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Does Adding Content to Old Blog Post Increase Reach

EFFECTIVE TEAM | September 13, 2022

Bloggers often ask whether they should add new content to old blog posts or create new posts altogether. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including how much traffic you are currently getting to your old blog posts and how much work you want to put into repurposing old content. In this blog post, we discuss that concept in detail.

Does editing a blog post affect reach? Any blogger knows that writing a great post is only half the battle. Once someone writes a post, he still needs to edit it before he can publish it. But what many bloggers don’t realize is that editing can significantly impact reach. Whenever a post is changed, whether it’s a typo or a major edit, the post will be pushed back to the bottom of the feed. 

As a result, fewer people will see it. In addition, editing can also cause confusion for social media algorithms, which can lead to lower engagement and reach. 

For these reasons, it’s important to consider whether an edit is truly necessary before making any changes carefully. Otherwise, you risk harming your blog’s reach.

Should you update old blog posts?

Any experienced blogger knows that regular updates are key to a successful blog. Not only does this help to keep readers engaged, but it also helps to attract new readers. Search engines also note when someone updates a site, which can affect your ranking. 

However, sometimes it makes little sense to update an old post. If the post is no longer relevant or accurate, then it can do more harm than good. In addition, if you’re getting a lot of traffic to an old post, it’s probably best to leave it as is. Updating a popular post can cause a loss of traffic if readers don’t like the new version. 

When to update posts?

If you’re like most bloggers, you’ve probably written a few posts that didn’t quite hit the mark. Maybe they didn’t get as many views as you had hoped, or maybe the feedback you received wasn’t entirely positive. But just because a post didn’t perform well initially doesn’t mean it’s destined to languish in obscurity forever. There are a few occasions when it makes sense to go back and update an old post. And if done correctly, doing so can breathe new life into your blog.

  1. If a post is not performing at all

One situation when it’s worth taking another look at a post is if it’s not performing at all. If a post isn’t getting any traffic, it’s unlikely to attract much attention unless you make some changes. Adding new and relevant content, optimizing your keywords, and promoting your post on social media can all help to increase its reach and give it a second chance at success.

Of course, not every post is worth saving. If a post is no longer relevant to your target audience, it’s probably best to let it go. However, if you have an old post that you think has potential but just needs a little refresh, don’t be afraid to give it another try. With a little effort, you may be surprised at the results.

  1. If a post does not appear in the first pages of Google

Google is constantly changing its algorithm, and as a result, the ranking of individual posts can fluctuate wildly. This can frustrate bloggers who work hard to ensure that their content is visible to the widest potential audience. However, there are some simple things that you can do to ensure that your posts remain visible, even in an ever-changing landscape. 

One of the most important things to remember is that if a post doesn’t appear in the first pages of Google, it may be time to update it. By adding new information or simply tweaking the title and keywords, you can help your post regain its visibility. 

Make sure to promote your post across social media and other forums to ensure that it reaches the widest possible audience. With a little effort, you can ensure that your content remains visible, no matter what changes Google makes.

  1. If a post does not get any traffic

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to let blog posts fall by the wayside. However, if a post isn’t getting any traffic, it may be worth taking the time to update it. 

Adding new information, such as quotes from experts or studies, can make a post more relevant and engaging. You can also add new photos or videos to break up the text and add visual interest. If a post is outdated, rewrite it completely. 

However, even making minor changes can help to freshen up an old post and attract new readers. So, if you have an old post that isn’t getting any love, don’t be afraid to give it a little TLC.

  1. If a post includes broken links

Anytime you come across a broken link while browsing the internet, it can be frustrating. You click on a promising-looking article or website only to be met with an error message. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be disruptive if you’re in the middle of research or trying to find information quickly. 

For website owners and bloggers, broken links are more than just an inconvenience. They can also damage your credibility and reputation. If a reader comes across a broken link on your site, they may assume that you don’t take care of your site. Or he may assume that you’re not keeping up with the latest information. 

That’s why it’s important to check for broken links regularly and update old posts that include them. By taking a few minutes to fix broken links, you can help ensure that your site is always accurate and up to date.

  1. If a post is outdated

In the ever-changing world of the internet, it’s important to keep your content up to date. That doesn’t mean you need to write new articles every day, but it means periodically reviewing your old posts and updating them as needed. This can be a simple matter of adding a few new sentences or even just changing a few words. 

However, it’s important to make sure that your updates are relevant and add value to your readers. Otherwise, you risk turning off potential customers or driving away regular readers. 

So, if you’re thinking about updating an old post, take a moment to consider whether the changes will actually improve the quality of the article. And if not, it might be better to leave things as they are.

  1. If the images in the post are outdated

If you come across an old post that includes outdated images, there’s no need to delete it or leave it as is. Simply updating the images can give the post new life and make it more relevant to your audience. 

Of course, you’ll want to be sure that the updated images are still high quality and fit with the overall tone and message of the post. But with a little effort, you can breathe new life into an old post and keep your content fresh.

  1. If your post could appear in the snippet view for Google

Read one of our blogs: The 7 Best Content Marketing Secrets to Drive Traffic

In the early days of the internet, the content was static and unchanging. Once someone published a website or blog post, it would remain unchanged unless the author took deliberate action to edit it. This is no longer the case. Google now regularly updates its search results to include fresh content, even if that content is several years old. 

This has led some SEO experts to recommend that their clients “update” their old posts in order to improve their chances of appearing in a Google snippet. However, there are risks associated with this strategy. 

First, it’s important to make sure that any updates you make are relevant and accurate. Otherwise, you could end up harming your search ranking. 

Second, if you make too many changes to an old post, you risk losing the originality and uniqueness that made it successful. 

As with all things related to SEO, updating posts should be done with caution and care. If done correctly, it can be a great way to improve your search ranking and reach new readers. But if done poorly, it could do more harm than good.

  1. If you’re changing the URL of a post

Anytime you change the URL of a post, make sure you update it across all platforms. This includes your website, social media accounts, and any other 3rd party sites. 

The last thing you want is for someone to click on a link and find a 404-error page. Not only is it frustrating for the user, but it also reflects poorly on your brand. 

Updating your URLs may seem like a tedious task, but it’s essential to maintain a professional online presence.

How do I increase blog traffic by updating my old posts?

As any experienced blogger knows, it’s not enough to publish new content regularly. You also need to go back and update your posts regularly. Not only does this help to ensure that your content is relevant and up to date, but it can also lead to a significant increase in traffic. 

Here are ten reasons updating old blog posts can be such an effective way to boost traffic:

Updating content allows you to enjoy search engines’ love

When you update an old post, it gives search engines another reason to index your site. This can lead to increased traffic from organic search results.

Updating old blog posts allows you to reach more social media users

If you share an updated version of an old post on social media, you’re likely to get more engagement than if you simply share the original post.

Updating content is more likely to be shared by others

When you update an old post, people who have already shared the original version are more likely to share the new version as well. This can help to increase the reach of your content and draw new readers to your site.

Updating old posts helps to build relationships with other bloggers

If you reach out to other bloggers and let them know that you’ve updated an old post, they may be more likely to link to it or share it with their own readers. This can lead to increased traffic and new opportunities for collaboration.

Updating content is more likely to be found by new readers

When people search for information online, they’re more likely to find recent content that applies to their query. By updating your old posts, you can make sure that your content is more likely to be found by new readers who are looking for information on a particular topic.

Updating content helps to establish you as an expert

When you go back and update your old posts, it shows that you’re not afraid to revisit your work and make changes as needed. This can help to establish you as an expert in your field. As a result, it can lead to new opportunities and increased traffic.

Updating posts can lead to new opportunities for guest blogging

If you update a post and reach out to other bloggers to let them know, they may be more likely to consider you for a guest blog spot. This can help to increase your visibility and draw new readers to your site.

Updating content makes it more likely to be featured in Google News

If you update a post and submit it to Google News, there’s a good chance that they will feature it in the search results. This can lead to increased traffic from people who are looking for breaking news on a particular topic.

Updating content can help you build a relationship with your readers

When you go back and update an old post, it shows that you’re listening to your readers and taking their feedback into account. This can help to build a strong relationship between you and your readers, which can lead to increased traffic and loyalty.

Updating old posts is a good way to test new ideas

If you’re not sure about a certain aspect of your blogs, such as your design or your writing style, updating a post is a good way to test out new ideas. You can see how your readers react to the changes and make adjustments as needed. This can help you fine-tune your blog and make it more successful.

For all these reasons, updating your old posts is a great way to boost traffic and keep your content relevant. By updating your content regularly, you can ensure that your blog remains fresh and engaging for both new and returning readers. What are some other benefits of updating old blog posts? Let us know in the comments!

In conclusion, updating old content on your website can benefit from increased traffic to improved relationships with your readers. Though, this is not always wise to do so. If your post is no longer relevant, then it might be best to leave it as-is or delete it altogether. But if the content is still relevant and accurate, then updating it can give your blog a much-needed boost. 

Need help getting started? Effective Marketing Copy can assist you in creating a strategy that will work for you and drive results. Contact us today to learn more!

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