If you're starting a blog, chances are you want people to actually read it. But that won't happen if your content doesn’t rank well on Google. One major reason most new bloggers struggle is because of SEO mistakes that are easy to avoid. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the top 5 SEO mistakes most beginner bloggers make and more importantly, how to fix them to grow your traffic and visibility.
New to blogging? Don’t miss the Ultimate SEO Checklist for New Bloggers in 2025. It’s a must-have resource to ensure your content gets found.
1. Not Doing Keyword Research
The Common Mistake
Many beginner bloggers start writing without knowing what people are actually searching for. This often results in posts that no one finds because they target the wrong keywords or general topics that are too competitive.
For example, writing a blog post titled “How to Start Blogging” may seem like a good idea, but without targeting a specific keyword like “how to start a blog for beginners in 2025”, your post could get lost among thousands of similar articles.
How to Fix It
Keyword research is the foundation of successful blogging. Here’s how to get started:
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Use Free Keyword Tools
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Google Keyword Planner: great for getting search volume and keyword ideas.
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Ubersuggest: helps find long-tail keywords and content suggestions.
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Answer the Public: provides question-based keyword ideas.
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Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are phrases with 3+ words. They are easier to rank for and often convert better because they target specific search intent. Example: instead of “affiliate marketing”, use “best affiliate programs for new bloggers in 2025”. -
Incorporate Keywords Naturally
Add your keywords to your blog post’s:-
Title
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Headings (H2, H3)
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Meta description
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Body content
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For a detailed guide on creating content that ranks, see How to Write Blog Posts That Rank on Google – Even as a Beginner.
2. Ignoring On-Page SEO Basics
The Common Mistake
Some bloggers forget that on-page SEO is essential for Google to understand and rank their content. Common oversights include:
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Missing or duplicate H1 headings
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Not using H2/H3 subheadings
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Poor meta descriptions
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Missing image alt texts
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Long, confusing URLs
For example, a URL like www.yourblog.com/post123 tells Google nothing about the content.
How to Fix It
Here’s a step-by-step on-page SEO checklist:
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H1 Heading: Every post should have one H1, usually the blog title.
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Subheadings: Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections, H4 if necessary. This improves readability and SEO.
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Meta Description: Write a clear meta description including your primary keyword. Keep it under 160 characters.
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Clean URLs: Short URLs like
/seo-mistakes-bloggersare better than long, confusing ones. -
Image Alt Text: Describe your images with keywords for accessibility and SEO.
Tip: Keep a checklist like the Ultimate SEO Checklist for New Bloggers in 2025 to track these elements for every post.
3. Not Using Internal Links
The Common Mistake
Many new bloggers write posts that exist in isolation. This makes it harder for Google to crawl your site and for readers to explore your other content.
For example, if you write a post about “5 Passive Income Ideas for Digital Creators” but never link it to a related post like “Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First $100 on Amazon KDP”, both posts lose potential ranking and engagement opportunities.
How to Fix It
Internal linking improves SEO and keeps readers engaged. Here’s how:
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Link to Existing Posts: Each new post should link to 2–3 relevant older posts.
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Use Clear Anchor Text: Example – “Learn more in our post on 5 Passive Income Ideas That Actually Work for Digital Creators”.
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Update Older Posts: When publishing a new post, go back and link to it from older posts for mutual SEO benefits.
Internal links not only help Google understand your site structure but also encourage readers to stay longer, reducing bounce rates and improving rankings.
4. Publishing Low-Quality or AI-Spun Content
The Common Mistake
Some beginners think quantity is more important than quality and may use AI to generate generic or poorly structured content. Google now prioritizes content that is:
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Helpful
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Original
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Human-friendly
Posting low-quality content can harm your rankings and credibility.
How to Fix It
To create valuable content:
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Solve Specific Problems: Focus on actionable advice and solutions for your readers.
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Edit AI-Generated Content: If using AI, rewrite content in your voice to make it engaging.
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Write in Simple English: Break text into short paragraphs and use bullet points for clarity.
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Use Examples: For instance, link to a post like Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First $100 on Amazon KDP as a practical example.
High-quality, helpful content naturally attracts backlinks and shares, boosting your SEO.
5. Forgetting About Mobile Optimization
The Common Mistake
Many beginners focus only on desktop design, forgetting that most users browse on mobile. Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results.
A site that looks perfect on desktop but is hard to navigate on mobile can lead to:
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High bounce rates
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Lower rankings
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Poor user experience
How to Fix It
Mobile optimization is crucial. Here’s how:
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Use a Responsive Template: Choose a blog template that automatically adjusts to any screen size.
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Readable Fonts: Ensure font sizes are legible on small screens.
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Optimize Images: Compress large images to reduce page load time.
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Test Your Blog: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify issues.
Want to drive mobile traffic effectively? Check out How to Use Pinterest to Drive Blog Traffic Like a Pro for strategies that work on mobile-first platforms.
Additional Tips for New Bloggers
Consistency Matters
SEO is not a one-time task. Regularly updating your blog, posting new content, and optimizing old posts over time will steadily grow your traffic.
Track Your Performance
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor:
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Which posts get the most traffic
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Keywords driving traffic
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Pages with high bounce rates
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Opportunities to improve internal linking
Focus on User Experience
Google rewards sites that provide a good user experience. Make your blog easy to navigate, visually appealing, and helpful to your readers.
Optimize for Featured Snippets
Aim to answer common questions directly in your posts. Use bullet points, tables, and short paragraphs to increase your chances of appearing in Google’s featured snippets.
Real-Life Example: Optimized Blog Structure
Let’s say you’re writing a blog about affiliate marketing for beginners:
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H1: 7 Best Affiliate Programs for New Bloggers in 2025
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H2: What is Affiliate Marketing?
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H3: How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?
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H2: Top 7 Affiliate Programs
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H3: Amazon Associates – Why It’s Great for Beginners
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H3: ShareASale – Multiple Niches, Easy Dashboard
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H2: Tips for Success
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H2: Conclusion
Internal links could include:
This structure makes the post easy to read, SEO-friendly, and authoritative.
Conclusion
SEO might sound complicated, but fixing these 5 beginner mistakes will make a significant difference. Focus on:
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Doing Keyword Research: Find terms your audience searches for.
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Following On-Page SEO Best Practices: Optimize headings, meta descriptions, images, and URLs.
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Using Internal Links: Connect related posts to improve rankings and engagement.
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Writing High-Quality, Helpful Content: Solve real problems for readers.
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Making Your Blog Mobile-Friendly: Ensure fast loading and responsive design.
Consistency is key. Over time, these improvements will lead to higher search rankings, more traffic, and a growing, engaged audience.
