The Secret to Ranking High on Google without SEO Gimmicks

3 tactics we use in our publications.

Author

Angad Singi
October 16, 2024

TLDR;

By focusing on reader-first, high-quality content and simple SEO strategies like internal linking, we've naturally improved our newsletter rankings on Google.

When we first started writing for Marketing Monk, SEO wasn't on our minds.

We were more concerned with creating valuable content that resonated with our audience.

Little did we know, this simple, content-first approach would turn out to be one of the best SEO strategies out there.

Today, our newsletters rank high on Google, and we’ve become best friends with the search engine.

Some articles that ranked first on the search

But it didn’t happen overnight.

It wasn’t a result of secret algorithms or complex hacks - it came down to focusing on the fundamentals.

And we’re here to share the SEO tactics that worked for us.

Some may surprise you (the first one is pretty weird), but each one has been pivotal in helping us with organic reach.

Key Takeaways:
SEO Tactics for Newsletters

  • Focus on valuable, reader-first content over SEO tricks for long-term success.

  • Writing simply and clearly keeps readers engaged and improves your SEO.

  • Internal linking adds value to your content and helps Google rank your pages higher.

  • Avoid outdated SEO tactics like keyword stuffing or low-quality backlinks, which can backfire.

  • Google rewards quality content over shortcuts, so prioritize your audience's experience.

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We Didn’t Pay Much Attention to SEO Initially

At the start of our journey, SEO was not the priority. Instead, we focused solely on producing high-quality, engaging content.

When we began writing for Marketing Monk, our mindset was solely driven by delivering value to our audience.

This may sound counterintuitive, but focusing on what the reader wants rather than what the algorithm demands is often the best SEO tactic.

Google's ultimate goal is to deliver the most relevant and helpful content to its users. By focusing on creating useful, reader-first content, we were unknowingly aligning ourselves with Google’s objectives from day one.

📝 Content should always come first. Yes, optimizing for SEO is crucial, but it should never come at the cost of quality.

If you’re writing just for search engines, you’ll miss out on building genuine connections with your readers, which is far more valuable in the long run.

Writing Simply:

The goal of a blog is to retain the audience for a longer time.

And the best way to do this is to write simply.

The more complex words you use, the more your reader will feel alienated and not want to read/come back.

While it may be tempting to fill your writing with complex words and jargon, it’s the straightforward, easy-to-read content that holds readers' attention.

When readers can understand and engage with your content easily, they tend to stick around longer, lowering your bounce rate and increasing the time spent on your page - both of which are factors that Google considers when ranking content.

📝 When your content is accessible and easy to understand, not only does it serve your readers better, but it also signals to Google that your page is delivering value.

Internal Linking

Another SEO tactic we rely on is internal linking, which is often overlooked but incredibly effective.

Within our newsletters and articles, we frequently link to previous posts or other pages on our website where it makes sense.

This isn’t just about SEO - it’s about providing additional value to our readers.

Internal linking serves two purposes:

  • First, it encourages readers to explore more of our content, increasing their time on the website and deepening their engagement.

  • Second, it helps Google understand the structure of our website, which can boost rankings for the linked pages.

📝 It’s important to note that internal linking should be done organically. Don’t force links where they don’t belong. The goal is always to enhance the reader’s experience and provide them with more relevant content - not to manipulate search engines.

The Common Thread:

Whether we’re writing simply, linking internally, or focusing on content quality over SEO tricks, our approach always centers around the reader.

Google is constantly evolving, but one thing remains consistent - Google wants to give its users the best experience possible. By focusing on what’s best for your audience, you’re also creating content that search engines will reward.

It’s tempting to use SEO shortcuts like keyword stuffing or building low-quality backlinks in an attempt to rank quickly.

But these tactics can backfire, resulting in penalties or even getting your site banned from Google.

Instead, our philosophy is to focus on long-term success by prioritizing quality content. Over time, Google recognized that our website was delivering value, and our rankings naturally improved.

📝 SEO success doesn’t come from chasing algorithms - it comes from serving your audience. And when you do that, Google will recognize the value you bring and reward you with the rankings you deserve.

Hey hey! I want to understand where you’re stuck at your newsletter and figure out how I can help you better.

This can happen in 2 ways -

A group webinar (I'll also explain the complete newsletter creation process here)

A 1:1 call (This will be more focused towards your specific needs)

If that’s something you’re up for, please choose what will be most suitable for you:

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P.S. If you are stuck with your newsletter growth at any point, reply to this and I can help you out! 📈