What is the difference between an article that is optimized for search engine optimization (SEO) and a non-SEO optimized article?

The difference between an article that is optimized for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and a non-SEO optimized article lies primarily in how they are crafted and structured, with a focus on visibility in search engines for the SEO-optimized article. Here are the key differences:

1. Keyword Usage:
   • SEO-Optimized: Incorporates relevant keywords throughout the article, especially in the title, headers, and early in the content, based on thorough keyword research.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: May not include targeted keywords or uses them sporadically without a strategic approach.
2. Content Structure:
   • SEO-Optimized: Uses a clear structure with headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs, making it easier for search engines to understand and index.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: Often lacks a structured format, which can make it harder for search engines to crawl and for readers to navigate.
3. Meta Tags:
   • SEO-Optimized: Includes optimized meta titles and descriptions incorporating keywords. These tags are critical for search rankings and click-through rates from search engine results pages.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: Lacks customized meta tags, often leaving them auto-generated or absent, which can negatively impact search visibility.
4. User Engagement:
   • SEO-Optimized: Content is often crafted with user engagement in mind, featuring interactive elements, valuable information, and calls-to-action.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: May not be tailored to engage the reader, lacking clear calls-to-action or engaging elements.
5. Internal and External Linking:
   • SEO-Optimized: Includes strategic internal linking to other relevant content on the site and external links to authoritative sources, which can enhance user experience and credibility.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: Often lacks both internal and external links, missing the opportunity to boost page views and credibility.
6. Content Quality and Relevance:
   • SEO-Optimized: Focuses on high-quality, relevant, and informative content that addresses user intent and queries, which is favored by search engines.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: May not prioritize content relevance or quality, potentially leading to lower engagement and search rankings.
7. Image Optimization:
   • SEO-Optimized: Includes well-optimized images with relevant file names and alt tags.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: Images, if used, may not be optimized for SEO, missing out on potential ranking opportunities.
8. Mobile-Friendliness:
   • SEO-Optimized: Ensures the content is mobile-friendly, considering the growing number of users accessing content via mobile devices.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: May not be optimized for mobile viewing, leading to a poor user experience on mobile devices.
9. Performance Optimization:
   • SEO-Optimized: Often optimized for faster loading times, which is a key ranking factor for search engines.
   • Non-SEO Optimized: May not consider loading speed, which can affect both user experience and search engine rankings.

In summary, an SEO-optimized article is designed with both the user and search engines in mind, following best practices to improve visibility and engagement. In contrast, a non-SEO optimized article may overlook these aspects, resulting in lower search visibility and user engagement.