1. Toluna

What is it?
Toluna is a survey app that pays you for sharing your opinions on various topics, from consumer products to lifestyle choices. It partners with brands and companies that value customer feedback to improve their offerings.

How it works:

• Download and Sign Up: Download the Toluna app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Create an account and complete your profile to receive surveys that match your interests.
• Take Surveys: Participate in surveys that typically take 10-20 minutes. Each completed survey earns you points.
• Earn Points: Points can be redeemed for cash via PayPal, gift cards, or entries into sweepstakes.

Earnings:
Users can make anywhere from $10 to $50 per month, depending on the number and length of surveys completed.

Welcome Bonuses:
New users can receive a welcome bonus of up to 500 points upon registration, helping you start earning right away.

2. Swagbucks

What is it?
Swagbucks is a versatile platform that rewards you for doing everyday online activities such as watching videos, shopping online, searching the web, and taking surveys.

How it works:

• Sign Up: Register on the Swagbucks website and complete your profile.
• Complete Tasks: Earn Swagbucks (SB) by watching videos, taking surveys, shopping through their portal, and more.
• Redeem Rewards: SB can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and more.
• Download and Sign Up: Download the Swagbucks app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Earnings:
Users can earn between $25 to $100 per month, depending on their activity level.

Welcome Bonuses:
New users receive a $10 welcome bonus after earning their first 300 SB, making it easier to reach your first cash-out.

3. Fiverr

What is it?
Fiverr is a freelance marketplace where you can offer services starting at $5. It’s perfect for those with skills in writing, graphic design, programming, marketing, and more.

How it works:

• Create a Seller Account: Sign up on the Fiverr website and set up your profile with a detailed description of your skills and services.
• List Your Services: Create “gigs” that describe the services you offer. Include details like pricing, delivery time, and any extras you can provide.
• Receive Orders: Clients browse and purchase your gigs. Once an order is placed, you complete the work and submit it through the platform.
• Get Paid: Payments are processed through Fiverr and you receive your earnings minus a 20% service fee.
• Download and Sign Up: Download the Fiverr app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Earnings:
Freelancers on Fiverr can earn anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand dollars per month, depending on the demand for their services and the effort they put into their gigs. Some top sellers make over $1,000 per month.

Welcome Bonuses:
Fiverr doesn’t offer a specific welcome bonus, but new sellers often receive increased visibility through Fiverr’s “New Arrival” promotion, which can help you get your first few orders quickly.

4. Upwork

What is it?
Upwork is a global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate remotely. It’s suitable for various fields, including writing, graphic design, web development, and more.

How it works:

• Sign Up: Register on the Upwork website and create a detailed profile showcasing your skills, experience, and portfolio.
• Bid on Projects: Browse available jobs and submit proposals to clients. Be sure to tailor each proposal to the specific job requirements.
• Complete Work: Once hired, complete the work as per the agreed terms and submit it through the platform.
• Get Paid: Payments are processed through Upwork. You can choose to be paid hourly or on a fixed-price basis.
• Download and Sign Up: Download the Upwork app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Earnings:
Earnings on Upwork vary widely based on the type of work and your level of expertise. Many freelancers earn between $200 to $1,000 per month, with top freelancers making significantly more.

Welcome Bonuses:
While Upwork doesn’t offer a direct welcome bonus, new users benefit from an initial free trial of their “Connects,” which are used to bid on jobs. This allows you to apply for several projects without upfront costs.

5. Nielsen Mobile App

What is it?
The Nielsen Mobile App is part of Nielsen’s digital measurement program. It collects data on your internet usage to help companies understand consumer behavior. In return, you get paid for your participation.

How it works:

• Download and Install: Download the Nielsen Mobile App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Install it on your device and register.
• Run in Background: The app runs quietly in the background, collecting data on your internet usage without affecting your device’s performance.
• Earn Rewards: You earn rewards simply for having the app installed and running.

Earnings:
Users can earn about $50 per year just for having the app installed. Additional rewards can be earned through surveys and other activities.

Welcome Bonuses:
New users may receive a welcome bonus of up to $5 just for installing and registering the app.

FAQs

Are these apps and websites legit?
Yes, all the apps and websites mentioned are legitimate and have been used by millions of people worldwide to earn extra income. They have positive reviews and strong reputations in their respective markets.

What kind of welcome bonuses can users expect?

• Toluna: Up to 500 points upon registration.
• Swagbucks: $10 welcome bonus after earning the first 300 SB.
• Fiverr: No specific welcome bonus, but increased visibility for new sellers.
• Upwork: Free trial of “Connects” to bid on jobs.
• Nielsen Mobile App: Up to $5 for installing and registering the app.

How easy is it to make money through these apps?
Making money through these apps is relatively easy, but it requires consistency and effort. Survey apps like Toluna and Swagbucks are straightforward, while freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork require more skills and dedication. The Nielsen Mobile App is the simplest, offering passive income for having it installed.

How do I get the welcome bonuses?

• Toluna: Sign up and complete your profile.
• Swagbucks: Register and earn the first 300 SB.
• Fiverr: Create a seller account and set up your gigs.
• Upwork: Sign up and use the free trial of “Connects.”
• Nielsen Mobile App: Download, install, and register the app.

Tips for Maximizing Your Earnings

1. Consistency is Key: Regularly check for new surveys or tasks to maximize your earnings.
2. Diversify Your Efforts: Use multiple platforms to increase your income streams.
3. Refer Friends: Many apps and websites offer referral bonuses, so invite friends to join.

Conclusion

Making money online in New Zealand is easier than ever with these apps and websites. Whether you prefer taking surveys, freelancing, or passive earning, there’s an option for everyone. Start exploring these platforms today and turn your free time into extra cash!

Criteria for the List

To compile this list, several criteria were considered:

1. Top-rated money-making apps on both iOS and Google Play stores.
2. User feedback from various sources.
3. Apps with proven payout records.

Each app is examined for its functionality and how users can earn and get paid. Some apps provide passive income after initial setup, while others require more active participation.

Best for Quick Surveys

1. Swagbucks

Platform: iOS, Android

Rating: 4.4
Swagbucks has paid out over $550 million to users over the past decade. It allows users to earn SB (Swagbucks points) by shopping online, completing surveys, playing games, and watching videos. SB points can be redeemed for cash via PayPal or gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. New users often receive a $10 sign-up bonus.

Highest Earning Power

2. Become a Sharetown Rep

Platform: Website
Rating: 4.0
Sharetown representatives make money by reselling gently-used furniture and bed-in-a-box mattresses. Top earners can make over $4000 per month.

Best for Passive Income

3. Fundrise

Platform: Website
Rating: 4.0
Fundrise makes institutional-quality investments accessible to everyone, starting at just $10. This real estate investing app allows users to earn quarterly dividends from a portfolio of commercial real estate.

Apps That Pay You to Take Surveys and Play Games

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks remains a leader in the online survey space. Users can earn rewards for shopping, taking surveys, playing games, and watching videos. Cash out via PayPal or gift cards. New sign-ups through referral links often get a $10 bonus.

2. KashKick

KashKick is a newer app that pays users to answer surveys, test new games (up to $150 each), and redeem money-saving offers. With a 4.4-star rating on Google Play, and iOS KashKick promises payment for having fun.

3. Survey Junkie

Platforms: iOS, Google Play
Survey Junkie allows users to give their opinions to hundreds of partner brands. It offers high-paying surveys with cashouts via PayPal or popular gift cards. Completing just three surveys a day can earn up to $100 a month.

4. InboxDollars

Platforms: iOS, Google Play

InboxDollars pays real dollars, not points, for taking surveys, watching TV, shopping, and completing offers. Most surveys pay between $0.50 and $5, with occasional offers up to $20 or more. New users get a $5 sign-up bonus.

5. Bingo Cash

Bingo Cash turns classic bingo into a game of speed and skill, offering real-world rewards and cash prizes. The app has a 4.7-star rating on the iOS App Store  and Google Play Store with over 89,000 reviews. Note: Cash prizes are not available in AR, IA, LA, SC, and WA.

6. Cash Giraffe (Android)

Cash Giraffe connects users with new games, tracking the time spent playing and rewarding milestones. With over 5 million downloads and a 4.3-star rating on Google Play, it offers gift cards and PayPal cashouts.

7. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys offers up to $5 per survey. With over $42 million paid out to users, it has a “Great” rating on Trustpilot. New users receive a 100 point ($1) welcome bonus.
Available on: iOS and Android

8. Lightster

Lightster allows users to earn $1 per minute for sharing opinions with brands. The app matches users with paid studies based on their profile and interests. Payments are made via Amazon gift cards.
Available on: iOS and Android

Apps That Pay You to Invest

9. Arrived

Arrived is a real estate investing app that allows users to buy shares of cash-flowing rentals for as little as $100. It offers quarterly dividends and is completely hands-off, though it has limited liquidity.

10. Fundrise

Fundrise offers a long-term investment opportunity with consistent quarterly dividends. Starting with just $10, users can build a portfolio of commercial real estate.
Available also on: iOS and Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Are these apps legitimate? Yes, all mentioned apps are legitimate with proven payout records. However, it is advisable to read reviews and conduct further research before engaging.
2. How do I receive my earnings? Earnings are typically deposited directly into your app account or sent via PayPal or gift cards, depending on the platform.
3. Do I need to spend money to earn money with these apps? While some apps offer bonuses for deposits or in-app purchases, many provide opportunities to earn without any initial expenditure.
4. Are there age restrictions for using these apps? Most money-earning apps require users to be at least 18 years old. It is crucial to review the terms and conditions of each app before signing up, especially for minors.

In summary, mobile apps that pay real money offer a compelling way for users to monetize their hobbies. With a variety of options available across different platforms, there are plenty of ways to turn gaming skills into real cash. Download some of these apps today and start earning while you play!

By Rhonda Bradley May 16, 2024

Who doesn’t want more traffic, quality leads, and sales to their blog? 

The answer might surprise you.

More than 60% of marketers do not have a documented blog content strategy. Yet without one, their chances of success drop dramatically.

A blog content strategy is a written plan that guides content creation, publication, and distribution. It saves you time and energy, ensures that you stay on track with your goals, and guarantees that providing value to your target audience remains a priority.

Find out how to achieve your content marketing goals faster with our step-by-step process for creating a blog strategy below.

Key elements of a blog content strategy

A blog content strategy is a roadmap that guides your blog SEO strategy, content topics, themes, writing, scheduling, and promotional efforts.

A successful blog content strategy includes:

A detailed description of your target audience

Crystal-clear goals and KPIs

Keyword and topic planning

Timeline and content calendar

Repurposing and promotional strategy

A plan for maintaining content quality and consistency

A thoughtfully written strategy helps you drive the right kind of traffic to your blog, provide valuable content to your readers, and generate high-quality leads (or sales) for your business.

Taking the time to document your blog content strategy gives you an edge over the competition since most of your competitors probably don’t have one. 

More than 60% of B2B and B2C marketers “wing it” without a written strategy.

How to create a blog content strategy in 4 steps

These steps will help you choose the right content for your blog and form a plan to publish, promote, and improve upon your content as you grow.

Step 1: Define your target audience and marketing goals

Defining your target audience and goals gives you the information you need to conduct effective keyword research and plan content themes for your blog.

How to define your target audience:

Conduct audience research.

Identify your target reader.

List your readers’ pain points.

Learn what type of content engages your readers.

Festoon House owner Matt Little, who manages content for his company’s blog, says that audience research is the key to a successful blog strategy. “I always start by researching and understanding who our audiences are, what they are interested in, and what problems they are trying to solve.”

“Remember, content is king, but the audience is the kingdom. Cater to them, and you’ll build a loyal following.”

– Matt Little, Owner, Festoon House

How to define marketing goals for your blog

Before you invest time and resources into blogging, make a prioritized list of your blog’s marketing goals.

What are the top goals for your blog?

Let’s assume the primary objective of any business blog is to provide valuable content to a target audience. Marketing goals are a separate entity. 

Marketing goals = What’s in it for you?

Some of the most popular blog marketing goals are:

Drive traffic to your website

Generate leads

Increase revenue

Establish authority in your industry

Increase brand awareness

Most blogs have several marketing goals. However, it’s important to prioritize them for your content marketing strategy. 

What KPIs should you track for blogs?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are insights that allow you to measure progress toward your content marketing goals.

If you’re new to KPIs and analytics, here are a few tips to help you get started.

How to measure the success of your blog:

Search traffic: Impressions, traffic, SERP position, click-through rate

Leads and conversions: Conversion rate, leads generated, revenue

Reader engagement: Bounce rate, average time on page, pages per session, social shares, scroll depth, returning visitors

Step 2: Conduct SEO keyword research

Keyword research helps you optimize your blog for search engines and develop relevant and valuable content for your audience.

Here’s a 4-step process for simple SEO keyword research.

A) Brainstorm relevant phrases and topics

Make a list of the phrases and keywords you think might be a good match for your audience.

Instead of simply copying ideas from your competitors, turn to your target audience for help brainstorming keywords that will attract quality readers.

Content and SEO manager Aleksa Filipovic recommends forging your own path when it comes to developing topic ideas. His blog on Measureschool has tripled its traffic over the past two years and now has 80,000 monthly readers.

“Turn to your target audience. Create surveys, look in online groups and communities, find out what your target audience is struggling with, and be the one with the answer. That way, you’ll find topics that can be covered and have no competition yet.”

– Aleksa Filipovic, Content & SEO Mgr, Measureschool

B) Conduct keyword and search intent research

Create a keyword database in Excel or Google Sheets where you will list the results of your keyword research. 

Use a keyword research tool like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush to investigate your list of relevant words and phrases. Look for low- or medium-competition keywords with a fair or decent amount of traffic. 

When asked for her best tip on content marketing strategy, ButterflyMX Content Manager Katie Kistler stressed the importance of keyword research.

“Using tools like Ahrefs, SEMRush, or even the Google search engine results pages to source topics and keywords that your potential customers are looking for,” she explained, “is the most reliable way to create a high-performing blog quickly.”

C) Conduct search intent research

Before you add a keyword to your database, take a moment to ensure that your interpretation of it aligns with what searchers are looking for when they type it into Google Search.

The simplest way to do this is to drop the keyword into Google Search and view the results. 

If the results produce informational resources (such as blog articles and guides) for a similar audience, you can add the keyword to your list.

For example, people searching for “red sneakers” usually want to shop for shoes, not read a blog post about them. 

If the search intent doesn’t match, take a moment to experiment with more refined keywords.

For example, a quick search on “How to wear red sneakers” produces fashion tips, which is ideal if your blog post is about red sneaker fashion.

As you choose keywords for your blog, consider your niche and try to narrow your phrases to fit a more specific audience. This will help you reach the right people and give you a better chance of ranking well on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

D) Choose the main keywords you’d like your blog to rank for

You’ll use your top keywords to create “pillar” style articles that act as a main guide for a broad topic. 

All of your other blog articles will link to one related pillar article.

This pillar content approach is not required, but it’s very helpful to your SEO strategy.

Step 3: Create a blog content calendar and timeline

Now that you’ve created a keyword database, you can begin planning your blog’s content.

A) Create a content timeline

A content timeline outlines the themes you’ll use throughout the year, such as:

Holiday and seasonal campaigns

Company marketing campaigns

Upcoming events

Content that resonates with your audience at certain times of the year

For example, the (fictitious) Red Hot Shoes company might create a timeline like this:

Month 1: February (Focus: Valentine’s Day & Comfort)

Theme 1: Rock Your Reds for Valentine’s Day:

Posts: Styling tips for creating romantic red shoe looks, gift guide featuring red shoes, history of red shoes in fashion and romance.

Theme 2: Cozy Comfort in Red:

Posts: Highlight red slippers, sneakers, or boots; perfect for lounging at home, tips for keeping red shoes clean and comfortable.

Month 2: March (Focus: Spring & Awareness)

Theme 1: Spring into Style with Red Shoes:

Posts: Showcase new spring shoe collections with a focus on red colors, tips for transitioning your wardrobe to spring featuring red shoes.

Theme 2: Red Shoe Confidence Campaign (optional): (Align with a marketing campaign)

Posts: Partner with influencers or customers to share stories about how red shoes boost confidence, launch a user-generated content contest featuring red shoes.

B) Create a content calendar

Content calendars help keep you and your team on track.

Decide how often you’ll publish.

Plan your blog posts for the next four weeks and put them in your calendar.

Here’s an example of a simple blog content calendar created with Google Sheets:

Avoid planning content more than 4-6 weeks in advance. This gives you the creative freedom to adjust after viewing your blog metrics or reacting to industry updates that could affect audience sentiment.

For example, if a major political figure suddenly goes viral for wearing red sneakers, you would need to consider how that might affect your approach to content.

Step 4: Create a blog repurposing strategy

The days of pushing out massive amounts of blog content, regardless of quality, are gone. 

Instead of forcing yourself or your team to produce volume over value, focus on publishing high-quality content at a steady pace that works well for everyone.

Then, repurpose your blog content so you can use it to the fullest extent!

High-value blog posts are packed with gems such as stories, statistics, quotes, and lists. 

You can pull these valuable snippets from your posts to create more content and promote your blog on social media and in newsletters.

11 ways to repurpose high-quality blog posts

Videos

Social media image posts

Social media Stories

Social media video shorts

Quizzes

Posts

Meme

GIFs

Podcasts

Infographics

Email newsletters

How to drive traffic to your blog

Repurposing blog posts using the tips above will handle most of the heavy lifting when it comes to driving traffic to your blog. All you need to do is share your repurposed content on social media.

5 ways to drive more traffic to your blog posts:

Share your repurposed blog content on social media.

Share a preview in your email newsletter.

Set up an automated blog newsletter so that every time you publish an article, an email goes out to your newsletter subscribers to let them know about it. 

Run social media contests and drawings that drive people to your posts.

Partner with influencers to promote your blog.

Additionally, you can further position yourself or your company as an industry authority, which will drive more traffic to your blog.

Creating podcasts, publishing books, conducting webinars, and forming a social group/forum are excellent ways to boost authority in your industry. 

Establish standardized blog guidelines

As you develop your content marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to consider how you’ll maintain quality and consistency over time. 

Establish your brand voice and tone

Develop brand voice guidelines and determine how you’ll optimize content for your audience.

In a recent chat with Backlinko SEO Lead Leigh McKenzie, he explained that developing an authentic brand voice is key to connecting with readers.

“Backlinko’s blog strategy is focused on nailing an authentic writing voice that resonates with readers. 

As we grow our team, we tap into expertise but present it conversationally – not generic fluff. 

Writing in second person or first-person plural creates an inclusive, one-on-one tone connecting our authority with readers naturally.”

– Leigh McKenzie, SEO Lead, Backlinko

In the YouTube Short below, Brian Dean explains some of the ways you can optimize your content for readers. 

Dean advises creating skimmable blog posts with frontloaded value to improve your reader’s experience.

How to standardize blog quality and consistency

To consistently create high-quality content, you must standardize some elements of the blogging process.

You can achieve this by creating materials such as:

Brand manual:  Includes information that helps writers represent and promote your company and its products, such as:

A guide to your brand and its products, including a detailed description of your target audience and readers.

Your company’s key differentiators and primary message(s)

A list of competitors you do not want to link to.

Blog article checklist: A list of the formatting, processes, and elements you expect with each blog post.

Number of CTA’s.

The minimum number of media, statistics, quotes, and other engaging or interactive elements required in each piece.

A list of finishing tools to use before submission, such as:

Grammarly

Copyscape

Headline Capitalizer

A guide to your key blog requirements, such as formatting, SEO requirements, source and linking guidelines, and AI policies.

As you develop content standards, keep in mind that providing value to your audience is top priority. 

Chief Content Marketing Officer Ben Jacobson of Inbound Junction says blog strategists should be careful not to forget their audience when planning content.

“There are two mistakes that I see many businesses making with their blog content strategies that really get under my skin nowadays, and these two issues are related. 

One is using the blog as a pure SEO play, where getting pages to rank for keywords is the only objective. 

The other is using the blog as a pure product marketing platform, where convincing readers to convert is the only objective.”

The ongoing process of blog content strategy

In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of how to create a blog content strategy.

Strategy is a fluid process that ebbs and flows with time. Don’t hesitate to change or adjust it as you view its metrics and get feedback from your audience.

For a surefire way to encourage readers to return for new blog articles, encourage them to sign up for your email newsletter. 

At AWeber, we provide you with all the email marketing tools you need to effectively promote your blog in as little time as possible. 

From automated blog newsletters to templates, AI writing assistance, and automation, we make it simpler than ever for you to nurture your audience and send more traffic to your blog.

Sign up for a free AWeber account today and begin promoting your blog without delay.

My partner and I have a sacred weekend ritual: Pizza Fridays. A few weeks ago, we found ourselves in Minneapolis, a city neither of us know well, for the occasion. Naturally, we turned to our go-to expert on all things local and delicious: Google. A quick search for “best pizza near me” yielded several promising prospects, and we selected one for our weekly fix.

As a frequent traveler, I type in Google searches like this all the time, whether I’m looking for a satisfying slice or a sweaty HIIT class (I’ve got two speeds) — and this is precisely why local SEO content strategy is so critical for businesses.

According to data directly from Google, searches containing the phrase “open now near me” have grown globally by over 400% year-over-year. What’s more, searches on Google Maps for “shopping near me” are on the rise by more than 100% year-over-year.

So, what is local search optimization, and why is it important? Here’s what to know in 2024.

Is Local Search Important for SEO?

Recent research suggests so—particularly if you care about reaching younger consumers. According to data from ReviewTrackers 42% of millennials who perform a local search will go on to visit that business “most of the time.” This group is also 50% more likely than other generational cohorts to conduct local searches while they’re on the go.

What’s more, local search can be a great equalizer. When executed well, a local SEO content strategy can offer mom-and-pop shops the chance to spar with enterprise-sized businesses with multiple locations. The Little Angelo’s Pizzarias get the chance to compete with the Papa Johns.

All that said, it’s worth noting that the SEO game is changing by the day. Google is currently taking steps to adapt to the era of generative AI. In 2022, the company updated its Search Quality Rater Guidelines to prioritize content that contains expert insights, firsthand experiences, and “genuinely helpful” advice. Earlier this year, Google announced a full-court press to reduce “low-quality, unoriginal content” in search results by as much as 40%.

While only time will tell what the future of SEO has in store, for the time being, local search is still worth investing in. For one thing, there’s less competition locally than on the national or global stage. For another, focusing on local SEO allows businesses to connect more directly and personally with their target audience. Further, local SEO can help brands achieve higher conversion rates by targeting users in the immediate vicinity who are actively looking for products or services. And lastly, with 58% of businesses still not optimizing for local search, there are plenty of opportunities to gain a competitive edge.

Local SEO Content Strategy: Designing for Success

When analyzing content for local SEO, Google’s algorithm takes factors like relevance, distance, and prominence into account. It generates two types of results for local queries: “organic results,” or the blue links you’re accustomed to seeing on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP); and “local pack,” which showcases top business listings on Google Maps. Businesses seeking to maximize visibility should aim to appear in both.

You can enrich your local SEO strategy by taking steps like:

Claiming and Optimizing Your ‘Google My Business’ Listing: This is a fundamental first step. Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) information is accurate. You’ll also want to leverage the power of reviews and photos to boost your local presence.
Weaving Local Keywords Into Your Website and Content: Tailor your content to include keywords that reflect local tastes, trends, and lingo. This isn’t just about inserting a city name into your content—you need to understand the nuances of how local customers search for your products or services. Tools that can help with this process include Google’s Keyword Planner, Moz Local, and SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool.
Optimizing for Mobile: The majority of local searches are now conducted on mobile devices. It’s critical to ensure your website, blog, and anywhere else you publish content is mobile-friendly.
Building Local Backlinks: Establishing links from reputable, relevant local sources—like regional newspapers or business associations—can boost your visibility in local search results.

How to Write Content for Local SEO

The first step is to create content that’s locally relevant. Let’s take the Minneapolis-based pizza parlor. Blog topics they could explore include:

“The History of Pizza in Minneapolis: How the Slice Became a Local Staple”
“Celebrating Local Ingredients in Our Pizzas: A Farm-to-Table Approach”
“How Our Minneapolis Pizzeria Embraces Eco-Friendly Practices”

You’ll also want to stay on top of local industry trends to identify possible content plays. It’s a good idea to subscribe to local news sites and sign up for alerts on local events relevant to your industry (e.g., food festivals, culinary awards, state fairs). Maybe this research leads you to discover an uptick in veganism in your community—the perfect opportunity to write about your new vegan cheese options.

Asking local influencers to share their experiences or hosting community events are other avenues to explore. Such collaborations not only boost your visibility and credibility online, but they can also help you build genuine relationships with local movers and shakers. For example, you could engage with a local food blogger or critic and ask them to post to their social media or review sites. Don’t forget to amplify their content on your own website, blog, and social accounts.

To Conquer Local SEO Content, Think Bigger Picture

When it comes to content marketing strategies for local SEO, general best practices still apply. You’ve heard these tips from us before: Use experts and trusted voices for original quotes, reviews, or testimonials. Prioritize quality over quantity. Offer something in return for readers’ time—like valuable intel or exclusive offers.

Partnering with other companies that complement your offerings can be another fruitful tactic. For example, maybe the Minneapolis pizza place could work with the brewery across the street to create content around “perfect pizza and craft beer pairings.” They could conclude the post with a call to action (CTA) to sign up for both companies’ email newsletters and offer a 15%-off discount code to customers who do.

If your business has the budget, it may also be worth exploring content that goes beyond text. SEMrush notes that video SEO and visual search are increasingly important elements of an effective SEO strategy. In the context of local SEO, photos can be particularly effective—Google’s “Photo Map” option, for example, showcases a business’s location via user-generated images.

Effective local SEO content strategy is about more than just ticking boxes. By going beyond the basics and exploring collaborative, multimedia, and value-added content strategies, you can boost your local presence online and connect more deeply with your community—or, at the very least, with the hungry couple down the street looking for pizza.

Ask The Content Strategist: FAQs About Local SEO Strategies
How do you measure the success of a local SEO content strategy?

On top of using tools like Google Analytics or SEMrush, measuring success often comes down to seeing more foot traffic (if you have a physical location) or noticing a bump in local online inquiries or sales. You may even find more locals dropping by and saying, “I found you on Google!” These are all good signs your local SEO strategy is working.

Are there different strategies for content marketing for local SEO between various types of businesses or industries?

Absolutely, different businesses and industries have to tweak their local SEO strategies. A restaurant might focus on reviews and Google My Business photos, while a law firm might concentrate on publishing informative local legal guides. It’s all about what makes sense for your target audience.

What role does social media play in local SEO, and how can businesses integrate their social media and local SEO strategies?

Social media can boost your local SEO efforts by driving local engagement and awareness. Integrating them can be as simple as using local hashtags, sharing location-tagged posts, or running social media campaigns that highlight local content or events.

Are you in search of more content about editorial strategy? Subscribe now to The Content Strategist and never miss a story!

Header tags are a fundamental element of web design and SEO, influencing user experience and search rankings.

While often overlooked, these HTML tags provide a hierarchical structure to content, enhancing readability and navigation for human visitors.

At the same time, header tags offer semantic signals that help search engines better understand context and key topics.

Google’s guidance reinforces the need to use header tags strategically.

John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, has stated that header elements are a “really strong signal” that informs Google’s understanding of a page’s topics.

As Google emphasizes rewarding high-quality user experiences, optimizing header tags presents an opportunity to align with best practices for human visitors and search crawlers.

This article outlines how to use header tags, from enhancing content structure and scannability to targeting opportunities for featured snippet displays.

We also explore techniques for incorporating relevant keywords and maintaining consistent formatting.

By implementing these recommendations, websites can provide a better experience while potentially boosting visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs).

What Is A Header Tag?

Header tags are HTML tags that tell a browser what styling it should use to display a piece of text on a webpage.

If we looked up the HTML for the heading above, it’d look something like this:

<h2>What is a Header Tag?</h2>

Like headings in print content, header tags are used to title or introduce the content below them. HTML header tags follow a hierarchy from <h1> to <h6>.

H1 tags denote the most important text, such as the central theme or title.
H2 and H3 tags are commonly used as subheadings.
H4, H5, and H6 tags provide further structure within those subsections.

Header tags are helpful for users and search engines. For your users, they give them a preview of the content they’re about to read.

For search engines like Google, header tags provide context and a hierarchy for your page. Think of header tags as chapter titles in a book.

Give them a quick scan, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what it’s about.

How Many Header Tags Are Supported?

HTML supports six levels of header tags, ranging from <h1> to <h6>.

The <h1> tag is typically used for the main heading or title of a page, while <h2> and <h3> tags are commonly employed for subheadings.

The remaining tags, <h4>, <h5>, and <h6>, can provide further structure within subsections.

Now, let’s get to the best practices.

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1. Use Header Tags To Provide Structure

Header tags help create a logical structure for your content, making it easier for users and search engines to navigate.

Treat your H1 as the main title, H2s as chapters, and H3s to H6s as subsections within each chapter.

When planning your article or landing page, consider the main ideas you want your visitors to take away. These main ideas should form the basis of your header tags and help you create a clear outline.

2. Break Up Blocks Of Text With Subheadings

Break up long blocks of text with relevant subheadings to enhance readability. This makes your content more user-friendly and helps search engines identify covered topics.

A scannable article is positioned to perform well in search engines because Google rewards user-friendly content.

Additionally, scannable articles are commonly shared on social media, which can increase the likelihood of earning natural backlinks.

3. Include Keywords In Your Header Tags

Include your target keywords in header tags where appropriate, but avoid overusing them. Focus on creating informative and engaging headers that accurately reflect the content below them.

While keywords are essential, it’s important not to force them in at the expense of readability.

Google uses header tags to gather context for your page, so incorporate keywords naturally.

Always prioritize creating value and avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to a poor experience and potential penalties.

4. Optimize For Featured Snippets

Carefully crafted header tags can increase your chances of winning featured snippets.

Here’s how.

Paragraph Featured Snippets

To optimize for paragraph-featured snippets, identify a relevant long-tail keyword and use it in your H2.

Then, directly below the H2, provide a clear and concise answer to the query, placing the text within <p> paragraph tags.

This structure helps Google identify and extract the information it needs.

For example, Search Engine Journal won this featured snippet for “How to remove default search engine in Chrome?” in part thanks to its keyword-optimized H2:

List Featured Snippets

To optimize for list featured snippets, use subheadings (H2 to H6) to outline different items or steps in a process.

Google can pull from these subheadings to create a bulleted or numbered list in the featured snippet, increasing your visibility and driving more traffic to your site.

Here’s an example.

When you search for [how to relieve migraine fast], Google creates a list of answers using the H2s from this WebMD article.

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5. Only Use One H1

While multiple H1s are technically allowed, using only one H1 per page is best. This maintains a clear hierarchy and avoids confusion for users and search engines.

Using multiple H1s can make your page appear disorganized. Instead, reserve the H1 tag for your main title and use H2 to H6 tags for subheadings.

To ensure your site doesn’t have multiple H1s, run your domain through a crawler tool like Screaming Frog and check the H1 tab to identify any pages with missing or numerous H1s.

The same report is available for H2s.

6. Keep Your Header Tags Consistent

Ensure your header tags follow a consistent style and format throughout your website.

This includes using the same case (title or sentence case), keeping them concise, and limiting their length to around 70 characters.

Consistency in your header tags contributes to a better experience and helps establish a cohesive brand image.

When deciding on a format, consider your target audience and the tone of your content. Once you’ve chosen a style, apply it consistently across all your pages.

In addition to maintaining a consistent format, keep your header tags concise and to the point.

Treat them like mini-titles for the following section of text, and avoid using them to stuff keywords or write lengthy paragraphs.

7. Make Your Header Tags Interesting

Write interesting, engaging header tags that entice readers to continue reading your content.

Pay special attention to your H1, as it can decide whether visitors stay on your page or bounce back to the search results.

A compelling H1 should communicate the main topic of your page and align with the user’s search intent.

Take the time to brainstorm and refine your header tags, ensuring they accurately reflect the content and entice users to keep reading.

Why Header Tags Are Important For SEO

Header tags play a role in SEO by enhancing user experience, providing context to search engines, and increasing the chances of securing featured snippets.

This can potentially lead to better rankings, increased visibility, and higher engagement rates.

Descriptive headings allow readers to skim and jump to relevant sections.

For search crawlers, headers give semantic cues about the context and priority of page content.

Don’t underestimate the SEO power of header tags. Make them a top priority when optimizing your content.

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Featured image: Paulo Bobita/Search Engine Journal

By Sean Tinney May 17, 2024

The subject line is the most important part of your marketing emails, bar none.

It’s so important that 47% of recipients only consider the subject line when deciding whether to open an email, while 69% report emails as spam based solely on the subject line.

In just a few characters, you’ve got to capture the recipient’s attention and give them a compelling reason to click. So you’re likely wondering: “How long should an email subject line be?”

To answer that question, AWeber’s in-house email experts analyzed 1,000 subject lines from 100 top marketers to understand their approach. Read on to learn…

The average email subject line length

The best length for a subject line

How long is too long for a subject line

…plus we’ll share a bunch of considerations and best practices to help you craft must-click subject lines every time.

Let’s get into it:

What is the average length of a subject line?

AWeber’s analysis of 1,000 subject lines from top marketers discovered that the average email subject line length is 44 characters (including spaces).

How long is 44 characters? For perspective, the below subject line from theSkimm (a popular daily newsletter) is 43 characters in length:

Subject line: Daily Skimm: I’ve got the world on a string

However, our research unturned a wide range of character counts, with one in nine subject lines measuring 20 characters or fewer, and about one-fifth clocking in at 61+ characters.

Learn more: Email Subject Line Best Practices To Get More Opens

What is the best subject line length?

The best email subject line length is from 30 – 50 characters and up to seven words.

Here’s an example that hits the mark courtesy of the Content Marketing Institute, containing seven words and 38 characters:

Subject line: How To Prepare for the Data Apocalypse

Learn more: 100+ Amazing Subject Line Examples

Can a subject line be too long?

Yes!

With most email providers, you can technically create subject lines of up to 988 characters. 

However, that’s waaaaaaaaay longer than the point at which the subject line will cut off in your recipients’ inboxes. And if no one’s ever going to read all those extra characters, what’s the point in writing them?

Realistically, any subject line longer than ~100 characters will be truncated on the vast majority of devices, while the Gmail app for iPhone doesn’t display anything beyond 38 characters (more on this in the next section).

Email subject line factors to consider

Now that you know the experts write 44-character subject lines, keep yours to 44 characters and you’ve got the perfect subject line, right?

Obviously not.

There are a few other factors to consider when developing your email marketing subject lines. But don’t worry, we’ll cover them here.

The devices your customers are using

Does most of your audience use an iPhone to read their email? Or are they largely on desktops? The device your customers use to open and view their emails is extremely important when crafting your subject lines.

The average inbox displays about 60 characters on a desktop while the average mobile device displays only 30 characters. Anything else will get cut off. 

The email provider your customers are using

Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo! Mail, or Apple? The platform your subscribers use for email impacts how many characters appear in your subject lines.

Device + email provider

Now let’s do the math: Combining devices and email providers gives you a set of variables.

For example, let’s take a look at the subject line character limits for Gmail on different devices:

App/deviceSubject line charactersGmail app38 charactersiPhone Mail app46 charactersGmail on a 15” laptop98 characters

So why does this matter? 

To illustrate, take a look at this example showing the same email subject line from PersonalizationMall, displayed across different devices and mail apps:

They did a great job creating urgency with the subject line: “Sean Your Triple Discount Coupon Expires Today”. 

But unfortunately I view most of my emails on my iPhone Mail App and didn’t see that the offer expired the night I received the email.

What could they have done differently? You’ll find out below when we talk about email subject line length best practices.

Want to know which providers to care most about? A study by Litmus analyzed the most popular email providers, apps, and devices, with the top 5 being: 

Provider/app/deviceMarket shareApple51.4%Gmail33.0%Outlook5.2%Yahoo! Mail2.7%Google Android1.8%

Best practices for email subject line length

With so many different combinations, how can anyone write a subject line that will stand out?

Let’s get back to our marketing experts: 71.1% of the 1,000 subject lines we analyzed were between 21 and 60 characters. 

To stand out from everyone else, instead of focusing on length alone, consider other factors that may affect your open rates.

1. Keep your most important information in the first 30 characters

Over 50% of emails are opened on mobile devices. Most email clients, like Gmail and Yahoo!, stop displaying an email subject line on mobile devices once it reaches between 33 and 43 characters. The exact number varies from one email client to another.

If you have a strong offer, you shouldn’t be forced to limit your email marketing subject line length. To optimize it for mobile readers, put the most important information in the first 30 characters. This way, this message won’t get cut off in the inbox.

2. Use the preheader to enhance your message

The preheader is the additional text that appears next to or below your subject line in an inbox. Preheaders help compliment your subject line and can be used as that extra piece of text which may otherwise get cut off at the end of a subject line.

Learn more: Email Preheaders: Tips to Increasing Your Open Rates 

3. Don’t be too wordy

Easier said than done. I’m personally someone who rambles on and often uses more words than needed when talking about something.

How do I overcome this when writing subject lines? 

I start by writing everything I want to say in my subject line, then I reduce it by eliminating or replacing certain words.

Here’s an exercise:

Subject line idea: Get up to 50% off Athletic Shoes this Saturday only

This example is 51 characters long. How can I modify this to reduce the subject line?

How about: Up to 50% off Athletic Shoes on Saturday

This exercise reduced my subject line characters to 40.

4. Test your subject lines

Every audience is different. Try short and long subject lines with your subscribers to see what works best for your unique audience.

Set up an A/B split test, sending 10% – 20% of the audience the test with the winning variation receiving the remaining 80% – 90%. This way you maximize your open rates by ensuring the strongest subject line gets sent to the majority of your audience.

Learn more: Stop Guessing and Start Testing: Improve Your Emails with A/B Split Testing

5. Personalize your email subject lines

Emails with personalized subject lines see an average open rate of 35.69%, compared to just 16.67% for non-personalized email subject lines.

But “personalization” can mean a lot of different things, from adding the recipient’s name to your subject lines, to offering them a personalized discount or product recommendation based on their browsing or purchase history.

So which approach is best?

Here’s the answer:

Type of subject line personalizationAverage open rateAdding recipient’s first name43.41%Adding recipient’s company name35.65%Adding personalized pain points28%

Learn more: From Vanilla to Wow: Using Personalized Emails to Speak to Your Audience 

6. Test emojis in subject lines

Emojis add a pop of color to your email subject lines, which can help them stand out in a crowded inbox:

Or at least, that’s the theory. In practice, marketers have seen mixed results from including emojis in subject lines:

One study found that brands using subject line emojis see an average 56% increase in their unique open rates…

…but separate research discovered that subject lines without emojis see slightly higher open rates (at 52.94% vs 47.06%)

For that reason, we recommend A/B testing emojis to see how they play with your audience.

Learn more: Everything You Need to Know About Using Emojis in Your Subject Line

Case study: Should you consider shorter subject lines?

You might want to experiment with even shorter subject lines.

Brian Dean, founder of SEO company Backlinko and one of the 100 top marketers whose emails we analyzed, used to send emails with longer subject lines. These subject lines told his subscribers exactly what they’d find inside the message.

The problem with that?

“It gave people no reason to actually open my email,” he said.

Now, he sends subject lines with an average of 15.1 characters. 

“After lots of testing, I’ve found that short subject lines get much higher open rates,” Dean said.

He attributes this to two factors:

Short subject lines reach the inbox more frequently

Short subject lines are more mysterious

Here are a few of Dean’s short email subject lines. All are under 15 characters long:

Subject line: New TechniqueSubject line: Email OutreachSubject line: Blog Posts

They give the recipient a clear picture of what the email is about, without giving away any information about the actual contents.

Of course, if you’re going to adopt this strategy, you’ll almost certainly have to repeat some of your subject lines, so they could lose their impact.

Brian gets away with it because his subscribers know he always provides unique, actionable insights — so his subject lines don’t have to do too much heavy lifting.

Write must-click subject lines with AWeber

Our analysis shows that the average email subject line length is 44 characters, while the recommended length is between 30 and 50 characters.

But that might not be the perfect length for your brand.

As we’ve seen, Backlinko boosted their open rates by slicing the length of their subject lines. Maybe your audience will favor shorter subject lines, too — or perhaps they’d be more likely to click if you provided some extra context?

The only way to find out is to test, test, and test some more.

With AWeber, you can A/B test just about any element of your email, from subject lines and calls to action to colors, templates, preheaders, and more. So you don’t have to rely on guesswork or industry benchmarks to write subject lines your audience loves.

Get started by signing up for your free AWeber account today!

Historically, Google has rolled out core algorithm updates two or three times a year – but last year, we saw a record four updates.

We’ve also just experienced a 45-day record rollout with the March core update.

When I first started in SEO, the industry was experiencing the later Panda updates, the Exact Match Domain update, and Penguin.

These updates were, in part, designed to counter tactics deployed by SEO experts.

Google updates have evolved over the years, in line with how Google itself has evolved as an information finder, classifier, and retrieval system.

As a result, how we talk about updates, understand them, and approach them also needs to evolve.

It’s also worth highlighting that not all Google updates are designed to be punitive; a number of updates in the past 24-36 months have been aligned with Google’s “core algorithm” and adoption of different technologies.

What Is A Core Update?

As Danny Sullivan (via the SearchLiason X account) defines, a core update is when Google makes a “notable” change to one or more of its core systems.

These updates change how inputs (our content, links, etc.) are processed and weighed.

The systems are continuously running, so once updated, they begin to process and refresh based on the new criteria.

Not all updates are reported on, as, according to Sullivan, it would just be a continuous notification feed and not helpful outside of the current narrative that Search is not a static product and is always updating.

Read more: History of Google Algorithm Updates

Have I Been Impacted By An Update?

Understanding whether you have been impacted by an update is crucial in determining the appropriate course of action.

In 2023, Google made 9 official updates – all logged via the Google Search Status Dashboard – as well as thousands of ongoing smaller updates that aren’t registered or declared.

While most confirmed updates take 3 to 4 weeks to complete (the last core update officially took 45 days at the time of writing), significant changes can usually be seen within the first 24-48 hours of rollout.

During the rollout period, you should expect volatility and fluctuations, but from experience, the “danger zone” for the most trafficked and searched-for queries is in the first couple of days.

It’s also key to remember that not all losses in traffic and rankings are related to updates.

As the Google Dance is now a thing of memory and Google processes in real time, changes in your performance could be due to your competitors’ efforts and improvements in their value propositions—such as improving content or benefitting from valuable press coverage.

When this happens, Google tends to perform keyword tests and try different websites in different positions to gain user feedback before establishing a “new” more stable results page.

This can be frustrating, but it further affirms that SEO isn’t a “one and done” activity, and refining and proving value proposition for specific search queries is an ongoing exercise.

Unfortunate Timings With Transformation Projects

As core updates aren’t predictable, many websites undergo a major transformation at the same time an update is announced.

Anecdotally, these tend to be ongoing transformation projects, such as migrations that tend to accidentally coincide with core updates.

Migrations themselves can take time to complete and be processed by Google, so adding the complexity of the unknown change variables makes it harder to discern if performance changes (or lags in returning to previous performance) are caused by the migration processing or the core update.

Recovering From An Update

While it is possible to recover from an update before the next broad core updates are released, most sites tend to see the biggest changes (and recoveries) during subsequent updates – if they have better aligned their content with what Google is looking for:

“Content that was impacted in Search or Discover by one might not recover—assuming improvements have been made—until the next broad core update is released.”

The same Google document also outlines another truth: Making improvements doesn’t guarantee recovery if “more deserving content” exists, as Google will continue to rank it highly within its search results.

Recovering from a Google update typically means improving one (or more) of the following:

Recoveries can look different because there are different types.

Some recoveries are fast, and due to the recovery activities you’ve been implementing, traffic is almost back to pre-update levels, if not higher.

This usually happens when a search engine update revises and amends a variable that was changed in a previous update.

Other recoveries take longer.

This means Google has likely seen positive user data from the variables changed in the previous update, and the impetus is on you to better align your website and content with what Google is looking to reward.

Read more: Google E-E-A-T: What Is It & How To Demonstrate It For SEO

Update Recovery Checklist

Before getting to phase one, asking questions in this initial “phase zero” can save a lot of time and concerns across business stakeholders:

Where are we seeing the traffic drop?

If via a third-party tool, is this consistent with our proprietary data?
Has the third-party tool updated its own data sets and traffic forecasts?
If in our proprietary data, are all tracking codes implemented and triggering correctly?

Answering these questions first can prevent resource wastage and potentially bring calm back to the situation.

Phase One: Assess The Impact

By identifying which pages have lost traffic you can establish the drop affects only certain pages or the entire site, you narrow down your scope of where to look next in diagnosing the potential causes for your traffic drop.

Data collection: The first step is to collect and pool as much data as possible that is available to you, ideally at the keyword and URL level. This can come from your Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and other analytics platforms and data sources.
Data segmentation: Segment your data by page cluster, keyword cluster, demographic, persona, device, or your own custom categorization to determine which areas have been most affected.
Data comparison: Comparing against historical data is vital to understanding any potential correlations between seasonality and previous traffic/buyer behavior.

Read more:

Phase Two: Review The SERPs

Evaluating what has changed in the search engine results pages (SERPs) for your primary search terms and term clusters is an important next step.

When looking at the SERPs, you need to be objective, remove any biases, and avoid thinking things like “my content is better than that,” as the data currently suggests otherwise. This data collection is your first part in performing a GAP analysis.

How much has Google changed the SERPs?
Is Google now preferring websites targeting a different search intent?
Is Google rewarding websites that are a different source type?
Have your direct competitors been affected in a positive/negative way?
Has Google introduced new SERP features?
Has Google removed SERP features?
Is Google double-listing any domains in the top 10?

Read more: What’s In A SERP? Google Search Results & Features You Need To Know

Phase Three: Review Your Website

Now that you have the data from reviewing the SERPs, you can perform a GAP analysis on your own website.

Over the years, I have found two areas important to examine in depth: evaluating your content’s depth and relevance and how aligned the content is to the search intent and user expectations for the query.

Comprehensive Coverage: Assess whether your content fully addresses the topics at hand. It should provide all the necessary information that a user might be looking for when searching for the query and provide relevant supporting content and logical next steps for the user on their various journey paths.
Data & Information Accuracy: Make sure that the content is up-to-date with the latest information, especially in industries that have high levels of interest or rely heavily on statistics. Updating statistical data tables and examples to the most recent available data helps build the integrity and validity of the content in the eyes of users
Keyword Intent Matching: Each page’s main content should clearly address the search intent behind the keywords it targets.
Beneficial Purpose Alignment: Each piece of content has a beneficial purpose. There is no right or wrong beneficial purpose, but it should align with user expectations. For example, an informational piece of content titled “the best X software for Y,” which unsubtly positions your company as number one with a review three times the length of the others, doesn’t have a beneficial purpose that aligns with the keyword intent.

Read more: How to Do a Content Gap Analysis for SEO

Phase Four: Develop & Implement Recovery Strategies

Now that you’ve collected and analyzed all your data and understand the differences between your content and what Google is currently rewarding, you can begin to devise a strategy to address these differences.

Defining the strategy first is crucial, as it allows you to communicate expectations around activities and your recovery plan with wider business stakeholders.

From experience, far too many fall into the trap of immediately jumping to tactics (as they differ greatly).

Strategies are designed to provide a broad framework and guide decision-making over the longer term, ensuring that all efforts are aligned with the business’s core objectives.

This aligns your SEO efforts with the business objectives and helps steer conversations away from metrics such as rankings and keywords towards more important business metrics such as leads and revenue.

Read more: How To Improve SEO: Strategies To Try First

Recovering From Google Updates Is Difficult

Google won’t tell you why your rankings drop. Understanding the reasons for a reduction in your traffic or SERP performance requires an objective look at your website.

You must abandon your assumptions about your content and website’s worthiness to be at the top and ask yourself: do my pages deserve to rank?

Once you have a clear assessment, you can move forward. Recovering from a sudden ranking drop takes time, patience, and effort. Good information is your best tool.

More resources: 

Featured Image: ra2 studio/Shutterstock