How do you perform a content audit to identify and improve your on-page SEO issues?

Before diving into a content audit, I always ask, “What are we trying to achieve here?” Whether it’s improving organic traffic, increasing conversions, or ranking for specific keywords, clear goals are the starting point. Then, I define the metrics that matter—think bounce rates, time on page, keyword rankings, and organic traffic. Having these metrics in place means we’re not just shuffling content for fun; we’re laser-focused on measurable outcomes that align with business goals.

1.Identify Key Metrics 2.Check for Indexing 3.Review Title Tags 4.Evaluate Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc. 5.Check for Duplicate Content 5.Mobile-Friendliness 6.Content Gaps and Opportunities

Performing a content audit is an essential step in identifying and improving on-page SEO issues. From my end the key points should be Compile a list of all the pages on your website Assess the quality of content Check for duplicate content Evaluate the URL structure Assess page titles and meta descriptions Analyze the use of header tags Check for broken links and images Analyze the use of keywords Review internal linking Take action By performing a content audit and implementing the changes necessary to improve your on-page SEO, you can help boost your search engine rankings and increase traffic to your website.

?? Goals? More traffic, higher rankings? Decide what you want. ?? Content List: Every page, post, everything on your site. ?? Performance Check: See how each piece performs with traffic, bounce rate, etc. ?? SEO Inspection: Titles, descriptions, headings (H1, H2, H3), content quality, images & alt text, internal linking - all optimized? ?? Fix It: Refresh, revamp, or keep content as is. Make a plan to tackle SEO issues. ?? Track It: Did changes improve traffic, rankings, or engagement?

I approach this like cleaning out a messy closet—you’ve got to take stock of what you have before you can tidy it up. I’ll inventory all the pages, posts, and content on the site, and categorize them by type: blogs, landing pages, product pages, etc. Using tools like Screaming Frog or SEMrush helps me pull the data fast. Once I see everything laid out, it’s easier to spot outdated, irrelevant, or underperforming content that’s dragging down our SEO efforts.

One way to evaluate the quality of your content is based on its current visibility in organic search. For example, prioritize pages that are getting lots of impressions, but not as many clicks. These can pages can be great "quick wins" when you're working through a complex content audit.

Here’s where things get fun (or brutal, depending on how good the content is). I comb through each piece of content, checking for quality, keyword optimization, readability, and relevance to the target audience. If it reads like it was written by a robot or for an audience that no longer exists, it’s time to revise or ditch it. I also check internal links and ensure the content is aligned with the latest SEO guidelines. A well-optimized piece of content should serve both the user and the search engine—anything less is just clutter.

Once the audit reveals what’s working and what’s not, I map out improvement actions. Maybe it’s updating old content with fresh keywords, adding more internal links, or enhancing meta descriptions. Sometimes, it’s merging multiple weak posts into one powerhouse piece. If the content isn’t driving traffic or converting, I’ll either optimize it or pull the plug. I prioritize quick wins first—low-hanging fruit like optimizing title tags or image alt texts—before tackling the larger rewrites.

Don't let low-performing content drag down your SEO! Treat your inventory like a pantry: keep the fresh, relevant content easily accessible (optimize titles, internal linking) and update or combine "past-their-prime" pieces. Outdated info? Refresh with new data. Accuracy issues? Give it a fact-check overhaul. Low-quality or irrelevant? Donate it to the SEO bin (noindex), but keep an eye out for cannibalized topics - merge those overlapping pieces into a comprehensive feast for search engines! By actively managing your content pantry, you'll serve up SEO success on a silver platter.

After making improvements, I’m not done—I’m just getting started. I monitor keyword rankings, organic traffic, and user engagement to see if the changes are paying off. I track these over time using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. It’s like fine-tuning an engine; you’ve got to keep adjusting until everything is running smoothly. If something isn’t working, I pivot and test a new strategy. SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix.

List All Pages: Use crawling tools (e.g., Screaming Frog, SEMrush) to inventory your site's content. Evaluate SEO Elements: Examine title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and URLs for optimization opportunities. Identify missing or duplicate elements. Check Content Quality: Review content for relevance, readability, and keyword presence. Update or consolidate underperforming content. Internal Linking: Ensure robust internal linking for better navigation and authority distribution. Monitor Results: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to track traffic, rankings, and engagement changes after updates. Prioritize and Update: Focus on changes with the highest potential impact.