Table of Contents
If you want to know how to write your content so that it is well referenced on Google, here are the 8 BASIC principles
- Write for her/him
- Understanding Google’s algorithm
- Mastering keyword research
- Straight to the point
- Use semantic keywords
- Linking to high-quality sites
- Optimize metadata
- Be patient and keep your content up to date
Be empathetic: write for him/her
Before thinking about SEO, think about your audience. If you don’t know who they are, define your persona. Then write your content so that it’s clear, useful and engaging.
- Who is my audience?
- What problem does my content solve?
- What action do I want the reader to take after reading?
Pro tip: Check search intent with tools like SEMrush or SE Ranking to make sure your content meets user expectations.
If your audience is looking for education, but your content is designed to sell (transactional or commercial intent), well, you won’t rank.
Understands Google’s algorithm
Google regularly updates its ranking criteria. Here are the current priorities (which haven’t changed much since March 2024):
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness)
- Mobile-first indexing (your site must be optimized for mobile use)
- Core Web Vitals and UX (speed, interactivity, visual stability)
- Alignment with research intent
Pro Tip : Keep up to date with Google Search Central and the latest SEO trends.
Google crawlers: How they work
Crawlers, as Googlebot, crawl the web to index pages. They analyze keywords, links and site structure. A well-optimized structure makes their job easier and improves your SEO. Make sure your site is well-organized, fast and accessible.
3. Master keyword research
The right keywords are the ones your audience uses.Use :
- Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest, Answer The Public will help you find those keywords.
- Long-tail keywords (less competitive but more targeted).
- Competitive analysis to identify opportunities.
Once you’ve found your keywords, integrate them intelligently (without over-optimizing), otherwise you risk getting blacklisted by Google, and that’s not so cool.
4. Straight to the point
The reader wants a quick, clear answer. Avoid unnecessary introductions and get straight to the point.
✅ Ask the question, give the answer.
✅ Use lists, short paragraphs and punchy sentences.
Good content is effective, direct and easy to read.
5. Use semantic keywords
Google no longer relies solely on exact keywords. It also analyzes context and associated terms.
✅ Use synonyms and expressions related to your subject.
✅ Analyze Google’s “People Also Ask” to enrich your content (an old-fashioned technique that still works).
More recently, you can also analyze blogs and Reddit, which Google is referencing particularly well at the moment.
6. Link to high-quality sites
Internal and external backlinks are essential.
- Internal links: guide readers to other relevant content on your site.
- External links: prove that your content is well documented.
⚠️ Avoid dubious sites. A bad link can hurt your SEO. Choose reliable sources. You can analyze a site’s reliability with Ahrefs and observe the quality of backlinks yourself. If they’re hidden at the bottom of the page, invisible or otherwise, beware.
7. Optimize metadata
Title tags and meta-descriptions influence the click-through rate (CTR).
✅ Title Tag : 60-70 characters, including main keyword (max 580 px).
✅ Méta-description : 150-160 characters (max 920 px).
✅ Optimized H1, H2, H3 structure: helps Google understand your content.
A good title and description attract more clicks and improve your ranking. Look at your competitors’ titles and optimize yours to stand out from the crowd and answer the question even better.
8. Be patient and update your content
SEO takes time. Good SEO isn’t built in a day.
- Update your articles regularly to stay relevant.
- Add new data and optimize according to SEO trends.
- Follow the evolution of your positioning and adjust if necessary.
Pro note: Google rewards fresh, updated content, so update your old articles.
So:
Create content that combines SEO and value for the user, and don’t try to over-optimize for search engines, as this will do you more harm than good.