An SEO blog post either earns rankings or it doesn't - and the difference usually isn't talent. It's process. This is the same 25-point checklist we use for every blog post we write for clients at Blog Buddy Pro.
Keyword & topic strategy
- Choose one primary keyword with real search volume and matching intent
- Confirm the search intent (informational, commercial, transactional) matches your post type
- Identify 3–6 semantic variants and related terms to include naturally
- Check the top 10 SERP results - if they're all product pages, don't publish a blog
- Confirm keyword difficulty is realistic for your domain authority
Content brief & outline
- Write a working title that includes the primary keyword
- Draft an outline with H2s that mirror how people ask the question
- Note the specific angle, POV, or expertise you'll bring that competitors don't
- List internal links you'll include from existing content
- Identify external sources or original data to cite for authority
On-page SEO
- Title tag: 50–60 characters, primary keyword near the front
- Meta description: 140–160 characters, compelling, includes keyword
- URL slug: short, lowercase, hyphenated, keyword-focused
- H1 matches the page's primary intent (only one H1 per page)
- H2/H3 hierarchy is logical and scannable
- Featured image with descriptive filename and alt text
- Internal links to 3–5 relevant pages on your site
- External links to 1–2 authoritative sources
AI search & GEO
- Direct answer in the first 100 words for AI extraction
- Definition-style sentence for the main concept
- FAQ section at the end with schema markup
- Comparison tables or lists where they clarify the topic
- Author, publish date, and last-updated date visible on the page
- Original examples, data, or expertise AI engines can cite as authoritative
Skip the checklist. Hire the process.
We use this checklist on every post we publish - for us and for clients. If you'd rather have a team run it for you every month, that's our whole business.
FAQ
How long should an SEO blog post be?
Aim for 1,200–2,000 words for most informational topics. Pillar guides can run 2,500+. Length should match search intent, not a target word count - a 900-word answer that satisfies the query beats 2,500 words of filler every time.
How many keywords should one blog post target?
One primary keyword and 3–6 closely related semantic variants. Trying to rank one post for many unrelated keywords dilutes topical focus and hurts rankings.
Do I need schema markup on every blog post?
At minimum add Article schema. Add FAQPage schema when the post includes a real FAQ section. Structured data helps both traditional search and AI engines parse your content.