What Are the Best Practices for SEO & LLM Readability?
Understanding best practices for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Large Language Models (LLMs) is crucial for modern content. The goal is to create content that is authoritative for Google and easily readable for AI, ensuring your page can be both ranked and cited.
Core On-Page SEO Elements
Your first impression with Google starts with your page’s metadata. This includes your SEO Title (which you set in your WordPress SEO settings), which should be under 60 characters, and your Meta Description, a sub-160-character “ad” for your content.
A Canonical URL is also essential. WordPress typically handles this, but it’s a tag that tells Google which version of a page is the “master” copy, preventing duplicate content issues.
Why Keyword Intent Matters More Than Density
Instead of repeating a “focus keyword,” you should build topic clusters. Your content should answer the *intent* behind the user’s search. Use natural language and related phrases.
Content Structure for AI and Humans
Both humans and AI need a clear, logical structure to understand your content. This is where headings and readability scores become vital.
- Flesch Reading Ease: Aim for simplicity (8th-grade level is good).
- Active Voice: Use active voice over passive voice for more direct, engaging content.
- Transition Words: Words like “because,” “however,” and “next” create a logical flow.
The Power of Links
Links build authority and provide context. You should use both internal and external links in your content.
- Internal Links: Link to other relevant pages on your site, like this one on cornerstone content.
- External Links: Link out to authoritative sources to back up your claims, like this guide from Google.
“The best practice is to write for the user first. Clear, structured, and helpful content will naturally perform well with both search engines and AI models.”
What is Cornerstone Content?
Cornerstone (or “pillar”) content is a long, comprehensive article that covers a main topic in-depth. It serves as the central hub for that topic on your site.
From this pillar page, you link *out* to smaller, related articles (like this one). In turn, those articles link *back* to the pillar page. This strategy builds topical authority and signals your expertise to Google.