SEO Writing Example: Real Sample + Easy Step-by-Step Guide

People ask for an example of SEO writing because they’re tired of vague advice. You want to see a short, real sample that would actually rank, then learn how to replicate it without sounding robotic. That’s exactly what you’ll get here-plain language, actionable steps, and a checklist you can reuse.

TL;DR

• Good SEO writing starts with search intent: what a person expects from this query.
• Use a clear structure: title tag, meta description, H1, scannable subheads, answers up top.
• Prove experience: add examples, numbers, and first-hand tips to boost trust.
• On-page basics: one focused primary keyword, a few natural variations, internal links, and helpful visuals.
• Measure impact: impressions and CTR first, then engagement, then conversions. Iterate monthly.

A complete, real-world SEO writing example (with notes)

If you came here for a concrete, copy-paste-able SEO writing example, here’s one. Imagine the target keyword is “cold brew coffee ratio” (informational intent). The reader wants a clear ratio, a quick method, and a few troubleshooting tips.

Title tag (50-60 characters): Cold Brew Coffee Ratio: The Simple 1:8 Method

Meta description (120-155 characters): Learn the best cold brew coffee ratio, quick math for any batch size, and fixes for weak or bitter results-no fancy gear required.

URL slug: /cold-brew-coffee-ratio

H1: Cold Brew Coffee Ratio: The Simple 1:8 Method

Intro (answer first): The easiest cold brew ratio is 1:8 by weight-1 part coffee to 8 parts water. Start there, then adjust to 1:6 for stronger or 1:10 for lighter. Grind coarse, brew 12-18 hours at room temp, and cut with water or milk to taste.

Subhead H2: Why 1:8 Works

This hits a sweetness-strength balance most people like and keeps brewing time reasonable. Coarse grind prevents bitterness. If it tastes flat, shorten your brew to 12-14 hours or use a slightly finer grind.

Subhead H2: Quick Batch Math

• 12 oz concentrate: 42 g coffee + 336 g water (1:8)
• 1 liter concentrate: 125 g coffee + 1000 g water
• Stronger (1:6): 167 g coffee + 1000 g water

Subhead H2: Common Fixes

• Weak? Shorter brew or 1:6 ratio.
• Bitter? Coarser grind or 12-14 hours instead of 18.
• Cloudy? Use a paper filter for the final pass.

Internal link ideas: Link "coarse grind" to your grind size guide; link “paper filter” to your gear guide; link “brew 12-18 hours” to your steeping science post.

Why this works: It solves the intent fast (ratio first), uses friendly math, and answers the usual “weak vs bitter” questions. No fluff. Clear structure helps skimmers and search engines.

Step-by-step: go from keyword to publish-ready content

You clicked for examples, but you also need a repeatable method. Use this simple path. You can run it in under two hours for a standard blog post once you’ve practiced.

1. Confirm search intent in 3 minutes. Google your target phrase in an incognito window. Note what ranks: tutorials (how-to), definitions (what is), lists (best), tools, or local packs. Match that format. If SERPs split intent, pick one lane and be the best in that lane.

2. Define the “reader’s first question.” Write the one-sentence answer in plain language. That becomes your opening or featured snippet attempt. Add a 1-2 sentence qualifier for nuance.

3. Build a skinny outline. H1 that mirrors the intent; 3-5 H2s that solve the core jobs; bullets under each with the facts, numbers, steps, or examples. Keep it messy for now.

4. Choose one primary keyword and 3-6 natural variants. Don’t chase density. Google has said there’s no ideal percentage. Your goal: cover concepts people expect. Variants might include synonyms, near-phrases, and common misspellings only if they read naturally.

5. Write the answer-first intro. Give the short answer, then the “why,” then what you’ll cover. Keep it under 100 words if possible. Hook them with clarity, not theatrics.

6. Add proof and experience. Drop in numbers, screenshots, short case notes, or a quick story from your own use. Google’s documentation on helpful content and E‑E‑A‑T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust) encourages first-hand experience. Say what you tried, what worked, and what failed.

7. Optimize on-page basics without the cringe. Exact-match keyword in the title tag if it fits. Use the primary phrase once in H1 or early in the intro. Subheads should be descriptive, not stuffed. Use alt text that describes the image, not the keyword. Add 2-5 internal links to relevant, truly helpful pages and one high-quality external reference.

8. Format for scanning. Short paragraphs, lists for steps, bold sparingly for key lines. Put calculations, formulas, or specs in a table for quick wins.

9. Write a magnetic, truthful title tag and meta description. Your title should promise the exact outcome the reader wants. The meta should preview the value, not repeat the title. Avoid clickbait-higher CTR with fast pogo-sticking hurts engagement.

10. Ship, then measure. Indexing can take days. In the first 2-4 weeks, watch Search Console impressions and queries. If the wrong queries show up, tighten your intro and headings to match intent. If CTR is low, test a sharper title.

Use this as your mental model: Intent → Answer → Proof → Structure → Measure → Improve.

Checklists, formulas, and benchmarks you can reuse

Here’s the part you’ll keep coming back to. Steal these checklists and rules of thumb for your next piece.

5-point pre-writing checklist

• Primary search intent confirmed by scanning top 5 results
• Reader’s first question written in one sentence
• 3-5 subheads that solve the main jobs-to-be-done
• One primary keyword + 3-6 natural variants chosen
• At least one piece of first-hand proof you can add

On-page optimization checklist

• Title tag includes the main promise and the primary keyword if natural
• Meta description previews the benefit and includes one variant
• H1 is human-readable and matches the page promise
• Intro answers the question in 1-3 sentences
• 1-2 relevant images with descriptive alt text
• 2-5 internal links to help the reader go deeper
• At least one authoritative external source cited by name
• Schema where relevant (FAQ, HowTo, Article) if you can implement it cleanly

Title formulas that actually work

• Outcome + Specific Angle: “Cold Brew Coffee Ratio: The Simple 1:8 Method”
• What It Is + Who It’s For: “Freelance Invoice Template for Designers (Free, Editable)”
• Problem → Fix: “Slow WordPress? 11 Quick Wins Without Changing Hosts”

Content length rule of thumb

Write the shortest piece that completely satisfies intent. For most how-tos, that’s 800-1,500 words. For complex topics, go longer only if every section adds new value. Google’s Search Essentials focus on helpfulness, not word count.

Benchmarks to keep handy

Quick intent decoder

• “What is/Example/Guide” → Define it, show a short example, then steps
• “How to” → Steps, tools, time, risks, troubleshooting
• “Best/Top” → Criteria, tested picks, who it’s for/not for, trade-offs
• “Near me” → Local info, map cues, hours, options, booking flow

Pitfalls to avoid

• Stuffing synonyms until it reads like a thesaurus
• Mixing intents (guide + product page mashed together)
• Writing to please tools instead of people
• Ignoring fresh SERP features (e.g., AI Overviews, People Also Ask) when scoping
• Publishing without internal links or a plan to update

FAQ and next steps (fixes for common “it’s not ranking” problems)

Here are the questions I get after showing an example, plus practical next moves based on what’s changed in search over the last year.

What counts as proof or experience in SEO writing?

Anything you tried first-hand: a quick test, a mini case, your screenshots, a before/after, or a small dataset. Google’s guidance on E‑E‑A‑T values this because it’s hard to fake and actually helps readers decide.

Do I need exact-match keywords everywhere?

No. Use the main phrase in the title and early in the page if natural. The rest can be variants and semantically related terms. Google has said there’s no magic density. Clarity wins.

How long until I see results?

Brand-new sites might see impressions in 2-6 weeks; clicks take longer. Established sites can move faster. Track impressions (are we being seen?), CTR (are we chosen?), and engagement (are we useful?). Adjust monthly.

What about AI Overviews in 2025?

They appear on a subset of queries. Pages that surface often provide precise, verifiable steps or data and show clear expertise. Lean into information gain: say something new or test something yourself.

Should I use FAQ schema or HowTo schema?

Use structured data only if your content truly matches the type. Don’t spam every page with FAQ blocks. Schema doesn’t guarantee rich results, but correct markup helps search engines understand your page.

Is word count a ranking factor?

No. It’s about completeness and usefulness for the intent. Longer is only better if every section earns its place.

How do I pick related keywords fast?

Scan People Also Ask, the “related searches” at the bottom, and the top ranking subheads. Pull 3-6 that map to what your reader actually needs. Drop them into subheads naturally.

My page gets impressions but low CTR. Now what?

• Sharpen the title promise. Add a number, angle, or audience.
• Rewrite the meta to preview the exact payoff, not fluff.
• Check if your title is truncated; keep it within range.
• Make sure your H1 matches your title’s promise.

My CTR is fine, but engagement is poor.

• Move the direct answer to the first 2-3 lines.
• Cut filler and shorten paragraphs to 1-3 sentences.
• Add visual aids: a table, diagram, or screenshot.
• Improve internal linking so the next logical step is obvious.

Competitors outrank me with weaker content. Why?

Site-level signals matter: links, brand trust, historical performance, and topic depth. Your move: build a small content cluster around the topic, earn a few relevant links (guest insights, studies, partnerships), and tighten technical basics (fast LCP, clean markup).

What about zero-volume keywords-worth it?

Yes, if they match pain points you hear from customers or community. Many “0” terms are undercounted and easier to win. They’re also great for earning links when you bring fresh data.

Quick next steps checklist

• Pick one topic and confirm intent with a 3-minute SERP scan.
• Write your one-sentence answer and a skinny outline.
• Create a clear title tag and meta description.
• Draft the post with proof, then add internal links.
• Publish, request indexing, and review Search Console in 2-4 weeks.

Troubleshooting by scenario

• New site, no links: Go after low-competition, specific queries (“how to descale delonghi magnifica manual”). Aim for 800-1,000 words of tight, proof-driven help. Share in niche communities where allowed to get the first few visits and links.
• Established blog, flat traffic: Refresh your top 10 posts: new intro with the answer up top, updated images, add one fresh section with new data, and fix title/meta. Re-submit in Search Console.
• Competing with big brands: Specialize. Pick a subtopic where you can add unique tests or case studies. Publish a compact guide plus two supporting posts and an original dataset.
• AI Overviews eating clicks: Target angles that need detail, judgment, or fresh numbers. Add step-by-step photos or calculations that summaries can’t replace.

A second quick example (B2B angle)

Keyword: “sales pipeline stages” (informational). Answer-first intro: “Five practical sales pipeline stages: Lead → Qualified → Demo → Proposal → Closed. Track conversion at each step, not just the total.” Subheads become the five stages, each with 2-3 bullet actions and one metric to watch. Add a mini-table with stage conversion benchmarks if you have them. Link to your CRM setup guide. That’s it-simple, useful, and aligned with intent.

If you take one thing from this page, make it this: match the search intent and prove you’ve actually done the thing you’re teaching. That’s the difference between content that gets clicks and content that gets saved.