How to Write SEO Optimized Blog Posts: 13 Steps (2026)

Do you write SEO optimized blog posts, or do you hit Publish and hope? Guest author Reid Peterson, an online marketing coach, first shared his 13 “lucky” steps here as a blueprint to open every time you write. Some of his 2010 rules, like a 300-word limit and submitting RSS feeds everywhere, no longer apply, but the core idea of a repeatable checklist is better than ever. Here’s how to write SEO optimized blog posts in 2026, in 13 steps.

Quick answer: Pick one main keyword and check what already ranks, write a clear title of about 60 characters with the keyword near the start, answer the question in the first paragraph, organise the post with descriptive H2 and H3 headings, write as long as the topic needs with your own experience, add internal and external links, optimised images with alt text, a meta description, a short FAQ, and update the post when facts change.

Before you write

1. Choose one main keyword

Pick a specific, long-tail phrase people search for, such as “prenatal massage Boulder” rather than “massage”. Our keyword research guide explains how.

2. Check search intent

Search the keyword and look at the top results. Are they how-to guides, lists, reviews or product pages? Match that format, then aim to be more useful.

3. Outline the post

Reid’s three-part structure still works: introduce the reader’s need, explore the key issues, then give the solution in detail.

While you write

4. Write a clear, clickable title

Put the keyword near the start, promise a specific benefit, and keep it to about 60 characters so it isn’t cut off in Google. (The old 40-character rule was too strict.)

5. Answer early

Give the main answer in the first paragraph or a short summary box. Readers and AI search features both reward pages that get to the point.

6. Use descriptive headings

Use real H2 and H3 headings, not just bold text, and include the keyword or close variations naturally in one or two of them.

7. Write as long as the topic needs

There is no ideal word count. A quick fix may need 400 words; a full guide 2,000. Cover the topic completely without padding.

8. Add experience and evidence

Share what you have tried, screenshots, numbers and examples. First-hand experience is what generic content lacks.

9. Talk to the reader

Write like you’re explaining to an interested friend: short paragraphs, plain words, lists where they help.

Before you publish

10. Link internally and externally

Link to two or three of your related posts with descriptive anchor text, and to official sources for facts and tools.

11. Optimise images

Use a relevant image near the top, compress it, give it a descriptive file name and alt text. Here’s our guide to optimizing images.

12. Write the meta description and slug

A short URL slug with the keyword, and a meta description of up to about 155 characters that tells searchers what they’ll get. SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast help with this and with a final checklist.

After you publish

13. Promote and update

Share the post with your email list and on the social platforms your readers use, link to it from older posts, and check Search Console after a few weeks. Update it whenever facts change. Use our SEO checklist for site-wide basics.

Old tips to drop

• 300-word limit: too short for most topics today.
• Bolding keywords: bold only what helps readers scan.
• Tags as keywords: use a few broad categories and tags for readers, not a keyword list.
• Submitting RSS feeds to directories: no longer useful.

FAQ

How long should an SEO blog post be?

As long as it takes to fully answer the query. Check the length and depth of the pages that rank now.

How many keywords should a blog post target?

One main keyword plus natural variations and related terms.

Should I use AI to write blog posts?

AI can help with outlines and drafts, but add your own experience, check every fact, and edit heavily.

Originally written by guest author Reid Peterson, founder of the small business internet marketing coaching program Growth in Harmony. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.