Here’s How to Update Old Blog Posts for SEO Optimization

Wondering what to do with old blog posts to get them to rank on the first page in search engines? Then you’re in the right place.

I’ve achieved a lot of success as a blogger — as in I made multiple six-figures from my blogging business in both 2022 and 2023 — and I just started blogging in 2020.

The best part? I’m not special. If I can do it, so can you. So, if you want to learn how to optimize old blog content to increase rankings and boost organic traffic, this is the article for you.

In this post, I’ll share 17 steps you can follow to revamp old posts for SEO, so that you gain that coveted #1 Google slot in no time. Ready for them? Let’s dive in!

update old blog posts

In reality, there are many reasons why updating old posts is a good idea rather than solely writing new blog posts.

• First, it’s faster. You’ve already done a good chunk of research.
• Second, your revamped version will be higher quality because you can go more in-depth. 
• Third, you may already have backlinks and authority in place, which will help your refreshed post rank higher more quickly.

You can sometimes achieve greater success by updating content SEO style than by writing a whole new post.

Why? Because Google loves fresh information. (🏆 Want to become a pro at this? Check out my course on How to Optimize Old Blog Posts.)

Now that we have addressed the why, let’s look at the how. Below, you’ll find 17 tips on how to update your blog posts so Google loves them.

17 Steps To Update Old Blog Posts

1. Find Articles to Update

Step one in figuring out how to refresh old blog posts is determining which posts to focus on.

The content you’ll want to update first includes low hanging fruit like:

• Posts that rank on page two of Google
• Posts that rank on page one in spots 8-10, as they’re at risk of being outranked by the competition and dropped down to page two
• Posts that include out-of-date information

update old blog posts

2. Update the On-Page SEO

Now that you’ve found a post to update, it’s time to refresh the on-page SEO.

First, consider updating your keywords for this article.

If you didn’t know about SEO (search engine optimization) when you wrote the post, you may not have any keywords for blog posts.

Or, your target keywords’ search volume and difficulty may have changed. For this, you can use keyword research tools to decide which ones you want to target or add to your post. 

Tools like Keysearch can also give you a list of related or contextual words to add.

Other tools you can use include RankIQ and Query Hunter — and in my course, I outline how to optimize your blog post with each tool.

Ensure your keyword is at the beginning of your title tag, article title, meta description, and subheadings.

I teach bloggers how to find travel blog keywords with big potential to earn affiliate income in my How to Find Affiliate Marketing Keywords Class.

update old blog posts

3. Boost Rankings for Underperforming Keywords

Did you know that you can rank for more than just one keyword?

Sure, you’ve added your primary keyword into the Yoast, Rank Math, or AISEO plug-in (or whichever WordPress SEO plug-in you use) — but your content probably ranks for many other keywords.

Use tools like Query Hunter, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to see what keywords you are already ranking for — look for keywords on the second or third page of Google.

When you’ve found them, assess their potential first.

Look at their organic search traffic and relevance to your content. If they hold promise, optimize your content around them.

This strategic approach can push these keywords higher in search results, bringing more organic traffic to your article.

update old blog posts

4. Improve Your Search Intent Match

Search intent is all about ensuring your content perfectly aligns with what users are actively searching for.

For instance, if someone searches “best beaches in Bali,” they’re probably looking for a list of top beach destinations with photos, directions, and nearby attractions.

If your post delves into the history of Bali without highlighting the beaches, you’re not satisfying the searcher’s intent.

To hone your search intent match:

• Analyze Top Results: Enter your target keyword into a search engine. Examine the top results. What are they focusing on? How is their content structured?
• Use Tools: Platforms like KeySearch, SEMrush, or Ahrefs offer insights into keywords and the type of content that ranks for them in the travel niche.
• Adjust Content Format: Depending on intent, your content could be a list of top attractions, a detailed travel guide, hotel recommendations, or even travel hacks. Ensure your format aligns with the search intent.

When your content aligns with search intent, you satisfy your readers and stand a better chance of ranking higher in search results.

update old blog posts

5. Optimize Your Meta-Description

Your meta-description is the summary that appears beneath the title in search results. Think of it as a mini billboard for your post.

A compelling meta-description can differ between someone clicking on your article or scrolling past it.

Make sure it’s engaging, relevant, and includes your primary keyword. It should encapsulate the essence of your post and entice readers to dive in.

And remember, keep it under 160 characters to ensure it displays correctly across all devices.

While Google doesn’t always show the meta description you enter, it is a best practice to keep it to 160 characters.

update old blog posts

6. Add New Images (and Videos)

The third step in how to update old content is to add new images and videos.

Not only do visuals increase user engagement and improve the user experience, but they also increase your SEO opportunities.

Visuals break up solid blocks of text, increase the time a user spends on your page, and make your content easier to understand.

To optimize your visuals, ensure the file name includes your target keyword and describes the image. Second, add an alt description.

Although you should use your target keyword in your alt text, make sure you also describe the image well.

The alt text is intended to assist those who use screen-readers, so make sure you don’t aren’t keyword stuffing alt text, and actually describing the image so it helps those it’s intended to help.

update old blog posts

7. Change the Formatting or Layout

A clutter-free and intuitive layout can be a game-changer for your blog’s user experience.

Begin by strategically using whitespace to make your content breathe. This makes it more readable and less overwhelming for your readers.

Also, remember that blog post structure is crucial.

Using H2s and H3s can guide readers through your post and assist search engines in understanding the hierarchy of your content.

But while structure is essential, keep your paragraphs short and sweet.

Aim to keep them concise, at about 1-3 sentences each. This prevents long blocks of text that can deter readers.

Lastly, in today’s mobile-first world, a responsive layout is non-negotiable.

With many users accessing content via mobile devices, your blog must look and function seamlessly across all platforms.

💡 Blogger Pro Tips: Nowadays, the vast majority of WordPress themes are mobile-friendly, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

update old blog posts

8. Check Your Internal Links

Both internal links and backlinks are an efficient way to improve your SEO and boost your blog traffic.

They increase credibility and improve the quality of your content marketing strategy.

First, add and/or refresh your internal links → which you can do fast and effectively with the LinkWhisper Plug-In.

Ensure there are many relevant links to and from your updated blog post from within your site.

update old blog posts

9. Get More Backlinks

Help establish the value and authority of your blog content by getting more high-quality backlinks ASAP.

Backlinks are like votes of confidence from other websites. The more you have from reputable sources, the more search engines trust your content.

Here’s how you can start:

• Reach Out to Bloggers: Identify blogs in your niche, then send them a friendly email showcasing your best content and ask if they’d consider linking to it.
• Guest Post: Offer to write articles for other blogs. In return, you’ll usually get a link back to your site.
• Engage on Forums: Platforms like Quora, Reddit, Facebook Groups or other niche-specific forums can be goldmines. Here, you can answer questions and drop relevant links to your blog posts.
• Check Competitor Backlinks: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to see where your competitors are getting links, and target those sources.

Still feel stuck on getting backlinks? Check out my course on 10 Ways to Get High-Quality Backlinks.

🚨 Warning: Do not buy Backlinks

Whatever you do, avoid buying backlinks on places like Fiverr and Upwork, and avoid using shady tactics and black hat SEO practices.

While they may give a short-term boost, search engines can penalize you in the long run.

In fact, Google can de-index your site for this (meaning it won’t show you in search results), so stick to genuine methods for sustainable results.

update old blog posts

10. Check for Broken Links

Broken website links are links on your site that don’t work anymore.

They destroy the user experience, and make your content less credible — so make sure to regularly check all your links to repair them, remove them, or redirect them.

How do you check for broken links?

You can do this manually by clicking on each link, but this can be time-consuming, so I recommend using tools for a quicker fix, like these:

• Ahrefs Site Audit tool
• Semrush Free Broken Backlink Checker
• BrokenLinkCheck.com
• Crawl Errors report on your Google Search Console

These are 5 ways to refresh your blog posts, but there are more FREE online tools to check your site for broken links.

update old blog posts

11. Add the Current Year to the Heading Tag

Incorporating the current year into your heading tag is a strategic move in SEO.

Why? Because it instantly signals to readers and search engines that your content is current and relevant.

Users searching for information often prefer the latest data and insights. Adding the current year to your heading increases the chances of your content being clicked on, as it appears more up-to-date.

For search engines, it can be an indicator that the content has been recently reviewed or updated, making it more valuable to users.

This can potentially boost your ranking for time-sensitive search queries.

💡 Blogger Pro Tips: While adding the year is beneficial, remember to update the content too. An up-to-date heading with outdated content can mislead readers and harm your credibility.

update old blog posts

12. Update and Add More Content

Now, it’s time to update and add new content to your post.

Review your article and ensure it demonstrates your experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness, or E-E-A-T.

Delete any references to people, businesses, or organizations that no longer exist or are irrelevant. Update contact information, prices, ratings, etc.

Make sure your post matches the search results and intent for the keyword.

Adjust how you mention dates to keep them evergreen. Instead of using phrases that date your post, like “Last year, I went to X,” write “In 2025, I went to X.”

This ensures your content remains timeless.

Finally, consider adding more length and depth to your article to help it stand out and rank higher in Google.

If your competition mentions the “31 Best Things to do in Córdoba Spain,” make sure your post surpasses that number.

update old blog posts

13. Correct Typos and Improve Readability

Did you know that the perfect readability score is grade 9 level 😳 Ever wondered — How does your blog post rate for readability?

You can check the readability of your post using apps like Hemingway.

Grammarly is also invaluable for correcting typos and improving the flow of your text.

Even the free version of plugins like Yoast SEO offer helpful suggestions to make your content more reader-friendly.

update old blog posts

14. Answer FAQs

One quick way of updating blogs is to check the “People Also Ask” segment on Google.

This SERP feature offers users additional questions (and quick answers) to topics related to their search query.

By including these questions — and concise answers to them in about 75 words or less — in your FAQs section, a snippet from your blog could be included, which means more eyes on your content.

update old blog posts

15. Publish with a New Date

Give your article one last check, then hit the publish button.

Just make sure your updated post includes the new date so Google and users know it has been updated.

Republishing content with the current year in your SEO title tag is another way to increase organic traffic to your post because it shows users it is new.

update old blog posts

16. Reindex Your Blog Post with Google

Congrats 🥳 Now that you’ve gone through the previous steps, it’s time to tell Google about the blog updates.

Do this by logging into your Google Search Console account. Paste the blog post URL into the URL Inspection tool and request indexing.

update old blog posts

17. Re-Promote the New “Old” Blog Post

Lastly, make sure the world knows you’ve given your blog post a fresh makeover.

Share it across all your social media channels, send it out in your newsletter, and even consider paid promotion if it’s a high-value article.

This brings in new readers and re-engages those who might have read it before.

An updated post can attract a new wave of traffic, so don’t let it sit quietly. Make some noise about your revamped content 🗣️🆕❗️

How to Update Old Blog Posts for SEO: FAQs

You need to demonstrate to users that you are an expert, have the most experience, and are the most trustworthy voice amid the clamor.

Fresh, up-to-date content makes you look in touch, professional, and relevant.

Updating your content also helps you improve your SEO and maintain or increase your search engine rankings.

update old blog posts

It is easier to revamp old material than to write blog posts from scratch, and it also extends your posts’ life.

Rather than letting your old posts slide from the first page of Google and into oblivion, keep them fresh and relevant.

Limit old posts’ impact by keeping them fresh!

My course on How to Optimize Old Blog Posts will teach you how to do this in depth.

update old blog posts

Your old posts are already well-researched and probably have decent authority and some backlinks.

Building on that success with a revamp will boost your position in search engine results and bring you more traffic faster compared to a completely new post.

update old blog posts

Ultimately, your goal is to keep your content ranking on the first page of Google.

The best way to do that is by keeping it fresh, relevant, and up-to-date.

Republishing old content allows you to make it better, provide more in-depth information, and optimize the in-post SEO.

update old blog posts

You may want to do a post update whenever it slips in the rankings. For high-ranking posts and affiliate posts, consider updating them quarterly.

Some bloggers also review all their posts at least once a year to ensure accurate information.

After all, you wouldn’t want to hurt your authority and trustworthiness by promoting misleading or blatantly wrong information.

update old blog posts

There is a strong correlation between the length of a blog post and how well it ranks on Google.

This doesn’t mean that Google looks at word count as a ranking factor. Instead, Google is looking for the most helpful and complete information.

The goal isn’t to be wordy, but to provide the highest quality content.

In today’s blogging world, it’s all about providing a great user experience with helpful content.

update old blog posts

Google loves fresh content and will likely feature updated blog posts in featured snippets and SERPs.

Of course, how you get your blog updated matters.

For example, how to update blog posts should include adding additional contextual keywords, ensuring your keyword is in the title, meta description, and subheadings, and adding extra visuals with relevant titles and alt tags. 

If you do all this, then you know how to update a blog post that’s fully optimized for SEO.

update old blog posts

For when and how to delete old posts, first, ask yourself some questions:

• First, is this content relevant to your niche?
• Second, can you rewrite the post and salvage the URL so you keep its Google juice (AKA link juice) and backlinks?

Did you answer no to either of those questions? If so, then you may want to delete the post.

If you do, remember to remove all internal links to that post and set up a 301 redirect if possible.

My Final Thoughts on How to Update Old Blog Posts

By now, you should have an excellent idea of how to update old blog sites and posts. The digital landscape is always evolving, and so should your content.

When someone says your blog is outdated, take it as an opportunity to review and revamp.

Don’t just update your blog again; consider every piece of content, even if you’re wondering how to update a news article.

Remember, every edit or addition can be crucial in rejuvenating your content’s SEO power.

While you may question how long does it take for a blog to get traffic, consistently updating and optimizing can significantly accelerate that timeline.

Stay proactive and keep your content fresh.

To go even more in-depth, check out my course on How to Optimize Old Blog Posts.

In the course, I show you exactly how I optimize my posts using SIX optimization tools.

By the end, you’ll know everything you need to know to make your old blog posts into organic traffic magnets.