How to Get the Most Out of Your Guest Posts

Brand awareness is the recognition of a brand or business by its name, logo, or any other defining features

When it comes to improving SEO, most businesses focus heavily on publishing fresh content. While that’s certainly important, many overlook a valuable and often quicker win, refreshing existing content. Updating old content can not only save time and effort compared to writing new articles, but it can also give your rankings a significant boost. If your site has been live for a while, chances are you’re already sitting on content that, with a few strategic updates, could deliver excellent SEO results. Let’s explore why updating old content is so effective and how to do it right. Why Content Goes Stale (and Why It Matters) The digital landscape moves fast. In just a few months, trends shift, search intent evolves, and statistics become outdated. What once was a strong-performing page can quietly slip down the rankings if it’s no longer considered relevant or accurate. Worse still, old content may contain broken links or outdated messaging, which can harm both your brand credibility and your SEO performance. When Googlebot crawls your site and detects broken links or stale information, it may lower the trust signals associated with your domain. You canrun regular SEO audits to identify outdated or underperforming pages. Why Google (and Users) Love Updated Content Google wants to show users the most relevant and up-to-date information. This means it naturally favours sites that refresh their content regularly. Even small updates, if meaningful, can trigger Google to re-crawl and re-rank a page. From a user perspective, it also makes sense. You’re more likely to trust content that’s been reviewed recently versus something that hasn’t been touched in years. And it’s not just blog posts. Refreshing product pages, landing pages, and evergreen articles can have a measurable impact on visibility and engagement. What About Evergreen Content? Evergreen content, such as “how-to” guides or foundational industry articles, tends to stay relevant over time. But even these gems can benefit from occasional updates. For example: Are the external links still working? Could you improve the formatting or visuals? Have new services launched that should be linked internally? The goal is to keep the page fresh and useful without completely rewriting it. Your Content Refresh Checklist It doesn’t take a major rewrite to make a difference. Here's what to look for when refreshing older pages: Update outdated stats or facts: Replace old data with the latest figures or research. Optimise for new keywords: Your SEO strategy likely evolves over time, make sure your older content reflects your current keyword goals. Add internal links: Point readers to newly published blogs, services, or relevant pages across your site. Refresh meta titles & descriptions: Make sure they accurately reflect the content and entice clicks from searchers. Fix broken links: Ensure every link works and adds value, this includes both internal and external links. Want to make this even easier? Use tools like Ahrefs Site Audit, Semrush On Page SEO Checker, or Screaming Frog to quickly spot outdated or underperforming content. Which Content Should You Refresh First? If your website has a large archive, it can feel overwhelming deciding where to begin. Here’s where we recommend starting: 1. Pages with Declining Traffic If a blog or service page was once performing well but has seen a dip in traffic, it’s a prime candidate for a refresh. Check Google Analytics or Search Console to identify these pages. 2. Pages Ranking on Page 2 of Google As Semrush reports, less than 1% of searchers ever click on results on the second page. Moving a page from position #12 to #9 can result in a significant visibility boost. 3. Evergreen Content with Old Links or Mentions Even if the core content remains relevant, refresh the links, update any references to time-sensitive material, and ensure the format still aligns with your current brand tone. Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Create, Curate An effective content strategy balances creation with curation. While new content is essential for growth, updating your existing pages can be one of the most cost-effective SEO wins available to you. At Bubble SEO, we support businesses with both content creation and optimisation. If you’d like help writing SEO-friendly content get in touch with our team.

In the ever-evolving landscape of SEO, guest posting remains a key strategy for building backlinks, driving traffic, and enhancing brand visibility.

Content marketing is the creation of information and content and how this can be shared across different formats

A robust online presence is essential for the success of any business.

From past success of guest blogging, we are aware that there are lots of

Link building stands out as a fundamental strategy, enhancing visibility and authority on search engines.

There are many different PR processes that can help you monitor and

Starting with some quality research that is relevant to the current market

Retail is always one step ahead and that doesn't just the physical stores

When making a guest post, it is important to track your metrics of your site and help you to improve.

When you first start writing online, it can be tempting to cram as many keywords into your content as possible. In the past, that might have helped. But today, writing like a robot is more likely to hurt your rankings than help them. Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving to prioritise relevant, authentic, and helpful content over keyword-heavy fluff (Google Search Essentials). This means that while SEO matters, it should never come at the expense of natural, engaging writing. Authenticity not only helps Google understand that your content was written by a real human, it also builds trust with your audience. And in digital marketing, trust is currency. 1. Understand What “SEO-Friendly” Really Means Once upon a time, “SEO-friendly” meant sprinkling in your keywords as much as possible. Today, it’s much more holistic. Google now rewards content that is: Useful: Does the content answer the reader’s query? Readable: Is the structure easy to digest? Valuable: Does it provide insights the user can’t find elsewhere? In fact, Google’s Helpful Content Update was designed to reward content that leaves users satisfied after reading. When you focus on intent, readability, and value, you naturally produce SEO-friendly content. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on how to create shareable content. 2. Start With Search Intent, Not Keywords There are three main types of search intent: Informational: A user seeking knowledge (e.g., how to get a backlink). Transactional: A user ready to purchase (e.g., buy a guest post). Navigational: A user looking for a specific site (e.g., Bubble SEO login). A strong blog post often blends all three. For example, in an article on how to get high-quality backlinks, you might: Inform readers about backlink strategies, Recommend services such as Bubble SEO’s guest post packages, and Guide them directly to the Bubble SEO login when they’re ready to act. Balancing intent ensures your content resonates with people and performs well in search. 3. Keywords as a Compass, Not a Crutch Keywords still matter, but they shouldn’t dominate your writing. Think of them as a compass pointing you in the right direction, not a script to follow. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can help you identify terms with solid search volume and manageable competition. Don’t forget long-tail keywords, phrases of three or more words that capture specific intent. For instance, instead of just guest posting, a long-tail phrase like where to buy high-quality backlinks can attract users who are ready to take action. Avoid keyword stuffing. If Google detects overuse, your rankings may suffer rather than improve. 4. Structure Your Content for Humans First Imagine clicking on an article and being greeted by a giant wall of text. You’d probably bounce. That’s why structure is key: Use headings to break down ideas. Add bullet points and listicles for clarity. Write shorter paragraphs for readability. This doesn’t just help humans, it also helps search engines crawl and understand your content. 5. Write Like You Speak (But Edit Like a Pro) The easiest way to sound human? Write conversationally. Tips to try: Use pronouns like you and we. Keep sentences short. Break up paragraphs. Storytelling is another powerful tactic. Sharing personal anecdotes or client success stories adds authenticity. Finally, don’t be afraid to inject a little personality, whether that’s humor, relatability, or industry-specific wit. Just remember to edit carefully so your message remains clear and professional. 6. Enhance With Multimedia and Formatting Text alone can feel heavy. Break it up with images, charts, or short videos to make your content more engaging. A well-placed infographic can often explain something faster than paragraphs of text. Internal and external links are also essential. They: Help readers discover related content (see our guide on the benefits of guest posting). Signal credibility to search engines by connecting to trusted sources (like Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO). 7. Test, Measure, and Refine SEO is rarely a “set it and forget it” process. Once your article is live, track: Bounce rate: Are people staying on the page? Engagement: Are they clicking links or sharing content? Traffic: Is your post attracting organic visitors? If something isn’t working, don’t panic, just tweak and test again. Over time, this iterative process will help you find your sweet spot. For tips on keeping content fresh, check out our blog: Is it Time to Refresh Old Content? It Could Be Your Biggest SEO Win!. Conclusion: The Sweet Spot Between Algorithms and People At the end of the day, writing for SEO is a balancing act. You need to satisfy search engines while engaging real people. The best approach? Write for humans first, then optimise second. When your content is authentic, helpful, and structured with SEO in mind, both Google and your readers will reward you. Need help striking that balance? Explore our SEO content services to see how Bubble SEO can support your growth.