How to update old blog posts for freshness?

Find handy ideas and tips on how to update old blog posts.  Doing so is crucial for information freshness.  There are gains from doing so, that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Access my list of tried and tested blogging tools!

I’ve been blogging for 7 years now.  While I publish only 1 new article a week, I value updating older ones monthly.  The result is positive, compared to if I neglect doing so.

In my article, I’ll highlight how to update old blog posts first.  I’ll then come to the benefits it brings.  You’ll also find examples to illustrate the ideas and tips.

Every blogger is concerned or should be.  I’ve heard of those who never bother refreshing their work.  If you’re a new blogger, you might not have much to do yet.  However, the need will arise, sooner or later.  If you’re an advanced blogger with hundreds or thousands of posts, you might have to work harder (and smarter).

How to update old blog posts

Refresh your content to keep it relevant. Below, I’ll list the simple steps. This is easy but can take time, especially if you have a lot to work on.

Steps:

• Audit your content
• Identify update needs
• Fresh information
• SEO optimization
• Repurpose and promote
• Monitor content performance

Audit your content

Examine your articles and note how they perform over time.  Notice if you have any that used to drive organic traffic, but has declined.  These could be important ones to prioritize and work on first.

I use Google Search Console to find such declines.  If a certain post used to drive good traffic regularly, but no longer performs well, it needs attention.  I focus on such posts first, before moving to others.

Identify update needs

Once you’ve chosen which content to update, identify what it needs.  Audit the piece of content to find what it lacks.  Find how it can be improved.

I check for obsolete info, outdated images, broken links, and new keywords that I can add.  There are also other things that I might come across while scrutinizing my post.  I list what needs improvement before taking action.

Fresh information

Update any obsolete facts.  If images are outdated, change them.  Check links, especially outbound ones that lead to other sites.  These may have been removed from the source.  If you internally link to informative posts, ensure they’re still relevant.

No one needs outdated content, and it hurts your content creation business or side hustle.  Readers will notice and leave your site.  Email subscribers and social media followers also won’t appreciate it.

SEO optimization

Search Engine Optimization isn’t just about Google.  It’s about optimizing for all channels.   Consider Bing, other search engines, and even chatbots.  Don’t forget that people even search on social media.  If you’re puzzled as to how relevant SEO is, read my other post to see how it still matters.

Big brands normally have the resources to be present on all platforms.  When it comes to individual content creators, there’s a risk of burnout that you should avoid.  I’m selective about where I post on social media while prioritizing my site as my main platform.

Repurpose and promote

After updating your chosen piece of content, remember to promote it on the right platforms.  Your audience needs to be there and at the right time.  Publish when your social media followers are most active.  Send emails when your subscribers show up the most.

I focus on my articles, as I’m primarily a blogger.  Social media is secondary, yet important.  Email is crucial, as it provides better control over my communications, compared to social media algorithms.  

Find my recommended tools.

Web Hosting, platforms, email marketing, online learning, SEO, productivity tools, and more.

Monitor content performance

Use insights to spot any drops in engagement.  Find out which posts performed best, and why.  

Try to repeat what worked before.  Also, avoid what didn’t bring the desired results.  Platform stats are a powerful tool that you should take advantage of.  They guide you in understanding what your readers and followers need.

Key benefits of fresh content 

There are numerous reasons for updating your old articles.  The gains are worth it if done properly.  Ensure the best experience for your readers.  

Benefits: 

• Good for SEO
• More relevant keywords
• Replace broken links 
• Better UX
• Better readability
• New images and videos 
• Avoid content decay
• Increased content quality 

Optimize for SEO, adding new and better keywords.  I often take a look at Google Search Console for ideas.  For example, if my article drives traffic for a search term that it doesn’t include, I add it.

Audit for any broken links.  This is the perfect opportunity to replace any that you find.  Doing so benefits UX, as user experience is crucial for the good time spent on your site.

Seize the opportunity to improve readability.  Find if you can add bullet points.  If you’ve introduced new stats, inserting a table could be helpful.

Replace or add better images.  These could be decorative, or even illustrative graphs.  Adding videos can further illustrate your points.  

Avoid content decay, by ensuring relevance.  No one wants to read outdated info.  It supports better site visibility as well.

All the benefits also improve content quality.  Together, they support UX and your content creation success.  Take some time and work on fresher content.

How often to update blog posts

The niche you’re into might indicate how quickly your content needs updating.  For example, my self-improvement niche for bloggers and digital solopreneurs doesn’t change very often.  I mainly share evergreen content, as it suits my niche.   

There’s no hard and fast rule for the frequency of refreshing content.  However, your facts should be relevant.  In some niches, you need to update more often than others.  If you’re into a very trendy niche or technology, you’ll need to refresh your content regularly.

As I already pointed out in my post, for example, technology niches need more updating.  Another example is digital marketing.  When things change all the time, it’s misleading to provide stale facts.

When refreshing content, it’s best to ensure that the changes are substantial.  For example, superficial edits might not be worthwhile.  Genuine changes are more likely to bring true benefits.

Conclusion 

Use these tips and ideas on how to update blog posts, if you aren’t doing so already.  The benefits are numerous when done properly.  Seize the opportunity to improve the site experience of your readers.

Level up your blogging with great tools that I use.