Hi there! Do you dream of seeing your content on the first page of Google, but you’re not sure where to start? If so, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m going to reveal the secret to crafting SEO blog titles that not only get you noticed by Google but also make people actually want to click.
It’s not just about throwing keywords into a title and hoping for the best. There’s an art and a science to it, and I’m going to show you exactly how to do it with my 4-step process. Get ready to transform your blog game!
Step 1: Keyword Research – The Foundation of Your SEO Title
Before you even think about crafting the perfect title, you need to know what people are actually searching for. This is where keyword research comes in. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be an SEO expert to do this. You can use free keyword generator tools.
- Free Tools to the Rescue: There are numerous free keyword tools available, but I like the one offered by Ahrefs because it gives you the search volume as well as the keyword difficulty.
- Keyword Difficulty Matters: As a new blogger (or even an experienced one), you need to pay attention to how difficult it is to rank for a keyword. Why? Because if you try to rank for something that big brands are dominating, your blog will get lost in the noise.
- Finding the Right Fit: Let’s say you are creating a blog post about summer drinks. Simply typing “summer drinks” into a keyword tool will give you ideas, as well as information about the keyword’s search volume and difficulty.
- Low-Hanging Fruit: When starting out, you should look for keywords with a low keyword difficulty score (under 20), which means that it would be easier for a newer blog to rank for it.
- Get Specific: Instead of just “summer drinks”, let’s get more specific. For example, you could search “vodka drinks” which reveals “two ingredient vodka drinks” as a good option, since this keyword has good search volume and is easy to rank for.
Step 2: Unlocking Search Intent – What Are People Really Looking For?
So, you’ve got your keyword, “two ingredient vodka drinks”, now what? Now you need to figure out what people are actually looking for when they search for this keyword. This is called “search intent”.
- Google is Your Friend: Simply plug the keyword into Google and see what pops up.
- Analyze the Top Results: Look at the top-ranking blog posts. What kind of content are they providing? Are they list posts? Are they recipe posts? Are they giving a lot of ideas?
- What People Want: In this case, people searching for “two ingredient vodka drinks” likely want ideas and recipes. They don’t just want a list of drinks; they want to know how to make them.
- Numbers Are Powerful: The search results show that list posts are popular, so incorporating numbers into your title is a good idea. Using numbers like 10, 20, 50, or 100 helps more than numbers like 21 or 35. In particular, the best overall trigger numbers are 10, 20, 50 and 100.
Step 3: Supercharge Your Titles with Superlatives
Now you know what people are searching for and what kind of content to provide. Now, you need to make your title irresistible by adding superlatives.
- Adding the “Wow” Factor: Superlatives are words that add excitement and make your title stand out. You can consider adding adjectives like ‘easy’, ‘simple’, ‘quick’, ‘cheap’, ‘tasty’, or ‘healthiest’.
- Don’t Be a Copycat: Look at the search results again and see what superlatives are being used. If everyone is using “easy,” you might try “simple” or “quick” to stand out.
- Play on Emotions: Instead of ‘easy,’ you could use ‘tasty’ to evoke emotion in readers.
- Thinking About Our Example: Given our example of “two-ingredient vodka drinks,” we could think of using ‘tasty’ or ‘quick’ since those are some possible benefits of this kind of recipe.
Step 4: The Curiosity Factor – Making Them Need to Click
The final step is to add a touch of curiosity and a “call to action” to make people feel like they have to click.
- Adding Urgency: Certain words can make people want to click now. Words like “now,” “today,” “check now,” or “you need to know” can create a sense of urgency.
- Creating Intrigue: You can also make readers feel like they’re missing out on something by adding words like “unbelievable” or “I’m obsessed with” to your headline.
- Be Personal: At the end of your title, being a little bit personal can help you stand out and draw clicks.
- Putting it All Together: Instead of just “50 two-ingredient vodka drinks,” we could make the title something like “50 Tasty Two-Ingredient Vodka Drinks You Can Make Today” or “50 Unbelievable Easy Two-Ingredient Vodka Drinks You Need To Try”.
- Create Options: You should always come up with multiple headlines, at least 3 to 5 for each blog post, so that you can see what works.
Click-Worthy Title Examples
Let’s recap and look at some examples:
- Option 1: 50 Tasty Two-Ingredient Vodka Drinks to Make Today
- Option 2: 50 Easy and Healthy Two-Ingredient Vodka Drinks I’m Obsessed With
- Option 3: 50 Unbelievable Easy Two-Ingredient Vodka Drinks You Need to Try
The best option will depend on your specific blog and audience, so test them out and see what works best for you.
Conclusion
Creating SEO-optimized blog titles doesn’t have to be a mystery. By following these 4 steps, you can create titles that are both appealing to readers and loved by Google. Remember:
- Start with Keyword Research: Always know what people are searching for.
- Understand Search Intent: Figure out what kind of content people expect when searching for a particular keyword.
- Use Superlatives Wisely: Make your title pop with words that add excitement.
- Add a Touch of Curiosity: Use words that make people want to click right now.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only improve your SEO ranking but also attract more readers to your amazing content. So go ahead, try out the 4-step process and watch the clicks roll in!
FAQs
Do I really need to use a keyword in my title? Yes, using your main keyword in your headline is vital for SEO. This helps Google understand what your blog post is about and helps it rank higher in search results.
Can I only use free tools for keyword research? Absolutely! There are many free keyword generator tools available. While paid tools may offer more in-depth analysis, free tools are sufficient to get you started and help you find valuable keywords.
Is it okay to be a bit personal in my blog title? Yes, especially if it’s at the end of your title, it’s okay to be a little bit personal. This can help you create a unique voice for your blog and draw in more clicks.