Search engine optimization often sounds like a dark art, but at its core it’s just good writing with a bit of extra care. The goal isn’t to chase algorithms — it’s to make your content as discoverable and useful as possible. Why? Because when done right, SEO brings more readers to your work and keeps them there — without sacrificing the voice and style that make you unique.
But how does one do SEO? Is it the keywords? Are there hacks that you’re unaware of? Or is the internet at large simply gaming Google?
Well, the truth is a lot simpler: SEO is about writing so your audience — and search engines — both understand and trust your work. Despite the fact that algorithms keep updating, SERPs keep mutating, and trends age like milk, the fundamentals of useful, findable, and readable content remain consistent over the years.
So, how should you do SEO? Well, here are some tips to think about the next time you’re writing an article.
Start With Intent
Every search begins with a problem to solve. A reader who types “best laptops under $800” doesn’t want theory; they want a shortlist they can trust. Someone searching “how to clear browser cache” isn’t looking for history — they need clear, step-by-step instructions.
The first step in SEO is recognizing that intent drives everything. Write to solve the problem behind the query, and you’ll already be ahead of most content online.
Structure Like a Journalist
Readers skim. Search engines skim too. That’s why good structure matters.
When writing for SEO, a strong headline that mirrors the search query sets the stage. Following it up with a short intro that acknowledges the reader’s problem builds trust. Subheads then help guide the readers’ eye through the piece, while concise paragraphs and the occasional table, screenshot, or list keep things digestible.
If someone can scan just the headings and still understand your article, you’ve nailed the structure.
Don’t Forget the Edges
The “edges” of a piece — title tags, meta descriptions, URLs, image alt text, and internal links — are often where visibility is won or lost. They might feel like small details, but these are the signposts that tell both readers and search engines what your content is about. Spend a few minutes polishing these, and you’ll dramatically improve how easily people find and click on your work.
Keep Content Alive
SEO doesn’t end when you hit publish. The best-performing content is updated over time. Maybe it’s swapping in new data, fixing outdated screenshots, or linking to a newer article. These refreshes send a strong signal that our content is current and reliable. Think of it as maintenance that pays compounding returns: a small update today can keep a post relevant — and ranking — for months or even years.
Search engines don’t buy into clickbait; readers don’t tolerate obscurity. When you solve the exact problem the query implies, in a structure that’s easy to scan and easy to trust, you win the click, the dwell time, the snippet—and the next assignment. Treat SEO like an editor’s craft, not a trick. The craft compounds.
- Write for intent, not keywords. One search = one job to be done. Solve it completely.
- Structure like a journalist. Clear H1 → scannable H2/H3 → crisp paragraphs → helpful visuals.
- Optimize the edges. Titles, URLs, intros, alt text, internal links, and schema win featured real estate.
- Update with purpose. Refreshes and internal links are compounding interest for content.
Taking in all of this at once might seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to.
The HackerNoon Blogging Course with its self-paced structure, on-demand video lessons, practical tools and templates (yours to keep), exercises, and a community to learn with, allows you to digest all the resources you need to grow your reach and authority as a writer. And that’s just in one of eight modules curated by a stellar Editorial team responsible for publishing 150,000+ drafts from contributors all over the world.
Want to write a winning SEO post that thrives even in the age of AI?