Almost anyone can put up a blog now, but how to write blog posts that rank on Google is a different ball game altogether. Ranking blog posts doesn’t happen by luck; they follow a proven structure that pleases search engines and real readers.
I know this because I have been in the game for a healthy number of years. Every little detail must count and matter if you wish to get it right. From the right keywords to content scannability, they all form a formidable force to attract Google’s busy bots and appear on search engines.
Therefore, if you’ve been pouring energy into blogging but barely seeing traffic, this guide will show you what’s missing and how to fix it. Let’s break down what makes a blog post appear in SERPs, what Google looks for, and the step-by-step process you can follow today to start ranking, getting clicks, and building authority in your niche. Let’s dive in.
What makes a blog post rank on Google?
Ranking on Google boils down to three pillars: relevance, quality, and authority. If your content matches search intent, delivers real value, and comes from a credible source, Google is more likely to reward it with visibility.
First, relevance means your blog post should clearly address the searcher’s needs. This involves proper keyword research and understanding user intent.
Second, quality is about how helpful, original, and easy-to-read your post is. Google loves posts that readers stay on, share, and engage with.
And third, authority develops over time through backlinks, consistent SEO blog writing, and trustworthiness.
If your content checks all three boxes, you’re already halfway into Google’s good books.
Let us move to the next step and unveil how to get your blog posts on Google.
How do you get your blog to rank on Google?
To make this happen, you need a mix of strategy and consistency added to your unique content writing skills. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Do proper keyword research: Use tools like Ahrefs to find keywords your audience is actively searching for. For instance, terms like “write blog posts for SEO” or “how to optimize blog content” can guide your writing direction.
Write for humans first, bots second: It’s tempting to write for Google’s algorithms, but your post won’t rank if readers aren’t sticking around. Therefore, care for your readers throughout your writing episode before paying attention to the bots.
Use on-page SEO techniques: Incorporate your primary keyword and related terms naturally. Also, include internal links, short paragraphs, and a clear heading structure. If you are a beginner and likely to forget what to do, simply make a list of SEO best practices and tick them off as you write.
Create helpful and unique content: Don’t rehash what everyone else is saying. Add personal touches and experiences, use case studies if applicable, and include unique tips. Your content should stand out and drip value.
Promote your blog post: Share your blog posts on social media, send them to your email list, or even repurpose them into LinkedIn posts.
This is not a one-off activity; your posts will gain traction and visibility with time and consistency.
One crucial question new writers constantly ask is how long their blog posts must be to get Google’s attention and rank. Check the next line for a permanent answer to this question.
How long should a blog post be for SEO?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, most high-ranking blog posts fall between 1,500 and 2,500 words. But it’s not just about length, it’s about depth. If a 900-word post fully addresses a topic and satisfies search intent, it will still rank better than a 2000-word post filled with gaps.
However, longer posts tend to do better because:
- They provide more opportunities to use relevant keywords.
- They answer multiple related questions in one go.
- They’re often more comprehensive and valuable.
That said, always prioritize quality over word count. A 2,000-word post that is not well written won’t beat a sharp, 1,000-word post that solves a reader’s problem.
Let’s talk about structuring.
How do I structure a blog post for SEO?
Structure isn’t just for aesthetics—it helps your readers and Google understand your content.
A strong SEO blog writing structure includes:
- An attention-grabbing introduction that uses the primary keyword.
- Clear subheadings (H2s and H3s) to organize the content.
- Short paragraphs with no more than 3–4 lines per block.
- Bullet points or numbered lists for scannability.
- A conclusion that summarizes key points or offers a call-to-action.
Use formatting like bold and italics to highlight key takeaways, like I just did up there. Also, sprinkle in your keywords naturally, don’t stuff.
Should I use keywords in subheadings?
Absolutely, but only if it fits naturally. Using keywords in subheadings gives Google more context about your content and boosts its visibility.
For instance, a subheading like “How to optimize blog content for search engines” is clearer and more SEO-friendly than something vague like “Content Tips.”
Just don’t force it. If the keyword disrupts the flow or sounds awkward, it’s better left out.
How do I optimize my blog for Google search?
Follow this checklist for complete blog post SEO optimization and increase your blog traffic:
- Start with keyword placement: Ensure your primary keyword appears in the title, first paragraph, meta description, URL, and at least one subheading.
- Use internal and external links: Link to other relevant posts on your blog to keep readers around longer. Also, links to authoritative sources are used to build trust.
- Optimize your images: Use relevant file names and alt text (more on that below).
- Check your readability: Use tools like Hemingway or Grammarly to ensure your writing is clear and accessible.
- Mobile-friendliness and speed: Use a clean theme and compress your images to ensure your blog loads fast on all devices.
These small actions work together to give your blog post an SEO edge. Now, let’s talk about images.
Can images help a blog rank on Google?
Yes, and in more ways than one. Images improve user experience, break up text blocks, and boost engagement. A post with visuals tends to hold a reader’s attention longer, and Google notices that.
But beyond aesthetics, images can show up in Google Image Search, driving even more traffic. This is especially helpful for tutorial-style blog posts or step-by-step guides.
How to write alt text for blog images?
Alt text is a short description of your image. It helps visually impaired users understand the image and tells Google what it is about.
Here’s how to write good alt text:
- Keep it short and descriptive.
- Include a keyword if it fits naturally.
- Avoid using “image of” or “picture of.”
For example, instead of writing: “Image of a woman writing on her laptop,” write: “Freelance writer working on SEO blog writing.”
The next question that comes to your mind is how long it takes for a blog post to rank after following all these steps. We are about to discuss that in the following line.
How long does it take for a blog to rank on Google?
This depends on several factors, such as your site’s domain authority, the competition level of the keyword, and the optimization of your content.
A well-optimized post can take 3 to 6 months to rank. However, newer blogs may need more time to build authority.
To speed up the process:
- Keep updating your content.
- Build backlinks gradually.
- Share your blog consistently.
Ranking is not instant, but patience pays off.
How do I index my blog post on Google?
If you want Google to recognize your new post faster, you need to index it. Follow these steps to do that:
Submit your URL in Google Search Console: Log into your Search Console account and paste your blog post URL in the inspection tool.
Request indexing: After Google scans the URL, you’ll see an option to “Request Indexing.”
Share your post: Linking your new post from already indexed pages on your site can also help speed up the process.
Use a sitemap: Ensure your website has a sitemap submitted to Google. Most SEO plugins like RankMath or Yoast generate this automatically.
Publishing a blog post is just step one. Getting it to rank on Google is the real win. But once you understand how to write blog posts that rank on Google and apply SEO-backed methods, like optimizing content, writing for humans, and structuring your post right, Google will start noticing.
So, go back to your blog drafts, edit with intention, add the missing pieces, and hit publish with confidence.
And if you’re ready to take your blogging game seriously,
Ready to grow your blog traffic? Use these SEO-backed strategies to write posts that Google loves and readers can’t ignore, or sign up for my SEO Writing Course at Venus Writingstyles Academy and start ranking smarter, not harder.
