Before publishing any blog post, it’s essential to configure a few key SEO elements. These adjustments will help your post rank well in search engines and attract more readers. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
1. Title – The Search Headline
The title is the headline users see in search engine results.
How to Write a Title:
- Keep it under 60 characters.
- Place the main keywords or phrase at the beginning.
- Add the year if the content is time-sensitive.
- Avoid unnecessary additions like your company name unless it builds trust or enhances brand recognition.
When to Include Your Brand Name:
For Corporate Blogs:
Include the company name in meta tags if:
- The blog belongs to a well-known company (e.g., Google, Amazon).
- It builds trust with the audience.
- It’s part of your brand awareness strategy.
For Expert Blogs:
Add the expert's name if:
- The expert’s name is already a recognized brand.
- It enhances the perception of authority and expertise.
- It supports sales and conversions.
However, Consider These Drawbacks:
- Takes up valuable space in the title (from the 60-character limit).
- Might be irrelevant to the reader's search intent.
- Doesn’t always influence click decisions in search results.
Example Titles:
✅ “How to Set Up SEO for a Blog Post: Simple Guide”
✅ “LinkedIn Marketing 2024: Step-by-Step Instructions”
❌ “A Very Long Blog Post Title About Setting Up SEO for Your Blog to Attract More Readers.”
✅ “LinkedIn Marketing 2024: Step-by-Step Instructions”
❌ “A Very Long Blog Post Title About Setting Up SEO for Your Blog to Attract More Readers.”
2. Description – The Search Snippet
The description is the text displayed under the title in search results.
How to Write a Description:
- Stay under 160 characters.
- Start with a clear summary of the post and why it’s worth reading.
- Optionally, end with a call-to-action.
Example Descriptions:
✅ “Set up SEO for your blog in 15 minutes. This guide covers all key steps in simple terms. Get the checklist and start optimizing today!”
❌ “SEO, search engine optimization, blog, article, guide, instructions…”
❌ “SEO, search engine optimization, blog, article, guide, instructions…”
3. OG Tags – Social Media Previews
Open Graph (OG) tags define how your post appears when shared on social media.
Key OG Tags to Configure:
- og:title – The headline.
- og:description – A short description.
- og:image – An image (recommended size: 1200x630px).
Do You Have to Set These Tags?
Not necessarily—if left blank, most platforms will use your SEO tags. However, adding a custom image boosts visibility and encourages clicks
4. URL – The Post Address
URL — это адрес, по которому читатели найдут вашу статью. Он важен и для SEO, и для удобства читателей. В SEO часто используют термин «ЧПУ» — человекопонятный URL. Это значит, что из адреса страницы сразу понятно её содержание.
The URL is the address where readers find your post. A clear, concise, and reader-friendly URL improves SEO and trust.
How to Create an SEO-Friendly URL:
- Use transliteration for non-English posts.
- Separate words with dashes.
- Keep the URL short and descriptive.
Examples:
✅ /blog/seo-for-blog-posts
✅ /blog/how-to-get-clients
❌ /blog/how-to-setup-seo-blog-post
❌ /blog/post_12345
❌ /blog/a-very-long-url-about-how-to-set-up-seo-and-attract-traffic-to-your-blog
✅ /blog/how-to-get-clients
❌ /blog/how-to-setup-seo-blog-post
❌ /blog/post_12345
❌ /blog/a-very-long-url-about-how-to-set-up-seo-and-attract-traffic-to-your-blog
Why It Matters:
- Readers see URLs in search results.
- Clear URLs inspire trust.
- Short URLs are easier to remember.
- Search engines use URL keywords for ranking.
Where to Set it:
Most CMS platforms like WordPress and Tilda offer an SEO section under each post where you can set the URL, Title, and Description.
Bonus Tips
- Skip the Keywords Tag: Search engines no longer use it for rankings.
- Use Canonical Tags: If your post has duplicates on other URLs, set the primary version with the canonical tag.
- Check Search Preview: Use tools like Google Search Console or Yandex Webmaster to preview and submit your post for indexing.
Quick SEO Checklist
Before hitting “Publish,” make sure you’ve done the following:
□ Title written (under 60 characters).
□ Description added (under 160 characters).
□ Social media preview image uploaded.
□ URL set (short, clear, with dashes).
□ Post preview looks good in search results.
□ Description added (under 160 characters).
□ Social media preview image uploaded.
□ URL set (short, clear, with dashes).
□ Post preview looks good in search results.
