A blog for generating organic reach—is it still worthwhile, or has the train already left the station? This question comes up time and time again, and I am happy to report on this topic from my own experience as a blog operator and IT company with many years of experience in this field.

Every second, thousands, if not millions, of pieces of content are created on the web. The competition, variety of topics, and density of content seem unstoppable. This fact alone suggests that it will become increasingly difficult to assert oneself with one's own content and stand out from the crowd. Many factors determine the success of a blog, including the quality of the content, the technical requirements, user-friendliness, and embedding or networking.

If you take a closer look at this topic, especially in relation to Google's search algorithms, you will quickly realize that, in the end, several hundred signals come together to determine relevance and the correct placement in Google searches. Even though Google still does not provide complete insight into this process, countless agencies now work in the field of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is now one of the core requirements for all mobile and web applications.

What does this mean for blog websites in 2023?

What specifically do I need to pay attention to in my blog?

Your core focus should remain on creating high-quality content. As a beginner, you will hardly stand a chance with quick and short articles that just chase a trend and build traffic quickly. The same applies to topics that are already highly saturated. So before you start working on your content, there is no way around conducting thorough keyword research. Here are some tips:

Tips for effective keyword research

  1. Use tools such as Sistrix, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, and many others that can discover keyword ideas and show you a niche.

Example:
You want to write about the topic of "running." The keyword "running" is more than saturated and doesn't make sense for you. So find a specific niche, such as "running in midsummer," and focus your post on that.

2. Don't overestimate the monthly keyword search volume and the difficulty of achieving success.

Example:
The keyword "running in summer" has a monthly search volume of "4500" with a difficulty of 65. This may seem low and feasible to you compared to many other keywords. The reality is most likely different, and you will not be able to rank on the Google homepage for this keyword. So start with keywords that have a small search volume and less competition.

3. Don't just chase individual keywords, create categories and clusters.

Example:
Many blog operators waste potential by focusing solely on individual keywords and working through topic after topic. However, to ensure that posts reinforce and link to each other (internal link structure), you should always work with categories and build topic clusters to which you can assign your posts.

Do you require professional SEO support or an SEO agency?

We have been working for renowned clients in the field of web development since 2016. SEO-friendly and optimized websites and online platforms are part of our everyday business. With over 300 client projects, our portfolio is one of the strongest in Germany in our field. We can certainly support you with your request— feel free to get in touch.

How can I improve my blog in 2023?

In order for powerful content to be interpreted correctly by browsers and, in particular, search engines, it is essential to speak the language of the web. Simply adding content, even with semantics in mind, will not get you very far these days. The field of SEO now encompasses much more, especially on a technical level. This includes topics such as crawling, indexing, rendering, security, speed, structure, responsive design, SERPs, meta optimization, and much more. It's best to seek professional help in this area.

You do 90% right, is there a chance for a good ranking?

The answer is: Yes, definitely! Even though topics related to SEO are everywhere, the most important factors are often still not implemented correctly. With a technically optimized blog, good keyword research, and content worth reading, you will still be able to build a well-functioning blog in 2022. Stay one step ahead of the competition – we'll help you do it.

Should artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT be used for content?

Following the release of ChatGPT, this topic has become highly sought after. Many website operators and publishers are now considering having their content written by AI in just a few steps. There are now thousands of websites that are already populated exclusively with content from AI generators, but how well does this work?

Anyone who has seen the official release of Google's Bard AI should realize that AI such as ChatGPT and similar programs are still a long way from generating truly reliable and trustworthy content. Even with source references, there were incorrect statements, false sources, and fatal content errors. Here is a brief list of pros and cons for you:

Pro AI as a content creator:

  • Ideal as inspiration or for simple content and ideas
  • Very fast and accessible, and a great tool for frequently asked questions, minor corrections, or simple tasks.
  • Can help simplify and optimize processes

Against AI as a source of content:

  • untrustworthy, so it should never be blindly accepted as true or taken as important facts
  • also gives results, even though it cannot actually know the logical answer
  • has difficulty creating unique content and is limited in creativity
  • Not a suitable tool for academic work
  • Not suitable for independently writing entire blog posts, glossaries, or articles