How to Write Content That Google Loves (Without Being a Tech Expert)
Pick Words People Actually Search For
: Start with your own queries
Think about what you’d type into Google if you were looking for your content. For example, if you’re writing about “best coffee shops in Portland,” don’t just use that—try variations like “cozy coffee shops Portland with free Wi-Fi” or “Portland coffee shops open late on weekends.” Tools like Google’s Keyword Planner (free if you have a Google Ads account) can help, but even just brainstorming like a normal person works. I once changed a post’s focus from “beginner yoga tips” to “yoga tips for people who can’t touch their toes” and saw a 40% jump in traffic because that’s what real people search for.
: Check competitor keywords
Go to the top 3 results for your target keyword and look at their headings and first paragraphs. What words do they use? Do they include questions? For instance, if a top post uses “how to” or “what is” in their title, you might want to incorporate similar phrasing. But don’t copy—just get ideas for gaps you can fill. Like, if all competitors talk about “yoga poses for back pain” but none mention “yoga poses for back pain while sitting at a desk,” that’s your chance to stand out.
: Use long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer phrases (3+ words) that are more specific. They have lower competition but higher intent. For example, “best running shoes” is hard to rank for, but “best running shoes for flat feet and wide toes” is easier. I used this trick for a post about “plant care for beginners”—switched to “how to keep succulents alive in small apartments” and it started getting 100+ views a day instead of
Make Your Content Stand Out From Competitors
: Add more details
If the top posts are 500 words, write 1000-1200 words with more specific info. For example, if writing about “how to bake chocolate chip cookies,” include things like the best type of flour (all-purpose vs. bread flour), how long to chill the dough, and troubleshooting tips (like why cookies spread too much). I did this for a cookie post once—added sections on “gluten-free alternatives” and “how to make them chewy vs. crispy” and it became my most popular post.
: Include visual aids
Add high-quality images, videos, or infographics. Google loves content that keeps people on the page longer, and visuals help with that. For example, if writing about “how to tie a tie,” a step-by-step video or clear images for each knot will make your content more valuable. I added a simple infographic to my hiking post showing trail maps and difficulty levels—people spent 2x as long on the page, which signals to Google that it’s useful.
: Update old content
Don’t let your posts get stale. Every 6 months, go back to your top-performing posts and add new info. For example, if you wrote about “best smartphones 2024,” update it with 2025 models and remove outdated ones. I updated a 2023 post about “remote work tools” this year—added new tools like Notion AI and removed ones that are no longer popular—and its traffic doubled.
When I’m working on these steps with my freelance writer, we use WhatsApp Web (https://www.log-whatsappws.com) to share drafts and keyword ideas—typing on a desktop keyboard saves so much time, and we can resolve edits in minutes instead of hours.
Secrets to Getting More People to Click on Your Google Results
Optimize Your Title Tags
: Include target keywords
Your title tag (the text that shows up as the link in Google results) should have your main keyword near the beginning. For example, if your keyword is “best budget laptops for students,” your title could be “Best Budget Laptops for Students 2025: Under $500”. I once changed a title from “Laptops for Students” to “Budget Laptops for Students: Top Picks 2025” and saw a 25% increase in clicks.
: Add a hook
Use words like “best,” “how to,” “guide,” or “review” to catch attention. Phrases like “you need to know” or “secret to” also work well. For instance, “Secret to Making Fluffy Pancakes Every Time” is more enticing than “How to Make Pancakes”.
: Keep it short
Google usually shows the first 50-60 characters of your title, so keep it concise. Avoid long phrases that get cut off. I used to write titles that were 80 characters long, but once I shortened them to 55, more people clicked because they could read the whole title.
Write Compelling Meta Descriptions
: Include keywords
Meta descriptions (the short text under the title in Google results) should include your target keyword. This helps Google understand what your content is about and makes it more relevant to users. For example, if your post is about “how to grow tomatoes in containers,” your meta description could be “Learn how to grow delicious tomatoes in containers with these easy tips—perfect for small spaces or apartment gardens.”
: Tell users what to expect
Explain the benefit of clicking on your link. Like, “Get 10 proven tips to keep your tomatoes healthy and productive all summer long.” I once changed a meta description from “This post is about tomato growing tips” to “10 Tomato Growing Tips That Will Double Your Harvest” and saw a 30% jump in click-through rate.
: Add a call to action
Use phrases like “read now,” “learn more,” or “get started” to encourage clicks. For example, “Read now to find out how to grow tomatoes in containers without any garden space.”
WhatsApp Web FAQs Q: Can I use WhatsApp Web to collaborate with my SEO team? A: Absolutely! WhatsApp Web is a great tool for real-time collaboration with your SEO team, especially if you’re working remotely or on the go. For example, if you’re brainstorming keywords with a colleague, you can quickly share links to Google Keyword Planner results or competitor posts via WhatsApp Web (since it’s easier to type long messages on a desktop keyboard). You can also send screenshots of your Google Analytics dashboard to show traffic trends, or share draft headlines to get instant feedback. I use WhatsApp Web every week to work with my freelance writer—she sends me draft posts, I comment on them directly using the desktop interface (which is faster than typing on my phone), and we can resolve edits in minutes instead of hours. Another benefit is that you can save important links or files shared in the chat to your desktop easily, which helps keep your SEO resources organized. Just remember, you need to have your phone connected to the internet to use WhatsApp Web, but that’s a small trade-off for the convenience it offers for team collaboration on SEO tasks. Q: How does WhatsApp Web help with SEO content promotion? A: WhatsApp Web is useful for promoting your SEO content to your network, which can help drive initial traffic and potentially get backlinks (links from other sites to yours, which Google loves). For example, if you publish a new blog post about "best productivity tools for freelancers," you can share the link via WhatsApp Web to your freelance groups or clients. Since you’re using the desktop version, you can type a personalized message for each group (like "Hey everyone, I wrote this post about tools that have saved me 10 hours a week—hope it helps!") instead of a generic copy-paste. You can also respond to comments or questions from your contacts quickly, which encourages engagement. I once shared a post about "how to optimize your LinkedIn profile for job searches" via WhatsApp Web to a few professional groups, and within a day, three different blogs linked to it—this boosted my post’s authority and helped it rank higher on Google. Additionally, if you have a mailing list, you can use WhatsApp Web to send reminders about new content to your subscribers (with their permission, of course), which can increase your post’s initial click-through rate. Q: Is there a way to use WhatsApp Web to track SEO-related messages? A: Yes! WhatsApp Web allows you to search through your chat history easily, which is helpful for tracking SEO-related messages like keyword ideas, competitor updates, or feedback from your audience. For example, if a client mentioned a specific keyword they want you to target a month ago, you can use the search bar on WhatsApp Web to find that message quickly instead of scrolling through hundreds of chats. You can also pin important chats (like your SEO team or key clients) to the top of your WhatsApp Web interface so you don’t miss any updates. Another trick is to use labels (like "SEO Ideas" or "Content Feedback") on WhatsApp Web to categorize your chats—this makes it easier to find relevant information when you need it. For instance, I have a label called "SEO Keywords" where I save all the keyword suggestions from my team and clients, and I check it every time I start a new post. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t forget any valuable ideas that could improve my content’s SEO performance. Just make sure to keep your WhatsApp Web session secure by logging out when you’re not using it, especially if you’re on a public computer—this protects your sensitive SEO data from being accessed by others.
If you try any of these SEO tricks, let me know how they work for you—drop a comment or send me a message via WhatsApp! I’m always curious to hear about real-world results.
