What You Need To Know About Onpage SEO Before Diving Deeper with your SEO Strategy in 2025

What You Need To Know About Onpage SEO Before Diving Deeper with your SEO Strategy in 2025

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    So you’re going to add a new blog post or page to your website. You’re hoping that Google loves your page enough to rank it and that visitors enjoy what’s on your website enough to share and link to it. This onpage SEO checklist serves as a guide to ensure that each new page has the SEO fundamentals and best practices that Google uses to assess relevance.

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    The Best Ways to Create SEO-Friendly URLs

    So you’re building a new site or considering rewriting your website’s URLs to assist your users and search engines better comprehend your site and its pages. When creating new URLs for websites, the following guidelines should be followed, and an SEO should be hired to work with your company to design the structure.

    • Keep it brief – While a descriptive URL is crucial, decreasing length and trailing slashes will make your URLs simpler to copy, paste, or recall in the unlikely event that they were not bookmarked and will appear fully accessible in search results. Eliminate stop words, and the length should be no more than 100 characters.
    • Use keywords — If your page aims for a certain term or phrase, add it to the URL. However, don’t try to pack in several keywords for SEO purposes; doing so will result in less useful URLs and may trip spam filters.
    • Be Descriptive — Instead of using numbers or meaningless figures to categorize information, use genuine words and exclude any special characters.
    • Use hyphens to separate words – Because not all search engines correctly read separators such as “_,” “+,” or “%20,” use the hyphen “-” character to separate words in a URL.
    • Remove stop words – Stop words are often used or adjectives that might hinder your SEO efforts. Words like ‘of,’ ‘or,’ ‘the,’ and so on sabotage your SEO efforts since they take up valuable character space, especially when generating URLs. There are plugins (such as the Yoast SEO plugin) that can perform this automatically for your WordPress permalinks.
    • Remove tracking parameters – If you must use tracking parameters on internal URLs to better analyze click-path or external marketing efforts, use the canonical tag and direct it to the URL without the tracking — this will avoid duplicate content concerns.

    When it comes to building a new website or revising an existing one, the structure of your URLs plays a vital role in ensuring that both search engines and users can easily understand your site’s purpose and content. URLs are not just technical elements; they’re a key part of your SEO strategy that can significantly influence how your site performs in search results. By creating SEO-friendly URLs, you’re laying a strong foundation for your site’s visibility and user experience. This guide provides detailed insights and best practices to help you craft the perfect URL structure for your website.

    Why Are SEO-Friendly URLs Important?

    Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s essential to understand why SEO-friendly URLs are critical. Here are a few reasons:

    1. Improved Search Rankings: Search engines like Google consider the URL structure when evaluating a page’s relevance. A clean, keyword-rich URL can help boost rankings.
    2. Better User Experience: URLs that are easy to read and understand improve user trust and engagement. Visitors are more likely to click on a URL that clearly conveys the content of the page.
    3. Increased Click-Through Rates (CTR): Descriptive URLs act as a preview of the content, encouraging users to click through from search engine results.
    4. Enhanced Sharing: A concise and meaningful URL is easier to share on social media, in emails, or as part of marketing campaigns.

    Now that we understand the importance, let’s delve into the specifics of crafting SEO-friendly URLs.

    Key Principles for SEO-Friendly URL Creation

    1. Keep It Brief

    While it’s important for a URL to be descriptive, it’s equally crucial to keep it short and concise. Long URLs are harder to remember, share, and display in search results. Here are some actionable tips for brevity:

    • Aim for 100 Characters or Fewer: Shorter URLs are easier to read and process. Avoid adding unnecessary words or phrases.
    • Avoid Trailing Slashes: Trailing slashes can clutter your URL and are generally unnecessary unless you’re dealing with directories.
    • Eliminate Redundancies: Remove duplicate keywords or repetitive phrases that do not add value to the URL.

    Example:

    Instead of:

    https://example.com/blog/2025/12/18/why-seo-friendly-urls-are-important

    Use

    https://example.com/seo-friendly-urls


    2. Incorporate Keywords Thoughtfully

    Keywords in your URL can improve your page’s search engine visibility. However, moderation is key. Here’s how to do it effectively:

    • Focus on Primary Keywords: Include the most relevant keyword for the page, ensuring it aligns with the user’s intent.
    • Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Adding too many keywords can make your URL look spammy and reduce its effectiveness.
    • Place Keywords Early: Keywords should appear as early as possible in the URL for maximum impact.

    Example:

    Instead of:

    https://example.com/seo-keywords-url-best-seo-keywords-url-practices

    Use:

    https://example.com/seo-friendly-urls 

    2. Incorporate Keywords Thoughtfully

    Keywords in your URL can improve your page’s search engine visibility. However, moderation is key. Here’s how to do it effectively:

    • Focus on Primary Keywords: Include the most relevant keyword for the page, ensuring it aligns with the user’s intent.
    • Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Adding too many keywords can make your URL look spammy and reduce its effectiveness.
    • Place Keywords Early: Keywords should appear as early as possible in the URL for maximum impact.

    3. Be Descriptive

    A descriptive URL gives users and search engines a clear idea of the page’s content. Avoid using random strings of numbers, special characters, or meaningless terms. Instead, use real words that represent the content effectively.

    Technical Best Practices for SEO-Friendly URLs

    1. Use Hyphens to Separate Words

    Search engines interpret hyphens (“-”) as word separators, making your URLs more readable. Avoid using underscores (“_”), plus signs (“+”), or spaces (“%20”), as these can confuse search engines and reduce readability.

    2. Remove Stop Words

    Stop words are common words like “and,” “of,” “the,” and “with” that add little value to the URL’s meaning. Removing them helps keep URLs concise and focused.

    For WordPress users, plugins like Yoast SEO can automatically remove stop words from permalinks.

    3. Avoid Tracking Parameters

    Tracking parameters (e.g., “?utm_source=”) can create duplicate content issues if not handled correctly. If you need to use parameters for tracking campaigns, always specify a canonical URL to consolidate link metrics and prevent search engines from indexing duplicate versions.

    Common Pitfalls to Avoid

    1. Auto-Generated URLs: Avoid URLs that include random strings of letters or numbers. Example:
      • Avoid: https://example.com/page?id=12345
      • Use: https://example.com/seo-basics
    2. Capital Letters: URLs are case-sensitive in some systems. Stick to lowercase to avoid errors and ensure consistency. Example:
      • Avoid: https://example.com/SEO-Tips
      • Use: https://example.com/seo-tips
    3. Multiple Subfolders: Avoid overly nested structures that make the URL unnecessarily long. Example:
      • Avoid: https://example.com/blog/2025/12/18/seo/basics
      • Use: https://example.com/blog/seo-basics
    4. Non-Descriptive Names: Generic URLs like “page1” or “post2” lack clarity. Example:
      • Avoid: https://example.com/post1
      • Use: https://example.com/seo-url-basics

    Tools to Simplify URL Optimization

    1. Yoast SEO (WordPress): Automatically removes stop words and helps generate clean permalinks.
    2. Ahrefs/Semrush: Analyze competitor URLs and identify keyword opportunities.
    3. Google Search Console: Test URLs for indexing and monitor performance.
    4. Bitly: Shorten URLs for marketing campaigns.

    How to Integrate SEO-Friendly URLs into Your Workflow

    Step 1: Plan Your URL Structure

    • Design a logical hierarchy for your site with clear categories and subcategories.

    Step 2: Draft URLs During Content Creation

    • While drafting content, propose a concise, keyword-rich URL.

    Step 3: Review URLs Before Publishing

    • Before hitting publish, double-check the URL for clarity, keywords, and length.

    Step 4: Monitor URL Performance

    • Use analytics tools to track how users interact with your URLs.

    Best Practices for Google SEO Tagging

    Google’s recommended practices for SEO tagging and metadata, as well as the website tags they value, have evolved substantially over the previous decade. Most of the elements, such as the meta keywords tag, have lost significance over time and do not influence rankings or content relevancy. There is still a worthwhile handful, such as the SEO metadata and tagging recommended practices listed below.

    Best Practices for SEO Title Tags

    Structure of SEO Title Tags

    There are several views on building your title tag such that it has the most influence on rankings. Some think you should include your keywords; others say it doesn’t matter. We are on the latter’s side. Title tags should contain keywords, but they should also be conversational and not just a list of keywords.

    Length of SEO Title Tag

    Originally, the length of the title tag for SEO was 70 characters, including spaces; however, it was recently revealed that Google determines length by pixels rather than character count. Google determines the pixel width of title characters up to 512 pixels wide. Google truncates it and inserts an ellipsis when the title exceeds this limit.

    Best Practices Description Tag

    Structure of Description Tags

    The easiest approach to think about the structure and what to include in your website’s description tag is to think of it as a paid search ad. The description tag’s content is designed to attract Google users to click on your listing by providing relevant information about what to anticipate on your web page.

    Length of Description Tags

    Meta descriptions can be any length; however, search engines often truncate excerpts larger than 160 characters. It is preferable to maintain the length of a meta description between 150 and 160 characters.

    Best Practices for Page Content Optimization

    When we speak about optimizing web page content, we are not referring to keyword density or just adding keywords. Optimizing structural, textual, and keyword components is one of the SEO cornerstones of optimizing page content.

    Aside from ensuring that the content is not included within a flash, javascript, or an iframe and that text are not shown as an image, there are a few key areas to concentrate on. Let’s start with some structural notions – content hierarchy and variety – before delving into where keywords should be put.

    Content Organization

    A structured hierarchy for your web page also aids Google in understanding the topic hierarchy for your content, providing them with a better understanding of what your content should be ranked for.

    H1, H2, and H3 tags describe chunks of material in a content hierarchy.

    Content Variety

    Using a variety of content types inside a piece of content, such as videos, photos, and lists, demonstrates enhanced engagement, social shares, and inbound links.

    Use of SEO Keywords

    After you’ve determined the ideal keywords for your website, the next question is where you should add your SEO keywords. They should incorporate keywords and phrases from the head, mid-tail, and long tail.

    The usage of keywords in the H1 tag

    • Make sure you have one H1 tag.

    • The H1 tag should include your page’s major keyword subject (head term).

    The usage of keywords in the H2 tag

    • Ensure that you have a few H2 tags.

    • These should be sub-themes of your major keyword subject and keywords from your secondary content topics (mid-tail keywords).

    The usage of keywords in the H3 tag

    Include a few H3 tags for every H2 tag.

    These should be sub-topics related to your secondary keyword topic.

    Include your tertiary content subjects (secondary mid-tail keywords).

    Unless you’re digging deep into a topic, H3 tags aren’t always necessary.

    Use of keywords in paragraphs

    • Paragraphs should be brief, targeted, and digestible for readers — preferably 4-5 sentences long so that users are not overwhelmed.

    • They should contain primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords — consider variety rather than density.

    Best Practices for Image Optimization

    • Add an ALT tag to each picture that describes the image.

    • Give your image a name by describing it in two or three words – use hyphens to separate words.

    Meta Directives and SEO Best Practices

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for driving organic traffic to websites and ensuring a strong online presence. Among the essential elements of SEO are meta directives, tools that allow website owners to guide search engines in indexing, ranking, and displaying their content appropriately.

    This comprehensive guide will explore best practices for meta directives and SEO strategies, providing actionable tips for optimizing your website while maintaining clarity, visibility, and user engagement.

    1. Understanding Meta Directives

    Meta directives are specific instructions provided in a webpage’s HTML code to guide search engine crawlers. These directives help control how search engines index a site, handle duplicate content, and display information in search results. Implementing them correctly can improve your website’s SEO performance while minimizing potential issues.

    2. Redirects: Preserving Link Metrics with 301 Redirects

    When creating a new webpage to replace an existing one, employing a 301 redirect is crucial. This permanent redirect ensures that:

    1. SEO Authority is Preserved: Link metrics, such as backlinks and domain authority, are transferred from the old page to the new one.
    2. Seamless User Experience: Visitors who click on links to the old page are automatically taken to the new page without confusion or dead ends.

    Implementation Tip:

    In your .htaccess file (for Apache servers), include the following:
    bash
    Copy code
    Redirect 301 /old-page-url https://www.example.com/new-page-url

    • Test the redirect using tools like HTTP status code checkers to confirm it’s functioning correctly.

    3. Handling Duplicate Content with “rel=canonical”

    Duplicate content can dilute a website’s SEO value by confusing search engines about which page to rank. The “rel=canonical” tag resolves this issue by:

    1. Establishing a Preferred Version: Search engines treat the canonical URL as the authoritative source, ensuring that duplicate or similar pages do not compete in rankings.
    2. Preserving Link Equity: The SEO benefits from backlinks are consolidated on the canonical page.

    Example of Canonical Tag Usage:

    html

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    <link rel=”canonical” href=”https://www.example.com/preferred-page-url”>

    Best Practices:

    • Use canonical tags for paginated content, such as blogs or product categories.
    • Avoid overusing canonical tags on every page, as this can lead to misinterpretation by search engines.

    4. Restricting Crawlers: Robots.txt and Meta Robots

    There are instances where you may want certain pages to remain hidden from search engine indexing, such as internal test pages, staging environments, or outdated content. Two effective tools for this are the robots.txt file and meta robots tags.

    Robots.txt

    This file, placed at the root of your domain, instructs crawlers on which parts of your site to index or ignore.

    Example: Blocking Crawlers:

    javascript

    Copy code

    User-agent: *

    Disallow: /private-directory/

    Meta Robots Tag

    If finer control is needed, use the meta robots tag within a page’s HTML code to dictate crawler behavior.

    Common Attributes:

    • noindex: Prevents the page from appearing in search results.
    • nofollow: Stops search engines from following links on the page.

    Example:

    html

    Copy code

    <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex, nofollow”>

    When to Use:

    • Block pages with duplicate or thin content.
    • Prevent indexing of login pages, thank-you pages, or sensitive information.

    5. Notifying Users and Search Engines

    Once you’ve made changes to your website, it’s essential to notify both users and search engines to ensure your content is discoverable and beneficial. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

    5.1 Updating XML and HTML Sitemaps

    Sitemaps are crucial for helping search engines understand your website’s structure.

    Steps to Update:

    • XML Sitemap: Add the new URL to your sitemap file and resubmit it to Google Search Console.

    Example:
    xml
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    <url>

      <loc>https://www.example.com/new-page-url</loc>

      <lastmod>2025-12-18</lastmod>

      <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>

      <priority>0.8</priority>

    </url>

    • HTML Sitemap: Update your on-site sitemap (if applicable) to include the new page for better user navigation.

    5.2 On-Site Linking

    Internal linking ensures that new pages are easily discoverable by both users and search engines.

    Tips for Effective On-Site Linking:

    • Place at least one link to the new page from an authoritative, related page on your site.
    • Use descriptive anchor text that reflects the content of the new page.
      • Example: <a href=”https://www.example.com/new-page-url”>Learn more about meta directives</a>

    6. Promoting New Content Through Social Media

    Social media platforms have evolved into indispensable tools for content promotion, offering unparalleled reach and engagement potential. When you publish a new page on your website, leveraging platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and even niche networks like Pinterest or Reddit can significantly amplify your content’s visibility. A well-strategized social media promotion plan can attract targeted audiences, drive traffic, and spark meaningful engagement around your brand or content.

    Here’s how to make the most of social media when promoting your new content.

    1. Crafting Compelling Captions

    Captions are the gateway to grabbing your audience’s attention on social media. A well-written caption should be concise yet engaging, providing a clear incentive for users to click on your content. Incorporate the following tips:

    • Start with a Hook: Use an intriguing question, statistic, or bold statement that piques curiosity. For instance, “Did you know 80% of websites miss out on traffic due to poor SEO practices? Don’t let yours be one of them!”
    • Keep It Clear and Direct: Avoid overly complex language or lengthy sentences. Your message should resonate with the audience immediately.
    • Include a Call-to-Action (CTA): Phrases like “Read more,” “Find out how,” or “Get the full guide” encourage clicks and drive traffic to your website.

    2. Utilizing Relevant Hashtags

    Hashtags play a pivotal role in increasing the discoverability of your posts, particularly on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. When using hashtags:

    • Research Trending and Niche Hashtags: Tools like Hashtagify or Instagram’s Explore page can help identify trending hashtags related to your content.
    • Combine Broad and Specific Tags: A mix of popular hashtags (#SEOtips) and niche-specific ones (#MetaDirectives) ensures better reach and targeted visibility.
    • Limit Overuse: While hashtags are essential, overcrowding your post with too many can dilute its impact. Stick to 2–3 on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, and up to 10–15 on Instagram.

    3. Enhancing Posts with Visuals

    Social media is a highly visual medium, and high-quality images or graphics can make your posts stand out. Posts with visuals are proven to receive more engagement than text-only updates.

    • Create Custom Infographics: Highlight key points from your content with visually appealing charts, stats, or illustrations.
    • Use Platform-Specific Dimensions: Each social media platform has optimal dimensions for images. For instance, Instagram favors square posts (1080×1080 pixels), while Twitter thrives on horizontal visuals (1200×675 pixels).
    • Leverage Video Content: A short explainer video or animated graphic summarizing your content can be more engaging than static visuals.

    4. Encouraging Followers to Share

    Expanding the reach of your content relies on encouraging your audience to share your posts. To achieve this:

    • Create Share-Worthy Content: Post informative or inspirational snippets that people feel compelled to share.
    • Ask Directly: Include phrases like “Share this with someone who needs it!” or “Tag a friend who would benefit.”
    • Engage with Comments and Shares: Responding to comments and acknowledging shares fosters community and encourages further interactions.

    5. Timing and Frequency of Posts

    When and how often you post plays a critical role in content performance.

    • Post at Peak Times: Analyze your audience’s activity to identify when they are most active and schedule posts accordingly. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook provide insights on follower activity.
    • Repost Content: Don’t hesitate to share the same link multiple times with different captions or angles to reach users who may have missed it initially.

    6. Example of a Social Media Post

    A well-structured post can look like this:
    “Just published: Learn the best practices for meta directives and SEO!  Discover how 301 redirects, canonical tags, and robots.txt can transform your website’s performance. Get the full guide here: [insert link]  #SEOtips #MetaDirectives #WebsiteOptimization”

    This post uses an engaging opening, emojis to add personality, and actionable hashtags to increase reach.

    7. Tracking and Optimizing Performance

    Finally, monitor the performance of your social media posts to identify what works best for your audience. Use platform analytics or tools like Hootsuite and Buffer to measure:

    • Click-through rates (CTR)
    • Likes, shares, and comments
    • Audience demographics and reach

    Refine your strategy based on these insights to maximize engagement and traffic over time. By consistently promoting your content on social media with these best practices, you’ll ensure that your new pages reach a broader audience and achieve their intended impact.

    7. Using Google Search Console to Expedite Indexing

    Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools) is invaluable for informing Google about new content and monitoring its performance.

    Steps to Submit New URLs:

    1. Log in to Google Search Console.
    2. Navigate to the URL Inspection Tool.
    3. Enter the new URL and click “Test Live URL” to check for indexing issues.
    4. If no issues are found, click “Request Indexing.”

    8. Additional Tips for Optimizing New Content

    8.1 Craft Engaging Meta Titles and Descriptions

    Meta titles and descriptions significantly impact click-through rates. Ensure they are:

    • Keyword-Optimized: Include primary keywords naturally.
    • Enticing: Use actionable language to encourage clicks.
    • Within Character Limits: Titles should be under 60 characters, and descriptions should not exceed 160 characters.

    Example:

    • Meta Title: “Meta Directives Explained: SEO Best Practices for 2025”
    • Meta Description: “Learn how to use meta directives like 301 redirects, canonical tags, and robots.txt to improve your site’s SEO. Optimize and notify search engines today!”

    8.2 Leverage Structured Data (Schema Markup)

    Structured data enhances search engine understanding of your content and can lead to rich results, such as featured snippets or FAQ boxes.

    Example for an Article:

    json

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    {

      “@context”: “https://schema.org”,

      “@type”: “Article”,

      “headline”: “Meta Directives and SEO Best Practices”,

      “author”: “Your Name”,

      “datePublished”: “2025-12-18”,

      “mainEntityOfPage”: “https://www.example.com/meta-directives”

    }

    9. Monitoring and Adjusting Post-Publication

    Publishing content is only the first step. Continuous monitoring and adjustments are vital to maintaining SEO performance.

    Use Analytics Tools

    • Google Analytics: Track traffic, bounce rates, and user behavior on the new page.
    • Ahrefs or SEMrush: Monitor keyword rankings and backlink profiles.

    Update Content Regularly

    • Incorporate new statistics or insights to keep the page relevant.
    • Refresh the meta title and description based on evolving trends.

    Tuhin Banik

    Thatware | Founder & CEO

    Tuhin is recognized across the globe for his vision to revolutionize digital transformation industry with the help of cutting-edge technology. He won bronze for India at the Stevie Awards USA as well as winning the India Business Awards, India Technology Award, Top 100 influential tech leaders from Analytics Insights, Clutch Global Front runner in digital marketing, founder of the fastest growing company in Asia by The CEO Magazine and is a TEDx speaker and BrightonSEO speaker..