Do Blog Posts Help SEO?
Rank Higher On Google
Introduction
There’s a strong possibility you’ve found my blog post due to it being optimized and ranking on Google. Pretty ironic, right? This entire article is centered on answering whether blog posts help SEO, and here you are—proof that they do. Blogging isn’t just about writing content; it’s about writing the right content, strategically designed to rank and bring in traffic. I’m going to break down the exact process of how blog posts can boost your SEO and even show you a real-life case study of a company that I wrote a blog post for shoot to the #1 spot in less than 14 hours! This blog would go on to generate consistent traffic and revenue for them.
Table of Contents
The Blueprint for Ranking Blog Posts
1. Keyword Research
Every successful blog post starts with in-depth keyword research. I use SEMrush, a powerful SEO tool, to find keywords that are not only relevant but have a balance between search volume and low competition. For instance, the “how to apply for window rebates in Alberta” post had a volume of 320 monthly searches and only a 13% difficulty score. This is a sweet spot for ranking quickly on Google.
2. Detailed Prompts with ChatGPT
Once I’ve identified the keyword, I move on to content creation. Instead of asking ChatGPT to simply “write an article,” I use detailed, long-winded prompts to generate unique, valuable content that is tailored to the keyword and user intent. This ensures my article stands out from others and ranks higher in search results.
3. Gather Images for Visual Appeal
Visual content is critical for engagement. I usually head over to Canva or MidJourney for AI-generated images, or use free sources like Unsplash or Pexels. Images not only break up text but are essential for on-page SEO.
4. Compress Images for Speed
Speed matters for SEO. I use TinyPNG to compress images so they load faster, which improves both the user experience and search engine rankings.
5. Save Images with Keyword-Rich File Name
Before uploading, I ensure each image file is saved with a keyword-rich file name. This helps boost the SEO of the post when the images are indexed by Google.
6. Create the Blog
I transfer the content and images into Elementor Pro, a user-friendly page builder that makes it easy to create professional-looking blogs quickly.
7. Optimize Image Alt Text
While inserting images, I make sure to add alt text for every photo. This not only improves accessibility but also helps search engines understand the content of the images.
8. Heading Structures & Mobile Responsiveness
Ensure that the blog post has a clear heading structure (H1-H4s). H1 for the main title, H2 for subheadings, and so on. Always double-check that your blog is mobile responsive for ranking on mobile searches.
9. Backend SEO
For the backend, I use Yoast SEO to ensure the post is optimized for search engines. The key points include:
- Page Title: Should be exact match to main keyword.
- Title Tag: Keyword-rich and between 50-60 characters.
- Slug: This should be an exact match to your blog keyword.
- Meta Description: Keep it under 150 characters with the keyword at the beginning.
10. Internal & External Linking
Link to other blog posts or important pages on your website for internal linking. For external links, connect to reputable sources like SEMrush, Elementor Pro, or other authority sites related to the topic.
11. Publish & Submit to Google Search Console
After publishing, I immediately head over to Google Search Console, input the new URL, and request indexing. This fast-tracks the page’s visibility on Google.
12. Wait for Results
Once indexed, the ranking process begins. For most of my blogs, results are visible in 24 hours or less.
Case Study: Sunview Windows & Doors
To show you how effective this process is, let’s take a look at Sunview Windows & Doors, a company I recently helped. I wrote a blog targeting the keyword “how to apply for window rebates in Alberta” with a search volume of 320 and a difficulty of only 13%. After the article was published, it reached the #1 spot in Google search results in just 14 hours.
This wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of careful keyword research, optimized content, and on-page SEO. And yes, I used AI to help create the content, busting the myth that Google penalizes AI-generated content. The truth is, Google doesn’t penalize content just because it’s AI-generated; it penalizes low-quality content. So, if you provide detailed instructions and prompts, the AI will generate unique and valuable content that ranks well.
The Myth of AI-Generated Content
There’s a lot of misinformation about how Google deals with AI-generated content. Let’s set the record straight: Google doesn’t penalize AI-generated content unless it’s thin, repetitive, or low-quality. If you ask AI tools like ChatGPT to write detailed, well-thought-out content using specific prompts, you can create unique articles that rank just as well as those written by humans. I always add my personal touch to AI-generated content, which keeps it fresh and engaging.
Why Blogging is Essential for SEO
So, do blog posts help SEO? Absolutely! Blogging is a surefire way to boost your website’s search engine visibility. When done correctly—with keyword research, unique content, and proper optimization—each blog post becomes a new opportunity to rank on Google.
If you consistently write 4-8 blog posts per month targeting questions with high volume and low competition, you’ll start seeing a significant increase in traffic. You don’t always need high-volume keywords to succeed. Even smaller keywords like “do blog posts help SEO” (which only gets about 20 searches a month) can still lead to valuable traffic if they have low competition. And over time, Google will recognize your website as an authority in your niche.
Conclusion
Blogging remains one of the most effective ways to boost your SEO efforts and drive more organic traffic to your site. By following the steps outlined above—from keyword research to publishing—you’ll be well on your way to ranking higher on Google. And as the Sunview Windows & Doors case study shows, with the right strategy, your blog posts can skyrocket to the top of search results in no time.
FAQs
Do blog posts help SEO in the long term? Yes, consistent blogging improves your SEO performance over time by increasing your site’s visibility and authority.
How often should I blog for SEO? Aim for at least 4-8 blog posts per month targeting low-competition keywords.
Can AI-generated content hurt my SEO? Only low-quality AI content will hurt your SEO. If you use detailed prompts and optimize properly, AI content can rank well.
How long does it take for a blog to rank on Google? With proper keyword research and optimization, you can see results within 24 hours. However, this can vary depending on competition and niche.