Listen to this post: How to Optimise Your Blog Posts for On-Page SEO (2026 Workflow)
You can write a brilliant post, sharp opening, useful steps, honest advice, and still watch it sit on page six like a book left on the wrong shelf. That’s usually not a “your writing is bad” problem. It’s an on-page SEO problem.
On-page SEO is everything you change on the page itself, the words, headings, links, images, and a few small technical details, so search engines (and people) can tell what the page is about, fast.
The good news is you don’t need a new tool stack or a week of tweaks. You need a simple routine you can repeat on every post in 20 to 30 minutes. This guide reflects 2026 search habits: people-first writing, clean structure that’s easy to scan, and helpful detail that AI systems can quote without guesswork.
Plan your page before you write: intent, keywords, and structure
Good on-page SEO starts before the first sentence. Think of it like setting up signposts before you invite anyone to visit. Without them, readers get lost, and Google can’t map the route.
Match the search intent, then pick one main keyword and a few close variants
Most blog posts fall into three intent types:
- Informational: “How to optimise a blog post for on-page SEO” (someone wants to learn).
- Commercial: “Best on-page SEO tools for bloggers” (someone’s weighing options).
- Transactional: “Hire on-page SEO consultant” (someone’s ready to buy).
If your post is informational but the top results are mostly tool round-ups, you’re swimming upstream. Before you commit, scan the first page and note what’s consistent: the format (checklist, guide, tutorial), the depth (quick tips or long explainer), and the angle (beginner-friendly, advanced, UK-specific).
Now choose:
- 1 primary keyword (your main label).
- 3 to 6 supporting phrases (close variants and real questions).
Supporting phrases might include “title tag”, “meta description”, “internal links”, “image alt text”, “URL slug”, and “on-page SEO checklist”. Use them where they fit. Don’t force them in like spare screws.
A 2026 rule that holds up: write to solve the problem first, then use keywords as labels. This also helps with AI summaries and zero-click results, because clear labels make your content easier to quote.
For extra background on what “on-page” covers today, keep a tab open with an up-to-date guide such as The SEO Works on-page SEO guide.
Build a simple outline that makes scanning easy (H1, short H2s, helpful H3s)
A strong outline is a promise: “You’ll find what you came for.” Keep it clean:
- 1 H1: the page topic in plain words.
- 2 to 3 H2s: the big steps (plan, write, check).
- H3s: proofs, steps, examples, and quick answers.
Use the inverted pyramid: answer early, explain after. If your post is long, add a mini table of contents near the top, even if it’s just three bullets. It sets expectations and reduces bounce.
Headings can include natural keywords without sounding stiff. “Image SEO for blog posts” is fine. “Best image SEO blog post optimisation 2026” is not.
Write and format the post so Google and humans get it fast
If planning is the map, formatting is the street lighting. In 2026, pages win when they’re easy to read, easy to extract, and clearly useful.
Optimise your title tag, intro, and meta description for clicks and clarity
Your title tag is your shop sign. It should be clear at a glance.
- Keep it under about 60 characters so it doesn’t truncate.
- Put the main keyword near the start when it sounds natural.
- Make it a promise, not a slogan.
A practical habit: write three title options, then pick the one that sounds most like a human answer to a human question.
For the meta description, stay under about 160 characters. Say what the reader gets, and who it’s for. Avoid hype. If your post offers a workflow, say so.
In the introduction, place the main keyword naturally in the first 25 words. Don’t repeat it three times. One clean mention is enough, then focus on clarity.
If you want a quick checklist style reference, see Limelight Digital’s on-page SEO checklist, then adapt it to your own writing style.
Make the content easy to read: short paragraphs, lists, and clear answers
Think of your post like a well-lit kitchen. Everything has a place. You can find what you need without rummaging.
A readability checklist that works in most editors:
- Keep paragraphs to 1 to 3 sentences.
- Use plain words (swap “utilise” for “use”).
- Use bullets for steps, not for everything.
- Bold key terms lightly, like title tag or alt text (don’t turn the page into a highlighter pen).
- Add one example when a concept feels abstract.
Also add “people-first” signals that readers notice:
- A quick line on who this is for (new bloggers, busy editors, niche sites).
- A sentence of lived experience (“If your posts rank but don’t get clicks…”).
- Clear definitions in one line. This helps readers and AI systems.
Example of a one-line definition: Schema is structured data that tells search engines what the page is, using a standard format.
Answer common questions in short sub-sections. If you know readers often ask, “Do I need to use the keyword in every heading?”, give them a direct answer in two sentences. Clear answers earn trust, and they’re easier for AI overviews to quote.
Finish strong with technical on-page checks: URLs, images, speed, and schema
These checks are small, but they often unlock rankings. Treat them like checking mirrors before you drive off.
Clean URLs, smart internal linking, and fresh updates that keep rankings alive
A good URL slug is short and honest:
- Use the topic:
/on-page-seo-blog-posts/ - Skip filler words: “how”, “and”, “the”
- Avoid dates unless the date is the point.
Once a post starts ranking, avoid changing the URL. If you must change it, use a proper redirect.
For internal linking, follow two rules:
- Link to pages that genuinely help the reader take the next step.
- Use descriptive anchor text (not “click here”).
Don’t overdo it. A handful of strong internal links beats a page that feels like a net.
Finally, update older posts. In 2026, freshness isn’t just a date stamp. It’s clearer headings, better answers, and updated examples. Track changes in Google Search Console so you can see what moved after you edited.
For a broader view of what matters on-page right now, Bulldog Digital Media’s on-page SEO guide is useful context.
Image SEO, page speed, mobile checks, and basic schema for rich results
Images can help your post, or slow it down. Keep them working for you:
- Compress images before upload.
- Use helpful file names (
on-page-seo-checklist.jpg). - Write alt text that describes the image. Only include a keyword if it fits naturally.
If the page feels slow, check your biggest culprits: oversized images, heavy embeds, and too many scripts. Lazy loading can help, and so can swapping a giant hero image for something lighter.
Schema sounds technical, but the idea is simple: it helps Google understand the page type and key parts. If your post genuinely includes FAQs, FAQ schema can help. If it’s a standard blog post, start with Article schema.
A quick “before you hit publish” table:
| Check | What “good” looks like |
|---|---|
| Title tag | Under 60 characters, clear promise |
| URL slug | Short, topic-led, no filler |
| Intro | Keyword once, benefit stated fast |
| Headings | H2s match main sections, scannable |
| Images | Compressed, descriptive alt text |
| Mobile | Easy to read, no cramped sections |
Conclusion
On-page SEO doesn’t need to feel like guesswork. Use the same workflow every time: plan (intent and keywords), write (clear structure, strong title, readable answers), then check (URLs, images, speed, schema). Do that, and your best posts stop hiding.
Pick one existing article that deserves more attention. Run these checks, tighten the headings, refresh the examples, and republish with an updated date if your CMS supports it. Then watch what happens over the next few weeks. Consistency is what turns small fixes into steady traffic.
