Mastering Article Writing for Google's Front Page Success
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Chapter 1: The Quest for Visibility
If you aspire to earn a living through writing, your main goal is likely to reach as many readers as possible. Like many content creators, you generate topic ideas, conduct research, and dedicate countless hours to crafting a piece that initially sees a surge in views. However, this excitement often fades quickly, leaving you with dwindling engagement. What do most writers do next? They dive into another piece, hoping for better results.
If you've felt your content deserves a larger audience but hasn't gained traction, consider this sobering statistic: over 90% of online content receives no views on Google, according to an Ahrefs study. This is a harsh reality that many creators are unaware of.
As a marketer, I understand the difficulty of producing content that is both searchable and insightful. After years of experimenting with various formats and styles, I finally discovered how to create articles that consistently appear on Google's front page. In this article, I will share my tried-and-true process for crafting high-performing content that you can easily replicate.
Before You Begin Writing
Believe it or not, search engine bots are your very first audience! Google’s bots crawl the web, searching for new content. Once they find your article, they "read" it through a process known as indexing, making your content searchable. To ensure your work is discovered repeatedly, it's essential to please both readers and search engines alike.
Keyword research is key to understanding whether your topic interests potential readers. Additionally, on-page optimization will help your articles rank higher in search results. Here’s how to start:
- Generate a Topic: Any idea will do.
- Evaluate Your Topic: Look into its monthly search volume and competition.
As a marketer, I rely on the Ahrefs content writing tool for SEO research. However, there are several alternatives you can explore:
- Semrush (10 free searches per month)
- Moz Keyword Explorer (10 free searches per month)
- Ubersuggest (three free searches daily)
- LSI Graph (free tool)
A keyword is likely to perform well on Google if it has low to medium competition and at least 100 global monthly searches. Here's an example of how I conducted keyword research for one of my website pages—it's not overly complex; just pick a tool and see what it suggests.
- Gather Related Keywords: Research the average length of content on Google's first page, which is approximately 1,447 words, according to Backlinko. Understanding what already exists is crucial; don’t hesitate to analyze your competitors! Google favors comprehensive and easy-to-read content that directly addresses user queries.
Below, you'll find an example of my keyword and competitor research for an article on "Content Marketing Books." I collected a total of thirty-five semantically related keywords using various tools.
The first video, "How to Write Content that Ranks #1 on Google," provides insights into crafting content that stands out.
Once you've completed your competitor analysis and keyword research, it’s time to enhance your content with on-page SEO.
Using Effective Strategies for Visibility
Cook Collective has successfully built a thriving online presence with a single-page kitchen website. So how does this site achieve such visibility? The answer lies in its strong search engine presence!
Here are some strategies to improve your content's searchability:
- Optimize Your H1: The headline serves as a significant indicator of your page's topic. According to John Mueller, Google's Search Advocate, the heading is a powerful signal for Google. Craft compelling and original headlines to increase your ranking potential.
- Refine Meta Titles and Descriptions: It’s crucial not to confuse H1 with the meta title. H1 indicates to readers they are in the right place, while the meta title appears on search engine results pages. Optimize your meta title by including your target keyword near the beginning and utilize semantically related keywords in the meta description.
- Craft a Strong Introduction: The opening paragraphs are essential for retaining reader interest. Your introduction should captivate readers and be optimized for search engines. Aim to include your target keyword along with a few related keywords.
- Structure with Sub-Headlines (H2, H3): Subheadings improve readability and help organize your content. Use multiple H2s in long-form content and incorporate H3s within those sections to clarify topic hierarchies.
- Develop the Body of Your Content: If you’re eager to excel in search engine rankings, consider this final tip: I used all 35 semantically related keywords for the "Content Marketing Books" article. Google's algorithm understands the context behind keywords, so don’t hesitate to explore various related topics within your article.
Don't shy away from incorporating numerous related keywords if they enhance the article's value. Embrace experimentation; SEO thrives on testing, learning, and adapting.
Final Thoughts
If these strategies are new to you, don’t worry. Many bloggers overlook these straightforward principles, giving you a competitive edge if you master them.
Having published over 200 blog posts and spent countless hours refining my writing, I've learned that focusing on your audience can significantly reduce your workload and boost your output. Remember, a single well-crafted and optimized article can make a substantial impact.
Now, it’s time for you to take action! Grab my SEO writing guide to learn how I create blog posts that rank on Google's front page. You can easily follow my three-step process, even if you’re just starting out.
For just $5 a month, you can gain full access to every story on Medium by signing up through this link. Your membership directly supports me and other writers in producing valuable content for you. :)