content writing vs. Content writing: What is the key difference?

What is SEO content writing? What is it different from other content writing?

What is SEO content better than traditional content writing?

These questions, and many more will be answered in this article.

You’ll learn:

• What is the difference between SEO and content writing?
• Three content strategies that can outperform SEO (if used correctly)
• SEO Content Examples.
• 9 ways to improve your SEO content for humans

SEO content writing is different from content writing.

SEO content writing differs from content writing in that it is intended to use search engines to help you find your content. Content writing, on the other hand, is content that can be read by humans.

You might have felt that the above paragraph was written by a bot. This is a classic example for a paragraph that was created for SEO.

It is almost like my Google Home mini is spitting this out as a reply to a question. Although it’s not exciting, it is very direct.

The rest of this article will be written more “by a person, for people”. But the first sentence is true.

SEO content is designed to exploit the code of search engines.

Which is the best?

Which one is better? Which is better: SEO content or regular?

Both forms of content have been a success for me over the years.

Today, I post daily on LinkedIn and have a decent following.

This is social content that leverages the algorithms of platforms.

Blog posts that aren’t keyword-rich are what I refer to when I speak about regular content.

These are written for humans, so if Google discovers some keywords, that’s great. However, this is not intentional.

It is risky to create regular content. This is risky, it’s a leap into the unknown, and without a promotion strategy, there’s a high chance that no one will ever see your posts.

It could be your passion, ideas, or theories.

SEO content, on the other hand, has a purpose – rank.

This is a simple concept: you are writing it for humans and search engines.

You rank the content to make it easy for search engines to find it.

Search engines are the only way to discover your content.

Is this SEO content that is better? No.

We’ll soon see that a lot of content is good at searching engines, as we will also see.

Human leverage: The content’s focus

So now you have two types. As we’ve seen, one uses search engines.

What does regular content leverage?

Humans.

Particularly, human interaction and attention.

This is what content for search engines attempts to do. This is the core skill of an SEO-focused content author – writing content that search engines love. It’s not easy.

Content writers, on the other hand aren’t concerned about these things.

They exchange ideas, news and opinions.

Search engines are not constrained by search engine needs and wants. A certain freedom allows them the freedom to concentrate on one thing: to affect the emotional state of the reader.

This state could be the feeling that:

• Your ideal future is possible.
• They are closer to their goals.
• They’re not failing as parents.
• You can live a better life.
• They can make their business successful.

It can be entertaining or educational. You can be a liar or you can alter your mind.

The power of great content can make emotional change happen.

Which type of writing is best for your business?

Content bothism: The secret weapon to marketing success

Once, a good SEO told me that killing low-traffic pages was one of his first SEO tasks.

That’s what I get. However, low traffic does not necessarily mean low usage.

You must ensure that content is not of any use before you delete it.

This can be done by sharing the post on social media, or even paying a little money to boost it. This will help you determine if your customers find the content useful.

It doesn’t need to be only SEO content. It should include SEO content and regular text.

Content bothism is the use of both types content on your website. Both can be combined. You can have both.

What types of content can you create that isn’t search-driven?

Three content strategies you can use for people leverage

Search is great, but that doesn’t mean regular content is inferior.

You can create content that attracts people to your website once you understand how to leverage human readership. It’s amazing!

These are three ways you can leverage great content.

Variable reward content

You will keep coming back to great blogs because you never know what you might find. This is called variable reward content.

Great websites also leverage variable reward content on social platforms like TikTok or Instagram

Tim Ferriss is a great example. You never know what you might have missed on his blog, which is why you keep coming back to it.

This content is great for businesses because people are searching for you and not just randomly through search.

The goal is to grab the attention of the reader and keep them coming back time after time.

Content created by users

Next, we need to convince others to create content for us.

Starter Story did a great job.

Their site features hundreds of inspiring start-up stories through email interviews.

They don’t even have to write them. Their site now has over 4,000 case studies.

They keep adding to their number each week, even if you read them all.

These are not optimized for search engines. However, the volume and nature of the content is a magnet to readers.

With insight, content curation

Content curation is not a new concept. Sites have used content curation for many years. Reddit is undoubtedly the best site on the internet.

You can create a completely new version of the content by adding your own insight.

Marketing Examples is an excellent example. With unique views and images, the best marketing examples can be curated in one place.

SEO content doesn’t have to be boring and robotic.

Not a chance.

SEOs have ruined the internet – only SEOs can fix it

We have all heard of the Google market share loss to TikTok.

We hate it when articles are too thin or ranked solely because of their domain power.

Recent algorithm updates should change this. However, if we want to improve SEO content, SEOs and content writers must make changes.

What do users want from SEO content?

Excellent SEO content Answers the search query and adds new information.

It is the perfect combination of SEO and content writing. Answer the search query and then go beyond.

Seth Godin offers some great tips to create blogs that work.

Cross out any sentence that could have come from someone else, each box checked, and every predictable reference. Now insert yourself. Now, tell the truth.

Although we don’t want every sentence to be repeated, great SEO content should reflect your views, experiences, and truths.

If you are looking for examples of this in action, the Backlinko blog is your best bet.

Brian Dean designed a blog that did more than just use search engines. It incorporated both search engines and humans.

Dean creates content to be used by search engines, but still offers unique perspectives and experiences.

This is why content UX, content designing and the inclusion of unique views and experiences are so important.

Others do it well, however.

BuzzSumo has created a great piece of content, 18 Examples of Awesome B2B Marketing.

Although it’s targeted at search, the BuzzSumo team used their data to create a fascinating and informative article.

How can you make your SEO content standout?

9 ways to make useful SEO content that people love

These are some ways to create useful content that is search engine-friendly and human-friendly.

1. Add your data

We saw how BuzzSumo used its data to create an original content angle.

What data are you able to use?

2. Add design

Brian Dean was the first to use content design for SEO. But graphics can tell a story that you may not have thought of.

For my simple graphics that help explain topics, I receive a lot of feedback.

3. Add facts

Facts are what make your content credible and reinforce the message you want to convey.

These facts can be found on sites like Statista.

4. Insert videos

Copywriter Ben Slate used his phone to record himself while walking his dog. These insights would then be used to upsell products.

While I don’t recommend this, you can create a video and post it to YouTube. Then embed it on your website.

Maybe you have a different angle or can explain something better. You’re creating content for people in your SEO content.

5. Unique H2s can be added (that aren’t listed in the SERPs).

Web writing today can seem a bit rote. To analyze SERPs, people use tools like Frase and Surfer.

You want to stand out. Don’t just combine the best H2s with rewrites.

What H2 could you add? What is the missing piece?

Use the SEO Minion Chrome extension to find out what is missing. You can also ask questions about any keyword. Add H2s to your content.

6. Add quick answers

This is a search problem. Search loves quick answers.

I would like to have some information about the TV that I am considering buying. I needed the information fast. Similar buyers are you, so get straight to the point.

To help readers find key information, quick answers can be provided in boxes.

The What’s best page above allowed me to quickly scroll through the top TVs and gain more information.

Optimize for the speed reader

7. Add details, specifications and numbers

With AI growing, it’s important to add details as that’s what AI cannot add. Make sure you include relevant service and product data in your content.

This content from Quality Comix which ranks the 100 most valuable comics provides key data that no AI program could have.

You need to include more elements if you are using AI for content writing.

8. Real answers require you to commit

Experts provide accurate solutions to real problems. This is the foundation of Quora.

AI is vague, experts are committed. Answer the question clearly, not vaguely, if someone asks you if an air fryer is bad for your health.

It is also helpful to back up your views with factsual data.

9. Get quotations from business leaders

Business leaders are key to a company’s success. Ask for quotes, then add them to your content.

You’ll be able to make these quotes stand out on your page with design. It will help you read your content a lot more clearly.

What to do next

SEO content can only answer questions that customers ask.

Content answers questions they don’t know how to ask.

Both are essential for a content strategy that is successful.

Your content may not be good enough for people if it isn’t promoted. Go ahead and review your content.

Is it enough? Is it better? You can make it even better by adding some of the above elements to your work.

Be bold. Be bold.

This is the future for both content types.

The post SEO Content Writing vs. Content Writing: The Key Difference was first published on Search Engine land.