You might have written content that resonated with many readers, resulting in clicks, reads, and shares. But over time, those once-popular blog posts lost traction with visitors. Now, you might be pondering if updating those old posts as part of an SEO strategy could bring back lost traffic. Could refreshing those pages really draw back the readers? The answer is a clear yes.
However, regaining lost traffic is more than just rewriting. Though it might seem simple, recovering organic search traffic requires a solid understanding of various SEO tools and techniques, including a strong website content strategy. In this guide, we will explain how to refresh your blog posts in alignment with current trends, so you can regain your web audience.
Why should you update old blog posts?
Blogging is renowned for contributing to search engine optimisation (SEO), one of its primary advantages. Your blog posts from months or even years ago can still show up in search results, continuously driving traffic and potential customers. This ongoing impact is a crucial aspect of content marketing and SEO.
However, there’s a risk. If a reader doesn’t look at the date on that old blog post, they might be consuming outdated or incorrect information. That’s one significant reason to think about updating your blogs.
Additionally, not everyone who’s reading your blog now was following it back then. Even those who were might not have read every single post you wrote. You may extend the life of your best articles and boost the results it achieves over time by updating some of your older but high-performing evergreen posts. Refreshing content ensures that even posts from the past stay relevant and continue to perform well, all in alignment with your strategic approach to content marketing and SEO.
How often should you update old blog posts?
How often should you give your blog posts a new look or rewrite them entirely? Think about blog posts that have been sitting on your site for over a year; these are prime candidates for an update. Try to aim for a refresh at least once every 15 months. While constantly updating your content might seem overwhelming, this pattern allows you to spread out the work and make significant improvements without hurting your search engine rankings.
Are you concerned about a dip in your keyword ranking a month or two after publishing your blog post? There’s no need to worry. The competition for certain keywords can mean that it takes anywhere between three to six months to see your blog post climb the search engine ranks. Remember, SEO isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Resist the urge to alter your strategy too soon, and give it time to yield results. This patient approach can eventually lead to a consistent and rewarding increase in traffic to your site.
Does updating content improve SEO?
The short answer? Yes. Google and other search engines favour new content. When your blog becomes stagnant and lacks updates, Google recognises this and may not scan the site as frequently for fresh material. Additionally, Google takes into account the time searchers spend on result pages. If individuals click on your content only to realise that the information is outdated and leave immediately, Google will likely downgrade the content’s ranking. Therefore, it benefits your search rankings to ensure that your content consistently delivers the value that readers are looking for.
Traffic to your blog post often comes from links on other websites, known as backlinks. New blog posts usually take a while to gain these valuable links. On the other hand, older posts may struggle to attract new backlinks if the information is outdated. By freshening up old blog posts with current information, you keep the links you’ve already earned and stand a better chance of getting new ones. This happens because updated content seems more valuable and trustworthy, encouraging other websites to link to your post.
How do you optimise old blog posts?
In the fast-paced field of digital content, keeping blog posts fresh and relevant is essential. This guide will lead you through how to update existing blog entries to guarantee they continue attracting visitors in a constantly changing internet environment, whether choosing the proper keywords or fixing broken links.
Use new keywords
Reviving an old blog post requires some thoughtful consideration, especially regarding keywords. Depending on when the blog was published, you could be facing one of two situations:
- You may have chosen keywords previously based on their popularity and how competitive they were at that time.
- Perhaps you didn’t have the necessary understanding of SEO to even choose the right keywords in the first place.
People’s search habits change, and what was once a highly searched keyword might not be as popular now. Conversely, some keywords might have become more competitive, making them harder to rank for.
What does this mean for you? If you want to know how to update old content, you’ll need to reassess and possibly choose new keywords that better match current search trends. This is vital to make your old blog post relevant again and to ensure it continues to be found by readers. It’s not just about following the old rules; it’s about adapting to the present and ensuring your content is still valuable and accessible to your audience.
Update the blog content
When you want to freshen up an old blog post, most of your changes will be made to the article’s main body. Start with a complete rewrite of the introduction to make it relevant and engaging. Then, you’ll need to go through the rest of the content in two stages:
- Removing Out-of-Date Content: Begin by taking out any information that no longer applies. This also means getting rid of old sources cited in your post. But when is a source considered too old? For rapidly changing industries like online marketing and technology, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) suggests only using resources that are no more than 2-3 years old.
- Adding Current Information: Once you’ve removed the outdated material, your aim should be to replace it with fresh and up-to-date information. As you make these updates, don’t forget to create links to other relevant parts of your website.
In simple terms, you’re giving the old blog post a makeover. Out with the old and irrelevant and in with the new and pertinent information. It’s about keeping your content fresh and engaging for your readers, so they can trust that they’re always getting the most current insights and advice.
Focus on the links
Reviving an old blog post can be greatly helped by paying attention to the links within the content. This method improves not only your post’s SEO but also its credibility. You can breathe new life into your old post by taking care of the links in two essential steps:
- Fix Broken Links: These are links that don’t work anymore, leading visitors to an error page instead of the information they were seeking. It’s like following a sign to a shop only to find it has closed down. It’s frustrating for the reader and makes your content look out of date or poorly maintained. You’ll need to find and either mend or replace these broken links to avoid this.
- Refresh Internal Links: Internal linking is about connecting one of your blog posts to another relevant one on your site. Imagine it as offering your reader a related book when they’ve finished the current one. This keeps them interested and on your site for longer and helps your post rank better in search engine results. As you update your old content, look for opportunities to include new links to other relevant posts on your website.
In plain terms, sorting out the links in your old blog post is like tidying up a room. Clear out the things that don’t work anymore and rearrange what’s left to make it more appealing. It ensures that your readers have a smooth experience and find value in their reading, enhancing your content’s overall quality and reputation.
Update the date
Publishing an old blog post with a new date is a simple yet effective way to breathe new life into it for SEO. Let’s put it plainly: readers are more likely to be interested in something fresh and current rather than outdated. So, understanding how to update old blog posts isn’t just about changing words and pictures; it also involves ensuring that the date it shows is present.
Another handy trick is to add the current year to the title of your blog post. Just like you might be more inclined to pick up this year’s magazine instead of last year’s, seeing a current date in the title makes the content appear fresh and relevant. Both readers and search engines tend to favour up-to-date content, and these simple tweaks can signal that your content is still relevant and worth reading.
Regularly updating your content with the help of a digital marketing agency in Abu Dhabi, according to the newest practices of SEO in the UAE, helps create an engaging user experience. As technologies and trends advance, you must keep your content current and relevant. Think of this continual updating like regular maintenance on a vehicle; it keeps everything running smoothly, ensuring that your audience always receives the best, most up-to-date information.