Barqen

Tag: seo

  • How to Write SEO Articles with AI That Actually Rank

    How to Write SEO Articles with AI That Actually Rank

    Writing content for your website used to take forever. You’d stare at a blank page, struggle to find the right words, and spend hours crafting just one article. AI has changed all that. Now you can create content much faster and beat writer’s block with smart prompts.

    But here’s the thing many people get wrong: AI alone won’t make your content rank on Google. You can’t just copy and paste what ChatGPT gives you and expect to show up on page one. Google still cares about quality, helpful content that real people want to read.

    The secret is combining AI’s speed with solid SEO practices. This guide will show you exactly how to do that, step by step.

    Why Use AI for SEO Writing

    AI has become a game changer for content creators. Here’s why it’s so helpful:

    It saves you tons of time. Instead of spending hours brainstorming and writing from scratch, you can get a solid first draft in minutes. This means you can focus on the important stuff like editing and optimizing.

    It helps you beat writer’s block. We’ve all been there – staring at a blank screen with no idea what to write. AI gives you a starting point and helps ideas flow more naturally.

    It speeds up your entire content process. You can create outlines, write drafts, and even brainstorm headlines much faster than doing everything manually.

    But remember: AI is just your writing assistant, not your replacement. You still need to edit, fact check, and add your own voice to make the content truly valuable.

    Why SEO Still Matters with AI Content

    Google has made it clear that they don’t care whether content is written by humans or AI. What they care about is whether it’s helpful and high quality.

    This means your AI content needs to follow Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines:

    Experience: Does your content show real world experience with the topic?

    Expertise: Do you demonstrate knowledge and skill in your subject area?

    Authoritativeness: Are you a trusted source on this topic?

    Trustworthiness: Is your content accurate and honest?

    If you just publish raw AI text without editing, you’re likely to fail these tests. AI can make factual errors, sound generic, or miss the nuanced details that make content truly useful.

    That’s why the human touch is still essential for content that ranks well and helps real people.

    Step-by-Step SEO Article Process with AI

    Step 1: Do Proper Keyword Research

    Before you write anything, you need to know what people are actually searching for. This is where keyword research comes in.

    Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to find keywords that match what your audience wants to know. Look for terms with decent search volume but manageable competition.

    AI can help here too. Try prompts like: “What are 20 long tail keywords related to [your main topic]?” or “What questions do people commonly ask about [your subject]?”

    The key is matching your keywords with search intent. Are people looking for information, trying to buy something, or comparing options? Your content needs to match what they’re really after.

    Step 2: Create a Strong Outline

    Never skip the outline. It’s your roadmap for creating focused, organized content.

    Your outline should include:

    • A compelling title with your main keyword
    • H2 and H3 headings that break up your content
    • Key points you want to cover under each section
    • Places where you’ll add calls to action

    A good outline keeps your content on track and makes sure you cover everything your readers need to know.

    Step 3: Write Clear AI Prompts

    The quality of your AI output depends entirely on the quality of your prompts. Vague prompts get you vague results.

    Here’s what to include in every prompt:

    • The tone you want (friendly, professional, conversational)
    • Your target audience (beginners, experts, small business owners)
    • The main keyword you’re targeting
    • The specific goal of that section

    For example: “Write a friendly, beginner level explanation of keyword research for small business owners. Include practical examples and focus on the keyword ‘SEO keyword research tools.’ Keep it under 300 words.”

    Step 4: Generate Draft & Edit It Manually

    Once you have your AI draft, the real work begins. Never publish AI content without thorough editing.

    Check for:

    • Factual accuracy: AI can make mistakes or use outdated information
    • Flow and readability: Does it make sense? Is it easy to follow?
    • Your unique voice: Add personal examples, stories, or insights
    • Completeness: Did it miss anything important?

    This is where you transform generic AI text into valuable, personalized content that your audience will actually want to read.

    Step 5: Optimize for SEO & UX

    Now make your content search engine friendly:

    Use proper heading structure. Your title should be an H1, main sections should be H2s, and subsections should be H3s.

    Add internal links to other relevant pages on your website. This helps Google understand your site structure and keeps readers engaged.

    Include external links to authoritative sources. This shows you’ve done your research and adds credibility.

    Make it mobile friendly. Most people read on their phones, so use short paragraphs, bullet points, and plenty of white space.

    Optimize for speed. Compress images, use simple formatting, and avoid heavy plugins that slow down your page.

    Step 6: Go Deep & Match Search Intent

    This is where many AI articles fail. They stay surface level and don’t really answer what people want to know.

    To go deeper:

    • Answer related questions people commonly ask
    • Use bullet points and lists to break up information
    • Add tables or charts when helpful
    • Include practical examples and case studies
    • Address common objections or concerns

    Think about what someone would need to know to truly understand your topic, then make sure your content delivers on that promise.

    Step 7: Update & Monitor

    SEO isn’t a one time thing. You need to track how your content performs and update it regularly.

    Use Google Search Console to see:

    • Which keywords your article ranks for
    • How many people click through to read it
    • Whether your rankings are improving or declining

    Tools like Ahrefs can show you what your competitors are doing and help you find new opportunities.

    Plan to refresh your content every few months. Update statistics, add new information, and improve sections that aren’t performing well.

    Mistakes to Avoid

    Don’t publish raw AI content. Always edit, fact check, and add your own insights before hitting publish.

    Don’t ignore search intent. If people want a quick answer, don’t write a 3000 word essay. If they want comprehensive information, don’t give them a surface level overview.

    Don’t skip the optimization steps. Good content that’s poorly optimized won’t rank as well as decent content that follows SEO best practices.

    Don’t forget about user experience. Even if your content ranks well, people won’t stick around if it’s hard to read or doesn’t deliver value.

    Don’t set it and forget it. Content needs regular updates to stay relevant and maintain its rankings.

    Conclusion

    AI is an incredibly powerful tool for content creation, but it’s not magic. It still requires human judgment, editing, and SEO knowledge to create articles that actually rank and help people.

    The best approach is to use AI to speed up your workflow, not to replace quality standards. Let AI handle the heavy lifting of generating drafts and brainstorming ideas, while you focus on adding expertise, optimizing for search, and ensuring everything truly serves your audience.

    Remember: the goal isn’t just to rank on Google. It’s to create content that’s so helpful and valuable that people naturally want to share it, link to it, and come back for more.

    Start with these steps, be patient with the process, and always put your readers first. That’s the recipe for SEO success with AI content that actually works.

  • Shopify SEO: How to Get Your Online Store Found on Google

    You’ve built a beautiful Shopify store, your products are amazing, and your prices are competitive. So why aren’t customers finding you on Google?

    The harsh reality is that 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, but most Shopify stores are practically invisible in search results. The good news? With the right SEO strategy, you can change that and start getting free, high-quality traffic to your store.

    Let’s break down exactly how to optimize your Shopify store for search engines – without getting overwhelmed by technical jargon.

    Why Shopify SEO Matters More Than You Think

    Before diving into tactics, let’s talk about why this matters for your business:

    Free, Long-Term Traffic While paid ads stop working the moment you stop paying, SEO brings customers to your store 24/7, even while you sleep.

    Higher Quality Customers People searching for your products are already interested in buying. They’re not just browsing – they’re shopping with intent.

    Competitive Advantage Most Shopify store owners ignore SEO or do it poorly. Getting this right puts you ahead of 80% of your competition.

    The Foundation: Getting Your Shopify Store SEO-Ready

    Choose the Right Domain Structure Instead of using mystore.myshopify.com, invest in a custom domain like mystore.com. It looks more professional and performs better in search results.

    Install Essential SEO Apps Shopify’s built-in SEO is decent, but these apps will supercharge your efforts:

    • TinyIMG for image optimization
    • SearchPie for technical SEO
    • Plug in SEO for comprehensive optimization

    Set Up Google Analytics and Search Console You can’t improve what you don’t measure. These free Google tools show you exactly how people find and use your store.

    Product Page SEO: Where the Magic Happens

    Your product pages are your money-makers, so let’s get them ranking.

    Optimize Product Titles Instead of “Blue Sneakers,” try “Men’s Blue Running Sneakers – Lightweight Athletic Shoes for Marathon Training.” Include the main keyword people actually search for.

    Write Compelling Product Descriptions Don’t just list features. Explain benefits and include keywords naturally:

    Poor: “High-quality leather wallet” Better: “Handcrafted leather wallet for men – RFID blocking slim design perfect for everyday carry”

    Use High-Quality Images Search engines can’t see images, but they read file names and alt text. Instead of “IMG_1234.jpg,” use “mens-leather-wallet-brown-handcrafted.jpg.”

    Collect and Display Reviews Reviews don’t just build trust – they create fresh, keyword-rich content that search engines love. Plus, star ratings often show up in search results.

    Collection and Category Pages: Your Secret Weapon

    Most store owners focus only on product pages, but collection pages can drive massive traffic.

    Create Valuable Collection Descriptions Don’t leave these blank. Write 150-200 words about the category, including relevant keywords and helpful information for shoppers.

    Use Strategic Internal Linking Link related products and collections together. This helps search engines understand your site structure and keeps customers browsing longer.

    Optimize for Buying Intent Keywords Target phrases like “best running shoes for beginners” or “affordable wireless headphones under $100.”

    Technical SEO: The Behind-the-Scenes Work

    Speed Up Your Store Page speed directly impacts rankings and sales. A one-second delay can reduce conversions by 7%.

    Quick wins:

    • Compress images before uploading
    • Choose a fast, well-coded theme
    • Remove unused apps and code

    Make Your Store Mobile-Friendly Over 60% of online shopping happens on mobile devices. Use Shopify’s mobile preview to ensure your store looks and works perfectly on phones.

    Create a Logical Site Structure Organize your products into clear categories and subcategories. Both customers and search engines should be able to find anything in 3 clicks or less.

    Content Marketing for E-commerce

    Start a Blog (Yes, Really) A blog serves multiple purposes:

    • Targets keywords your product pages can’t
    • Builds authority and trust
    • Gives you content to share on social media

    Blog post ideas:

    • “How to choose the right [product type]”
    • “[Product] maintenance and care guide”
    • “5 ways to style our [product]”

    Create Buying Guides In-depth guides like “Complete Guide to Choosing Running Shoes” can rank for high-traffic keywords and guide customers toward your products.

    Leverage User-Generated Content Encourage customers to share photos and videos of your products. This creates authentic content and social proof.

    Local SEO for Physical Stores

    If you have a physical location or serve specific areas:

    Set Up Google My Business This free listing helps you appear in local search results and Google Maps.

    Include Location Information Add your address, phone number, and service areas throughout your site.

    Target Local Keywords Optimize for phrases like “running shoes in [city]” or “best coffee shop [neighborhood].”

    Common Shopify SEO Mistakes to Avoid

    Duplicate Content Using manufacturer descriptions creates duplicate content issues. Always write unique product descriptions.

    Ignoring Page Load Speed Beautiful themes mean nothing if they take forever to load. Test your speed regularly using Google PageSpeed Insights.

    Keyword Stuffing Don’t cram keywords unnaturally into your content. Write for humans first, search engines second.

    Neglecting Meta Descriptions These short descriptions appear in search results and directly impact click-through rates. Make them compelling and include your main keyword.

    Measuring Your SEO Success

    Track the Right Metrics

    • Organic traffic growth
    • Keyword rankings for important terms
    • Conversion rate from organic traffic
    • Revenue from organic visitors

    Be Patient SEO is a long-term strategy. You might see some quick wins, but significant results typically take 3-6 months of consistent effort.

    Keep Optimizing SEO isn’t a one-time task. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and your competitors are working to outrank you.

    The Reality Check

    Here’s the truth about Shopify SEO: it works, but it requires consistent effort and expertise. Many store owners start strong but give up when they don’t see immediate results, or they make technical mistakes that actually hurt their rankings.

    The stores that succeed with SEO treat it as a core part of their marketing strategy, not an afterthought. They understand that ranking on Google’s first page can be the difference between struggling for sales and having more customers than they can handle.

    Your Next Steps

    SEO might seem overwhelming, but every successful online store started with the basics. Begin with optimizing your best-selling products, then gradually work through your entire catalog.

    Remember, you’re not just optimizing for search engines – you’re creating a better experience for your customers. When you focus on helping people find exactly what they’re looking for, both Google and your customers will reward you.

    Ready to Dominate Google Search Results?

    Implementing effective SEO for your Shopify store requires strategy, technical knowledge, and ongoing optimization. While you can certainly tackle some basics yourself, getting professional help can accelerate your results and avoid costly mistakes.

    At Barqen Agency, we’ve helped dozens of e-commerce businesses dramatically increase their organic traffic and sales through proven SEO strategies. We handle everything from technical optimization to content creation, so you can focus on running your business while we drive more qualified customers to your store.

    Want to see what proper SEO can do for your Shopify store? Book a free consultation at barqen and let’s discuss how we can help you get found by customers who are ready to buy.