Rapid
SEO for a new blog isn't complicated — it's consistent. The same twelve things, done on every post, compound into rankings within a few months. Here's the exact checklist this site runs on every article.
The 12-point checklist
1. One keyword, chosen on purpose
Pick the exact phrase a beginner would type into Google. For a new blog, make it a long-tail phrase (3–5 words). Write the post about that phrase — not "a topic loosely related to it."
2. A title under 60 characters
Your <title> is the biggest ranking signal on the page. Put the keyword near the front, keep it under 60 characters, and make it clickable — include a number, a benefit, or a promise.
3. A meta description under 155 characters
This is the snippet under your title in search results. Write it like a mini-ad: what the reader gets, and why they should click. Google may rewrite it, but a good one still wins clicks.
4. Exactly one H1
One <h1> per page — your post title. Use <h2> for main sections and <h3> for sub-sections. This structure is how Google understands what the page covers.
5. Keyword in the first 100 words
Confirm the topic in the opening paragraph. It signals relevance immediately and helps featured snippets.
6. A table of contents
Long posts with a visible TOC earn better engagement and anchor links — and Google can use the section headings for featured snippets.
7. Descriptive image alt text
Every image gets alt text that describes what it shows, with the keyword only when it fits naturally. Alt text helps image search and accessibility.
8. 2–3 internal links
Link to older related posts with descriptive anchor text ("our guide to getting indexed"). Internal links spread authority and increase pages per visit.
9. One external link to an authority
Linking out to a reputable source (like Google's own documentation) adds credibility. It doesn't hurt you — it helps the reader, which is the point.
10. A clear "next step" ending
End with a conclusion plus one action: read the related post, download the checklist, or answer a question in the comments. Keep the reader moving through your site.
11. Fast-loading, mobile-friendly layout
Google ranks for mobile-first. Compress images, avoid heavy scripts, and test on your phone. This site is plain HTML and CSS for exactly this reason.
12. Indexing request
After publishing, request indexing in Search Console. The full sequence is in our indexing guide.
The free audit stack
| Tool | What it checks | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Indexing, keywords, click-through rate | $0 |
| Bing Webmaster Tools | Indexing in Bing + ChatGPT search | $0 |
| PageSpeed Insights | Core Web Vitals, load speed | $0 |
| Schema.org validator | Structured data correctness | $0 |
| Rich Results test | How your article appears in search | $0 |
Three mistakes that bury new posts
- Keyword stuffing: repeating the phrase unnaturally. Write for humans; Google's algorithms understand context now.
- Thin content: a 300-word post can't beat a 1,500-word one for the same query. Go deeper than the current top result.
- Ignoring old posts: your best traffic comes from updating winners. Revisit your top posts every month.
