11 Signs That SEO is Already Helping Your Blog

If you're a blogger or website owner, you know the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in driving traffic to your site. But how do you know if your SEO efforts are actually paying off?

While it can take time to see significant results, there are several signs that indicate your SEO strategy is working.

According to industry experts, there are 11 signs to look out for that suggest your SEO is already helping your blog. These signs include increases in organic traffic, keyword rankings, and backlinks, as well as improvements in engagement metrics like bounce rate and pages per session.

"SEO is an ongoing process, but if you're seeing any of these signs, it's a good indication that you're on the right track," says John Doherty, founder of Credo.

Marieke van de Rakt, CEO of Yoast, adds, "Search engines value user engagement, so higher engagement metrics can help improve your search engine rankings."

In this post, we'll dive deeper into each of these signs and share real-life experiences from successful bloggers who have seen the benefits of SEO firsthand. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of how to measure the success of your SEO efforts and continue to grow your blog's traffic and success.

1. Increased Traffic from Search Engines

One of the most obvious signs that SEO is working for your blog is an increase in traffic from search engines. If you've been optimizing your content for specific keywords, and you see a steady increase in traffic from search engines, it's a good indication that your SEO efforts are paying off. 

According to Neil Patel, founder of Neil Patel Digital, "SEO is all about driving traffic to your site. If you see an increase in traffic from search engines, you're on the right track."

2. Higher Ranking in Search Engine Results

Another sign that your SEO efforts are paying off is a higher ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). The higher your content ranks in search engine results, the more likely it is to be seen and clicked on by users. 

"If you're ranking higher in search engine results, you're doing something right," says Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko. "It means that search engines are recognizing your content as valuable and relevant to users."

3. Increased Click-Through Rates (CTR)

If your content is ranking higher in search engine results, you should also see an increase in click-through rates (CTR). CTR is the percentage of users who click on your content after seeing it in search engine results. 

"If your content is ranking higher in search engine results, but your CTR is low, it may be an indication that your title tags and meta descriptions need to be optimized," says Michael Peggs, founder of Marccx Media.

4. Lower Bounce Rates

Bounce rate refers to the percentage of users who leave your site after only viewing one page. If your content is optimized for search engines, you should see a lower bounce rate, as users will find your content more relevant and engaging.

"Lower bounce rates are a sign that users are finding what they're looking for on your site," says Matthew Barby, Global Head of Growth and SEO at HubSpot.

5. Increased Social Shares

While social media shares don't directly impact search engine rankings, they can help drive more traffic to your site and increase your online visibility. 

"Social shares are a good indication that your content is resonating with your audience," says Rand Fishkin, founder of Moz. "If your content is being shared on social media, it means that people find it valuable and are willing to share it with their own followers."

6. Higher Domain Authority

Domain authority (DA) is a score that predicts how well a website will rank in search engine results. The higher your DA score, the more likely it is that your content will rank well in search engine results. 

"Higher domain authority means that search engines trust your site and see it as a valuable resource for users," says Cyrus Shepard, founder of Zyppy.

7. Increased Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely it is that your content will rank well in search engine results.

"Backlinks are one of the most important factors in SEO," says Aleyda Solis, founder of Orainti. "If you see an increase in backlinks to your site, it's a good indication that your content is valuable and relevant to your audience."

8. Higher Engagement Metrics

Engagement metrics, such as time on page and pages per session, are also a good indication that your SEO efforts are paying off.

"If users are spending more time on your site and viewing more pages, it means that your content is engaging and valuable to them," says Marieke van de Rakt, CEO of Yoast. "Search engines value user engagement, so higher engagement metrics can help improve your search engine rankings."

9. Improved User Experience

SEO and user experience (UX) go hand in hand. A well-optimized site should also provide a positive user experience, with fast load times, easy navigation, and high-quality content.

"Improving your site's user experience can also improve your search engine rankings," says Kristina Azarenko, founder of MarketingSyrup. "If users have a good experience on your site, they're more likely to stay longer, engage with your content, and return in the future."

10. Increased Conversions

While SEO primarily focuses on driving traffic to your site, it can also help improve your conversion rates. 

"SEO can help you attract more qualified traffic to your site, which can lead to more conversions," says John Doherty, founder of Credo. "If you see an increase in conversions, it's a good indication that your SEO efforts are paying off."

11. Positive Feedback from Users

Last but not least, positive feedback from your users is a good sign that your SEO efforts are paying off. 

"If users are leaving positive comments on your content, sharing it on social media, or reaching out to you with questions or feedback, it's a good indication that your content is valuable and relevant to them," says Sam Oh, director of marketing at Ahrefs. "Positive feedback can also help improve your online reputation and attract even more traffic to your site."

Real-Life Experiences

To illustrate these signs in action, I spoke with several bloggers who have experienced the benefits of SEO firsthand.

Dustin Thompson, founder of Fitness Junkie, says that after implementing an SEO strategy, he saw a 120% increase in organic traffic to his site. 

"I started focusing on long-tail keywords and creating high-quality content that answered specific questions that my audience was searching for," he says. "As a result, my content started ranking higher in search engine results, and I saw a significant increase in traffic from search engines."

Maggie Aland, founder of Fit Small Business, says that optimizing her site for local search helped her attract more qualified traffic to her site.

"We started targeting specific cities and neighborhoods in our content, and optimized our site for local keywords," she says. "As a result, we saw an increase in traffic from users in our target areas, and our conversion rates improved."

Katie Lance, founder of Katie Lance Consulting, says that focusing on user experience and engagement helped her improve her search engine rankings.

"We optimized our site for mobile users, improved our site speed, and focused on creating engaging content that kept users on our site longer," she says. "As a result, our search engine rankings improved, and we saw an increase in traffic, engagement, and conversions."

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're seeing any of these signs, it's a good indication that your SEO efforts are paying off. While SEO is a long-term strategy that requires ongoing effort, these signs can help you measure your progress and stay on track.

By focusing on creating high-quality content, optimizing your site for search engines and users, and building a strong online presence, you can attract more traffic to your site, improve your search engine rankings, and ultimately grow your blog's results.