I'm sure you've heard or have been told once you have a library of content on your site updating old content can and does give you better results for your efforts compared to creating fresh content - and I'm referring to ranking content.

Yes adding content on a regular basis never changes. But updating old content is a working smart not hard kind of thing.

Lately, I've been updating content that is a year old as well as content that is years old but still relevant and valuable to readers.

In each case, the content has gotten a nice boost in the SERPS. And in many cases back to page 1. Where we all want to be.

Let me share with you the value of updating old content.

II updated an old review I did about iWriter way back in 2018. Totally forgot about this review, along with 100's more. Working on finding those other ones.

Anyway, this review dropped all the way to the 89th spot on Google, so in reality, it was non-existant.

This would be a good update (not all are) because iWriter has gone through some changes. So I did my update.

I added my new content (700 words plus), I added a schema FAQ, and I updated links and images. I updated the publish date which was Friday, May 6th, published the update, and requested a reindex from Google. I did not update the meta description, it was fine.

And on May 8th while I was checking other rankings I thought for the hell of it I would check my updated content about iWriter.

I was expecting nothing because it's only been a few days right. Well, to my surprise my review went from 89 to 38 in the serps. From page 8 to page 4 in just a few days. A position jump of 51 spots in a few days! I take that all day long.

But things keep getting better. Today May 9th just before I wrote this I took another look. And it's moved up 2 more spots.

Sure it's not on page 1 like it used to be, but from these results, it looks like it could be on its way.

So what's my point?

Don't think updating content is a waste of time. Google loves it when you do this. In fact, you can see faster-ranking boosts when it comes to updating your old content than you can when you create fresh content and wait for that content to get indexed and ranked.

And the proof of that is in the results above.

But as I said this does not mean you stop creating fresh content. You want to make sure you include updating content as part of your overall content plan. Remember Google loves this and it sees it as fresh content.

Here are a few tips:

1) Focus on updating content that's gone from page 1 to page 2 or 3 first.

You want that to get that content back to page 1. Now, will it get back? No guarantee - but it will have zero chance if you do nothing.

2) Make sure when you update your content it's a true update. Don't just add a new picture and maybe a few words. When I do an update I make sure I am truly adding value.

For example my iWriter update I added images and over 700 words of new content as well as additional resources. When you do your update you should add at least 500 words of new information. Google (Matt Cutts) says at least 300 words but why do the minimum.

3) Check your links, are they still working, are there better links you can use both internally and externally? If so change them out.

4) Update images if needed and make sure they all have ALT tags.

5) Don't be afraid to change or update your META description.

65) DO NOT change your permalink (URL)

7) Add FAQ schema if you can - you will need the pro version of all-in-one SEO for that. Or if you use rank math I believe that's included with the free version.

8) Request reindexing through your Google Search Console.

9) You can change the publish date when you do a true update. Also, make sure to add the date when you updated your content to the top of your post.

And regarding changing the publish date: John Mueller from Google said if you have made major updates to a piece of content changing the publish date is ok to do.

Alright, that's it for today.

I believe in you
Leo