Table of Contents
What is On-Page SEO and Why is it Essential?
On-page SEO refers to the optimization of all internal elements of a web page to improve its ranking on search engines like Google. This includes adjusting content, HTML tags (titles, meta descriptions, headings), site architecture, and enhancing user experience (UX).
Its importance lies in the fact that without proper internal optimization, search engines will not understand the purpose and relevance of your website, resulting in lower visibility.
Recent Google Changes in 2024 for Better Web Page Optimization
Google constantly updates its algorithm, and in 2024, the trends lean even more toward user experience-focused optimization. Some of the most notable changes include:
- Core Web Vitals: These remain essential for ranking. They measure loading speed (Largest Contentful Paint), interactivity (First Input Delay), and visual stability (Cumulative Layout Shift). Google now expects websites to load quickly.
To improve Core Web Vitals:
- Optimize images: Use plugins like Smush or Imagify to reduce image size without losing quality.
- Improve loading speed: Use caching plugins such as WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to speed up the site.
- Reduce CSS and JS files: Tools like Autoptimize reduce CSS and JavaScript file sizes.
- Lazy loading: Implement deferred loading for images and videos to optimize the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
- Fast hosting: Use a reliable hosting service like Cloupsy Hosting to improve server response times.
- User-Centered, Useful Content: Google’s March 2024 update continues to prioritize relevant, high-quality content that directly addresses user needs.
- Optimization of Multimedia Elements: Proper use of images, videos, and web-optimized graphics is key.
- Use images in JPEG or WebP format under 100 KB in size. You can reduce the size using free tools if needed.
- Use optimized videos, ideally between 2 to 5 MB for short videos, and ensure they are hosted externally (e.g., YouTube or Vimeo) to avoid slowing down your site.
- Use modern formats like WebP for images and MP4 for videos, which are lightweight and compatible.
- Implement hosting associated with a Content Delivery Network (CDN), such as Cloudflare, to distribute multimedia content from servers closer to the user.
- Structured Data (Schema): This organizes and describes a web page’s content, allowing search engines to better understand the context and purpose of that content.
In 2024, structured data is even more important as it improves search visibility, attracts more clicks, and enhances the user experience.
Spam Policies for Content Creation in 2024
- Expired Domain Abuse:
Occurs when an expired domain is purchased and used primarily to manipulate search rankings by hosting content that offers little to no value to users. To avoid this, use an old domain for a new, original site designed to publish people-oriented content.
- Large-Scale Content Abuse:
Happens when many pages are created mainly to manipulate search rankings, providing little or no value to users. This usually involves generating non-original content in large quantities.
- Site Reputation Abuse:
Occurs when third-party pages are published with little or no supervision by the site owner, aiming to manipulate search rankings by leveraging ranking indicators from the host site.
The Importance of Local SEO in 2024
Local SEO has become an essential tool for businesses looking to attract customers in specific geographic areas.
Having a complete, verified, and optimized Google Business Profile allows your business to appear in local searches and on Google Maps, significantly increasing visibility.
How to create your profile:
- Sign in to Google: Use your Google account.
- Visit Google Business Profile and click “Manage now.”
- Add your business: Enter the business name and select the appropriate category.
- Location: Provide the physical address if you have a store, or select “no physical location” if you work remotely.
- Contact Information: Add your phone number and website.
- Verification: Choose the verification method (mail, phone, or email).
- Optimize the profile: Complete additional details like hours, photos, and description.
If your website is on WordPress, here’s a guide to integrating Google Business Profile
How to Write a Semantic Article and Its SEO Impact
A semantic article thoroughly explores a topic, including related terms and similar concepts to cover it comprehensively.
It’s not just about repeating keywords but connecting ideas and concepts logically. This makes the content more useful for both readers and search engines. To write an effective one:
- Research secondary keywords: Identify related terms to cover more relevant areas of semantic search.
- Answer frequently asked questions: Address common user queries about the topic.
- Include visual and multimedia content: Using images, videos, infographics, and other media can enrich content and make it more attractive to both users and Google.
Google’s Useful Content Update
Hummingbird
This was a major Google update launched in August 2013 that has evolved over time.
It significantly improved how search engines understood queries, focusing on interpreting the intent behind keywords. This change allowed more accurate and relevant results for users, benefiting semantic search.
Panda Update
Its main goal was to penalize sites with duplicate, low-quality content or those overloaded with ads, and to promote those with useful, well-structured content. In 2015, Panda was officially integrated into Google’s core ranking systems, continuously affecting how the quality of web content is evaluated to improve user experience.
Penguin System
Created to combat link spam and penalize sites using manipulative link tactics to boost their rankings. It focused on eliminating unnatural or low-quality backlinks that aimed to trick the search algorithm.
In 2016, Penguin was permanently integrated into Google’s core ranking systems, making its influence constant in evaluating link quality and web ranking.
Key On-Page SEO Elements When Creating Content
- URL
How to do it correctly: The URL should be short, descriptive, and contain the main keyword. Avoid numbers or special characters. Use hyphens (-) to separate words. Example: yoursite.com/basic-hosting-course. - H1 (Main Heading)
How to do it correctly: There should be only one H1 per page. This heading is the main title and should include the keyword, reflecting the central topic. - H2 – H6 (Subheadings)
How to do it correctly: Use H2 headings for important sections and H3-H6 for subtopics. These help structure content and improve readability. Including related keywords in these headings is useful for SEO. - Table of Contents
How to do it correctly: A table of contents facilitates navigation. Include internal links that direct users to sections within the article. Plugins like Table of Contents Plus can automate this process. - Meta Title
How to do it correctly: It should have up to 60 characters, contain the main keyword of the page’s title, and be engaging enough to generate clicks. - Meta Description
How to do it correctly: It’s a summary of the page. It should be 150-160 words, include the keyword, and be persuasive to encourage users to click. - Schema (Structured Data)
How to do it correctly: You can do this with the Rank Math plugin for WordPress.
- Go to “Plugins” in WordPress, search for Rank Math, install, and activate it.
- From the Rank Math dashboard, go to “General Settings” and ensure the schema option is enabled.
- At the bottom, you’ll find the Rank Math metabox. Click on “Schema” and select the type you need (article, product, review, etc.).
- Decide the type of content you are going to mark, such as articles, products, events, reviews, etc.
- Alt (Image Alt Text)
How to do it correctly: Each image should have alt text that describes what the image shows. It should be brief and descriptive, and contain relevant keywords without keyword stuffing. - Internal and External Links
How to do it correctly:
- Internal: Link to other pages on your site to improve navigation and page authority.
- External: Link to authoritative sites related to the topic to provide context and back up information. Ensure external links open in a new tab.
Remember, On-Page SEO is an ongoing process that requires constant analysis and adjustments. Stay updated with the latest trends and algorithm updates to ensure your strategy remains effective.
