Optimizing Existing Content for Better SEO: Best Practices
Creating fresh, valuable content is vital for SEO success. But you also need to optimize the content you already have published. Keeping your existing articles, blog posts, guides, and other content updated improves both user experience and search performance.
Here are the best practices for revitalizing existing content:
Expand Thin Content
If you have content that is too lightweight or lacking details, bulk it up. Turn 300-word posts into 1000+ word guides by adding more sections, details, tips, visuals, and examples. Google rewards comprehensive content.
Refreshed Statistics and Data
Update any dated facts, figures, statistics, and data points. For example, rewrite the introduction paragraphs to mention the current year. Replace 5-year-old data with newer relevant data. This establishes freshness.
Enhance Multimedia Usage
Insert new photos, graphics, charts, and videos to make content more engaging and easier to digest. According to Hubspot, articles with images generate 94% more views.
Modernize Page Design
Update the design and appearance using new templates, fonts, spacing, responsive elements, etc. This improves engagement. Make mobile optimization a priority for 60%+ smartphone users.
Simplify Content Flow
Break up dense walls of content with more paragraphs, headers, lists, and captions to make it more scannable. Cut unnecessary words and complexity. Simplify language for ease of reading.
Fix Technical Issues
Correct any broken links, display errors, URL issues, or theme conflicts on existing content causing problems. Check for site migration defects.
Prominently Link Related Content
Crosslink related content within your article and site to reinforce informational relationships. Updating internal links helps search bots crawl new connections.
Refine On-Page SEO
Audit and refresh your meta titles, meta descriptions, headers, image names, and alt text for targeted keywords. Ensure SEO details align with the updated content focus.
Produce New Supporting Content
Support existing cornerstone content by creating complementary articles, videos, or graphics around similar themes. Bolster your expertise on topics.
Outreach for Updated Links
Ask sites previously linking to your dated piece to update or point to the refreshed content for maximum value. Or replace outdated affiliate links.
Revitalizing old content takes effort but keeps your library engaging, accurate, and optimized. SEO and users benefit greatly. Schedule content optimization sprints quarterly. Keeps investing in seo maintenance.
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