10 Blogging Mistakes That Are Killing Your Rankings (And How to Fix Them)

 

You've been giving your blog your all, then. After authoring an article and publishing it, you wait for the traffic to start coming in.

However, nothing is taking place.

You are trapped on Google's fifth page. You have an extremely high bounce rate. And truthfully? You're beginning to question whether blogging is really worth your time.

It took me years to realize this, but you're most likely making several common blunders that are quietly hurting your rankings.

The good news? Each and every one of them may be fixed.

I've been right in your shoes. I've compiled this honest guide to the ten blogging errors that are impeding your website after many hours of research, testing, and yes, failure.

Together, let's fix them. 

Mistake #1: Writing "Fluff" Instead of Real Content

All of us have done it. You put together 400 words, add a couple stock photographs, and call it a day since you have to publish the content.

The next step is for someone to click through from Google, visit your page for 20 seconds, and then depart.

Google takes note. Your rankings decline.

The solution is to start providing value instead than just counting words. When writing on "How to Train a Puppy," don't limit yourself to just three suggestions. Talk about the first night when you couldn't sleep. The mishaps on the carpet. When you wanted to give up, that is. actual encounters. actual fixes.

Focus on thorough coverage rather than word count. That can be 800 words at times. It can occasionally signify 3,000. Continue writing until you have truly benefited someone.

Mistake #2: Writing for Google Instead of Human Beings

I understand. SEO is crucial. However, we began writing for algorithms rather than people at some point.

Have you ever seen a blog article that seems like it was created by a robot? The ones that, despite using the precise keyword 47 times, fail to provide a response to your query?
Yeah. Avoid writing them.

The solution is to ask yourself, "What is the person entering this into Google genuinely seeking?" before you type a single word.

When someone searches for "best coffee maker," they most likely want product recommendations. When they look up "how to fix a coffee maker," they are looking for troubleshooting instructions. Instead of focusing only on the keyword you wish to rank for, align your content with what people truly need.

Mistake #3: Targeting Keywords Nobody Searches For

Because it's so simple, this one hurts. You think of a really good topic. You write the ideal post. When you press publish, nothing happens.

It turns out that no one is really looking for that thing on Earth.

The solution: Before writing anything, use a free keyword tool for fifteen minutes. Enter your suggested topics to see what people are really looking for. Choose search terms that sound manageable for a fresh website and have at least 100 monthly searches.

Instead of dominating a keyword that only exists in your head, it's better to rank for a modest keyword that actual people use. 

Mistake #4: Messing Up the Technical Stuff (Without Realizing It)

Of all the ranked killers, this one is the most cunning.

You unintentionally instructed Google not to index your finest posts. Your website may take longer to load than a 1998 dial-up connection. Your photos may be so large that they cause mobile browsers to crash.

And until you looked, you wouldn't know.

The solution is to log into Google Search Console once a month. Seek out the report titled "Coverage." Fix any mistakes you find. Use PageSpeed Insights to analyze your website. Ask your hosting provider why it's sluggish.

Technical SEO might be compared to auto maintenance. You must be able to recognize when the "check engine" light appears, but you do not need to be a mechanic.

Mistake #5: Making Your Blog a Chore to Read

Let's talk about something honest.

What do you do when you come across a blog article that is just a huge wall of text?

You go. Everyone does.

The solution is to write about how people actually use the internet to consume material. brief paragraphs. No more than two or three sentences. headings that provide structure. easily scannable bullet points. Pictures that let your eyes relax.

This is a test: Go to your most recent blog entry. Is it something you would genuinely want to read? If the response is negative, you are aware of what has to be fixed.

Mistake #6: Stuffing Keywords Like It's 2005

In the past, statements like "If you're seeking the best pizza in Chicago, Chicago's best pizza can be found at these Chicago pizza establishments" were common. Do you recall those days?

All of us detested reading it. Google also detested it.

People continue to do this somehow.

The solution is to naturally incorporate your primary keyword into the title, a heading or two, and the body of the piece. That's all. It's probably forced if it sounds that way. Write as though you were answering a question from a friend. Naturally, keywords will be incorporated.

Mistake #7: Letting Your Content Rot

When you first start blogging, no one warns you that content expires.

You wrote about the "Best iPhones of 2022" in that post? It's not only pointless in 2025. You are being deliberately harmed by it. After landing on it, users quickly discover it is out of date and return to Google.

The solution: Review your most significant postings every few months. Refresh the statistics. Give new examples. Include fresh perspectives. If you've made significant changes, change the date.

Consider your blog to be a garden. You cannot simply sow seeds once and then abandon them. You must give it water.

Mistake #8: Keeping Your Best Content Hidden

Linking to your previous content is a fantastic opportunity that presents itself each time you publish a new post.

However, this is not what most bloggers do. Their best posts are buried in the archives with no means to access them once they publish and move on.

The solution is to link to your previous writing whenever you discuss an idea. Seek out chances to include links to pertinent previous postings in every new piece you write.

This is beneficial for more than just SEO. Your readers benefit since they can examine more of your work.

Mistake #9: Posting Whenever You "Feel Like It

Most bloggers don't want to acknowledge how important consistency is.

You're not gaining traction if you publish five times in January, then nothing until April, and then twice in May. Every time, you're starting from scratch.

The solution is to choose a timetable that you can truly follow. once every seven days. Every two months. Whatever suits your life. Then take that action. Each and every time.

Your readers come to anticipate you. Google gets used to you. It all becomes simpler.

Mistake #10: Forgetting That Publishing Is Just the Beginning

The biggest error I made at the beginning was this.

The difficult part, in my opinion, was composing the piece. I would push publish, tweet it once, and then wonder why no one was reading it.

The solution: You may have completed 20% of your task when you finish a post. Post it on Facebook groups that are pertinent. Send your list by email. Respond to those who mention your piece in passing when they tweet about it. Respond to Quora questions and provide a link.

And when do people leave comments? Reply. Each and every time. A blog that has no active comments feels deserted. A blog feels alive when the author really posts.

Let's Take a Moment to Be Real

I won't act as though I have never committed these errors. I've made all of them. A few of them more than once.

However, I've discovered that blogging isn't about being flawless. It all comes down to being supportive, reliable, and concerned enough to mend what's damaged.

Choose one error from this list. Only one. This week, fix it. Next week, choose a different one.

After six months, you'll reflect and question why you ever did things the old-fashioned way.

You're capable. Go fix that blog now.