The top 10 tips you need to get your health blog to rank on Google in 2024.
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We live in an age where answers are just a few keystrokes away, thanks to the ever-omniscient Google.
While that’s great, have you ever tried googling a health question only to end up sifting through vague articles trying to find something substantial?
Your health blog might hold the answers to these searches, but it's pointless if readers never find it. Let’s face it — we rarely click past the top ten results on Google.
So, what does this mean for your blog? It means if you want your valuable insights and knowledge to reach the masses, you’ve got to crack the code to that elusive first page of Google.
And it takes serious work to climb the rank. But with the right strategy, it’s doable, and the impact is… well, 100% worth it! These 10 steps will help give your health blog extra traction to rank well on Google and get the traffic you want:
1. Conduct keyword research
Choosing the right keywords is the foundation for ranking a health blog.
First, conduct thorough keyword research to identify terms and phrases that readers use to find relevant content about your topic.
Imagine you're writing a blog post about exercises for knee arthritis. You'll want to know which keywords people are typing into Google when they're looking for this info.
Tools like Google's Keyword Planner or SEMrush can help you find these golden words and phrases.
Now, don't just focus on the most obvious ones. Sure, "exercises for knee arthritis" is important, but so are long-tail keywords like "low-impact knee exercises for arthritis relief." Long-tail keywords focused on specific issues are less competitive.
2. Optimize on-page SEO
With your keywords selected, it's time to work on on-page search engine optimization (SEO). What does this mean? Simply put, you incorporate your keywords naturally into your blog. The goal is to clearly signal relevance to search engines while providing value for readers.
So, for your “Exercises for Knee Arthritis” blog post, your meta title might look like "Gentle Knee Exercises for Arthritis Relief.”
Don’t stop there. Naturally include your long-tail keyword into your headings, image alt text, and even your URLs.
For example, an image alt text might be “A woman performing low-impact knee exercises for arthritis.” Aim for 1-3% keyword density in your post content.
Pro tip: Make sure your content is well-structured. Use H1 tags for the title, H2 tags for major headings, H3 tags for subtitle details, etc. Breaking up long blocks of texts with tagged headers makes your post more scannable for readers and search bots. It’s not just me saying it, Google says so!
3. Create content that’s worth its weight in gold
Google rewards websites that offer valuable and helpful content. In health blogging, this translates to creating comprehensive and informative posts. The goal is to ensure you cover the topic in-depth. But watch for fluff!
For your "Exercises for Knee Arthritis" post, break it down. Explain each exercise thoroughly, the benefits, and any precautions.
Support your advice by incorporating perspectives from credible sources. Are there relevant research findings you can link to? Quotes from orthopedists or physical therapists? Consider including real stories from readers who have implemented the exercises.
You may want to create a detailed post like "The Complete Guide to At-Home Knee Arthritis Exercises" versus thin, vague articles padded with fluff. Offer true value for readers seeking info on your keywords.
Pro tip: Research what's already ranking well for your keywords on Google, and then make your post even better! See what info they're missing that you can add to stand out.
4. Craft magnetic headlines
An exceptional blog post deserves an irresistible headline that urges readers to click and explore the content.
A headline like "10 At-Home Knee Arthritis Exercises You Can Do Today" can work wonders. Or intrigue visitors with a title like “12 Gentle Stretches to Soothe Knee Arthritis.”
Similarly, write compelling meta descriptions that summarize the post and include key terms.
A meta description like "Learn simple low-impact knee exercises for arthritis relief in our comprehensive guide" promises valuable information.
5. Ensure a mobile-friendly site
With nearly 60% of search traffic coming from mobile, having a fast, seamless mobile site is non-negotiable.
People are searching for health tips on the go, so use a responsive template and optimize loading speeds. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you find areas for improvement.
Don't make mobile users struggle with a clumsy site. Plus, Google rewards mobile-friendly sites with higher rankings!
6. Build trust with backlinks
One of the strongest ranking factors is earning backlinks from reputable sites related to your niche. Think of backlinks as recommendations from trustworthy sources in the digital world.
Reach out to partners or authoritative health sites and ask if they’d link to your “knee arthritis exercise guide.” You will not always get a “yes”, but it’s worth a shot.
Google takes note of backlinks from respected sources, which can really boost your health blog’s rankings. Remember to focus on relevance and quality over quantity.
7. Create link-worthy content
Speaking of backlinks, make it enticing for authoritative websites to want to say “yes”. Some formats naturally attract more links. Listicles, how-tos, step-by-step guides, and roundups are prime examples.
For your “knee arthritis exercises” post, a listicle like “Top 10 Low-Impact Exercises for Arthritis Relief” could go viral among arthritis sufferers seeking relief.
Building a step-by-step exercise guide will likely earn you more backlinks. So will content that’s designed to get shared and referenced. You’ll attract backlinks from readers and other sites.
8. Link internally
Don’t forget those internal links! Interlinking between related content on your blog improves search visibility and signals to Google what key pages are most important. Link to related knee arthritis exercise content on your blog from other posts naturally.
Internal linking keeps readers engaged longer, and Google appreciates the seamless navigation.
9. Keep an eye on rankings
Remember those keywords we talked about in step 1? Google Search Console can tell you how well you're ranking for them.
Let’s say you’re currently number 15 for your target keyword, "knee arthritis exercises at home.” You can see this information in Google Search Console.
Now, imagine you spot an opportunity: You notice that the content in the top-ranking pages for that keyword isn't comprehensive. They might lack detailed descriptions of the exercises or before-and-after stories from patients. By optimizing your content to be even more informative and engaging, you could aim for that top spot.
10. Refine and optimize
SEO is an ongoing game. Keep optimizing your existing content by adding fresh information, updating statistics, or improving readability.
For example, you published an article a year ago about "The Best Knee-Strengthening Exercises for Arthritis." Since then, there have been new studies highlighting the benefits of certain exercises.
By updating your article with this latest research and perhaps adding a section about reader success stories, you're keeping your content relevant and valuable.
Also, don't forget to share your blog posts on social media and health forums. The more people see your posts, the more they'll click and share, boosting your blog higher in the Google ranks.
It’s a wrap!
And there you have it! With laser-focused keywords, helpful content, and a dash of technical TLC, your health blog can reach those coveted top spots.
Sure, it takes some work - but just imagine the impact your advice could have. So write smart and get out there. Your readers need you!
Struggling to get your health blog ranking on Google?
Crafting standout health content is only step one! Getting your vital info seen takes savvy search optimization.
This is where teaming up with an SEO-certified freelance nurse writer can give you that extra edge. With medical expertise combined with content creation skills, I can help you nail those critical ranking factors.