Google sees your site as well-connected). Keep readers on your site longer (reducing bounce rate). Pass authority between pages (boosting underperforming posts). A well linked site isn't just good for Google, it makes navigation seamless for readers too. 5. Make It visually engaging Walls of text kill engagement. Break it up with: Infographics (simplify complex data). Screenshots & visuals (illustrate points clearly). Embedded videos (increase dwell time). Readers process visuals 60,000x faster than text, use that to your advantage. Ultimately, quality = relevance + usability. If your content isn’t structured to be: → Skimmable → Actionable → Optimized for intent It won’t perform, no matter how well-written it is. Write for impact, not just for word count.

The SEO lesson you already know (But might be ignoring) Remember writing essays in school? You’d start with a clear title, structure your headings logically, and make sure your content stayed on topic. If your paper was all over the place, your teacher would mark it down. Google works the same way. When ranking web pages, relevancy is crucial. If your page doesn’t clearly communicate what it’s about, search engines, and potential customers, won’t know where to place it. Here’s the breakdown: A. Title tags & meta descriptions → Like your essay title, they set the stage. B. H1s & subheadings → These are your section headers, organizing information for clarity. C. Semantic keywords → Think of them as supporting arguments, reinforcing your main topic. If your page isn't ranking, you could have a relevancy issue. Don't stress. It's fixable. You can try things like: 1. Reverse engineering the SERP. Look at top-ranking pages. What keywords are they using? How is their content structured? 2. Optimizing for intent. Are you answering the query fully, or is your page missing key details? 3. Filling the gaps. Maybe your site needs more relevant content, or maybe a technical tweak is holding you back. Google wants what users want: clear, well-organized, and relevant content. So, next time you’re optimizing a page, ask yourself: Would this get an A+ if it were an essay? If not, it’s time to revise.

The Role of SEO in Modern Copywriting: A Quick Guide Ever feel like you’re writing amazing content, but no one is reading it? That’s because great copy without SEO is like a billboard in the middle of the desert, no one sees it. The good news? You don’t need to be an SEO expert to make your copy rank higher, reach more people, and drive real results. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Write for Humans First, Algorithms Second Forget stuffing keywords like it’s 2010. Google (and your audience) care about relevance, engagement, and clarity. Focus on writing helpful, compelling content, SEO will follow. Try using conversational language, answer real questions, and make your content enjoyable to read. 2️⃣ Keywords Still Matter Think of keywords as signposts, not the destination. Google loves natural, helpful keyword placement. ✅ Place your primary keyword in the title, first 100 words, and headings. ✅ Sprinkle related keywords naturally throughout the text. ✅ Use long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to write SEO-friendly copy” instead of “SEO copywriting”). 3️⃣ Headlines & Hooks Your headline is the first (and sometimes only) thing people read. Make it irresistible. 📌 Better headline formula: ❌ Boring: “SEO Tips for Copywriters” ✅ Engaging: “Writing Copy? Here’s How SEO Can Get You More Readers (and Sales)” 4️⃣ Structuring your post Ever clicked a post and saw a massive wall of text? 😵💫 You probably hit the back button immediately. ✅ Keep paragraphs short (2-3 lines max). ✅ Use bullet points & bold text to highlight key points. ✅ Add subheadings so people can skim (because they will). 5️⃣ Links = Authority & Trust Google loves content that links to helpful resources. So do your readers. Link to high-quality external sources (Google loves credibility). Include internal links to your own content (keeps people on your site longer). Avoid spammy or broken links. 6️⃣ Optimize for Featured Snippets Ever Googled something and saw a snippet answer right at the top? That’s prime real estate. How to rank for it? Use question-based headings (e.g., “What Is SEO Copywriting?”). Answer clearly in 2-3 sentences below the heading. Use lists and tables, Google loves structured content. Bottom Line: SEO + Great Copy = WIN If your content is helpful, engaging, and structured well, SEO will work for you, not against you. #SEO #CopywritingTips

SEO Advice I Wish I Had Received 15 Years Ago When I Started... It’s so disheartening when you start a website and publish a bunch of content and crickets... Whenever you write a piece of content, it's a ghost town. Nothing. Especially when it is your own writing at play. Starting a blog can feel like publishing into the void. However, the digital landscape is ripe with opportunity for those who navigate it with savvy tactics and wise strategy. Here are simple and actionable steps that will transform your content efforts from unnoticed and underpaid to overbooked and richly rewarded: Keyword Research is God: Before you write, know what your audience is searching for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find keywords that are not only relevant but have a decent search volume with low competition. This is your foundation. But everyone does that! Embrace Topical Clusters: Don't just focus on individual keywords; build your content around topical clusters. This means creating a series of interlinked posts that cover a broader topic in depth. It helps establish your authority in a niche and improves your site's SEO structure. If you need help with topical clusters, this is by far the highest ROI thing you can do for your content plan. Dive into NLP Keywords: Natural Language Processing (NLP) is changing the game. Tools like Surfer SEO or Writer Zen analyze top-ranking content and suggest keywords that are semantically related to your primary keyword. Incorporating these can help your content resonate not just with readers but with search engines too. Optimization with SEO Tools: Using the aforementioned tools, optimize your content for both humans and search engines. This means balancing keyword usage without overstuffing, ensuring readability, and structuring your posts with proper headers, meta titles, and descriptions. Quality Content with SEO in Mind: Always prioritize creating valuable and engaging content for your readers. Use your keyword and NLP research to guide the structure and focus of your posts, but remember, the goal is to inform, entertain, or solve a problem for your audience. Track Your Progress: Implement tracking from day one. Google Analytics and Google Search Console are indispensable tools for monitoring which content performs well and understanding your audience's behavior. The journey from a ghost town to a hub of engagement and traffic is a process, but with the right strategies, it's inevitable. Approach your blogging with a fine mix of creativity, SEO, and patience. Remember, every successful content business started exactly where you are now. Keep pushing forward, stay consistent, and the results will follow.