10 Technical SEO Writing Tips for Writing Blog Posts That Rank on Google

Google’s click-through rates have dropped significantly this year, whilst search impressions have surged – a dramatic shift driven by AI Overviews now appearing in a growing percentage of queries. This fundamental change means ranking on Google requires optimising for both traditional search results and AI-powered features simultaneously.

In this blog, we’ll cover 10 tips on writing blog posts that rank on Google through technical strategies specifically designed for Google’s current algorithm priorities, including how to leverage Google’s Helpful Content system for maximum visibility.

10 Tips on Writing Blog Posts That Rank on Google with a Technical Focus

Tip 1: Structure Content for AI Overview Extraction

Clear H2/H3 headings that mirror common question formats make content easily parseable by AI systems. Create concise, definitive answers in the first 2-3 sentences under each heading – longer, question-based searches are significantly more likely to trigger AI Overviews.

Format key information in numbered lists, bullet points, and short paragraphs. AI extracts structured data more reliably than dense prose, making your content more likely to appear in AI-generated summaries.

Tip 2: Optimise for Longer, Conversational Search Queries

Target 4-6 word keyword phrases that include clarifications, comparisons, or definitions. Question-based queries (“who,” “what,” “when,” “why”) generate AI Overviews at substantially higher rates than simple keyword searches.

Researching Google’s “People Also Ask” section will identify AI Overview-triggering query patterns, helping you write content that answers follow-up questions users typically ask.

Tip 3: Implement Advanced Schema Markup

Most websites stop at basic article schema, missing opportunities to communicate directly with Google’s AI systems. Structured data acts as a translator between your content and search algorithms – providing explicit context that AI can interpret without ambiguity.

JSON-LD format remains the cleanest implementation method, allowing you to layer FAQ, How-to, and Product schemas depending on your content type. The key is marking up elements that AI Overviews frequently extract: step-by-step instructions, specific facts, comparison tables, and expert credentials. Think of schema as metadata that helps AI systems understand not just what you’re saying, but why it matters.

Tip 4: Build Topical Authority Clusters

Google’s algorithms increasingly evaluate sites based on subject matter expertise rather than individual page performance. A single stellar article about email marketing won’t establish you as an authority – but ten interconnected pieces covering strategy, tools, metrics, compliance, and best practices will.

This pillar-and-cluster model for SEO writing works because it mirrors how expertise actually develops. Your pillar page provides the comprehensive overview, whilst supporting articles dive into nuances that only someone with genuine knowledge would address.

Tip 5: Optimise for Zero-Click Search Scenarios

The paradox of AI Overviews is that your content can be highly visible without generating any clicks. Rather than fighting this reality, strategic optimisation acknowledges that impressions and brand recognition now matter as much as traffic.

Your opening paragraph becomes critical here – it’s often the only section AI systems extract for summaries. If you can do so naturally, weave your brand name into the first 2-3 sentences alongside your unique perspective or proprietary methodology. When users see your brand repeatedly in AI-generated answers, they begin associating your name with expertise in that topic.

Tip 6: Master Core Web Vitals and Technical Performance

There’s no getting around it – technical performance is a prerequisite for being considered for ranking. Pages that fail Core Web Vitals benchmarks increasingly get filtered out before content quality is even evaluated.

The three critical metrics are Largest Contentful Paint (under 2.5 seconds), Interaction to Next Paint (under 200ms), and Cumulative Layout Shift (under 0.1). These numbers sound technical, but they measure actual user frustration – slow loading, unresponsive buttons, and content that jumps around unexpectedly. Mobile-first indexing means Google judges your site primarily by its mobile performance, making responsive design non-negotiable.

Beyond speed, ensure Google’s crawlers can actually access your content. For example, JavaScript-heavy sites sometimes hide content from bots even when users can see it perfectly.

Tip 7: Create Content for Multiple Search Result Formats

SEO writing today means architecting content that adapts to different display contexts. A single piece of content might appear online as a traditional blue link, a featured snippet, part of a Knowledge Panel, or within an AI Overview – sometimes simultaneously.

The trick is writing modularly. Each section should work as a standalone answer whilst contributing to the larger narrative. Similarly, images need descriptive alt text because they might appear in visual search results separate from your article. Questions should be answered definitively in the first few sentences, then expanded with supporting evidence – allowing extraction at different depths depending on the SERP feature.

Tip 8: Leverage Semantic SEO and Entity Optimisation

Google’s AI can evaluate whether you understand the full context around a topic. Semantic SEO means naturally incorporating the terminology, concepts, and relationships that experts in your field would use.

Entity mentions matter here. If you’re writing about digital marketing, references to specific platforms, industry leaders, established methodologies, and related disciplines signal comprehensive knowledge. They’re the vocabulary that demonstrates fluency.

Tip 9: Monitor and Analyse AI Overview Performance

Traditional ranking reports don’t capture your AI Overview presence, requiring new tracking approaches. Tools like SEMrush now identify which keywords trigger AI Overviews and whether your content appears in those summaries.

Competitive analysis becomes more nuanced – you’re not just checking who ranks #1, but whose content Google’s AI considers authoritative enough to cite in generated summaries. Google Search Console’s evolving AI reporting provides some visibility, though the metrics are still developing.

Tip 10: Optimise for Quality Signals Google’s AI Prioritises

E-E-A-T isn’t just an acronym – it’s Google’s framework for evaluating trustworthiness. Experience means demonstrating you’ve actually done what you’re writing about. Expertise shows through technical accuracy and depth. Authoritativeness comes from recognition by others in your field. Trustworthiness requires transparency about sources, regular updates to maintain accuracy, and clear differentiation between fact and opinion.

Practical implementation means author bios that establish credentials, citations linking to original research, and content freshness that proves ongoing engagement with your topic. The strongest signal is unique perspectives backed by original data – things only someone with genuine expertise could provide.

The Technical Reality

AI Overviews now drive substantially more search impressions but significantly fewer clicks, fundamentally changing how we measure SEO writing success. This is even more true after Google removed the &num=100 search parameter, making ranking in the top 10 even more important.

These 10 tips on writing blog posts that rank on Google address this new reality – but execution requires both technical expertise and strategic thinking. The challenge lies in optimising content that performs across traditional rankings whilst maximising visibility in AI-powered features.

Why Technical Excellence Requires Professional Expertise

Successfully implementing these technical strategies demands specialised knowledge that not every marketer has. Between schema implementation, Core Web Vitals optimisation, AI Overview tracking, and content structure refinement, the technical side of SEO writing requires dedicated focus.

Only experienced agencies can effectively combine technical SEO excellence with AI-optimised content creation, delivering sustainable ranking advantages in Google’s rapidly evolving search environment.

At Primal, our team of SEO specialists understands the technical requirements that drive visibility across both traditional and AI-powered search. We’ve developed frameworks that balance algorithmic signals with genuine user value.

Primal provides comprehensive technical SEO services including:

• Technical SEO audits and Core Web Vitals optimisation
• Schema markup implementation across all content types
• AI Overview performance tracking and strategy adaptation
• Content structure optimisation for featured snippets and knowledge panels
• Ongoing monitoring and refinement as Google’s algorithms evolve

As a Google Premier Partner, we maintain direct insights into how search algorithms evaluate and rank content. Whether you need technical implementation or strategic guidance, Primal ensures your content meets Google’s evolving requirements with knowledge given directly from the source.

Contact us today to discover how Primal can improve your search visibility through technical performance.