Based on Google Search Central's official guidance, checked on October 12, 2026. Google updates its documentation from time to time, so follow the links for the latest version.
"SEO-friendly" doesn't mean stuffing keywords into a post. Google's own documentation says its ranking systems aim to reward helpful, reliable content made for people. This guide turns Google's official advice into a practical checklist you can use on every post.
1. Start with people, not search engines
Google suggests asking yourself questions like these:
- Would your audience find this post useful if they came to your blog directly, not from search?
- Does it add original information, analysis or experience, rather than repeating what's already out there?
- Will readers leave feeling they've learned enough to reach their goal?
Google also lists warning signs of "search engine-first" content, such as producing lots of posts on unrelated topics just because they're trending, summarizing others without adding value, or changing dates to make old posts look fresh. Its key test: "Is the content primarily made to attract visits from search engines?"
Official page: Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
2. Show who, how and why
- Who: make it clear who wrote the post, for example with a byline and an About page.
- How: explain how you created it. Did you test the tool, or research official sources? Google says to be open about using automation or AI where readers would expect to know.
- Why: the most important part. The main reason for a post should be to help people.
Google also describes E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness), and says "trust is most important."
3. Write a clear, unique title
Google's SEO Starter Guide says a good title is "unique to the page, clear and concise, and accurately describes the contents of the page." Promise exactly what the post delivers. Misleading clickbait titles lose readers' trust.
4. Write a useful search description
Google often builds the snippet in search results from your page's text, and sometimes uses the meta description. In Blogger, turn on Search description in Settings, then write one or two specific sentences per post in the post editor's Search Description box.
5. Use headings to structure the post
Break long posts into sections with headings so readers can scan. In the Blogger editor, use Heading and Subheading rather than just bold text. Google notes that heading order doesn't directly affect ranking, but a logical order helps readers and screen readers.
6. Link with descriptive anchor text
Google recommends link text that tells people what they'll find before they click. "Read our guide to Search Console for Blogger" is better than "click here". Link to your related posts and to trustworthy sources.
7. Add helpful images with alt text
Use sharp, relevant images placed near the text they relate to, and describe each one in its alt text. In Blogger, click an image and choose Image properties to add alt text. Need images? See free AI image generators.
8. Keep URLs short and descriptive
Google recommends descriptive words in URLs and notes that keywords in URLs have little ranking effect, so this is mainly for readers. Blogger creates the URL from your title. You can edit it under Permalink in the post settings before publishing. Avoid changing it afterwards, because that breaks existing links.
9. Fact-check and keep posts updated
Accuracy builds trust. Check facts against official sources, and when you update a post meaningfully, say so. Only change the date for real updates.
Official page: Google SEO Starter Guide
Your pre-publish checklist
- Does it fully answer the reader's question?
- Does it add something original, such as your experience, testing or a clear comparison?
- Is the title accurate and specific?
- Have you written a search description?
- Are there clear headings, helpful images and alt text?
- Have you linked to related posts and official sources?
- Are the facts checked?
More tools for this: 7 Free AI Tools for Bloggers.
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