The SEO Blog Post Template That Gets Posts to Page 1

I used to think “ranking on page 1” was mostly about luck.

Like. You publish. You wait. Maybe Google likes you. Maybe it doesn’t.

Then I wrote a bunch of posts that did everything right, at least in my head, and they still sat on page 4 collecting dust. So I did the annoying part. I pulled up the posts that did rank. Competitors too. I compared structure, intent, formatting, internal links, intros, how they answered questions, the whole thing.

And there’s a pattern. It’s not magic. It’s a repeatable template.

Not a “fill in the blanks and you’re done” template, because SEO isn’t that. But a real outline that forces you to hit what Google is actually rewarding right now. Helpful. Clear. Complete. And yes, technically sound.

So here it is. The SEO blog post template I’d use if I wanted a real shot at page 1.

Before the template, a quick reality check

This template works when you do two things:

1. You choose the right keyword (meaning you can actually compete).
2. You match search intent, not your own agenda.

If someone searches “on page SEO checklist” and you write a 2,000 word essay about why SEO matters, you’re not losing because your writing is bad. You’re losing because you wrote the wrong thing.

Ok. Template time.

The Page 1 SEO Blog Post Template (copy this)

1) Title (H1): Keyword first, promise second

Format ideas:

• The Complete [Keyword] Guide (With Examples)
• [Keyword]: Step by Step (2026 Update)
• How to [Desired Outcome] With [Keyword] (Without [Pain Point])

Good example:
On Page SEO Checklist: 23 Fixes That Actually Move Rankings

Not “On Page SEO Checklist for SEO Success in 2026” because that’s… nothing.

Also, keep the title human. If it reads like you’re trying to impress an algorithm, it probably won’t impress humans either.

2) URL slug: short, clean, no fluff

Use: /on-page-seo-checklist/
Avoid: /best-on-page-seo-checklist-for-beginners-and-advanced-users-2026/

3) First 120 words: confirm intent fast

This is where a lot of posts quietly fail.

The intro needs to do three things, quickly:

• Say what the post covers (in plain language)
• Who it’s for
• What result they’ll get, or what pain you’ll remove

Intro mini template:

If you’re trying to rank a page and it’s stuck (or slowly sliding), it’s usually not one big issue. It’s a pile of small on page SEO problems that add up.

In this guide, I’m going to show you a practical [keyword] you can run in under [time], plus examples and a simple workflow to fix the highest impact stuff first.

No dramatic story. No “SEO is changing.” Just get to it.

4) Add a “quick answer” box (win the impatient reader)

Google loves content that makes scanning easy. Readers do too.

Right after the intro, add a short summary.

Example:

Quick takeaway: To get a post to page 1, you need the right intent match, tight on page SEO (title, headings, internal links, schema basics), and a main section that answers the query more completely than what’s currently ranking.

This also helps for featured snippets sometimes. Not always. But it’s worth doing.

5) Table of contents (especially for anything 1,200+ words)

Not just for UX. It helps structure. It forces you to cover things in an order that makes sense.

WordPress plugins can do this automatically, or you can do it manually.

6) Section 1 (H2): Define the term, but don’t get stuck there

This is the “what is X” section.

Keep it short. You’re proving relevance, not writing a textbook.

H2 template: What is [Keyword] (and what it actually means in practice)

Then explain it like you’re talking to someone smart who just hasn’t done this before.

7) Section 2 (H2): Show the exact process (the real meat)

This is where page 1 posts separate from page 4 posts.

Most articles list tips. Ranking articles usually present a repeatable process.

H2 template: The [Keyword] process I use (step by step)

Then use numbered steps. Google understands lists. People understand lists. Everybody wins.

Example structure:

1. Choose the right page and intent
2. Build the outline around subtopics people expect
3. Write the core answer first (before the extras)
4. Add proof, examples, or screenshots
5. Optimize on page elements
6. Add internal links and publish
7. Refresh and improve after indexing

Make it feel like a workflow, not a motivational poster.

8) Section 3 (H2): “What to include” checklist (subtopics and entities)

This is the part most people skip, then wonder why their post feels thin.

You want to include:

• subtopics
• related questions
• terms Google expects to see in a complete answer (entities)

H2 template: What to include in a high ranking [keyword] post

Quick method I use:

• Look at the top 5 results
• Pull their H2s and common sections
• Add what’s missing, or do it better, or make it clearer

Don’t copy. But yes, borrow the shape of what Google is already rewarding.

If you want a more automated workflow for this part, that’s basically what an AI SEO platform is supposed to do well. For example, SEO Software scans your site and builds a keyword and topic strategy, then turns that into articles you can publish on autopilot. If you’re curious, their blog post generator is the most direct “start here” page.

9) Section 4 (H2): On page SEO block (tight and practical)

Here’s the format I like:

H2 template: On page SEO for this post (do these before you hit publish)

Then break it into short H3s:

H3: Title tag and H1

• Include the primary keyword
• Add a clear benefit
• Keep it readable

H3: H2 and H3 structure

• Use H2s for major sections people expect
• Use H3s to break up steps, examples, tools, edge cases

H3: Internal linking (non negotiable)

Aim for:

• 2 to 5 internal links to related posts (contextual, not stuffed)
• 1 link to a relevant feature or product page if it genuinely helps

If you want a simple way to spot internal linking and other on page issues, use an on page SEO checker. Even if you don’t change your whole workflow, having a checklist that’s actually tied to ranking factors helps.

H3: External links (use them like citations)

Link out when:

• you reference a stat
• you mention a tool, definition, framework, study
• you want to prove you did your homework

One or two solid references is usually enough.

H3: Images and alt text

Add images that explain, not just decorate:

• screenshots
• mini diagrams
• tables
• before and after examples

Alt text should describe the image. Not be a keyword dump.

H3: FAQ section (yes, still useful)

Not for “SEO hacks.” For matching long tail intent.

10) Section 5 (H2): Examples, templates, swipe files

This is what makes people stay on the page.

If your post is “how to write SEO titles,” include 10 good SEO titles. If your post is about an SEO content brief, include a content brief template.

People remember posts that give them something they can use immediately.

11) Section 6 (H2): Common mistakes (so they don’t sabotage themselves)

This is underrated. Mistake sections rank well because they match real searches.

H2 template: Common [keyword] mistakes (and what to do instead)

Keep it honest. Like:

• targeting a keyword that’s too competitive
• writing for a different intent
• fluffy intros
• no internal links
• skipping the update cycle

12) Section 7 (H2): Tools and workflow (optional, but converts well)

If it’s relevant, include tools. Not a random list. A workflow.

Here’s a simple “modern” workflow that doesn’t eat your day:

• Research: Search results, People Also Ask, competitor headings
• Outline: build sections, checklist, examples
• Write: answer first, expand second
• Optimize: on page SEO pass
• Publish: index, link, monitor
• Refresh: update after 2 to 4 weeks

If you’re trying to automate most of that, this is where something like SEO Software fits. It’s positioned like a hands off content marketing system. It scans your site, generates a keyword plan, writes SEO optimized posts, and schedules and publishes them. It’s basically “do the calendar and publishing for me” instead of you living in spreadsheets.

If you want to see how it stacks up against other popular tools, these comparisons are worth a skim:

• SEO Software vs Surfer SEO
• SEO Software vs Jasper

And if you’re still exploring what’s out there, their roundup of AI writing tools is a decent reference point.

13) Conclusion: recap and one clear next step

A conclusion that rambles is worse than no conclusion.

Do:

• recap the main idea
• give the next step

Example close: If you want page 1 content, stop thinking “blog post.” Think “best answer plus clean on page SEO plus internal links.” Use the template above, publish, then improve it after Google has data. That update pass is where a lot of rankings jump.

The actual copy and paste outline

Here’s the structure in one place. This is the part you can drop into WordPress and start filling.

H1: [Primary Keyword] + clear benefit

Intro (100 to 150 words)

• what this is
• who it’s for
• what result they’ll get

Quick answer / TLDR box (3 to 5 lines)

Table of contents

What is [Primary Keyword]?

Short definition, practical explanation, who it’s for.

When you should use [Primary Keyword] (and when you shouldn’t)

A few real scenarios and edge cases.

The [Primary Keyword] process (step by step)

1. Step
2. Step
3. Step
4. Step

What to include in a high ranking [Primary Keyword] post

• Subtopic 1
• Subtopic 2
• Subtopic 3
• Related questions

On page SEO checklist for [Primary Keyword]

Title tag and H1

Headings and formatting

Internal links

External links

Images and alt text

Meta description (optional but helpful)

FAQ

Examples of [Primary Keyword] (steal this formatting)

Example 1, 2, 3. Short and clear.

Common mistakes with [Primary Keyword]

Mistake 1 and fix
Mistake 2 and fix
Mistake 3 and fix

Tools to speed this up (optional)

Quick workflow, not just a list.

Final checklist (before you publish)

A tight bullet list.

Conclusion

Recap, next step.

A few things that make this template rank better (small details, big effect)

Write the “core answer” first

I mean literally. Before you add examples, tools, extra sections.

Ask: if someone only reads 30 percent of this post, do they still get what they came for?

Use short paragraphs, uneven rhythm

This sounds like writing advice, not SEO advice. But it matters.

Big blocks of text turn into pogo sticking. People hit back. Google notices.

Don’t skip the refresh

A lot of page 1 posts are not “one and done.” They’re “publish, learn, improve.”

Even a simple update helps:

• add 2 missing subtopics
• improve the intro
• add internal links
• tighten titles and headings

If you want a quick way to spot what’s holding a page back, run it through a page level audit. Here’s a simple place to start: improve page SEO. And if you want an editor style workflow for tightening on page elements, there’s also the AI SEO editor.

Don’t over optimize

If you’re cramming the keyword into every heading, you’re basically telling on yourself.

Use the keyword in:

• title
• H1
• first paragraph
• a couple H2s where it fits
• naturally through the post

That’s enough.

If you want the “done for you” version of this template

If you like the template but you know you won’t consistently do it every week (most people won’t, life is busy), then automation makes sense.

That’s the angle with SEO Software. It’s an AI powered SEO automation platform that handles the strategy, writing, scheduling, and publishing side so you can focus on the business side. It’s basically trying to replace the messy parts of an agency workflow with a fixed monthly system.

You can still use the template above, by the way. Even if you automate the writing, the structure is the structure. Page 1 posts tend to look a certain way for a reason.

One last thing

This template isn’t a cheat code.

It’s just a way to force your post to be the best answer, laid out clearly, with the on page basics done right. That’s what Google is trying to rank anyway.

If you want to use this immediately, do this today: pick one existing post that’s stuck on page 2 or 3, rebuild it using the outline, add internal links, tighten the intro, then republish. Give it a couple weeks.

That’s usually where you see movement. Not always. But often enough that it’s worth the effort.