How to write an SEO-friendly blog post or page
- Pick one topic and main keyword with clear intent (keyword research).
- Study the top results: what do they cover, and what are they missing?
- Answer the question early, then go deeper.
- Structure with headings that mirror the questions people ask.
- Add what only you can: prices, local examples, photos, case studies, first-hand experience.
- Write a strong title tag and meta description.
- Link to related pages on your site and to credible sources.
- Make it scannable: short paragraphs, lists, tables.
- Check it with our free SEO content analyser.
- Update it when facts, prices or best practices change.
How long should SEO content be?
There is no ideal word count. Google doesn't rank by length. Write as much as it takes to fully answer the search, and no more. As a rough guide:
| Content type | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Service or location page | 600 to 1,200 words |
| Blog post answering one question | 800 to 1,500 words |
| In-depth guide | 1,500 to 3,000+ words |
| Product page | 200 to 600 words of unique description plus specs and reviews |
Check the pages that rank now: if they are all short answers, a 3,000-word essay won't necessarily beat them.
SEO copywriting
SEO copywriting is persuasive writing (for service pages, landing pages and product pages) that also ranks. It combines keywords and structure with clear benefits, proof such as reviews and case studies, and a strong call to action.
Can you use AI to write SEO content?
Google's guidance is that it rewards helpful content however it is produced, but using automation mainly to manipulate rankings is spam. AI can speed up outlines and drafts, but pages still need human expertise, fact-checking, original examples and editing. Mass-produced, unedited AI articles tend to rank poorly and can drag down a site.
How often should you publish?
Consistency matters more than volume. For most small and medium South African businesses, one or two genuinely useful articles a month, plus regular updates to key service pages, beats daily thin posts.
Questions answered
What is SEO content writing?
SEO content writing is creating web pages and articles that answer searchers' questions and are structured with keywords, headings and links so search engines rank them.
How do I write an SEO-friendly article?
Choose one keyword and intent, answer the question early, use clear headings, add original examples, include internal links, and write a strong title and meta description.
How many words should a blog post be for SEO?
As many as needed to fully answer the topic, often 800 to 1,500 words for a single-question post. Google has no minimum word count.
What is SEO copywriting?
SEO copywriting is writing persuasive page copy that also targets search keywords, so the page both ranks and converts visitors into customers.
Does blogging help SEO?
Yes, when posts target real questions your customers search for. Blogs add rankable pages, earn links and support your service pages through internal links.
Is AI content bad for SEO?
Not automatically. Google rewards helpful content regardless of how it's made, but unedited, mass-produced AI content usually lacks the expertise and originality needed to rank.
How do I write a blog post for SEO in WordPress?
Write the post, set the focus keyword and meta description in an SEO plugin such as Yoast or Rank Math, add headings, images with alt text and internal links, then publish and submit the URL in Search Console. See WordPress SEO.
What is evergreen content?
Evergreen content stays relevant for a long time, such as "what is SEO", and keeps attracting search traffic with occasional updates.
What are pillar pages and topic clusters?
A pillar page covers a broad topic; cluster pages cover subtopics in depth and link back to the pillar. The structure shows Google your depth on a subject.
How often should I update content?
Review important pages at least once or twice a year, and immediately when prices, laws or facts change.
What makes content rank on Google?
Relevance to the search, depth and accuracy, experience and trustworthiness, clear structure, good page experience and links from other sites.
What is E-E-A-T?
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness, the qualities Google's quality raters look for in helpful content.