SEO Content Writing Guide

Best practices for creating content that ranks well and engages readers

Why SEO-Optimized Content Matters

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your content reach the right audience. By following SEO best practices while maintaining readability, you can create content that both search engines and humans love.

Great SEO content balances keyword optimization, readability, structure, and valuable information for your readers.

Keyword Strategy

Choose the Right Primary Keyword

Your primary keyword should be the main topic of your content. It should appear naturally in:

  • Page title (H1 heading)
  • First paragraph
  • At least one subheading (H2 or H3)
  • Throughout the body content
  • Meta description

Keyword Density Guidelines

Ideal Range: 0.5% - 3%

  • • Below 0.5%: May not rank well for target keyword
  • • 0.5% - 3%: Optimal range for most content
  • • Above 3%: Risk of keyword stuffing penalties

Use Natural Language

Don't force keywords unnaturally into sentences. Write for humans first, optimize for search engines second. Use synonyms and related terms to create natural-sounding content.

Content Structure & Headings

Heading Hierarchy

Proper heading structure helps both readers and search engines understand your content:

H1: Main page title (use only once)
H2: Major sections
H3: Subsections within H2
H4-H6: Further subdivisions as needed

Heading Best Practices

  • Include your primary keyword in H1
  • Use variations or related keywords in H2/H3 headings
  • Don't skip heading levels (H1 → H3 without H2)
  • Keep headings clear and descriptive
  • Aim for 3-5 headings minimum per page

Content Length & Depth

Recommended Word Counts

Blog Posts

1,500 - 2,500 words

Product Pages

300 - 500 words

Pillar Content

3,000 - 5,000 words

Landing Pages

500 - 1,000 words

Remember: Quality beats quantity. A well-written 800-word article is better than a poorly written 2,000-word article.

Readability Affects SEO

Search engines prioritize content that provides value to readers. Readable content leads to:

✓Lower bounce rates
✓Longer time on page
✓More social shares
✓Better backlink potential

Target Readability Scores for SEO

  • Flesch Reading Ease: 60-70 (Standard readability)
  • Flesch-Kincaid Grade: 7-9 (Middle school level)
  • Average Sentence Length: 15-20 words

Technical SEO Checklist

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Meta Title: Include primary keyword, keep under 60 characters
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Meta Description: Compelling summary with keyword, 150-160 characters
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URL Structure: Short, descriptive, includes keyword
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Internal Links: Link to 2-5 related pages on your site
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Images: Optimize with descriptive alt text and compressed file sizes
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Mobile-Friendly: Ensure content displays well on all devices

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