If you want free traffic from Google, you need your content to rank. This episode delivers 14 practical SEO tips (plus a bonus) that cover on-page optimization, keyword strategy, backlinks, and more. Mark also shares a downloadable blog post SEO checklist you can use every time you publish.<\/p>\n
Mark opens with a quick update on the new LateNightIM.com theme built on the Divi framework, then launches into the main segment: a comprehensive on-page SEO checklist for bloggers.<\/p>\n
The 15 tips cover the full spectrum of on-page and basic off-page optimization. Know what keyword you are targeting. Use natural keyword variations instead of repeating the same phrase. Create the best content available for your keyword. Write longer, more comprehensive posts than your competition. Place your keyword in the title tag and post slug. Write compelling SEO titles and meta descriptions. Include outbound links to authority sites. Link to other pages on your own site. Optimize images with keyword-rich alt tags. Place keywords in section headings. Build backlinks with varied anchor text from relevant content. Create social sharing signals. Check for duplicate content using Copyscape.<\/p>\n
Mark emphasizes that this is a white hat approach focused on creating genuine value for readers. Google's algorithms are moving toward understanding intent rather than matching exact keywords, which means writing naturally for your audience is both the ethical and the strategically correct approach.<\/p>\n
Mark recorded this in October 2016, and while SEO has evolved significantly, the core principles in this checklist remain sound.<\/p>\n
Google's algorithm is now AI-driven.<\/strong> RankBrain (2015), BERT (2019), and the Helpful Content system (2022-2024) mean Google understands search intent better than ever. The natural language approach Mark advocates is more important now, not less.<\/p>\n E-E-A-T has become a central evaluation framework.<\/strong> Google's quality raters assess Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Author credentials, first-hand experience, and topical authority across a site all factor into how Google evaluates content quality.<\/p>\n Core Web Vitals are now ranking signals.<\/strong> Page speed, interactivity, and visual stability directly affect rankings. Site performance was not part of the SEO conversation in 2016 but is essential in 2026.<\/p>\n AI-generated content has raised the quality bar.<\/strong> With AI making it easy to produce content at scale, original research, personal experience, and unique perspectives are the primary differentiators for ranking. The advice to have the “best content” now requires demonstrating something AI cannot replicate: genuine expertise.<\/p>\n Keyword research tools have expanded significantly.<\/strong> Semrush, Ahrefs, and KWFinder by Mangools offer sophisticated data well beyond what was available in 2016. The Yoast SEO plugin Mark recommends remains popular alongside Rank Math as an alternative.<\/p>\n If you found this episode helpful, you might also enjoy:<\/p>\n Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts<\/a> or subscribe at latenightim.com\/internet-marketing-podcast\/<\/a>. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.<\/p>\nResources Mentioned<\/h2>\n
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