If you want to rank on Google, you need more than just great content—you need on-page SEO.
On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing individual pages on your site so that search engines understand them and users find them valuable. It’s one of the core pillars of SEO, alongside technical and off-page SEO.
This guide provides a 25-step on-page SEO checklist you can follow to improve your rankings and visibility.
Dive into the essentials of on-page SEO and learn why it’s critical for boosting your website’s visibility and user experience. This episode breaks down Austin Code Monkey’s 25-step checklist, covering title tags, meta descriptions, and content optimization to drive higher search engine rankings and conversions.
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What is On-Page SEO?
On-page SEO refers to all the optimizations you make directly on your website’s pages to improve rankings. This includes content, HTML tags, URLs, internal links, and user experience.
Unlike off-page SEO (which focuses on backlinks and authority), on-page SEO gives you direct control over how your site appears to both search engines and users.
👉 Related: What is SEO? A Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization
👉 Related reading: How to Local SEO in 2025? A Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization
Why On-Page SEO Matters
Improves rankings: Google uses page-level signals to determine relevance.
Boosts user experience: Optimized content is easier to read and navigate.
Drives conversions: A clear, structured page helps guide visitors toward action.
Supports technical SEO & link building: Strong on-page SEO amplifies other strategies.
👉 Related: How Search Engines Work: Crawling, Indexing, and Ranking Explained
✅ On-Page SEO Checklist: 25 Steps
Here’s the complete 25-step checklist you can copy, paste, and implement today.
1. Use a Target Keyword in the Title Tag
Keep under 60 characters.
Place the keyword near the beginning.
2. Write a Compelling Meta Description
150–160 characters.
Include your target keyword.
Write for clicks, not just search engines.
3. Optimize Your URL Structure
Short, descriptive, and keyword-rich.
Example: www.yoursite.com/on-page-seo-checklist
4. Use a Single H1 Tag per Page
Should contain the target keyword.
Must be descriptive of the page content.
5. Use Proper Heading Hierarchy (H2, H3)
Organize content logically.
Include secondary keywords in subheadings.
6. Add Your Keyword in the First 100 Words
Google places more weight on early mentions of the keyword.
7. Use LSI & Semantic Keywords
Include related terms naturally to improve topical relevance.
8. Optimize Content Length
Aim for 1,500–2,500 words for competitive keywords.
Cover topics in-depth, answering related questions.
9. Improve Readability
Use short paragraphs (2–4 sentences).
Add bullet points, lists, and visuals.
Write at an 8th-grade reading level.
10. Add Internal Links
Link to relevant blog posts and service pages.
Use descriptive anchor text (avoid “click here”).
👉 Related: Why Your Website Isn’t Ranking on Google
11. Add External Links to Authoritative Sources
Link to high-authority sites for credibility.
Example: Wikipedia, government, or industry sources.
12. Optimize Images with Alt Text
Use descriptive alt tags with keywords.
Compress images for faster load times.
13. Use Multimedia for Engagement
Add images, videos, infographics, or charts.
Breaks up text and improves dwell time.
14. Optimize for Featured Snippets
Use questions as subheadings.
Provide clear,