If you write a great blog post, but nobody can find it, does it really exist? Writing quality content that is optimized for search engines is both an art and a science. There is a formula to ensure that you have the best chance of ranking Google's search results. The use of highly searched keywords is still essential, but SEO has evolved far beyond that and continues to evolve with every Google algorithm update. In order to rank at the top of the search engines, your content must also provide value, be authoritative and distinguish itself from the current top search results.

This checklist provides helpful guidance that a writer should follow every time a blog post is written.

Optimizing your SEO blog post

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

1. Does the blog post have 1-2 primary keywords?
2. Do you use a keyword research tool to identify search volume and keyword difficulty?
3. Do the keywords have a high search volume?
4. Does it have a meta description that includes the primary keywords in the first 155 characters and a call to action?
5. Does the blog use subheadings (H2s), which include the primary keyword phrase?
6. Are the primary keywords used in the first 60 copy words of the blog?
7. Are the keywords used frequently, but naturally throughout the rest of the blog post?
8. Have you used a tool to find natural variations of the primary keyword?
9. Are there natural variations in the target keyword included?
10. Does the blog contain at least two internal links to your website?
11. Do any images contain optimized alt text?

Writing Quality & Clarity

1. Do you have a strong, fascinating headline?
2. Does the post achieve its intended goal?
3. Does it educate the reader?
4. Is that easy to read?
5. Does it fit in with the tone and style of your brand?
6. Does this have a strong intro and conclusion?
7. Is it free from clunky sentence structures or run-on sentences?
8. Is there redundant or unnecessary information that could be deleted?
9. Does it use active voice to avoid passive voice?
10. Is it grammatically correct?

Accuracy

1. Does the post make any claims that appear unlikely or unverified? 
2. Are statistics and facts attributed to reliable sources (either your own research or an objective third-party source?)   
3. Does it avoid using sources that can be considered competitors?

While this checklist is a handy reference, it is no substitute for a comprehensive SEO strategy. CodeMax Media helps companies across a variety of industries to identify the best keywords to target and rank them using best on-and off-page SEO practices.

Image Source: JFK Binding