When it comes to SEO content ideas and strategies, nothing is clearer than your own experience. That’s why we’ll share with you today why most Content Gorilla blog posts rank #1 on Google. Hint: it’s how we place every keyword in title tags!
Source: Content Gorilla
Of course, various factors contribute to securing the top spot on Google. But we’ll zero in on one aspect which is placing a keyword in the title. Wondering how placing keywords in titles can transform your articles’ performance? That’s just what we’ll discuss.
Like all pro content marketers, we have tried and tested different keyword placements in titles. Done artfully, it
- clarifies the article’s subject matter,
- increases content discoverability,
- improves click-through rate, and
- boosts search engine ranking.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the importance of keywords in SEO. We’ll discover why they’re crucial for your blog titles and how to optimize them.
What Are Keywords in SEO?
Source: Freepik
First and foremost, we need to understand what exactly a keyword is.
Keywords are the foundation of any successful search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. They are the specific words or phrases that people type into search engines like Google to find information. Rand Fishkin, the founder of Moz, is spot on when he says:
“On-page SEO is no longer satisfied by raw keyword use.
Matching keywords to searcher intent is critical.”
Building on Fishkin’s quote, modern SEO is not merely about typical keywords. Rather, it digs deeper into what users are searching for. It focuses heavily on the context and purpose behind their queries to generate new, even more relevant keywords.
Importance of SEO Keywords in Blog Post Titles
Source: Freepik
We have already highlighted how a keyword in the title improves a blog post’s discoverability and SEO. Now, let’s dive deeper to understand what makes an SEO keyword integral for a blog post title.
Clears the subject matter.
Including a relevant keyword in the title immediately clears what the article is about. This clarity helps readers understand the content’s primary focus, attracting the right audience.
Increases content discoverability.
Adding a keyword in the title increases the chances of your post appearing in search results for related terms. This optimization enhances visibility and attracts targeted traffic.
Improves click-through rate.
When readers see a well-optimized title with the keyword(s) matching their search query, they’re more likely to click on it. This helps boost the post’s click-through rate and overall engagement.
Boosts search engine rankings.
Above all, it improves the chances of the blog post ranking higher in search results, driving more traffic, and increasing the blog’s authority and reach.
This is how a keyword in the title attracts both – search engines and humans (targeted audience).
How Search Engines Use Keywords
Source: Freepik
Here, we’re answering one of the most anticipated questions: how do search engines look for keywords in the title?
Search engines use complex algorithms to comprehend the content on a webpage. The purpose, says Google, is to determine a webpage’s relevance to a user’s search query. The following image illustrates it clearly.
Source: Google
When you include relevant keywords in your page titles, meta tags, and other elements, search engines understand your content’s subject matter better. Moreover, it helps them determine if it aligns with a user’s search query. The more relevant your content is to a search query, the higher your webpage will likely rank in the search results.
How SEO keywords drive targeted traffic
Source: Freepik
To attract the target audience, our strategy at Content Gorilla is super simple: we don’t ignore the basics. According to our experiments and findings, a keyword in a title is key to better SEO ranking and enriched content visibility.
By carefully choosing the keyword(s) in your blog posts that resonate with your target audience’s search intent, you attract qualified visitors genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
Let’s say, you have a blog about fitness. Optimizing your posts with keywords like ‘how to start a fitness routine’ or ‘effective HIIT workouts for beginners’ is more likely to attract visitors who are potential fitness enthusiasts compared to a generic keyword like ‘training’ or ‘fitness’. This targeted (keyword title-based) approach leads to a more engaged audience and better conversion rates.
Tips for Optimizing Blog Post Titles with Keywords
Source: Freepik
We’ve established that relevant title keywords are an important element of successful SEO page titles. Let’s look at 5 valuable tips for optimizing blog post titles with keywords.
- Research to find high-ranking keywords that better reflect what your blog post is about.
- Include longer, more specific keyword phrases to target niche audiences and reduce competition.
- Incorporate keyword variations or synonyms to increase search engine matches. That’s for the cases when the primary keyword doesn’t fit perfectly to queries.
- A/B tests different title variations to analyze which keywords resonate best with your audience and refine your approach.
- Avoid keyword stuffing; maintain a natural and readable title structure.
Read our exclusive guide on how to buy keyword articles if you don’t want to create them on your own.
[Bonus] Best Practices for Writing SEO-Friendly Blog Post Titles
Source: Freepik
Now, here are the best practices to help you write catchy blog titles for SEO.
- Place the targeted keyword at the beginning of your title for better visibility and impact.
- Keep titles concise and under 60 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.
- Use benefit-oriented language to grab the readers’ attention and encourage clicks.
- Incorporate power words – think secret, ultimate, proven – to make your titles more engaging, urgent, and clickable.
Sometimes, crafting an SEO-friendly title becomes even trickier than writing a blog post. That’s the time to upgrade your content creation. Try using Content Gorilla’s multi-purpose keyword title generator. This Free Blog Post Idea Generator generates great post ideas + SEO-friendly keyword-based titles for you. Start leveraging it today for multiple exciting features at NO cost!
FAQs
Q. How many keywords should be in a title?
Aim to include one primary keyword in the title for clarity and SEO impact.
Q. Can I also include a secondary keyword in the title?
Generally, secondary keywords are used in subheadings. However, you can include them in the title if it fits naturally and improves relevance and clarity.
Q. Do long-tail keywords work well in titles?
Yes, incorporating a long-tail keyword can capture specific search intent when used naturally in titles.
Final Thoughts
An SEO blog title is akin to a YouTube video thumbnail. They are both the first things people interact with before engaging with the content.
Incorporating a keyword in a title is an important practice to optimize it for search engines and captivate readers. We hope you’re now familiarized with the what, the why, and the how of including a keyword in a title effectively. Follow these tips and best practices to ensure your blog titles are search engine-friendly and engaging for your audience.
I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.