The Secret to Writing Blog Posts That Rank on Google

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You pour your heart into a blog post. You hit publish, share it on social media, and then… crickets. A week later, it’s buried in your archives, seen by almost no one.

It’s frustrating, and it makes you wonder if writing for your blog is even worth it. What if you could write a post knowing it has a real chance to be found?

The secret isn't a magic trick. It's a simple shift from writing for yourself to writing for both your reader and Google. Think of it not as a complex code to crack, but as a recipe.

When you combine the right ingredients in the right way, you create something that both people and search engines love to consume. Let's walk through that recipe together.

The Big Secret: It’s Not About Google, It’s About People

This might sound strange, but the most important thing to understand is that you shouldn't be writing for Google. You should be writing for people.

Google’s entire goal is to provide the best, most helpful answer to a person’s question.

Their complex algorithm is just trying to mimic a human being. It’s trying to find the page that a real person would point to and say, “This is exactly what I was looking for!”

So, the real secret is this: Create the best, most helpful, and most complete answer to your reader's question.

When you focus on solving a real problem for a real person, you naturally do most of the things Google is looking for. You use the right words, you cover the topic thoroughly, and you create a good experience.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is simply the set of tools that helps Google understand that your article is that best answer.

The Foundation: Finding the Right Topic (Keyword Research)

You can write the world's best article on a topic, but if no one is searching for it, it won't bring you traffic. This is where keyword research comes in. It’s simply figuring out what words and phrases your ideal reader is typing into Google.

Think of a keyword as a question. Your job is to find the questions your audience is asking and then provide the answer.

How to Find Simple Keywords:

• Think Like Your Reader: What would someone who knows nothing about your niche type into Google? If you teach budgeting, they might search "how to create a monthly budget" or "best budgeting app for beginners."

  
  

• Use Google’s Suggestions: Start typing a question into the Google search bar. The suggestions that pop up are all real, popular searches. This is a free goldmine of ideas.

  
  

• Try a Free Tool: Tools like Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic can show you popular questions and related terms. For example, typing "email marketing" into AnswerThePublic will generate a huge list of questions like "why is email marketing important" and "how to start email marketing for small business."

  
  

Pro Tip: Look for “long-tail keywords.” These are longer, more specific phrases, like "easy vegan dinner recipes for busy families."

They have less competition than short words like "recipes," making it much easier for a new blog to rank.

The Blueprint: Planning a Post That Covers Everything

Once you have your keyword (your reader's main question), don't just start writing. Plan it out. A strong outline ensures your post is organized and covers the topic completely. This makes it more helpful for the reader and easier for Google to understand.

Your Outline Should Include:

• A Main Heading (H1): This is your blog post title. It should include your main keyword and promise a benefit.

• Several Subheadings (H2s): These are the main sections of your post. They break down the big answer into smaller parts.

• Sub-Subheadings (H3s): These break down the H2s into even more specific points.

Example Outline for "How to Start a Vegetable Garden":

• H1: How to Start a Vegetable Garden for Total Beginners

• H2: Choosing the Perfect Spot for Your Garden

  • H3: How Much Sun Do Vegetables Really Need?

  • H3: Testing Your Soil Type

• H2: 5 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Your First Year

• H2: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your First Seeds

This structure is a win-win. It helps your reader scan the article easily, and it helps Google see the logical flow of your content.

The Heart of the Matter: Writing Helpful Content

Now, you write. And you write with one person in mind: your ideal reader. Remember "Marketing Mary" who is overwhelmed? Write for her.

How to Make Your Content the Best Answer:

• Answer the Question Fully: Don't just skim the surface. If you're writing "how to make sourdough bread," include the recipe, the rising time, troubleshooting tips (what if my dough is too sticky?), and a photo of what it should look like.

  
  

• Use Simple, Clear Language: Write like you're explaining something to a friend. Avoid fancy jargon. If you have to use a technical term, explain it right away.

  
  

• Make it Actionable: Give your reader clear steps they can follow. Use numbered lists for processes and bullet points for features or tips.

  
  

• Include Examples and Stories: People connect with stories. If you're writing about overcoming a fear of public speaking, share a short story about your first terrible presentation and what you learned. This makes your content unique and relatable.

  
  

Expert Insight: "Google's Helpful Content Update made it clear: they are rewarding content created for people," says SEO consultant Mark Williams. "If you write a page that genuinely helps a visitor, you are already doing 80% of the SEO work.

The other 20% is just making sure Google can see that you've done that 80%."

On-Page SEO: Helping Google Understand Your Post

This is the technical part, but it's not complicated. It's just about adding a few simple signals to your post to tell Google, "Hey, this is what my article is about!"

1. Your Title Tag (The Clickable Link in Google):

This is the most important place to use your keyword. Make it compelling!

• Format: Primary Keyword - Secondary Explanation

• Example: "Email Marketing for Beginners: How to Write Your First Campaign"

2. Your URL Slug:

Keep your web address short and descriptive.

• Good: yourblog.com/email-marketing-for-beginners

• Bad: yourblog.com/post-1234?=abc

3. Your Meta Description:

This is the short paragraph under your title in the search results. It’s your ad copy. Write a 1-2 sentence summary that includes your keyword and makes people want to click.

• Example: "New to email marketing? This beginner's guide walks you through writing your first campaign step-by-step, with easy-to-follow templates. Start growing your list today!"

  
  

4. Use Headings Properly (H1, H2, H3):

We already talked about this in the outline, but it’s worth repeating. Use your keyword naturally in one of your H2s. Don't force it into every single one.

5. Internal Linking:

Link to other relevant posts on your own blog. If you mention "creating a lead magnet," link to your post about "5 lead magnet ideas." This keeps people on your site longer and shows Google how your content is connected.

The Finishing Touches: Making Your Post a Pleasure to Read

Google cares about the user's experience. A post that is easy and enjoyable to read will keep people on the page, which is a positive signal.

• Short Paragraphs: Giant blocks of text are intimidating. Keep paragraphs to 1-3 sentences. Use white space liberally. It makes your post feel easier to read.

  
  

• Use Images: Include relevant, high-quality images. A picture can often explain something faster than words. Always add "alt text" to your images—a short description that helps Google understand what the image shows, and also helps visually impaired readers.

  
  

• Make it Scannable: Most people don't read word-for-word online; they scan. Your headings, bullet points, and bold text act as signposts, guiding them to the information they need.

  
  

The Long Game: Building Authority and Patience

A single blog post won't make you an overnight success. Ranking on Google takes time. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Google trusts websites that show they are true experts in their field. This is called E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). You build this over time by:

• Publishing Consistently: A blog that is updated regularly is seen as more active and relevant.

  
  

• Getting Backlinks: When other reputable websites link to your content, it’s like a vote of confidence. You can earn these by creating such amazing content that people naturally want to share and link to it.

  
  

• Covering Your Topic Thoroughly: Write many posts around your main content pillars. This shows Google you have deep knowledge in your niche.

  
  

Your First Step to a Ranking Post

This might feel like a lot, but you don't have to do everything at once.

Your mission is this:

1. Pick one topic you're passionate about.

2. Use Google Suggest or a free tool to find a long-tail keyword question around that topic.

3. Create a simple outline with H2 and H3 headings.

4. Write the post, focusing entirely on being the most helpful answer you can be.

5. Before you publish, add your keyword to the title, one heading, and the meta description.

That’s it. You’ve just applied the core recipe. Do this consistently, and you will start to write blog posts that don't just exist—they get found.