How to Optimize Blog Posts Using Surfer SEO
If you’re writing content without using data-driven tools, you’re leaving traffic (and revenue) on the table. Surfer SEO is one of the most powerful tools to optimize blog content for search engines without guessing what Google wants.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Surfer SEO to make your blog posts rank better, faster.
✅ What is Surfer SEO?
Surfer SEO is a cloud-based on-page SEO tool that analyzes the top-ranking pages for a keyword and tells you how to structure and optimize your content accordingly. It uses data from SERPs to generate a real-time Content Score — giving you a clear benchmark for content quality.
🚀 Step-by-Step: How to Optimize a Blog Post with Surfer SEO
1. Open the Content Editor
Start by entering your target keyword into Surfer’s Content Editor. Surfer will pull real-time data from the top 10–20 pages ranking for that term.
Surfer will analyze:
Example: Let’s say your keyword is “best email marketing tools.“
- Word count
- Keyword density
- NLP terms
- Headings (H1–H6)
- Images and paragraphs
2. Review the Content Guidelines
Once the editor loads, you’ll get a list of SEO guidelines:
- Content Score: Aim for 70+ for optimized content
- Recommended word count: Based on competitors
- Primary and secondary keywords: Must-use terms
- NLP terms: Machine-learned keywords from Google’s ranking model
3. Write or Paste Your Blog Content
Paste your draft or write directly inside the editor. Surfer updates your Content Score in real time as you:
- Add keywords
- Write relevant headings
- Increase paragraph count
- Include recommended terms
The editor highlights keywords in green when they’re properly used.
4. Optimize Headings and Structure
Surfer also suggests the best structure:
- Use 4–7 H2s
- Include keywords in at least 2 subheadings
- Ensure your intro is concise and relevant
5. Adjust Word Count & Paragraphs
Surfer recommends word count ranges based on top-performing content. If competitors are writing 1,800–2,300 words — you should be in that range too.
Also:
- Break long paragraphs
- Use bullet points where possible
- Add visuals or data (if needed)
6. Include All NLP & Secondary Keywords
These keywords help your article cover the topic comprehensively.
Pro Tip: Hover over any NLP term to see how often to use it and where (title, H2, body).”
7. Recheck Content Score
Keep refining your draft until your Content Score is 70+.
Green = Good, Yellow = Average, Red = Needs Work
🧠 Real Example
Before using Surfer:
- Word count: 1,200
- Keywords: 4 included
- Ranking: Page 3 for primary keyword
After Surfer optimization:
- Word count: 2,100
- NLP terms used: 22/25
- Ranking: Moved to Page 1 (Position #5 in 3 weeks)
🎯 Bonus: Integrate with Google Docs or WordPress
Use the Surfer Chrome extension to optimize content inside Google Docs
Use the Surfer WordPress plugin to publish SEO-optimized posts directly
🔥 Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about SEO, Surfer SEO should be part of your workflow. It removes the guesswork and replaces it with data — helping you create content that Google and readers love.