Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
After seeing this post on position 1 of Google for years I finally broke down to write something about ranking without caring one iota about search traffic.
I rarely optimize blog posts and care not about search traffic because I patiently built a blogging tribe of human beings who helps me to succeed.
But since Google ranks a few Blogging From Paradise posts I figured:
Why not teach you how to rank on page 1 without caring about search traffic or optimizing posts for SEO?
Why not have both without the stress of trying to get Google traffic?
Important Disclaimer
Even though I never intend to SEO-optimize blog posts I do a few things organically that meet the requirements for optimizing blog posts. For example, I write detailed, long-form content properly formatted for mobile and laptops.
However, I do not:
- use an SEO plug-in
- follow an SEO check list
- try to get Google traffic
- depend on Google traffic
- research keywords thoroughly
I think that qualifies for not intentionally optimizing posts for SEO.
I write detailed, in-depth blog posts solving specific reader problems packaged within a simple blog post title.
But before we dissect practical blogging tips I want to include a most critical step: think long-term.
A1: Adopt a Long Term Approach
I feel like Google ranks Blogging From Paradise posts based in part on my full body of blogging work.
I adopt a long term approach to my blog instead of trying to rank every single blog post or any blog post, for that matter.
Seeing long term influenced me to publish a high volume of practical, long form content over years. Even if Google only ranked a few it seems like the algorithm vibes with the full body of Blogging From Paradise work.
Create a long term vision for your blog to embody the proper frame of mind. Think in yearly time frames. Stretch out timelines.
Thinking long term lets you calm down, slow down, relax and publish a high volume of detailed content spanning years. Doing this boosts the domain reputation of your blog per the Google algorithm. Even if you do not care about Google traffic or SEO-optimizing, your practical posts can rank if the algorithm gauges your well-stocked blog as being trustworthy, with a proven track record.
1: Pick a Simple Title
Blogging From Paradise posts on page 1 sport simple titles.
“How to Go from Full Time Employee to Pro Blogger” is as simple as it gets. Notice no filler, colorful adjectives, specific power verbs or any bloat in general.
Simple titles make it easy to understand both the title and type of content. Readers instantly know the title-promise and intended delivery of the promise via the blog post.
2: Publish Highly Detailed Long Form Content
If one tip needs to be stressed, it is this.
Google ranked my posts on page 1 because long-form, detailed, thorough content satisfies the search intent.
For example, I baby-stepped full time employees to becoming pro bloggers with a rich list of steps to follow via my blog post. Google agreed and placed the post at position one for many years.
Two personal development bloggers who rank on Google prove that long form content reaches position 1 without SEO-optimization. Steve Pavlina drove a heavy volume of Google traffic during the heyday of his blog. He said that he never tried to rank for search but always published detailed blog posts solving specific reader needs in-depth. My wife Kelli at Life Made to Order drives Google traffic through some posts without having any knowledge of SEO-optimization. She just solves reader problems with in-depth content, slaps on a practical, simple title and ranks on page 1 for keywords without giving any thought to Google traffic.
Give yourself a few hours to write and publish a long form blog post.
Keep these ideas in mind:
- write 1200 to 1500 words
- add details to baby step readers through processes
- don’t leave out steps or tips; give it all away to publish a complete solution
- listen closely to your readers for pressing problems to solve through your content; this increases organic traffic and backlinks to curry favor with the Google algorithm
3: List Practical Tips
As far as importance, this is about the 2nd most critical tip to follow to rank when one gives not a rat’s rectum to rank.
Google loves practical tips to get users from point A to point B.
I listed 10 detailed, practical tips via my employee to pro blogger post but also drilled down each practical tip to flesh out the steps further. Google wants users to get all they need to know to feel satisfied with a search. Basically, after querying a term, Google never wants users to go anywhere else. The Big G needs to be the end-all, be-all solution for users. Fulfilling this intent effectively is why Google is…..Google. When you are one of the most influential companies ever to exist you bend over backwards to create a supreme product at a level of serious scale.
Anyway, your blog post needs to be the end-all, be-all solution that the Google algorithm spits out at page 1, position 1.
That means drilling down to publish a rich resource requiring ample time, effort, work and mindfulness on your part.
Plan your blog post. Create a detailed outline. Complete each section thoroughly.
If my posts outrank bloggers who bend over backwards to SEO-optimize posts you know that some factor puts my posts over the top.
Detailed, practical content that Google users can seize and use immediately for their benefit is the X factor.
4: Format for Easy Reading and Scanning
I format all blog posts for easy reading and scanning on:
- laptops
- phones
Google places a premium on the blog user experience. Offer a pleasing UX by formatting blog posts effectively.
Practical Tips
- use H2 and H3 headers
- use bold text
- build bullet point lists
- write short, snappy sentences
- make paragraphs your best friend
As for the last bullet point, check out Donna Merrill’s blog:
Notice how she devotes one paragraph to each sentence.
Following her blog is like following a typewriter or a cartoon bird eating corn on the cob.
Either way, this formatting style is perfect for both phone reading and laptop reading in terms of a user experience.
I credit her formatting style for influencing my formatting here on BFP.
5: Share Across Multiple Channels in the Right Spots
Share posts across multiple channels in the right spots to drive targeted traffic through a range of sources.
Generating traffic from highly-targeted sources across a wide range of channels may position your blog on page 1 of Google sans optimizing.
Consider sharing your blog post on:
- Facebook Groups related to your niche
- LinkedIn Groups related to your niche
- Reddit as a post-update
- Quora as a post-update
- Twitter, with a hashtag related to your niche
- Medium
- LinkedIn as an article
- Tumblr
- Scoop.it
Just because I care little for Google traffic doesn’t mean that a “build it and they will come” approach works effectively for driving traffic.
Posts require some promoting to gain exposure and to position your blog to rank on page 1 of Google.
6: Build Your Blogging Tribe
Our Blogging From Paradise tribe played a chief role in ranking Blogging From Paradise posts on page 1 by:
- clicking on links leading to posts
- spending a high amount of time onsite to appease the Google algorithm
- sharing blog posts across a wide range of targeted channels, including through Do Follow backlinks pointing to BFP from trusted blogs
- submitting detailed comments; comments are content
Google factors in time spent onsite and high quality, Do Follow links strongly as ranking factors, according to SEO pros.
Build your tribe to satiate these two factors.
Engage in authentic blogger outreach. Comment genuinely on blogs from your niche. Promote respected bloggers from your niche on your blog. Promote successful bloggers from your niche through social media.
Let relationships form organically. Allow your blogging tribe to grow into a tight knit community.
Blogging tribes can help to put your blog onto page 1 even if you rarely or never SEO-optimize blog posts.
Conclusion
There you have it guys.
Ranking on page 1 of Google is possible if you do not intentionally SEO-optimize posts and care little about search traffic.
Publish highly-detailed, practical resources solving reader needs. Build your loyal tribe.
Succeed with the enhanced – and unintended – side effect of passively driving targeted Google traffic to your blog.
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