1. Use LSI Keywords

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords are terms related to your main keyword that search engines use to understand the topic of a webpage. While it's common to focus on one main keyword, integrating LSI keywords can make your content more contextually rich. For example, if your main keyword is "digital marketing," LSI keywords might include "online marketing," "social media strategies," and "content optimization." By naturally weaving these into your content, you can help search engines better understand the full scope of your topic, improving your chances of higher rankings.

2. Implement Schema Markup

Adding schema markup to your website helps search engines return more informative results for users. This structured data allows you to define elements on your page, such as reviews, events, or products. For instance, if you run a local restaurant, adding schema markup for your menu, operating hours, and customer reviews can significantly improve your SEO. It makes your snippets stand out in search results, potentially boosting your click-through rates.

3. Optimize for 'People Also Ask' Boxes

The 'People Also Ask' (PAA) feature on Google provides valuable opportunities to capture more user queries. Research common PAA questions related to your topic and create detailed answers within your content. For example, if you're writing about 'yoga benefits,' questions in PAA might include 'What are the health benefits of yoga?' or 'Can yoga help with anxiety?' Providing concise, informative answers not only enhances user engagement but can also increase your chances of appearing in the PAA boxes.

4. Leverage Internal Linking

Internal links act as pathways that help both users and search engines find your content. Ensure every new piece of content you produce links back to older, relevant posts. This practice helps distribute page authority more evenly across your site. For example, if you have a blog about gardening and you write a new post on 'Winter Gardening Tips,' link back to your older articles on 'Best Plants for Winter' or 'Winter Soil Preparation.' This not only improves user navigation but also signals to search engines that your content is interconnected and valuable.

5. Enhance Your Content with Interactive Elements

Adding interactive elements can significantly improve user engagement and time on page, both of which are positive SEO signals. Consider incorporating quizzes, polls, or infographics into your content. For example, in an article about 'Healthy Eating Habits,' you could include a quiz titled 'Find Out Your Ideal Diet Plan' or an interactive infographic about the nutritional benefits of various foods. These elements make your content more engaging and can keep users on your page longer.

6. Use Long-Form Content

While short and to-the-point articles have their place, long-form content tends to perform better in search rankings. Articles that exceed 2,000 words often provide more value to readers, resulting in higher engagement rates. For instance, a comprehensive guide on 'How to Start a Blog' that covers everything from selecting a niche to driving traffic can be more beneficial than a brief 500-word overview. Long-form content allows you to cover a topic thoroughly, making it more likely to be shared and linked to, which boosts its authority.

7. Optimize for Voice Search

As the usage of voice-activated devices grows, it's crucial to optimize your content for voice search. This means focusing on long-tail keywords and question phrases that people are likely to use when speaking. For example, instead of targeting 'best pizza recipe,' focus on 'What is the best pizza recipe?' Voice search optimization also involves providing concise answers within your articles. The more aligned your content is with natural speech patterns, the more likely it will be featured in voice search results.

8. Prioritize Mobile-First Indexing

Google now uses mobile-first indexing as the default for all new websites. This means that your mobile site is considered the primary version. Ensure that your website is fully responsive and that its mobile version is just as rich in content and functionality as the desktop version. For example, avoid using Flash, ensure that your text is readable without zooming, and make sure that buttons and links are easily clickable. A seamless mobile experience can significantly improve your overall SEO performance.

9. Utilize User-Generated Content

Incorporating user-generated content (UGC) can add immense value to your site. UGC includes reviews, comments, and any other type of content created by your site's users. For example, if you have an e-commerce site, encouraging customers to leave reviews can provide fresh, unique content. Not only does this improve your site's relevance and authority, but it also continuously adds new content without extra effort from your side. UGC also creates a sense of community and trust, which can improve user retention and conversion rates.

10. Incorporate Multimedia Elements

While textual content is important, incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, images, and podcasts can boost user engagement and enhance your on-page SEO. For example, supplementing an article about 'Exercise Routines' with a video demonstration can provide additional value to your readers. Multimedia elements can also increase the time users spend on your page and reduce bounce rates. Google takes these metrics into account when ranking pages, so the more engaging your content, the better your SEO performance.

11. Optimize for Featured Snippets

Featured snippets are special boxes where the format of regular listings is reversed, showing the descriptive content first. Optimizing your content format to appear as a featured snippet can dramatically increase your visibility. Use clear, concise headers, bullet points, or numbered lists to structure your information. For example, if you're writing about 'How to Bake a Cake,' dividing the steps into a numbered list increases the chance of your content being pulled into a featured snippet.

12. Focus on User Experience (UX)

User experience (UX) is a critical element of on-page SEO. Factors like page load speed, ease of navigation, and mobile responsiveness all contribute to UX. For instance, a website that loads quickly and is easy to navigate keeps users engaged longer. Reducing your site's bounce rate by offering a seamless user experience signals to search engines that your content is valuable. Using tools like Google Analytics to monitor user behavior can help you make necessary adjustments to improve the UX.

13. Update Existing Content

Instead of continually creating new content, focus on upgrading your existing articles. This practice involves adding new information, updating outdated data, and improving readability. For example, if you have an old post about 'SEO Trends in 2020,' updating it to 'SEO Trends in 2023' with fresh insights can breathe new life into the content. Regularly updating your content helps maintain its relevance, which can positively impact your search engine rankings.

13 Unusual On-Page SEO Tips to Outrank Your Competitors

• Use LSI Keywords: Integrate related terms to make your content more contextually rich.
• Implement Schema Markup: Define elements on your page to improve search result informativeness.
• Optimize for 'People Also Ask' Boxes: Address common questions to capture more queries.
• Leverage Internal Linking: Link new content to older, relevant posts.
• Enhance Your Content with Interactive Elements: Use quizzes, polls, and infographics to boost engagement.
• Use Long-Form Content: Create comprehensive articles to provide more value.
• Optimize for Voice Search: Focus on long-tail keywords and natural language.
• Prioritize Mobile-First Indexing: Ensure your mobile site is as rich as the desktop version.
• Utilize User-Generated Content: Incorporate reviews and comments to add fresh content.
• Incorporate Multimedia Elements: Use videos, images, and podcasts to enrich your content.
• Optimize for Featured Snippets: Use clear headers and lists to increase snippet chances.
• Focus on User Experience (UX): Improve page load speeds and navigation.
• Update Existing Content: Regularly refresh old articles with new data.