The world of SEO blogging changes with each Google update. As a top-rated SEO agency, NisonCo knows how important it is to stay abreast of ever-evolving best blogging practices to boost your blog’s visibility and search engine ranking. Read on for our top SEO blogging tips in 2024.
Best SEO Practices for Headers, Table of Contents and Lists
Which Headers Go in the Blog Body in 2024?
Header tags should be interesting and not overly spammy. H1 tags should encapsulate the main theme of the content and act as the title. H2 and H3s are best used as subheadings, while H4 and H5 tags provide further structure. However, H5 and H6 tags are rarely used in blog content.
Are Lists and Tables of Contents Good for Blog SEO?
Internal organizational elements such as tables of contents and lists — bulleted or numbered — are important because they present well-organized content to the reader. Tables of content make long-form posts easier to navigate, which improves user experience. Similarly, bulleted or numbered lists can help readers quickly find the information they are searching for when skimming.
Blog Links, Keywords and Emojis SEO Best Practices in 2024
Internal Links Keep Clicks on Your Website
While there is no limit to how many links Google can crawl, they recommend using a “reasonable amount,” which they define as less than 100 internal links. Too many internal links dilute the authority of the pages you’re linking to, can hinder user experience, and make the page look spammy.
As a general rule, include 5-10 internal links for every 2,000 words. Most links should be “deep internal links” such as expertise blogs, rather than the homepage or other surface-level navigation pages.
External Links Refer to Sources Outside Your Site
You can’t have too many external links as long as they are relevant and trustworthy. However, For external links, follow the general rule of 3-5 external links for every 500-1,000 words.
Top Tips for Internal and External Link SEO in 2024:
- – All links should open to a new tab so readers can find their original page easily
- – Spread links throughout the piece where they make sense
- – Text links more effective than image links
- – Anchor text that is a “partial match” is most readable
- – Link keywords, but don’t exclusively link exact keywords
- – Don’t over-optimize links, and make sure the anchor text sounds natural
What is the Ideal Keyword and Phrase Density for Blogs in 2024?
Writers should aim to use one to four keywords or phrases in total. Keyword density should be approximately 0.5-2% of the text. Keywords don’t have to be exact matches anymore, and too many exact matches can actually hurt your ranking. Exact matching is most important with long-tail keywords, but it’s still best not to overdo it.
Searching for variants using the “related searches” feature on Google can help keep the density percentage in the preferred range. There are tools available that can help you stay on target as well.
What Is the Impact of Special Characters and Emojis on SEO?
Will an Ampersand or Percentage Sign in a Header Impact My Blog SEO?
Is there a downside to using special characters such as “&” “%,” etc. when blog writing? Google says special characters in titles/metadata don’t impact search (and could maybe improve it), but it’s still best practice to avoid special characters in URLs.
Which Emojis and Special Characters Are Best for Optimization in 2024?
Regarding emojis and symbols, it’s clear that some are far more successful than others. Your SEO won’t suffer from using emojis or symbols, but it’s best to use them strategically since they’re not all created equal. The right arrow, various check marks and the right triangle are some of the best-performing symbols, with this version of the check mark “✓” being the top-performing emoji.
Finishing Touches: Meta Data and Post Frequency
Meta Data Best Practices for Bloggers in 2024
When writing meta descriptions, use the entire 150 characters. Include the brand name and a primary keyword, target a specific geographical region, and include a call to action in the meta description for best results. Google encourages unique, informative titles that aren’t keyword-stuffed and rewards content written for people, not bots.
It’s essential to clearly address and incorporate the type of search intent (e.g., informational, transactional, navigational, commercial) to entice web users to become website visitors. If writing in a crowded space, a title and meta description with emotional weight are great ways to increase the CTR and be competitive.
How Often Should You Post Blogs for the Best Results on Business Sites?
The ideal posting volume for companies is two to four times a week. However, consistent, high-quality content takes precedence over any set frequency. It’s crucial to create a schedule that you can stick to, even if it’s only once a month.
The 5 Most Important SEO Blogging Tips in 2024
To summarize:
- Use relevant keywords naturally: Aim for 1-4 keywords or phrases with a 0.5-2% density. Don’t overuse exact matches and focus on long-tail variations.
- Optimize internal linking: Include 5-10 internal links per 2,000 words, focusing on “deep internal links” like expertise blogs. All links should open in new tabs.
- Structure content with headers and lists: H1 for the title, H2/H3 for subheadings, and H4/H5 for further structure. Use bulleted/numbered lists for long-form posts.
- Craft unique and informative meta descriptions: Utilize all 150 characters, including brand name, primary keyword, target region, and a call to action.
- Post consistently, even if it’s just once a month: Aim for 2-4 posts per week for businesses, but prioritize high-quality content over frequency.
Need help figuring out where to begin? NisonCo’s experienced team of SEO-trained content specialists is ready to help your blog stand out from the crowd. Learn more about our award-winning services here.
