Top 5 Semantic SEO Best Practices to Increase Your Rankings

Unlike previous approaches, Google has refined its search engine algorithms to look beyond the single-keyword approach. Today, the search engine uses natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning to look for user intent behind the query. Google prioritizes in-depth and responsive information by correlating the meaning and context behind words and phrases.

That reduces the time required by the searcher to reach the correct answers. If you want to understand how semantic SEO functions, check out this detailed guide.

What is Semantic SEO

If you had searched for “Apple brand” in 2010, Google would not have understood whether it was Apple, the phone brand, or the fruit. But today, it does. How? Semantic SEO.

Semantic SEO helps you write content for people, not just search engines, improving rankings and user experience. In technical terms, semantic SEO is a strategy that focuses on the meaning behind search queries instead of just matching exact keywords. It helps search engines understand the context of your content, making it easier for them to connect it with what users are looking for.

The primary goal of semantic SEO is to establish clear context around your page. Your content must align closely with users' related queries. This alignment directly boosts your page's relevance to what users are searching for.

For example, if someone searches “repair dripping faucet” or “how to stop a faucet from dripping”, semantic SEO means your blog might rank even if you used “how to fix a leaky faucet” because the content answers the same intent.

Going a bit deep, semantic SEO involves using related terms, answering user questions, and organizing content in a way that makes sense.

Note: Using structured data, FAQs, and topic clusters helps search engines better understand your page.

The Impact of AI on Semantic SEO

Have you heard about generative engine optimization (GEO)? It is an advanced strategy governed by AI. Generative AI in search helps users learn about topics faster, provides new viewpoints and insights, making it easier to complete tasks.

The launch of Google AI Overviews in 2024 changed how information is presented to users and eliminated the need for users to open different websites to look for information. Google AI Overviews provide the most relevant and verified information in a dynamic snippet on top of the search results, with some helpful links.

Now, how does it relate to semantic SEO? Since 2012, Google has gradually transitioned to a new semantic SEO approach to understanding and ranking content, launching four different algorithms.

• Knowledge Graph (2012)
• Hummingbird (2013)
• RankBrain (2015)
• BERT (2019)

BERT was a tremendous leap towards search intent and conversational search, which helped Google better understand the purpose and generate more helpful SERPs. This integration of AI with Google in 2024 transformed semantic SEO completely.

Today, websites must be optimized for Google AI Overviews and generative search to rank their content on top. This new strategy is known as GEO (generative engine optimization).

Here are some more reasons to prioritize semantic SEO:

• It indicates to the search engine that you are an expert in the topic (aligning with its E.E.A.T. guidelines).
• Establishes you as an authority in the field.
• Semantic SEO improves the quality of your content, making it more relevant to the searchers.
• Boosting dwell time on your website.

Note: Planning and implementing semantic SEO can take time, but once it is in effect, it can garner impressive results.

Top 5 Best Semantic SEO Practices

As said, semantic SEO can be challenging to implement. Craig Rosenbaum, Founder of Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, recommends a broader approach:

“Instead of trying to collect a lot of keywords, focus on the topics and keywords in your content. Website owners cannot control what people search for, but can influence what goes into search engine algorithms. Understanding how search engines work can help you achieve better results.”

However, there are some key practices that you can implement to ensure maximum clicks and a spot in the Google AI Overviews.

1. Conduct Semantic Keyword Research
2. Write Quality Content With Semantic Search in Mind
3. Use Special Tools to Optimize Your Content
4. Construct Your Link Internal Structure
5. Leverage Structured Data

1. Conduct Semantic Keyword Research

While keywords are not the chief element here, you must still research semantic keywords. Several elements are a part of semantic keyword research. Here is the action plan:

• Create a list of keywords, including long-tail, LSI, related, etc. While you can use paid tools, such as Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs, there are some free sources that you can use. You can use Google’s Autocomplete, People Also Ask section, and the keywords at the bottom of the search page. Make sure you make a note of long-tail keywords as they are necessary.
• Use keyword clustering, grouping similar or related keywords to a single topic. You can cluster keywords by semantics, intent, and search volume. With keyword clustering, you can use the semantic abilities of Google algorithms and expand your content on a particular topic. That allows you to target multiple keywords per page.

For keyword clustering, you can use the pillar cluster model, content hubs, and topic mapping. The first approach brilliantly organizes content by grouping related subtopics under a central theme. Topic clusters enhance readability and assist search engines in grasping the connections and overall structure of your website’s content.

Content hubs are created to be complete resources. They include a main page that covers the broad topic and supporting pages that look at specific subtopics in detail. These pages link to each other for easy navigation.

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“Another way to cluster keywords is through topic mapping. This method groups pages based on their relatedness. It helps connect topics in a way that makes sense semantically”, said Ivaylo Georgiev, SEO Manager of VPSBG.

All of these models are effective and unique. You can use them to organize your content and avoid keyword cannibalization.

2. Write Quality Content With Semantic Search in Mind

Great keywords should come with great content. When you have a list of keywords, the next step is to create quality content that is not stuffed with keywords but answers the user's queries. Here are some key things to keep in mind:

• Create long-form content that covers every aspect of the topic or pillar keyword. As Surfer SEO points out, content coverage matters in SEO ranking.
• Use proper format with H1s, H2s, H3s, and so on.
• Lists, forms, tables, bulleted lists, etc., are more likely to appear in the AI Overviews.
• Use a strong interlinking structure with contextual anchor texts.
• Improve content with specialized AI tools. Just improve the headers, topics, and sub-headers; don’t write it entirely.

To rank high, your content must match what users are looking for. Focus on the topic rather than just the keywords. Ensure you meet your customers’ needs instead of just adding keywords to your content without purpose.

3. Use Special Tools to Optimize Your Content

There are several content optimization tools that you can use to optimize your content. For example, you can integrate these tools and optimize your content using WordPress. Tools like SE Ranking or Surfer SEO can help improve the semantic writing process and help you succeed against competitors. It can help automate semantic SEO by saving time and money by generating and optimizing text for search.

With the help of AI tools, you can structure and speed up your content creation. AI Writers analyze top competitors to figure out how many words, headings, paragraphs, and images your article should include. Whether you're working on a blog post, product description, or a guide about a photo editor, they provide tips on improving and optimizing your content as you go along. 

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All you need to do is type in your primary keyword or the title of the article or blog, and it will provide you with a list of words, phrases, questions, etc. These can be added to your content to maximize the SEO efforts.

4. Construct Your Link Internal Structure

It is well-established that you cannot include everything related to a topic in one article or blog. Therefore, a strong internal link structure ensures the user finds everything on your website.

Internal links guide users to other website pages where they can read about related content. Ensure your link structure includes a menu, a breadcrumb, and internal link structures within the article.

Contextual anchor texts are the ultimate key to building an internal link structure. The anchor text should provide context to the user instantly. For example, if you write an article on fixing leaky faucets, you can add an internal link to the purchase faucets page using the anchor text “buy new faucets.”

A better internal linking structure will improve your site’s performance for both Google and users. To make good anchors for semantic SEO, ensure that descriptive anchor texts are written and include long-tail keywords to keep them looking natural.

5. Leverage Structured Data

Structured data helps search engines understand your content by presenting it in an organized format. It acts like a label, telling search engines what your content is about, how it functions, and why it matters.

For example, look at the LawRank site. Google’s Knowledge Graph shows basic information about the company, what services it provides, and its leading attorneys. LawRank incorporated structured data to help Google understand what is on its pages.

This extra layer of context makes it easier for your pages to appear in rich results, like featured snippets or knowledge panels. That boosts visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs) and uses structured data markup signals to signal to Google the value and relevance of your content. 

Improving Your Semantic SEO Writing With Best Practices 

Semantic SEO was an underestimated aspect until Google made it special in 2019. Semantic SEO is about understanding what users seek and what valid information is per their search query. Following the mentioned guidelines, you can write quality content with valuable keywords and internal linking.

To rank higher in the Google SERPs with semantic SEO, you must know that it takes time, and you might have to revamp your website content if it is not ranking.