{"id":11476,"date":"2024-10-31T15:50:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T15:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/"},"modified":"2024-10-31T15:50:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T15:50:01","slug":"quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality SEO Content: The QRIES Approach for Better Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Quality SEO content keeps readers glued to the page.<\/p>\n<p>The key?<\/p>\n<p>Producing content that satisfies both search intent and user experience.<\/p>\n<p>But most SEO content fails to do this. The focus is on on-page optimizations while ignoring what actually keeps readers engaged.<\/p>\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to use my QRIES framework to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create content that naturally aligns with Google\u2019s quality standards<\/li>\n<li>Build authority that naturally attracts backlinks<\/li>\n<li>Scale quality content production<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>First, a refresher on how Google assesses content quality.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#How_Google_Probably_Evaluates_Content_Quality\" >How Google (Probably) Evaluates Content Quality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#How_to_Use_the_QRIES_Framework_to_Create_Quality_SEO_Content\" >How to Use the QRIES Framework to Create Quality SEO Content<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#Q_Use_Expert_Quotes_in_Your_Content\" >Q: Use Expert Quotes in Your Content<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#R_Base_Your_Information_on_Research\" >R: Base Your Information on Research<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#I_Use_Engaging_Images_and_Other_Visuals\" >I: Use Engaging Images and Other Visuals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#E_Add_Examples_and_Storytelling\" >E: Add Examples and Storytelling<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#S_Back_Up_Your_Claims_with_Statistics\" >S: Back Up Your Claims with Statistics<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/quality-seo-content-the-qries-approach-for-better-rankings\/#Grow_Your_Online_Presence_with_Quality_SEO_Content\" >Grow Your Online Presence with Quality SEO Content<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Google_Probably_Evaluates_Content_Quality\"><\/span>How Google (Probably) Evaluates Content Quality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Google can see which content holds visitors by tracking <a title=\"User Behavior and SEO: A Deep Dive\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/user-behavior-and-seo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">user behavior<\/a>. That means Google knows how long visitors stay on a page, how much they scroll, and whether they explore more of the site.<\/p>\n<p>When users do these things, it suggests the content successfully holds their attention. And when that happens, it can act as a signal to Google that the content is relevant and helpful.<\/p>\n<p>This in turn can lead to higher rankings, more traffic, and more conversions.<\/p>\n<p>But how do you create content that users love and want to consume more of?<\/p>\n<p>For starters, we can use Google\u2019s <a title=\"Google E-E-A-T: How to Create People-First Content (+ Free Audit)\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/google-e-e-a-t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">E-E-A-T<\/a> guidelines to point us in the right direction. E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness\" alt=\"Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.73285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/trust.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>While not a specific <a title=\"Google\u2019s 200 Ranking Factors: The Complete List\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/google-ranking-factors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ranking factor<\/a> (and not the only thing to consider when creating high-quality content), <a title=\"Creating Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content | Google...\" href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/search\/docs\/fundamentals\/creating-helpful-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google uses E-E-A-T<\/a> as a framework to evaluate content quality.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s quickly go over these guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Experience<\/strong> means the content should be created by someone who truly understands the topic firsthand<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expertise<\/strong> means the creator should be a subject matter expert with in-depth knowledge of the topic<\/li>\n<li><strong>Authoritativeness<\/strong> reflects the reputation and credibility of the source (creator or website)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trustworthiness<\/strong> assesses whether the information is reliable and accurate and whether the website is safe and reputable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When users find expert information and feel confident that it\u2019s accurate, they\u2019re more likely to trust it (and the website it\u2019s on).<\/p>\n<p>And the more they trust the content, the more time they spend consuming it. As people usually want to hear what real experts have to say.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, it\u2019s a cycle.<\/p>\n<p>The more your content aligns with Google\u2019s quality guidelines, the more it\u2019s likely to satisfy users. And the more it does that, the more likely you are to rank high in the search engine results pages (<a title=\"What Are SERPs &amp; Why Are They Important for SEO?\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/serps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SERPs<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Use_the_QRIES_Framework_to_Create_Quality_SEO_Content\"><\/span>How to Use the QRIES Framework to Create Quality SEO Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While E-E-A-T tells you <strong>what<\/strong> you need to have in each article to rank well, QRIES tells you <strong>how<\/strong> to do it.<\/p>\n<p>Think of QRIES as E-E-A-T in practice, because it translates the vague quality guidelines into a more applicable checklist.<\/p>\n<p>QRIES stands for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Q<\/strong>uotes<\/li>\n<li><strong>R<\/strong>esearch<\/li>\n<li><strong>I<\/strong>mages<\/li>\n<li><strong>E<\/strong>xamples<\/li>\n<li><strong>S<\/strong>tatistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This framework helps standardize content quality. And it makes it easier for writers to remember which elements every piece of content needs to contain.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"QRIES\" alt=\"QRIES\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.43571428571429\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/qries.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Let\u2019s discuss how you can follow this framework to create better-quality <a title=\"SEO Content: Complete Beginner&#039;s Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/seo-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEO content<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Use_Expert_Quotes_in_Your_Content\"><\/span>Q: Use Expert Quotes in Your Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By integrating expert voices into your content, you not only align it with E-E-A-T guidelines. But you also create a more engaging experience for your audience.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Jon Taffer \u2013 Statement\" alt=\"Jon Taffer \u2013 Statement\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.74923076923077\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/jon-taffer-statement.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>For starters, you\u2019re signaling to Google that your information is authoritative and trustworthy. After all, it\u2019s backed by credible voices.<\/p>\n<p>This also gives the impression that the content is well-researched and that you considered multiple perspectives. Readers don\u2019t have to take just your word for it, because now you have other relevant people agreeing with your statements.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, expert quotes can break up dense content sections. Making them more interesting and easier to read.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Backlinko \u2013 How to rank youtube videos \u2013 Expert quotes\" alt=\"Backlinko \u2013 How to rank youtube videos \u2013 Expert quotes\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.92857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/backlinko-how-to-rank-youtube-videos-expert-quotes.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>So they also play a role in content user experience (UX), providing visual breaks and keeping your reader\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n<p>There are two primary ways to source expert quotes:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Conducting interviews<\/li>\n<li>Finding existing material online<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>While interviews can give you unique insights and tailor-made responses, they\u2019re often time-consuming and difficult to scale. Especially if you\u2019re working on a large volume of content.<\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s a way to compromise between doing 1:1 interviews and searching for existing quotes on the internet.<\/p>\n<p>How?<\/p>\n<p>By using platforms that specialize in connecting content creators with subject matter experts (SMEs).<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays, there are plenty of such platforms, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"Leaps\" href=\"https:\/\/leapshq.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leaps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Featured: Connecting Publishers with Subject Matter Experts\" href=\"https:\/\/featured.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Featured<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Connectively\" href=\"https:\/\/www.connectively.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Connectively<\/a> (formerly HARO)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They can be useful and help you scale getting SME insights\u2014but use them with caution.<\/p>\n<p>These platforms also tend to be (over)used by marketing teams, not providing you access to the experts themselves.<\/p>\n<p>So you might get a lot of responses for your question, but you\u2019ll have to sift through the noise to find a handful of <strong>truly valuable<\/strong> insights from real experts.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Quoted experts in article\" alt=\"Quoted experts in article\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.66714285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/quoted-experts-in-article.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>That\u2019s why using snippets from previously published expert interviews as quotes is a more scalable and effective approach.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, you simply leverage material already shared publicly, tapping into expert opinions without having to conduct the interviews yourself.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s precisely the approach we use a lot at our agency because it\u2019s easy, fast, and scalable.<\/p>\n<p>Industry magazines are a great place to start finding these quotes, as they often feature interviews with top professionals.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Procurement Magazine \u2013 Interviews\" alt=\"Procurement Magazine \u2013 Interviews\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.69571428571429\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/procurementmag-interviews.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>You can also find experts sharing their opinions on social media, especially on LinkedIn or Twitter.<\/p>\n<p>But if you want to take things a step further, try podcasts and YouTube videos.<\/p>\n<p>Many experts speak at length on relevant issues in these formats, offering you a treasure trove of potential quotes you can integrate into your content. (And your competitors are less likely to be taking the time to find these kinds of quotes.)<\/p>\n<p>No matter how you find your quotes, just make sure to properly attribute these sources to maintain credibility.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Shakebugs \u2013 Expert quote\" alt=\"Shakebugs \u2013 Expert quote\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.75846153846154\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shakebugs-expert-quote.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Overall, using expert quotes adds another layer of insight to your content.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of just hearing one voice (yours), readers benefit from the knowledge and perspectives of various relevant figures in the field.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"R_Base_Your_Information_on_Research\"><\/span>R: Base Your Information on Research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Without in-depth research, you can\u2019t provide accurate information. Especially if you don\u2019t know the topic inside out.<\/p>\n<p>Only through extensive research will you get a full picture of the subject matter. Then, your article will stand out from the rest because it doesn\u2019t just scratch the surface of the topic.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, it goes deeper and offers nuggets of useful information not available elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>When you do that, you satisfy both the Expertise and Trust portions of the E-E-A-T guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>To become good at research, understand that there are two main types: fast and slow.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing when to apply each method will save you plenty of time and lead to better results.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Fast vs Slow Research\" alt=\"Fast vs Slow Research\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.59285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/fast-vs-slow-research.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>When you first start getting to know a new topic, use fast research. This is a surface-level method, where you\u2019re opening multiple tabs and scanning the content quickly to identify the pages with the most useful information.<\/p>\n<p>Basically, you\u2019re sifting through dirt to find nuggets of gold. And there will likely be a lot of dirt.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve identified a few high-quality sources worth exploring further, dive deeper into them (with slow research), reading carefully to extract valuable insights.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s how you cover more ground without feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n<p>But don\u2019t limit yourself to one format of research materials.<\/p>\n<p>Reading blog posts should be just the first step\u2014look for interviews, watch relevant YouTube videos, and, if possible, read books on the subject.<\/p>\n<p>Shallow research leads to shallow content, which readers (and Google) will quickly notice. This type of thorough research gives your content a richness that generic posts can\u2019t match.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-quote alert blue-box font-georgia type-normal transparent-img-bg\">\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-sm-down\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">        <\/figure>\n<div class=\"media-body\">\n<blockquote class=\"sc-quote\">\n<p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> To be able to create well-researched content, apply the 80:20 rule.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"media\">\n<figure class=\"sc-picture media-left hidden-md-up\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/06\/icon-tip.png\" alt=\"| Craig Hordlow\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"| Craig Hordlow\">                <\/figure>\n<p>                                <cite class=\"sc-name media-body media-middle\"><br \/>\n                                    <\/cite>\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Spend 80% of your time diving deep into the subject and only 20% on the actual writing.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Writing vs Research\" alt=\"Writing vs Research\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.52857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/writing-vs-research.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Many think writing is the harder part, but it\u2019s often the opposite.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Because when you\u2019ve thoroughly researched and understood the topic, then writing becomes faster and easier.<\/p>\n<p>You have all the information already in your head (or in your notes). At that point, it\u2019s just a matter of how quickly you can type and organize it.<\/p>\n<p>But words aren\u2019t the only component of high-quality content.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_Use_Engaging_Images_and_Other_Visuals\"><\/span>I: Use Engaging Images and Other Visuals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many blog posts written by subject matter experts don\u2019t rank well on Google despite being full of valuable insights. (And despite seemingly ticking the E-E-A-T boxes.)<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Because quality isn\u2019t just about the information itself. It\u2019s also about <strong>how you present the information<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__visual-chart backlinko-image\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Ranking Threshold\" alt=\"Ranking Threshold\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.66142857142857\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/ranking-threshold.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>You could have the most insightful piece in the world. But if you deliver the information in a dry manner that fails to engage users, they won\u2019t stay with it for long.<\/p>\n<p>The bottom line: how you present, lay out, and word the content is often just as critical as the knowledge you share.<\/p>\n<p>And that is exactly where images can help you out.<\/p>\n<p>They don\u2019t just help people remember things more effectively\u2014they also grab attention and offer mental breaks from reading long-form content. Making a piece of content much more digestible.<\/p>\n<p>Images can encourage readers to spend more time on the page, boosting your engagement metrics and potentially leading to <a title=\"Conversion Rate Optimization: The Definitive Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/conversion-rate-optimization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">higher conversion rates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, this only happens when the images <strong>truly add value to the content<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a big difference between contextual visuals and purely aesthetic or decorative ones.<\/p>\n<p>To unlock the true potential of images, make sure they complement the text and show what you\u2019ve written about in action, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Charts to explain data<\/li>\n<li>Diagrams to break down complex ideas<\/li>\n<li>Screenshots to demonstrate how a tool works<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Backlinko \u2013 Scale content \u2013 Chart &amp; screenshot\" alt=\"Backlinko \u2013 Scale content \u2013 Chart &amp; screenshot\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.3085714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/backlinko-scale-content-chart-and-screenshot.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Stock photos that are only loosely related to the topic might look nice. But they typically fail to improve the reader\u2019s understanding of the topic.<\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t need professional designers to level up your content with custom visuals. You can just use pre-made templates, tweak the colors and fonts to match your brand, and rearrange the elements as needed.<\/p>\n<p>You can do this with a tool like Canva.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Canva \u2013 Custom visuals\" alt=\"Canva \u2013 Custom visuals\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.60857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/canva-custom-visuals.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>But image creation is only part of the equation: <strong>placement matters too<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Good places to include images and graphics include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Within large sections of text to break up the paragraphs<\/li>\n<li>Following a step in a process to show how it\u2019s done<\/li>\n<li>When you\u2019re discussing examples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By doing this, you\u2019ll provide natural visual breaks for readers and help them process the information better.<\/p>\n<p>(Like we have done in this blog post.)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"E_Add_Examples_and_Storytelling\"><\/span>E: Add Examples and Storytelling<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the most powerful ways to improve the quality of your SEO content is by incorporating real-world examples and storytelling.<\/p>\n<p>When you weave facts into a story or connect them to a practical use case, you create something more memorable and engaging for the reader. (Even better if it\u2019s an example or story from your own experience.)<\/p>\n<p>This can increase the time users spend on the page (or <a title=\"Dwell Time in SEO: Key to Ranking Success\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/dwell-time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dwell time<\/a>). And it also makes the information stick.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Facts in practical use case\" alt=\"Facts in practical use case\" data-aspect-ratio=\"1.4514285714286\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/facts-in-practical-use-case.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>This approach allows readers to see how the information fits into their world, making it easier for them to connect emotionally with what you\u2019re saying. (And to understand why it\u2019s useful for them to know.)<\/p>\n<p>Stories rooted in real-world examples demonstrate credibility because they show the concepts that you\u2019re discussing are grounded in reality and have been applied in real scenarios.<\/p>\n<p>Bonus points if you\u2019ve applied them in your own life or work.<\/p>\n<p>And that perfectly aligns with Google\u2019s E-E-A-T guidelines. In particular, the all-important Trust part.<\/p>\n<p>So, where do you find these stories?<\/p>\n<p>With a bit of research, you can uncover compelling stories anywhere. From news articles and interviews to social media posts and podcasts.<\/p>\n<p>When using Google, add \u201cexamples,\u201d \u201ccase studies,\u201d \u201chorror stories,\u201d or success stories\u201d to your search queries to find those stories.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Google SERP \u2013 Digital marketing \u201csuccess stories\u201d\" alt='Google SERP \u2013 Digital marketing \"success stories\"' data-aspect-ratio=\"0.97\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/google-serp-digital-marketing-success-stories.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Learning how to find stories quickly lets you apply this strategy at scale. Making your content richer and more engaging without significantly increasing your production time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"S_Back_Up_Your_Claims_with_Statistics\"><\/span>S: Back Up Your Claims with Statistics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While storytelling is powerful, data plays an equally important role in making your content high-quality.<\/p>\n<p>When you support your claims with statistics, you transform vague assertions into verifiable facts. Which adds credibility to your message.<\/p>\n<p>Both readers and search engines appreciate that.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, just by linking to authoritative and relevant websites, you\u2019re signaling to users and Google that your content is well-researched and reliable. This is crucial for demonstrating your content\u2019s alignment with E-E-A-T guidelines.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Link to authoritative websites\" alt=\"Link to authoritative websites\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.62461538461538\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/linki-to-authoritative-websites.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>Statistics also offer a secondary benefit: you can easily transform them into visuals.<\/p>\n<p>Below is an example that presents the fact, then supports it with a statistic. Then, the author turned the numbers into a graph to reinforce the point visually.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Facts &amp; statistic graph\" alt=\"Facts &amp; statistic graph\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.78285714285714\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/facts-and-statistic-graph.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>And here\u2019s the best part: other people love citing data-rich content. Which means you can attract <a title=\"What Are Backlinks in SEO? &amp; Why You Need Them\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/seo\/backlinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">backlinks<\/a> organically, without actively trying to build them.<\/p>\n<p>We can see an example of that below, where one of our clients\u2019 sites picked up a lot of backlinks for various different statistics within the same piece of content:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"backlinko-image__screenshot backlinko-image backlinko-has-border\">\n<div class=\"backlinko-img-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Backlink Analytics \u2013 Gocodes \u2013 Backlinks\" alt=\"Backlink Analytics \u2013 Gocodes \u2013 Backlinks\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.79857142857143\" src=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/backlink-analytics-gocodes-backlinks.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><\/figure>\n<p>In the end, this creates a snowball effect: your content becomes more credible with data, more engaging with data visualizations, and starts earning more backlinks.<\/p>\n<p>This can lead to higher rankings, and the cycle continues.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Grow_Your_Online_Presence_with_Quality_SEO_Content\"><\/span>Grow Your Online Presence with Quality SEO Content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can start applying the QRIES framework to any piece of content to improve its SEO and overall quality.<\/p>\n<p>But putting it all together still requires great writing skills.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our <a title=\"Content Writing 101: How to Create High-Quality Content\" href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/hub\/content\/writing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to content writing<\/a> to find out how to blend what you\u2019ve learned here with writing that engages and converts.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/quality-seo-content\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quality SEO Content: The QRIES Approach for Better Rankings<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/backlinko.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Backlinko<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quality SEO content keeps readers glued to the page. The key? Producing content that satisfies both search intent and user experience. But most SEO content fails to do this. The focus is on on-page optimizations while ignoring what actually keeps readers engaged. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to use my QRIES framework to: Create content that naturally aligns with Google\u2019s quality standards Build authority that naturally attracts backlinks Scale quality content production First, a refresher on how Google assesses content quality. How Google (Probably) Evaluates [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":11477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backlinko","category-marketing-blogs"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/trust-MdGNWv-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/trust-MdGNWv-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/author\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11476"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11476\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/craighordlow.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}