Blog Post SEO Checklist: 15 On-Page Checks to Publish

Introduction: My “before you publish” blog post SEO checklist (and who it’s for)

There is a specific kind of anxiety that hits right before you click “Publish.” You’ve spent hours researching, drafting, and editing. The draft looks good. But in the back of your mind, you wonder: Did I remember the meta description? Is the H1 different from the title tag? Did I accidentally leave the noindex tag on from the staging site?

I know this feeling well. Early in my career, I once published a comprehensive guide that sat on page 5 for months simply because I messed up the URL slug. It was a preventable, unforced error.

That is why I don’t rely on memory anymore. I use a standardized blog post SEO checklist every single time. This guide isn’t about abstract SEO theory; it is the practical, 15-point editorial pass I run to ensure content is technically sound, user-friendly, and ready to rank. Whether you are a solo founder or managing a content team, this workflow ensures you never waste a great article on poor optimization.

The 5-minute pre-publish workflow I use (so this checklist doesn’t feel overwhelming)

A 15-point checklist can sound intimidating when you are on a deadline. You might be thinking, “I don’t have an hour to audit my own post.” The good news is, you don’t need an hour. Once you internalize these checks, the actual QA process takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

Here is the exact sequence I follow to move fast without breaking things:

1. The SERP Scan (1 min): I check the Title, URL, and Meta Description first. This is your storefront; if it looks messy in the search results, the rest doesn’t matter.
2. The Skim Test (1 min): I scroll the live preview. Do the headers (H1/H2/H3) tell a story? Is there a Table of Contents? If I can’t scan it, a user won’t read it.
3. The Link & Media Sweep (2 mins): I click my internal links to ensure they work and verify images aren’t massive files slowing down the page.
4. The Tech Triage (1 min): I do a quick “Inspect” to verify schema and core web vitals targets using a browser extension.
5. Publish.

If you are managing high-volume production, you eventually need to move this workflow upstream. Using a SEO content generator or management platform to standardize your briefs and outlines can bake these requirements in before writing even begins. But for the final polish, this manual pass is non-negotiable.

The before-you-publish blog post SEO checklist: 15 on-page elements I check every time

This section is the core of your QA process. I’ve organized these 15 elements into logical groups so you can tackle them in batches. Below is the master table I keep in my notes app—feel free to copy/paste it into your own project management tool.

The Master Checklist

Element	What to Verify	Quick Standard	Tools / Where to Check	Pass/Fail
1. Title Tag	Length & keyword placement	< 60 chars, keyword front-loaded	SERP Preview Tool	[ ]
2. Meta Description	CTR optimization	150–160 chars, benefit-driven	CMS SEO Plugin	[ ]
3. URL Slug	Readability & structure	Short, hyphenated, main keyword	Browser Address Bar	[ ]
4. Indexing	Robots tags & canonicals	index, follow, correct canonical	Inspect Element / Source	[ ]
5. H1 Tag	Uniqueness	Only one H1, matches intent	Visual Check / Source	[ ]
6. Header Hierarchy	Logical structure	H2s/H3s answer subtopics	Table of Contents	[ ]
7. Intro Hook	Engagement	Promise + Proof in first 100 words	Reading	[ ]
8. Table of Contents	Navigation	Present for posts >1,500 words	Visual Check	[ ]
9. Word Count/Depth	Comprehensiveness	Typically 1,500–3,000 words	Word Counter	[ ]
10. Semantic Terms	Topical coverage	Related entities included naturally	Content Intelligence Tool	[ ]
11. E-E-A-T Signals	Credibility	Author bio, sources cited	Visual Check	[ ]
12. Internal Links	Site architecture	~3–5 links per 1,000 words	CMS Editor	[ ]
13. External Links	Trust & citations	Credible sources only	CMS Editor	[ ]
14. Image SEO	Performance & access	Alt text + WebP/Compressed	PageSpeed Insights	[ ]
15. Technical Bundle	Schema, CWV, Mobile	Article schema, LCP < 2.5s	Lighthouse / Schema Validator	[ ]

If you are using tools like an AI article generator to speed up drafting, I recommend running this checklist manually afterwards. Automation is powerful for creation, but human judgment is essential for final quality assurance.

SERP-facing elements (what people see before they click)

These elements are your first impression. It doesn’t matter how good your article is if nobody clicks on it. I treat this section as “advertising copywriting” rather than just SEO.

1) Title tag: keep it under ~60 characters and lead with the primary keyword

Your title tag is the single most important on-page ranking factor after content quality. If it’s too long, Google truncates it with an ellipsis (…), hiding your value proposition. The rule of thumb is to keep it under 60 characters to ensure visibility across desktop and mobile.

Done looks like:
Bad: The Ultimate Guide to Checking Your Blog Post Before Publishing for SEO Success in 2025
Good: Blog Post SEO Checklist: 15 On-Page Checks Before You Publish

I always front-load the primary keyword. It signals relevance immediately to users scanning quickly.

2) Meta description: write for clicks (150–160 characters) even though it’s not a direct ranking factor

Let’s clear up a common misconception: meta descriptions do not directly influence rankings. However, they significantly impact Click-Through Rate (CTR), which is critical. Think of this as your elevator pitch.

I aim for 150–160 characters. If I go longer, I ensure the crucial info is in the first sentence. A simple formula I use is: [Problem] + [Solution in the post] + [What they get].

Example: “Worried about ranking drops? Use this 15-point blog post SEO checklist to verify titles, links, and schema. Get the confidence to hit publish.”

3) URL slug: short, descriptive, hyphen-separated, and keyword-aligned

Keep URLs boring. A clean URL helps users and bots understand the page topic before it even loads. I see many CMS platforms default to using the entire headline, resulting in URLs that are 15 words long.

My rule: Strip out stop words (and, the, of) and dates. Stick to the primary keyword.
Avoid: /blog/2025/10/how-to-do-a-blog-post-seo-checklist-for-beginners
Prefer: /blog/blog-post-seo-checklist

4) Indexing signals: canonical URL + robots meta tag (make sure you’re actually publishable)

This is the nightmare scenario: writing a masterpiece and realizing two weeks later that your settings were set to “noindex.” It happens more often than you think, especially if you draft on a staging server.

The quick check:
Open the page source (Ctrl+U) and search for “noindex”. If you see it, fix it. Also, check the canonical tag. It should point to the URL of the article itself (unless you are syndicating content, in which case it points to the original source).

Page structure & readability (what Google and humans scan)

When I open a draft, I ask myself: “Can I understand what this page is about in 10 seconds just by scrolling?” Structure is the bridge between robot understanding and human engagement.

5) One clear H1 that matches the page topic (only one)

You should have exactly one H1 tag per page. It acts as the headline of the document. Usually, this is identical to your Title Tag, but it doesn’t have to be perfectly identical—it just needs to match the intent.

Editor’s Note: Some WordPress themes silently wrap your logo or hero image text in an H1. Always double-check your source code to ensure your article title is the only H1.

6) Logical H2/H3 hierarchy that answers “what/why/how” (and includes related terms)

Headers aren’t just for formatting; they are for structure. I use H2s for main sections and H3s for sub-points. This hierarchy helps search engines understand the relationship between concepts.

If I’m writing about “coffee beans,” my H2 might be “Types of Coffee Beans,” and my H3s would be “Arabica,” “Robusta,” etc. This naturally pulls in semantic keywords without me having to force them.

7) A strong first 100 words: confirm intent, set expectations, and earn the scroll

If you bury the lede, you lose the reader. The first 100 words must confirm they are in the right place. I look for the primary keyword in the first paragraph, not for SEO points, but to signal to the reader: “Yes, this is the article you were looking for.”

8) Table of contents / jump links (especially for 1,500+ word posts)

For any post longer than 1,500 words, a Table of Contents (TOC) is essential. It reduces bounce rate by allowing users to jump directly to the answer they need. Plus, Google often uses these jump links to create rich snippets in SERPs.

I usually place this right after the introduction. If I can’t fit the structure above the fold without scrolling, I know I need a TOC.

Content depth & intent alignment (the part that actually earns rankings)

9) Coverage and length: aim for ‘complete’ (often ~1,500–3,000 words for competitive topics)

There is no “magic” word count, but comprehensive content usually wins. Most top-ranking guides on competitive topics tend to fall between 1,500 and 3,000 words. However, don’t fluff it up. If you can answer the query perfectly in 800 words, do that.

I focus on “time to value.” If I’m writing a definition, I keep it short. If I’m writing a “Complete Guide,” I ensure I haven’t left out any major subtopics.

10) Semantic SEO: include related entities, questions, and subtopics (without keyword stuffing)

Semantic SEO means covering a topic the way an expert would. If I’m writing about “SEO Checklists,” Google expects to see related terms like “search intent,” “crawling,” “indexing,” and “user experience.”

My sanity check: If I were teaching this to a junior colleague, what follow-up questions would they ask? I make sure those questions are answered in the content.

11) E-E-A-T signals: show experience, cite sources, and make authorship clear

In 2025, Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is critical. Readers need to know why they should trust you.

Quick wins for E-E-A-T:

• Include a clear author byline with a bio.
• Use first-person language to demonstrate Experience (“When I audited…”).
• Cite reputable external data (e.g., “According to Google’s documentation…”).
• Avoid making medical, financial, or legal claims without citation.

Links, media & SERP enhancements (how your post connects and stands out)

12) Internal linking: add ~3–5 internal links per 1,000 words (and make anchors descriptive)

Internal links are the veins of your website; they pass authority from one page to another. I aim for about 3–5 internal links per 1,000 words.

Crucially, I check the anchor text. Instead of “click here,” I link descriptive phrases like “download our SEO template” or “read more about canonical tags.” This helps Google understand what the linked page is about.

13) External links and citations: link out when it helps the reader (and supports claims)

Don’t be afraid to link out. Linking to high-authority sources (like a verified study or official documentation) builds trust. It shows you’ve done your homework. My rule is: if I state a statistic, I link to the source. If I mention a tool, I link to it.

14) Image SEO: filenames, alt text, compression, and modern formats

Images are often the biggest culprit for slow pages. Before I upload any image, I rename the file from IMG_5921.jpg to something descriptive like blog-post-seo-checklist-example.jpg.

Once uploaded, I add Alt Text that describes the image for accessibility (e.g., “Screenshot of a WordPress editor showing the meta description field”). Finally, I ensure images are served in Next-Gen formats like WebP to keep file sizes low.

15) Schema + page experience: Article/FAQ/Breadcrumb schema, Core Web Vitals, mobile, accessibility, and JS rendering

This is the final technical pass. It sounds complex, but I break it down into a simple “Minimum Viable” and “Advanced” check.

Minimum Viable Check:

• Mobile: Check the page on your phone. Is the text readable? Are buttons clickable?
• Core Web Vitals: Run a quick Lighthouse check. Aim for Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) under 2.5 seconds.
• Schema: Ensure your CMS is applying “Article” or “BlogPosting” schema automatically.

Advanced Check:

• FAQ Schema: If you have an FAQ section, wrap it in FAQ schema to try and grab extra SERP real estate.
• Accessibility: Check color contrast and ensure screen readers can navigate your headings.

2025 readiness: what I add for generative search (GEO/GSEO) and modern content experience

The rise of generative search (AI overviews) has shifted the goalposts slightly. It’s not just about “10 blue links” anymore; it’s about being cited in the AI answer.

To optimize for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), I focus on extractability. Generative engines look for clear, confident answers they can synthesize.

Here is what I’m testing and seeing work:

• Definitional formatting: I start sections with direct answers. (e.g., “A canonical tag is…”)
• Structured Lists: AI loves bullets and numbered lists (like this one). They are easy to parse.
• Authority Citations: I make sure my data is sourced. AI models seem to prioritize content that looks like a primary source or cites one.

I also think more about Content Experience (CX). Does the page have a calculator, a quiz, or a downloadable checklist? These interactive elements increase dwell time, which signals to search engines that the content is valuable.

Common on-page SEO mistakes I still catch right before publishing (and how I fix them)

Even after years of doing this, I still make mistakes. Here are the most common ones I catch during my final QA:

• The “Placeholder” Meta Description: I often write “Fill this in later” and then forget. Fix: Check the snippet preview one last time.
• Broken Internal Links: I’ll link to a related post but paste the wrong URL or a draft link. Fix: Click every link in the preview mode.
• Hidden H1s: Sometimes I style a subhead to look big, and the CMS tags it as an H1. Fix: Use the “Inspect” tool to verify only one <h1> exists.
• Huge Hero Images: A beautiful 4MB header image will kill your mobile score. Fix: Compress everything under 100KB where possible.
• Orphaned Content: Publishing a post but forgetting to link to it from older posts. Fix: Immediately go to 2–3 older, high-traffic posts and add a link to the new article.

FAQ: quick answers beginners ask about blog post SEO

How many words should a blog post be for SEO?
There is no strict rule, but for competitive informational keywords, 1,500–3,000 words is a common range to ensure comprehensive coverage. However, always prioritize satisfying user intent over hitting a word count.

Does meta description length impact SEO directly?
No, Google has stated that meta descriptions are not a direct ranking factor. However, they heavily influence Click-Through Rate (CTR). A better CTR brings more traffic, which is the ultimate goal.

How important is internal linking?
Extremely important. It helps crawlers discover your content and distributes “link equity” (authority) throughout your site. I aim for 3–5 relevant internal links per 1,000 words.

What is E-E-A-T?
It stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It is a framework Google uses to assess content quality. You can improve it by citing sources, using expert authors, and keeping content accurate and up-to-date.

Conclusion: my 3-bullet recap + next actions before you hit publish

SEO isn’t about magic tricks; it’s about consistency. If you can operationalize quality, you will win in the long run.

Here is your final recap:

• Nail the First Impression: Title, URL, and Intro Hook must be perfect.
• Structure for Scanners: Use clear H2/H3s and a Table of Contents.
• Verify the Tech: Check indexing, image sizes, and mobile responsiveness.

Your next move: Don’t just read this. Copy the checklist table above into your project management tool right now. Run through it on your next draft. If you standardize this process, you stop worrying about technical errors and start focusing on what really matters—creating great content.

Contact us for more information on how to streamline your content operations.