How to Write Content for People and Optimize it for Google?

Ever came across complicated jargon on a blog that put you off? What did you do next? Just click on the next link and resume. That is exactly how most readers behave when they start reading blogs as solutions to their problems. 

These are just a few other features that make an article less attractive to the reader. These contribute to the limited reach of the work across the internet. Organic outreach is limited since the content is neither crafted well nor optimized for Google.

Now, to rank higher in the Google SERPs — Search Engine Result Pages, unique and easily consumable content is asked for. Alongside this certain tips need special mention to consistently rank your content. And by following these tips, both readers and the Google algorithm are almost taken care of.

Understand Reader’s Priorities

The first and foremost factor of a wide reach and whether people like the write-up or not is whether it serves the purpose of reading a blog or not. If you are answering a ‘Why?..’ question and are listing out ‘Top 10…’, it is a clear indication of misunderstanding readers’ priorities. 

Simply understanding what people are searching for and measuring the intent behind it is the first step. Then, providing unique content accordingly is a two-step process to create relevant content.

Keywords

Most writers get this wrong. There is zero need to bombard the content with every possible keyword. They just have to be adequate in number and at the right places for the article to rank on Google. 

There are specific places like title, and subheadings where if keywords are inserted there, the content is sure to move up the ladder on Google. So, finding the right keywords and their density is important before you start penning the first draft. 

If at all you feel it is a hassle to include them while writing, insert them once the article is done. Keep in mind the preferred keyword density for the piece and add them sparingly.

Long-tail keywords are loved by the algorithm, so give them a try.

Keep the Content Engaging

From the first word to the last one, a certain flow engrosses the reader. This applies to all creative fields. If the audience loses themselves consuming your content, you have captured their interest in a wholesome manner.

So, yes, writing with jargon and being technically correct is important. But, using analogies, metaphor to explain intricate details sets your content apart from other content. Similarly, adding a touch of storytelling to your content makes it engaging at all times.

When this is done effectively, the reader is all yours. You can redirect them to a new blog, get them to look at your new product, or book a seat for an event, etc. 

Focus on the Headlines

Often we have personally experienced it, that as soon as we hit the ‘search’ button, several links line up in front of us and we still go for one with the most attractive heading. So that’s how important is a headline to an article because it grabs all the attention.

Similar to how news channels fight it out to create the most creative headlines to capture the audience, writing content for Google needs extra effort. Crafting a headline that makes heads turn, while still staying true to the content is a challenge.

More often than not, writers get carried away and they draft a headline that is luring. But, it shall have no impact or relation to the content being written. This acts as clickbait and readers usually leave the content piece a minute or two into reading them. This increases the bounce rate of the website, indicating to Google that the headline is misleading.

Keep it Simple

For any writer who is writing for a larger set of audience, catering to the needs of all readers is of utmost significance. You may use all those fancy and technical words, but it is of no use if the information doesn’t reach the reader. 

It should be made as simple as possible for everyone to understand. Readers first skim through the article and stay only if they find it interesting in the first look. So, making your content scannable, with consistent paragraphs, pointers, and well-crafted headlines is a must.

Unless the content is purely technical and is catering to a specific audience, it should be written to reach more people. Google loves when your content is being read by different demographics of the population. 

Meta description and Linking

The meta description is a snapshot of the content’s purpose. When you are trying to get your article to rank high, this is all the more important. A concise, to-the-point, attractive meta description is hard to write. But, a good one contributes to the click-through rate of your page. 

It is restricted by character length. So, currently, the meta description should be no longer than 160 characters. 

Also, Google appreciates the omnipresence of the uploader. And if you are available on multiple websites, especially social media, it helps to circulate your write-up links better. Being a socially well-rounded firm or individual is necessary to create a high domain authority today. 

If your content is linked to your Twitter, LinkedIn profiles, it provides a minor boost in marketing the content. These are certain tips, crafted out of the experience, to rank high on Google. The competition is increasing and therefore, Google is making it difficult for content to rank high consistently. So, working on the basics like writing unique and relevant content should be the priority. Then, altering the content to the best SEO practices shall help in ranking the content on Google.

Develop SEO-friendly content that is worth sharing on all social media or through email marketing, endorse it using PPC or influencer marketing, and audit from time to time with AVS!