Ready to make money from blogging? Check out our guide on 7 Best Affiliate Programs for New Bloggers in 2025 to get started.
1. Choose the Right Keywords
Before you write a single word of your blog post, start with keyword research. Keywords are the words and phrases that people type into Google when looking for information. If you target the right keywords, you’ll attract readers who are genuinely interested in your topic.
Free tools to help with keyword research include:
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Google Keyword Planner: a free tool that shows search volume and competition for keywords.
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Ubersuggest: provides keyword ideas, difficulty scores, and content suggestions.
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AnswerThePublic: excellent for finding questions people ask about your topic.
Focus on long-tail keywords, which are more specific and usually less competitive. For example, instead of trying to rank for “blogging,” aim for “how to start a blog for free in 2025.” Long-tail keywords attract readers who are more likely to engage with your content.
Want to learn how to use keywords naturally in your writing? Check out How to Write Blog Posts That Rank on Google – Even as a Beginner for step-by-step instructions.
2. Optimize Your Blog Titles
Your blog post title is the first thing readers and search engines notice. A strong, keyword-rich title helps your post stand out in search results. Your title should clearly explain what the post is about while encouraging clicks.
Good examples of blog titles:
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Top 5 SEO Mistakes New Bloggers Make and How to Fix Them
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How to Start a Blog for Free in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
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Beginner-Friendly Guide to Writing Blog Posts That Rank
Titles to avoid:
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My Blogging Journey
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Stuff I Learned Today
If you struggle with blog post ideas, explore our post on Top 10 Digital Side Hustles You Can Start with Zero Budget in 2025 for inspiration.
3. Use Proper Headings (H1, H2, H3)
Headings break your content into sections, making it easier to read and scan. Google also uses headings to understand the structure of your content.
Example structure:
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H1: Main title of the post (usually automatically applied by your blog platform)
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H2: Main sections of your post, like “Choose the Right Keywords” or “Optimize Your Blog Titles”
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H3: Sub-points under each section, such as lists or detailed explanations
Using headings correctly improves readability and helps search engines crawl your content more effectively.
4. Write Meta Descriptions
Your meta description is the snippet that appears below your post title in search results. A compelling meta description can increase clicks to your blog. Include your main keyword and make it clear what the post offers.
Keep meta descriptions under 160 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.
5. Add Internal Links
Internal linking is a powerful SEO strategy. By linking to other posts on your blog, you help Google crawl your site better and keep readers engaged longer.
Examples of internal links to include:
Pro tip: Link naturally within your content. For instance, if you mention affiliate marketing, link to a post about the best affiliate programs for beginners.
6. Add Outbound Links (External)
Linking to authoritative, trustworthy websites improves your post’s credibility. Google likes content that references reliable sources. Make sure external links open in a new tab to keep readers on your blog.
Examples of outbound links:
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Google’s official blogs or help pages
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Wikipedia for factual information
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Well-known industry blogs in your niche
Adding a few external links per post signals that your content is well-researched.
7. Use Alt Text for Images
Images make your blog more visually appealing, but search engines cannot “see” them. Alt text describes your images for Google and improves accessibility for users with screen readers.
Need guidance on choosing images? Check our upcoming guide: Standard Image Sizes for Blogspot Blogs.
8. Optimize URL Slugs
A clean, keyword-rich URL improves SEO and user experience. Keep URLs short and descriptive.
yourblog.blogspot.com/seo-checklist-for-bloggers
yourblog.blogspot.com/post123?=abc987
Clean URLs are easier to share and more likely to rank.
9. Create Mobile-Friendly Layouts
Over 60% of blog traffic comes from mobile devices. Choose a responsive theme that adapts to different screen sizes. Use short paragraphs, headings, and mobile-optimized images.
Want to boost traffic using visuals? Learn How to Use Pinterest to Drive Blog Traffic for tips on creating mobile-friendly pin designs.
10. Improve Your Page Speed
Fast-loading blogs improve user experience and SEO. Slow sites have higher bounce rates and lower rankings. Use free tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your blog speed.
Tips to improve speed:
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Compress large images
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Minimize widgets and pop-ups
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Use caching plugins if available
11. Use Labels and Categories Properly
Labels and categories organize your blog content, making it easier for readers and search engines to find related posts.
Example Labels for a blogging niche:
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SEO
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Blogging Tips
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Passive Income
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KDP
Using consistent labels ensures Google can understand your site structure and improves internal linking opportunities.
12. Update Old Content Regularly
Old posts can become outdated, which affects rankings. Regularly update your content with new information, images, and internal links.
For example, update posts like 5 Passive Income Ideas That Actually Work for Digital Creators with fresh examples, current tools, or new affiliate programs. This keeps your blog relevant and signals to Google that your site is active.
13. Encourage Engagement
Engagement signals, such as comments and shares, can indirectly improve SEO. Encourage your readers to interact by:
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Asking questions at the end of posts
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Suggesting readers share your content on social media
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Inviting them to subscribe to your newsletter
14. Submit Your Blog to Google Search Console
Google Search Console is essential for monitoring your blog’s performance and helping Google index your pages. Verify your blog and submit your sitemap to ensure all posts are discoverable.
https://yourblogname.blogspot.com/sitemap.xml
Use Search Console to check indexing status, search queries, and mobile usability.
Conclusion
This SEO checklist for new bloggers is your roadmap to getting your blog noticed by search engines in 2025. You don’t need to be an expert; consistent application of these steps will help your posts rank on Google, attract more readers, and generate potential income.
Keep learning, keep improving, and watch your blog grow faster than you expect. Blogging success is a marathon, not a sprint, but following these steps gives you a strong start.
