Google nags us to do a blog post update to keep our content fresh and relevant. But every time I read that, I have flashbacks of Mom scolding my siblings and me over our messy rooms.
Despite our knee-jerk resistance, we know cleaning up piles of stuff is a good thing. I’ve been updating old blog posts for the last couple of years. In doing that, I stumbled over several posts associated with the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
So, this is the first blog post update from that series. And, boy, it sure revealed why updating is a good idea.
Why do a Blog Post Update?
A nagging Google is not the only reason for updating your blog posts. Although the reason Google nags is valid. So, the following are 5 reasons to consider updating your blog posts.
#1 – Fresh Look
Have you redesigned your website since its original publication? Even if you have not done a full-blown redesign, I bet you’ve changed the look in some way.
- The images you use
- Your layout or colors used
- Optimizing for mobile viewing
By reviewing old blog posts, you may discover some do not fit your new look. That’s a place to start. Although I recommend not stopping at the physical look. Explore other ways to bring a fresh look.
- Have your views on a topic changed? Update how and why.
- Is there new information since you first wrote the post? Add or update links and references.
- Does the old post fit your writing style now? Clean up bad habits, such as overused or repeated words.
#2 – Improve Quality
Hopefully, you learned a thing or two since you first introduced your blog. I know I have.
- Is the post’s message clear? Perhaps a little reorganizing can help. Consider a Table of Contents for longer posts.
- Are posts too short? Or too long? The blogosphere constantly flips on the “ideal” length of blog posts. Fit the length to the topic. Keep it simple and clear. 😉
- Would better images work? I have a strange mind. What I see as a clear connection between image and text may not work for all readers. Update images (if necessary) to elevate the post quality.
Plenty of tools exist to check the quality of your post. Use what works for you. Remember to keep your unique flavor. The following are a few tools.
- Readability tests, such as Flesch Reading
- Built-in and online tools for grammar, spelling, and writing style, such as, Microsoft Word Editor, Grammarly, and Hemingway Editor
- Simple editing checklists – yours or one you download (SSB’s A-B-C Business Writing Checklist)
#3 – Increase Traffic
It wouldn’t take much to increase traffic from my early days of blogging. But one of the nice outcomes from the Ultimate Blog Challenge was meeting my fellow participants. I am still in touch with many of them today – even though I accepted the challenge way back in 2010.
- Loyal readers are more likely to share your posts, which generates new readers.
- As you gain more followers, the updated posts are new to someone. Heck, with my boomer brain, some of the older posts are new to me, too. 😊
- More click-throughs. Think about it. When you’re searching for a topic, which link are you more likely to click on? The one with a recent date or one from 5 to 10 years ago?
#4 – Add Revenue
How does updating old posts produce revenue? Quality posts = bankable content. Updating won’t automatically add revenue but hidden in those posts may be your next ebook, online course, or new product.
Tools like Designrr can pull from several posts to begin the process.
#5 – SEO Benefits
One thing I discovered through updates, there are a lot of forgotten posts sitting among the newer ones. Too many of them signal to Google and other search engines that not much is going on at your site.
Outdated posts damage your credibility when pulled into an online search. While most of us strive for evergreen content, old posts have tell-tale signs of age. Like the wrinkles on older bloggers like me. 😊
For example, the global pandemic had a huge impact on our business and personal lives. Ignoring that took potshots at posts discussing customer service, supply chains, or life as we knew it.
Regularly publishing fresh content (whether new or updated older posts) improves search engine results for your site.
Red-faced Moments of a Blog Post Update
I was less than a year into my freelancing career when I launched Simply Stated Business (SSB). Talk about a total newb to blogging and social media.
When I look back on some of its earliest posts, I am thrilled I am most likely the only one looking at them.
- Repeating myself proved I had senior moments even back then.
- Formatting for scanning was an unknown asset. Fortunately, that was an easy fix.
- And forget SEO. I’m not sure I knew what that was. Many headlines had me laughing out loud.
The whole blogging thing was as foreign to me as quantum mechanics. But for all the red-faced moments, a blog theme developed. So, there was hope.
The Ultimate Theme
The first blog post I wrote for the Ultimate Blog Challenge introduced the theme behind SSB.
Keep it simple, clear, and uniquely yours.
Those of you who are longtime followers may be sick of hearing that theme. But what was interesting about the challenge of writing a blog post every day for 30 days was how often I found the theme fit.
That theme formed the framework for what SSB is about. When updating old blog posts, I check to ensure the message supports the theme for better business communication.
A bonus for a regular blog post update is you have ample content. I look forward to updating the posts from the 30-day challenge. Could prove interesting. Or not. 😊
Do you regularly update your blog posts? What have you learned from the process? Please share your experience in Comments.
Note: This post originally published on August 1, 2010 under the title, Keep it Simple, Clear, and Uniquely Yours. This October 13, 2023 version updates the original.
Credit: Bigstock Photo
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Accountability, as you mention, is an interesting part of this blog challenge. If we can develop self-accountability during a blog challenge, then that is a great accomplishment. But it will also be fun to meet new people and make new friends. I like to think that my site (EmpoweredSpiritCoaching.com) has simple design. As a designer, it’s tempting to do something fancy, but simple is always better.
.-= Jeannette Koczela´s last blog ..Why blog in a blog challenge =-.
Hi Jeannette:
Sorry about the delay in responding to your comment. It was dumped in my spam folder. Thank goodness one of the #blogboost tweets said to check spam folders. I, too, hope to meet new people. That is always a positive result. Thanks for stopping by and continued success!
Best of luck to you, Cathy. I look forward to reading!
.-= Jen Turi´s last blog ..Why I Love TweetDeck – And Why You Should Too! =-.
Thanks, Jen-it’s going to be a challenge to blog every day. I appreciate the support!
Thanks for the reminder Cathy. I often update my posts and then, just like your post, add a note about the update. Do you recommend we update the publish date too?
Hi, Vatsala. I’m no expert, but what I have read (and done) is change the publish date to the date of the update but note the original publish date. Some blogs choose to put “Updated on” at the top of the post.
But you should only change the date if you made significant changes. That doesn’t mean you need to change most or all of the content but make a change that is notable. For example, if you update reports or data to more current information.
The mighty Google gods frown on putting a current date on minor changes as it’s viewed as gaming search engine results. Hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by, Vatsala. Always good to see you. 🙂
You’ve touched upon something I’ve been doing over the last year. On many of my blogs I have a lot of short articles, since back in the day it was more important to have consistent content than relevant or every really good content. Now I know those posts can hurt my site; probably already have. So, since I’ve deleted, some I’ve updated, and some I’ve left alone because I like them, no matter what they are; I’m stubborn that way. 🙂
Hi, Mitch. Those content “rules” sure do change, don’t they? 🙂 Like you, I also have quite a few short posts. And I’ve also deleted some. And stubborn is good. Nothing wrong with liking your stuff. It’s what makes you unique. 😉 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mitch.