Free SEO Content Grader

SEO content analysis is the practice of systematically evaluating your web pages against the on-page factors that drive search rankings. A thorough content analysis — and the content SEO score it produces — reveals exactly where your pages excel and where they fall short. Whether you use an SEO content checker like ours or audit manually, on-page optimization is entirely in your control and directly influences how search engines understand and rank your content.

Title tags: your strongest on-page signal

Title tags remain one of Google's most important ranking signals. They are often the first thing both users and search engines see, making them critical for both rankings and click-through rates.

Avoid keyword stuffing in titles — Google rewrites 76% of title tags, and stuffed ones are primary targets for rewriting. A well-crafted, natural title that clearly communicates the page's value will outperform a keyword-packed one every time.

Heading structure and hierarchy

Use a single H1 per page that clearly describes the page's primary topic. Follow proper hierarchy: H1 to H2 to H3 — never skip levels. Include target keywords naturally in H2s. Use H2s to break content into scannable sections every 200-300 words.

In 2026, 88% of searches have informational intent and users scan rather than read linearly. Clear headings help both users and search engines understand your content structure. A logical heading hierarchy also improves accessibility for screen readers, which contributes to better overall user experience signals.

• Single H1: One per page, matching the primary topic and keyword
• Descriptive H2s: Break content into logical sections that mirror user intent
• Supporting H3s: Add depth within sections without creating content overload
• Never skip levels: Going from H2 directly to H4 confuses both users and crawlers

Content depth and quality signals

Quality content is the #1 ranking factor in 2026. Top-ranking pages average 1,447 words (Backlinko). However, more important than length is comprehensive topic coverage, original insights, and E-E-A-T signals — experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

Include statistics, examples, and actionable advice throughout your content. Thin content with generic information will be outranked by deeper, more authoritative pages. Engagement signals now contribute 20-23% of ranking influence, so content that keeps users reading and interacting directly impacts your rankings.

Internal linking strategy

Internal links help search engines discover and understand your content hierarchy. Link to relevant pages using descriptive anchor text — not generic phrases like "click here" or "read more." Create topic clusters with pillar pages linking to supporting content.

Aim for 3-5 internal links per 1,000 words. Internal linking improves crawlability, distributes page authority across your site, and keeps users engaged longer. Pages with strong internal link structures rank higher because search engines can better understand topical relationships and content importance.

• Descriptive anchor text: Use keyword-rich, natural phrases that describe the linked page
• Topic clusters: Link pillar pages to supporting content and vice versa
• Contextual placement: Add links where they naturally fit within the content flow
• Fix broken links: Regularly audit for 404 errors that waste crawl budget

Image optimization

Every image needs descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO. Compress images for faster loading — unoptimized images are the #1 cause of slow page loads. Use descriptive file names (not IMG_1234.jpg) and include relevant keywords naturally in alt text.

Core Web Vitals (page speed, visual stability) matter for ranking. Consider next-gen formats like WebP for significantly smaller file sizes without quality loss. Large, uncompressed images directly hurt your Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) score, which is a key ranking signal.

• Alt text: Descriptive, keyword-relevant, and accessible for screen readers
• File names: Use descriptive names like "seo-content-grader-results.webp"
• Compression: Optimize file size without sacrificing visual quality
• Lazy loading: Defer offscreen images to improve initial page load
• WebP format: 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEG/PNG files

Structured data for rich results

Implement Schema.org markup using JSON-LD format. Common types include Article, FAQ, HowTo, Product, and Review. Rich results can boost CTR by 20-30%, giving you a significant edge in search results.

Validate markup with Google's Rich Results Test. Structured data doesn't directly improve rankings but increases click-through rates and helps Google understand your content. In an era of AI Overviews and zero-click searches, rich results are more important than ever for maintaining organic traffic.