Reward Your Readers: Update Old Blog Posts
February 1st, 2010 Posted in BloggingThere’s no question – updating your blog by creating and publishing new posts is exciting and fun. However, old posts still require a little tender loving care.
Think about it. Would you completely ignore your pet fish if you got a new puppy? Sure you can’t cuddle or go on walks with your blog posts, but they still deserve occasional attention, right?
Read on to discover:
“Would you completely ignore your pet fish if you got a new puppy?”
Why Updating Old Posts is a Smart Move
With the excitement of frequently publishing new blog posts, many bloggers often forget to occasionally check in and update past posts. Turns out, updating old posts keeps your blog content fresh and high on search engine rankings.
Outdated posts will show up in search results just as often as new posts, if not more, as they’ve likely acquired a higher page rank. They therefore will continue to draw in Web traffic.
Old content may be the first examples of your blog that many searchers view. This is reason enough to keep posts updated and fresh. After all, first impressions are lasting impressions. You’re more likely to attract a strong readership if each of your posts is kept somewhat current.
Updating old posts will also increase your blog’s presence on search engine lists. Updated content is viewed as more relevant by search engines than content that has not been updated recently. Therefore, the more you update your old posts, the more center-stage your blog will appear in the land of Web searches and the more your blog traffic will increase.
“Keep your content fresh for better rankings.”
How to Easily Update Old Posts
Updating old posts can be accomplished quite simply. Little tweaks such as the addition of new insights is any easy way to achieve updated material.
Make Corrections
Use this opportunity to correct past opinions or faux pas. For instance, if you have a post dedicated to the eternal relationship of newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, it’s time for an update.
Add Media
Another simple way to update old posts is to add pictures or graphics. Display your technical savvy by embedding a new video into an outdated post.
Interact
Comments also count as updates. Visitors to your blog can help you update your old posts by commenting. Or, you can go back through your old posts and answer any questions and give feedback on your comment section.
Link Internally
Links are another way to update old posts. Attach links to your old content to give readers a way to get to your newer posts. This not only updates your post, it also encourages readers to continue browsing your blog.
Making little changes to the content of old posts not only keeps these posts current but also allows you to demonstrate the knowledge and skill you have acquired since first publishing the post.
Consider a blog post an unfinished product – a work in progress. This way, you will be more inspired to continually add to and tweak your posts, keeping them up-to-date and high on search engine rankings.
As a blogger, do you ever revisit and update your old posts?
| By Bryn Dehmcke
Want content written for your Brand that shows up #1 on Search Engines and brings you new customers? Contact us. |
One Response to “Reward Your Readers: Update Old Blog Posts”
By Autumn P. on Feb 6, 2010
These are some fantastic tips!
I especially agree with updating graphics, which is particularly important for a site trying to promote a graphic artist or technology company — I’d hate for a potential client to be turned off by first seeing an old photo or graphic that doesn’t accurately represent the current skill set of the artist/company.
I have yet to update previous blog entries, but I do update the photos, banners, etc. on my Etsy page as I improve my skills.