Why Is Building Topical Authority Important for Bloggers? |

Ryan Biddulph September 1, 2025 blogging tips 🕑 5 minutes read

El Valle de Anton Panama

I queried “blogging tips” via Google Incognito.

Blogging From Paradise appeared at position 1.

The results prove why developing topical authority is important.

I rank at page 1 position 1 for a competitive keyword in my niche.

Yet I do not consistently optimize posts for SEO. I never genuinely try to rank on Google. Traffic flows to this blog through various other channels.

Why is my blog at the top for this competitive keyword?

I developed topical authority. I covered the singular blogging tips niche thoroughly for a decade.

Google knows this. The algorithm gave me a page 1 “tip of the hat” because I did one thing to do it well.

I rarely strayed from the blogging tips niche. Nor did I attempt to appeal to folks outside of this niche.

Why would I?

Professionals in all walks of life develop topical authority. Lawyers give all professional attention and energy to being lawyers. Doctors devote their professional lives to being doctors. Do either attempt to hold down three jobs in addition to being a lawyer or a doctor? I think not.

I tell you what; neither would be a lawyer or doctor for a long time if they tried to develop multi-topical authority.

Do one thing consistently.

Do it well.

Note the Blog Post Title at the Top of Page One

Establishing topical authority allows you to break the mold.

Most page 1 results for a competitive keyword like “blogging tips” are listicles. Bloggers share topics like “10 blogging tips”, “8 steps to become a successful blogger” or similar content. Readers dig these topics. The algorithm rewards bloggers who publish what readers dig.

Perhaps a few “how to” posts pepper page 1 results.

My page 1 position 1 post dissects one piece of advice that I would give to new bloggers. Think about that. I broke the mold. The Google algorithm trusts my personal opinion enough to rank my take at the top of the results. I appear to be an authority on the topic of blogging; at least Google thinks so. The proof is in the search engine pudding.

Topical authority wins again.

I did one thing for 11 years: share practical, detailed blogging tips. I did it fairly well. Google knows this. The algorithm never sensed an off-topic post, spare the odd travel themed post inspired by reader demands.

My personal opinion on one piece of advice for new bloggers bests the tried and true listicles and “how to” guides. I never tried to rank this post. If anything, this title goes against the listicle recipe for nabbing a page 1 result.

Single tip style posts do not usually rank high on Google. Users want something more. Yet I am at page 1 position 1 because I spent years developing authority on the topic of blogging tips. I did this by publishing 500 plus blogging tips themed posts consistently.

If that isn’t a glowing endorsement for covering only one blogging niche to develop topical authority I have no clue in Hades what will convince you.

Is This Post Backdoor Bragging?

No.

I publish this post to prove a point. I prove the point to goad you to cover only one blogging niche.

Seeing tangible proof motivates you to follow a specific blogging strategy. I may guide you to cover one niche. I may stress the benefits of establishing topical authority. You may once again read the frequently quoted line on Blogging From Paradise Dot Com: A jack of all trades masters none. But would you buy in?

Seeing my post at position one based on my personal opinion about a single piece of advice gives you motivation to cover one niche inside-out, upside-down, backwards and forwards, over years.

Consistently Cover Multiple Angles

Explore multiple angles of your blogging niche consistently.

The algorithm picks up a long term signal. Prove yourself over the long haul. Nothing happens overnight.

Publish long form content. Aim for 1200 words per blog post.

Share solutions to common problems from your blogging niche.

Never stray from the niche.

I typically share mindset tips for bloggers. But I also dissect how to drive Google traffic – without even trying to do so most of the time – to appease you. I share traffic-building tips, insights for building backlinks and guides for increasing blogging income.

Running a well-rounded blog takes time. Researching, writing and publishing a bevy of long form blog posts requires years of your life.

But consider this to be a wise investment.

Google loves thorough blogs focused on one topic. The algorithm doles out topical authority to such sites.

Readers enjoy diving into a rich resource tackling one topic from multiple angles. Expect to lower your bounce rate as folks stick around to solve their problems through your detailed blogging resource. Low bounce rates factor into the Google algorithm; another benefit of developing topical authority.

How to Build Topical Authority

Pick one blogging topic.

Cover that subject consistently over years.

Publish posts at least weekly to remain current. Blogs serve as news portals.

Update old posts. Cull dated content. Add timely content to instill reader trust.

Create long form content spanning 1200 to 1500 words or longer. Add practical tips to guide readers from problem to solution. Be thorough to make readers – and Google – happy. Link internally to relevant blog posts. Link externally to trusted resources.

Publish guest posts, genuine blog comments and social media content. Bridge the gap between your blog and the outside world.

Guest post and comment on blogs from within your niche. Blogging birds of a feather flock together. Stick to your topic to build your authority.

Gain high quality backlinks organically. Publishing quality, targeted content onsite and offsite builds respected backlinks.