Simple SEO Tips to Help Your First Blog Posts Get Found on Google

When you’re just starting your blog, there’s nothing more exciting than hitting “publish” on your first few posts. But there’s also nothing more frustrating than realizing… no one is reading them.

You’ve poured your energy into creating content, but your page views are stuck at zero. So where are the readers?

Here’s the truth: great content isn’t enough. If you want people to find your blog, especially through search engines like Google, you need to make your posts easy to discover. That’s where SEO comes in.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and while the phrase might sound intimidating, it’s really just a set of strategies to help search engines understand your content and show it to the right people.

The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to start using SEO. With a few simple tweaks, you can start getting your blog posts in front of more readers—even if you’re just beginning.

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Simple SEO Tips to Help Your First Blog Posts Get Found on Google

What Is SEO (And Why Should You Care)?

Search engines like Google use complex algorithms to decide which pages to show first when someone types in a query. SEO is the process of optimizing your content so it has a better chance of showing up on that results page.

For bloggers, this means:

• More organic (free!) traffic to your blog

• Better visibility in search results

• The chance to build long-term readership without relying solely on social media

  
  

SEO might take time, but it builds momentum. A well-optimized post can keep bringing in visitors for months—or even years—after you hit publish.

Step 1: Know What People Are Searching For

The first step in SEO is understanding what your audience is actually searching for. These are called keywords—and they’re the foundation of any good SEO strategy.

Let’s say you’re writing a post about “easy weeknight dinners.” Instead of just calling your post “Yummy Meals”, you’d want to include the phrase “easy weeknight dinners” in your title and content—because that’s what people are likely typing into Google.

You can use free tools like:

• Google Search: Start typing your topic and see what autocomplete suggestions pop up.

• Ubersuggest: A free keyword research tool with ideas and competition levels.

• AnswerThePublic: Generates a cloud of questions people are asking around your topic.

  
  

Pick one main keyword or phrase to target per post. Choose something specific and relevant to your blog topic—not too broad, not too obscure.

Step 2: Use Keywords Strategically (But Naturally)

Once you’ve chosen a keyword, the next step is to use it in the right places. Google looks at certain parts of your post to understand what it’s about, so make sure your keyword appears in:

• Your blog post title

• The URL (web address) of your post

• The first paragraph or first 100 words

• At least one heading (like an H2 or H3)

• The meta description (the snippet that appears in search results)

• Image alt text (describes what an image shows)

  
  

But here’s the key: don’t stuff your post with keywords. Google is smart, and unnatural writing can actually hurt your ranking. Instead, write like a human. Make sure the post flows naturally and provides real value. Use synonyms and related phrases to give the content depth.

Step 3: Create Helpful, High-Quality Content

SEO isn’t just about keywords. Google also cares deeply about content quality. In other words: is your post actually helpful?

When someone searches for a question, they’re looking for a clear, satisfying answer. Your job is to deliver that. That means:

• Writing in a clear, conversational tone

• Breaking up long paragraphs for easier reading

• Using subheadings to organize your content

• Answering questions thoroughly and honestly

• Offering examples, visuals, or personal experiences

  
  

Make your blog post the best possible answer to someone’s question, and Google will notice.

Step 4: Use Headings to Organize Your Post

Headings aren’t just for style—they help both readers and search engines understand the structure of your content. Use H2 headings for main sections, and H3 headings for sub-points under each section.

Think of your blog post like a book:

• Your blog title is the book title

• H2 headings are your chapters

• H3 headings are sub-sections within those chapters

  
  

Search engines scan these headings to understand what your post covers. Clear, keyword-rich headings also help users skim and stay engaged.

Step 5: Add Internal and External Links

Google values content that is well-connected—both to other parts of your site and to trustworthy sources elsewhere.

Here’s how:

• Internal links: Link to your own related blog posts. This keeps readers on your site longer and improves your SEO.

• External links: Link to high-quality, reputable sources (like news sites, research, or tools) when relevant. It shows Google that you’re supporting your claims.

  
  

Example: If you mention Canva in a post about blog graphics, link to Canva’s homepage. If you talk about SEO tips, link to a resource like Moz or Google’s own Search Central.

Step 6: Optimize Images for Speed and SEO

Big, uncompressed images can slow down your blog—which hurts your ranking. Here’s how to keep images SEO-friendly:

• Resize images before uploading (keep file sizes under 300–500 KB if possible).

• Use descriptive file names (like "blueberry-oatmeal.jpg" instead of "IMG0001.jpg").

• Add alt text to describe each image. This helps with accessibility and tells Google what’s in the image.

  
  

Image SEO is often overlooked by beginners—but it’s a quick win you can start using right away.

Step 7: Write Compelling Meta Titles and Descriptions

Your meta title and meta description are what show up in search results. Even if your content is amazing, a boring or vague description might cause people to scroll right past it.

Make it count.

• Keep your title under 60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off.

• Keep your description around 150–160 characters.

• Include your keyword and a reason to click—like a benefit or question you’re answering.

  
  

Example:

• Title: “7 Easy Weeknight Dinners Even Picky Eaters Will Love”

• Description: “Tired of cooking battles? These quick, tasty meals are kid-approved and perfect for busy evenings.”

  
  

If you’re using WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math make it easy to edit these fields directly.

Step 8: Be Patient and Keep Publishing

One of the hardest things about SEO is that it doesn’t give you instant results. You might not see much traffic at first—but that doesn’t mean it’s not working.

SEO is a long game. It can take weeks (or even months) for Google to fully index and rank your posts. The key is to keep publishing high-quality, optimized content consistently.

Every post you publish is another chance to show up in search results. Over time, your blog builds authority—and Google starts to trust you more.

Final Thoughts: SEO Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

When you’re just starting your blog, SEO might sound like a mystery. But it doesn’t have to be.

If you focus on creating content that’s helpful, clear, and discoverable, you’re already ahead of the game. You don’t need to master algorithms or chase shortcuts. Just write with your reader in mind, follow these simple tips, and be consistent.

Your first posts might not go viral overnight—but with the right SEO foundation, they’ll continue working for you long after you hit publish.