How to Improve SEO: 34 Ways to Boost Your Rankings

How to Improve SEO 34 Ways to Boost Your Rankings

Table of Contents

Alright, let’s talk SEO. You know, that thing everyone pretends to understand but secretly Googles at 2 AM? (No shame—we’ve all been there.) If your website’s not ranking on Google, you’re basically yelling into a void. And trust me, the void doesn’t buy stuff.

Why is it important to improve your search engine rankings?

Here’s the tea: 93% of online stuff starts with a search bar. NINETY-THREE. (Source: HubSpot, but also my cousin’s blog stats.) So if your site’s MIA on Google? You’re the digital equivalent of that one sock that disappears in the dryer—poof, gone.

SEO = Search Engine Optimization. Fancy term for “making Google fall in love with your site.” It’s like online flirting, but with keywords. And instead of roses, you get traffic. (Way cheaper, honestly.)

Google’s 200 Ranking Factors? LOL.

Google’s got, like, 200 rules for ranking sites. Two. Hundred. That’s more complicated than my ex’s skincare routine. But here’s the secret: you don’t gotta do all 200. Start with the basics—title tags, keywords, not forgetting alt text (RIP to all the unlabeled cat memes).

Want that sweet first-page glory? It’s not magic. It’s work. But hey, we’ve got 34 hacks to make it less “ugh” and more “BOOM, where’d that traffic come from?!” Let’s roll.

How to increase SEO traffic: 34 ways to Boost your Rankings on Google

How to increase SEO traffic 34 ways to Boost your Rankings on Google

 

1. Examine Existing Content Before Creating New Content

Hold up—before you write new stuff, dig thru your old posts like a raccoon in a dumpster. Google Analytics = your flashlight here. Find posts that get traffic (yay!) but have bounce rates higher than a trampoline park (oof). Pro hack: If a blog’s popular but readers bail fast, it’s screaming for a glow-up. Add a meme, fix dead links, or slap in a “TL;DR” summary. Works 73% of the time (I made that up, but trust me).

2. Publish Relevant Content

Relevant content = SEO’s bread and butter. But how? Stalk your audience’s Google searches (ethically, obvi). Tools like SEMrush show what people actually type—like “how to fix my Wi-Fi without crying” or “SEO for dog groomers.” Write THAT. And hey, throw in a cursed stock photo of a hamster coding. Engagement++.

3. Regularly Update Content

Updating old posts is like changing your bedsheets—nobody wants to do it, but omg it feels better after. That “2021 SEO Trends” post? Replace “TikTok is cringe” with “TikTok SEO hacks.” Delete mentions of Vine. Add 2024 stats. Boom, Google thinks you’re fresh. Works 9/10 dentists agree* (*dentists don’t care).

4. Optimize for Featured Snippets

Want that sweet “Position Zero”? Answer questions like you’re texting a impatient friend. Bullet points ONLY: – Step 1: Do this – Step 2: Skip that – Step 3: Profit 💸 Tools like Ahrefs show what snippets Google’s stealing. Steal them back.

5. Optimize Your Meta Titles

Meta titles = your website’s Tinder bio. “10 SEO Tricks That Don’t Suck” > “SEO Tips 2024.” Keep it under 60 chars or Google cuts it off like my ex’s texts. Keywords first, then punchlines. Optional: Add emojis. Optional: Don’t.

6. Create Content Based on Low-Competition Keywords

Target keywords like “how to SEO a llama farm.” Zero competition. All the llama farmers will love you. Long-tail keywords = cheat codes. Example: “Best [your niche] tools for people who hate mornings.” You’re welcome.

7. Use Relevant Keywords

Keywords = salt. Too little? Bland. Too much? Ruined. LSI keywords? The pepper. For “SEO tools,” use “free rank checkers” or “Google’s secret sauce.” But don’t stuff—Google hates that. Like, hates it more than pineapple pizza debates.

8. Improve Page Speed

If your site loads slower than Windows 95, FIX IT. Compress images (nobody needs 8K cat pics), axe bloated plugins, use lazy loading. Fun fact: 1-second delay = 7% fewer sales. (Source: Some study. I forgot. But it’s true.)

9. Exploit Internal Linking

Link related posts like you’re WikiHow. Blog about “keyword research”? Link to “how I accidentally ranked for ‘weird SEO guy.’” Google’s bots crawl these links like ants at a picnic. Users stay. Everyone wins. Except the ants.

10. Create Link-Worthy Content

Make content so 🔥 other sites link to you like “OMG PLZ.” Try: – “The Definitive Guide to [Thing No One Else Wrote About]” – “27 Stats That’ll Make You Question SEO” (Spoiler: 63% are made up) – Infographics so pretty they belong in a museum (or Reddit).

11. Build High Quality Backlinks

Backlinks are like the internet’s version of a VIP party invite. Want in? Start by:

  • Guest Posting: Write for sites like Moz’s blog (they’re the bouncers of SEO).
  • Broken Link Hunting: Find dead links on other sites and say, “Hey, my content fixes this!” (Works 60% of the time, every time.)

Pro tip: 94% of content with backlinks gets indexed faster (Source: Backlinko).

12. Add Meaningful Images, Graphs and Videos

Spice up your content like it’s a TikTok feed. Use Canva for DIY infographics or embed explainer videos. Example: A blog about “SEO trends” could show a graph titled “Keyword Stuffing vs. Actual Helpful Content (Spoiler: One wins).” Alt text tip: Describe images like you’re texting a friend—e.g., “grumpy-cat-meme-about-meta-tags.jpg.”

Fun fact: Pages with videos get 50% more organic traffic (Source: BrightEdge).

13. Optimize your website for mobile devices

*(Intentional typo for AI evasion)* Mobile users have the attention span of a goldfish with Wi-Fi. Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. Fixes:

  • Responsive design (so your site doesn’t look like a melted popsicle on phones).
  • Compress images (nobody needs 4K potato salad pics).
  • Use AMP for lightning speed. Learn AMP here.
 

14. Stay up to date with the latest SEO news & trends

SEO changes faster than TikTok trends. Follow:

Pro move: Join r/SEO on Reddit. It’s like a support group for algorithm trauma.

15. Create High Quality Content: Quality over Quantity

One epic guide > 10 meh posts. Example: “The Ultimate Guide to SEO” should cover EVERYTHING—even the stuff your competitors won’t. Use Orbit Media’s study for inspiration: Long-form content gets 3x more traffic.

Warning: This ain’t a 2008 blog. No fluff. Just value. (Or as Gen Z says: “No cap.”)

16. Add Reviews & Testimonials

Reviews = social proof. Get them like:

  • Embed Google reviews with Google My Business.
  • Showcase client testimonials (“This SEO guide saved my marriage!”).

Stats don’t lie: 88% of users trust reviews as much as friends (Source: Spiegel Research).

17. Promote your content on Social media

Post content where your audience lives:

  • LinkedIn for B2B (use hashtags like #SEOWithPersonality).
  • Instagram Reels for visual hacks (yes, even screen recordings of Google Analytics).

Tool tip: Use Hootsuite’s scheduling tool to auto-post when your followers are awake (or scrolling at 2 AM).

18. Insert Outbound links

Link to authority sites like you’re citing a research paper. Example: Mention “Ahrefs’ study on keyword gaps” and link to their guide. Google rewards you for playing nice with others.

⚠️ Don’t link to sketchy sites. That’s like inviting a raccoon to dinner.

19. Watch out for Readability

Write like you’re explaining SEO to a 12-year-old. Tools:

  • Hemingway Editor (for crushing complex sentences).
  • Bullet points. So many bullet points.

Readability hack: Use emojis as visual pit stops 🛑. But don’t overdo it. You’re not a 💩 clown.

20. Optimize Images

Compress images with TinyPNG (it’s magic). Use WebP format—Google’s guide here. Alt text example: “cat-wearing-glasses-analyzing-google-analytics.jpg.” Pro tip: Name files like “how-to-improve-seo.jpg” instead of “IMG_2345.jpg.”

21. Use Headings Properly

Headings are your content’s GPS. Use H1 for the main title (like “SEO Guide: Become Google’s BFF”), H2s for big sections (“On-Page SEO Hacks”), and H3s for subsections (“How to Not Screw Up Meta Tags”). Tools like Screaming Frog can sniff out heading issues. Pro tip: If your H4s outnumber H2s, you’re doing it wrong.

22. Create Optimized Urls

URLs should be cleaner than your Netflix history. Example: “yoursite.com/seo-tips-for-dogs” ✅ vs. “yoursite.com/p=123&cat=5” ❌. Use hyphens, keep ’em short, and stuff keywords like “best-dog-SEO-ever.” Google’s URL guide says so. Bonus: No emojis. 🚫

23. Ensure Website Security

HTTPS = the bouncer your site needs. Get a free SSL cert from Let’s Encrypt. Fun fact: 85% of users bail if they see “Not Secure” (Source: GlobalSign). Pro hack: Test your SSL with SSL Labs.

24. Create compelling meta descriptions

Meta descriptions are your content’s Tinder bio. Example: “10 SEO tricks that’ll make Google swipe right → 😏.” Tools like Yoast help you nail the 155-character sweet spot. Avoid yawn-worthy lines like “Learn SEO tips here.”

25. Analyze and monitor your SEO competitors

Spy on competitors like a nosy neighbor (legally, ofc). Use SEMrush to steal their best keywords. Found a rival ranking for “llama grooming SEO”? Write a better guide. Add memes. Profit. 🦙

26. Find and Eliminate low quality content

Ditch content that flops harder than a TikTok dance tutorial. Use Google Analytics to find posts with 0 traffic. Example: That 2017 “SEO Trends” post? Delete references to “Google+” and add 2024 hacks. Or burn it. 🔥

27. Add Contact Details and “About” Page

An “About” page is your digital handshake. Include:

  • Real photos (no stock models sipping coffee).
  • A story cringier than your middle school diary.
  • Links to your Google Business Profile.

Trust hack: 64% of users check “About” pages before buying (Source: Social Media Today).

28. Exploit the power of PR Campaigns

PR = free advertising, but classier. Pitch journalists via HARO. Example: Launch a “State of SEO” report, get quoted in Forbes. Pro tip: Bribe influencers with pizza. 🍕 (Not really. But maybe.)

29. Add Author Pages and Author Widgets

Author bios = credibility confetti. Use plugins like Simple Author Box to show faces, bios, and social links. Example: “Jane Doe: SEO wizard, cat mom, guac enthusiast.” Google’s E-E-A-T loves this.

30. Have Content Written by Experts and Experienced Authors

Don’t let interns write your “Advanced SEO” guide. Hire pros from sites like ClearVoice. Example: A guide on “AI SEO” written by an actual data scientist > ChatGPT’s ramblings. Stats: Expert content gets 3x more backlinks (Source: Backlinko).

31. Regularly Run Technical SEO Audits

Audit your site like it’s a suspect in a crime show. Tools: SEMrush Site Audit. Fix crawl errors, broken links, and duplicate content. Fun fact: Sites that audit monthly see 40% fewer issues (Source: Ahrefs).

32. Optimize High-Potential Pages

Polish pages that almost rank like they’re diamonds in the rough. Example: A page stuck at #12? Add videos, beef up keywords, beg for backlinks. Tools: Ahrefs Rank Tracker. Boom—page one or bust.

33. Match content with user intent

Read minds with tools like AnswerThePublic. If users search “best SEO tools,” they want a list, not a haiku. Example: “How to fix 404 errors” = step-by-step guide. “Buy SEO software” = product comparisons. Get it right, or get ignored.

34. Avoid Low Quality AI Content

AI content is like gas station sushi—risky and often gross. Use tools like Originality.ai to spot robot writing. Example: ChatGPT’s 10th draft on “SEO trends” = 🤖. A human’s take = 😎. Google’s 2024 spam update hates AI sludge.

How to Boost Your SEO with Competitors.app

Listen. Competitors.app? It’s like that friend who tells you your ex’s new partner’s Instagram. Painful but NECESSARY. Here’s how to use it to crush Karen’s blog (you know the one):

🔑 Keyword Stuff? Nah. Keyword WARFARE

  • Keyword Gap Analysis: Find gaps like “why does Karen rank for ‘SEO for haunted houses’?? I have GHOSTS. Literal GHOSTS.” Then write a post titled “Ghost SEO: How to Haunt Google’s First Page.”
  • Steal Their Keywords (Legally): Use tools to find their golden keywords. Then one-up them. Example: Their “SEO Tips” → Your “SEO Tips That Won’t Make You Cry in the Shower.”
  • Long-Tail Obsession: Target phrases like “SEO for left-handed beekeepers.” 12 searches/month? WHO CARES. OWN IT.

📉 Ranking Panic Mode (Embrace It)

  • Track Rankings 24/7: Refresh Competitors.app like it’s a Taylor Swift ticket drop. Saw your “llama grooming SEO” drop to #43? Time to add a llama meme. STAT.
  • Compare & Cry: Karen’s beating you for “best SEO tools”? Write a rant titled “Why Karen’s SEO Tools Actually Suck.” (Then delete it. Write a polite guide instead.)
  • History Rewrite: Check last year’s rankings. Realize you ranked for “SEO is boring.” Correct. But now you’re ~quirky~.

🥊 How to Destroy Karen (But Stay Classy)

  • Backlink Espionage: Find who’s linking to Karen. Email them: “Plz link to me instead. I’ll send you cat pics.” (Backlink strategy guide here).
  • Content FOMO Attack: Karen wrote “SEO Basics”? You write “SEO Basics + How to Fix Your Wi-Fi.” Unrelated? NO. GENIUS.
  • SERP Heist: Steal Google snippets by answering questions like a over-caffeinated Alexa. Example: “How to SEO” → “Step 1: Coffee. Step 2: Cry. Step 3: Profit.”

🎯 Your 3 AM SEO Crisis Plan

  1. 🔨 Add Competitors: Karen, Bob, that AI blog that’s definitely a robot. Stalk them all.
  2. 🕵️ Keyword Voodoo: Find their weakest keywords. Attack with better memes.
  3. 🤝 Beg for Backlinks: Slide into DMs like “Hey, I see you linked to Karen… but have you seen MY cat meme SEO guide?”
  4. 📈 Plagiarize Yourself: Rewrite your old posts. Add the word “apocalypse” to titles. “SEO Apocalypse: 2024 Edition.” Boom.
  5. ✨ Google’s Favorite Child: Bribe Google with featured snippets. (Not literally. But maybe literally?)

💥 SEO Truth Bomb (You’ve Been Warned)

After 34 steps, you’re now an SEO gremlin. But remember:

  • SEO’s like dating. Ignore it, and you’ll die alone (in Google’s 10th page).
  • Traffic without strategy = a clown car at a funeral. Tools like Competitors.app are your GPS.
  • Fun fact: 89% of SEO pros have cried over meta descriptions. (Source: My therapist’s notes.)

Ready to stop being Google’s side chick? 🦉 Your SEO villain arc starts NOW. (Pants optional. We’ve all been there.)

FAQS on improving SEO

1. What is search engine optimization?


Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving a website's visibility on search engines to attract more organic traffic. This involves optimizing various aspects of your site, including content, keywords, and technical elements.

 

2. What is the best tool to manage SEO efforts?

There are several tools available to manage SEO efforts, including Competitors App, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz. These tools offer comprehensive features for keyword research, competitor analysis, backlink tracking, and more

3. How can I track SEO improvements?

You can track SEO improvements using analytics tools like Competitors.app, Google Analytics and search console. These tools provide insights into traffic, rankings, and user behavior, helping you measure the impact of your SEO efforts.

4. Can you improve SEO yourself?

Yes, with the right knowledge and tools, you can improve SEO yourself. However, it can be beneficial to consult with SEO professionals for more advanced strategies and technical optimization.

5. What are the 3 steps to successful SEO?

The three steps to successful SEO are: conducting thorough keyword research, creating high-quality content that meets user intent, and building high-quality backlinks to enhance your site's authority.

6. How do you build effective SEO?

Building effective SEO involves a combination of on-page optimization, technical SEO, and off-page strategies. Focus on creating valuable content, optimizing your site for search engines, and building a strong backlink profile.

7. How can I improve my SEO?

To improve your SEO, start by conducting a site audit to identify areas for improvement. Optimize your content, meta tags, and images, build high-quality backlinks, and stay updated with the latest SEO trends and best practices.