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SEO Secrets: How Media Professionals Can Make Their Blog Posts Rank High
By Chidinma Enemanna
You’ve spent hours researching, writing, and editing your blog post. You’ve even sprinkled in a few catchy headlines and optimised your images, hoping to make your blog post stand out on Google. But it’s still stuck on page 10 of the search results.
Chidinma Enemanna
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there — pouring our hearts (and maybe a bit of coffee) into writing a killer blog post, only to watch it languish on page 10 of Google’s search results.
Why isn’t your blog ranking? And more importantly, how do you fix it?
In this article, I’ll walk you through the most common reasons your blog isn’t ranking and, more importantly, how to fix it.
1. Use the Right Keywords
Firstly, let’s talk about keywords. You might think that writing great content is enough to get you ranked on Google, but here’s the deal: Google needs to know what your blog is about. And how does Google figure that out? By looking at your keywords. It’s not just about choosing any random word that seems relevant. Google’s algorithms are highly sophisticated, and they can tell when you’ve picked the wrong keywords.
I learned this the hard way. I once wrote a post about “Why Small Businesses Should Use Social Media.” The content was solid, but I didn’t do enough research on the keywords. I used phrases I thought sounded good, but weren’t terms people were searching for. As a result, my post went nowhere. A quick check using tools like SEMrush revealed that the term social media for small businesses was searched far more often, and that’s the keyword I should have targeted. Lesson learned.
To fix this, you need to do proper keyword research. Tools like Ahrefs, Google Keyword Planner, and Ubersuggest can help you identify your topic’s most popular and relevant keywords.
2. Go In-Depth When Writing
Google’s algorithms aren’t just about keywords; they evaluate the depth of your content. If your blog post is too short, say, 300 words or less, it’s not giving Google enough information to rank it appropriately.
Google prefers longer, in-depth content because it tends to be more comprehensive and valuable to readers. When someone searches for something, they want more than just a quick answer; they want detailed, insightful content that covers the topic entirely.
I remember my early years as a writer; I was excited to churn out content of about 400 words. After weeks, I checked Google, and my posts were nowhere to be found on the first page. I did some quick research and realised that the top-ranking posts were over 1,500 words, packed with detailed information, helpful tips, and real-life examples. Mine was a snack compared to their full-course meal.
To fix this, aim for 1,500+ words per blog post. But don’t just aim for word count, focus on creating quality content that thoroughly covers the topic. Use subheadings to break up your content, include relevant statistics, and provide valuable insights to help your readers. And don’t forget to update older posts. Google loves fresh content, and updating an old post with new information can give it a boost. Additionally, tools like SurferSEO can help you with typical word count ranges for your blog compared to competitors.
3. Do Not Ignore The Power of Backlinks
Did you know that Google’s love language is backlinks? These are links from other websites that point to your content. Google uses backlinks as a signal that your content is trustworthy and authoritative. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely Google is to push your content up the search results. In other words, backlinks are one of Google’s top-ranking factors.
I used to ignore backlinks until I noticed that the top-ranked blogs had dozens (sometimes hundreds) of backlinks pointing to them. I realised that getting backlinks was just as important as writing great content. So, a friend advised me to start building quality backlinks by reaching out to industry influencers, guest blogging, and getting featured in expert roundups. And guess what? My traffic shot up by 40% in just a few months.
According to Ahrefs SEO Statistics, there’s a positive correlation between the number of websites linking to a page and its search traffic, as pages with more backlinks consistently rank higher than those without.
4. Your Site’s Speed Shouldn’t Be Slower Than a Snail on Vacation
No one likes waiting for a web page to load, and Google is no different. If your site is slow, Google won’t rank it well. Page speed is an official ranking factor. Google wants to provide users with the best experience possible, and a slow site doesn’t cut it.
According to Google, 53% of mobile users will leave a website if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. So, getting your site to load quickly isn’t just important for SEO, it’s crucial for keeping visitors on your page.
I once had a client whose website took an average of 11 seconds to load. I ran a speed test using Google’s PageSpeed Insights, and I found a ton of issues. These were issues like large image sizes, unnecessary scripts, and other speed-busting problems. I made the necessary changes, like compressing the images and enabling browser caching, and within a week, the bounce rate dropped by 15%, and the site started ranking higher.
I recommend using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTMetrix to test your site’s speed. Then, optimize everything that’s slowing it down. The faster your site, the better the user experience, and the better your rankings.
5. Engage Your Audience
Google doesn’t just look at how many people visit your site; it looks at how they interact with your content. If users bounce off your site after a few seconds, Google will assume your content isn’t valuable. And let’s face it, no one likes a boring blog post. Google wants to reward content that keeps people engaged.
This is a common mistake that people often make when writing a blog. Bloggers and writers are typically focused filling their articles with great information, but leaving them dry with no personality or engaging tone. If you are guilty of this, you will notice a high bounce rate and people will spend little time on your site.
What should you do?
You should start injecting more humour, storytelling, and personal examples into your posts. When you do this, you will notice that the read time on the page will improve significantly.
Use a friendly tone, tell stories, and ask questions encouraging readers to stay longer. The more time people spend on your page, the better Google will rank your content. In fact, HubSpot found that 75% of people never scroll past the first page of search results, so your content has to be compelling enough to make them want to read more.
6. Make Your Blog Mobile-Friendly
In today’s world, mobile traffic is enormous. Over 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google knows this. That’s why mobile-friendliness is now a ranking factor. If your blog isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on a massive chunk of traffic.
I found this out when I checked a blog’s performance on mobile. The site looked fine on desktop, but it was a disaster on mobile. The images were cut off, buttons were too small to click, and text was difficult to read. After I advised that the site be optimised for mobile users, their traffic increased, and rankings improved.
I recommend using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how your site performs on mobile devices. Then, ensure your site is responsive, meaning it adapts to any screen size. If your blog isn’t mobile-friendly, you could lose valuable visitors and hurt your rankings.
Final Thoughts: Is SEO Ranking a Marathon or a Sprint?
There’s no magic formula to get your blog ranking on the first page of Google. Still, you’ll be in the best position to succeed by focusing on the right keywords, producing high-quality, in-depth content, building backlinks, optimising site speed, and engaging your audience.
It takes time, effort, and a bit of strategy. But trust me, the results are worth it. So, don’t get discouraged if your blog isn’t ranking just yet. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint.
With patience and some fine-tuning, you’ll see your efforts pay off. And when that happens, you’ll be at the top of the Google rankings, and your readers will thank you!
Chidinma Enemanna is an SEO Content Specialist and a Brand Specialist at Moniepoint Inc.
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COUCH 2025 Grand Finale Highlights Student Breakthroughs, Secures Government Pledge for University Research Commercialization
Coderina Education and Technology Foundation, in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), successfully hosted the Grand Finale of the Coderina University Challenge (COUCH) 2025 at the NUC Auditorium, Abuja.
A cross section of attendees
The event gathered top government officials, university leaders, industry partners, and the ten finalist teams selected from over sixty-two initial entries nationwide.
This year’s challenge, themed “Circular Economy Through Technology” spotlighted the potential of Nigerian university students to develop scalable, tech-enabled solutions that address pressing national issues in sustainability, waste management, energy transition, and the circular economy.
The Grand Finale reaffirmed a consistent message shared across all keynote addresses: Nigeria must accelerate the movement of university research from shelves into practical innovation, commercialization, and industry adoption, a key driver of national development and economic growth.
In his opening address, Mr. Olufemi Niyi, chairman, Coderina Board of Directors, emphasized that university projects must not remain buried in archives.
He highlighted COUCH as a platform proving that research can become functional innovation.
Mr. Niyi called on donors, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to support COUCH as a sustainable national innovation pipeline and encouraged investors to channel resources into skills development and technology innovation among youth.
In his keynote address, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu, the minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, commended the COUCH programme for its role in moving research “from the shelves to the marketplace,” a key priority under the ministry’s national innovation agenda.
He noted that the initiative exemplifies the type of collaboration and commercialization pipeline needed to unlock Nigeria’s scientific and technological potential.
He highlighted several priority areas critical to advancing the country’s innovation landscape:
“Strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem through coordinated national frameworks and partnerships; expanding digital innovation pathways to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies, and building a tech-driven economy that delivers measurable value and global competitiveness”.
The Minister added that “Creating new opportunities for youth innovators, ensuring they are empowered to participate in and drive the innovation economy, are part of the key focus areas of the Ministry
He also expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with COUCH, Coderina, and the NUC to incubate and scale these student-led innovations.
Mallam Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, the executive secretary of NUC acknowledged the twelve universities nominated for the pilot edition by the commission.
He urged the finalists to use their prize money to advance entrepreneurship and technical skill development, reinforcing the NUC’s commitment to fostering innovation-driven learning across tertiary institutions.
In a remarkable commitment, the Minister donated five million naira to ‘Waste2Light’ from FUT Minna and announced an intention to collaborate with all ten finalist universities to support commercialization.
Dr. Tope Kolade Fasua, special address to the President on Economic Affairs, stated that technology remains the largest driver of global economic growth, stressing that Nigeria’s economic transformation is intertwined with youth innovation.
He commended Coderina and advised for greater visibility and national media outreach; creation of an innovation “museum or archive” for brilliant ideas, and the establishment of centers where theories and research can be turned into products.
He concluded that the future of Nigeria’s economy lies in the hands of today’s young innovators.
Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, special guest at the programme and vice-chancellor, Nasarawa State University, delivering her address on “Sustainable National Transformation,” emphasized the need for stronger industry–university collaborations.
She also emphasized need for entrepreneurial university culture; digital literacy in emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT; adoption of virtual learning and remote laboratories, and inclusive innovation for underserved communities.
She highlighted AI as a catalyst for reimagining teaching and learning, including teacher retraining and curriculum enhancement.
The competition had two categories of prizes recognizing both technical excellence and public engagement.
Winners of the first category, The Challenge, based on pitch and prototype presentation was Team IMSU – Imo State University , taking home the star prize of ₦5,000,000; 2nd Place winners: Team Neuronaut Nile University Prize, ₦2,500,000, and 3rd Place – Team Waste2light from the Federal University of Technology, Minna: ₦1,500,000.
The People’s Choice Awards winners, based on social media engagement and public voting, are Team ADSU Innovators – Adamawa State Uni.: ₦250,000; 2nd Place -Team Scraplink, Lagos State University: ₦150,000, and 3rd place – Team Circle from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, took home ₦100,000.
Giving COUCH overview, Ms. Christiana Anthony, the Project Lead, reaffirmed that COUCH is not merely a competition but a structured innovation development program.
She highlighted the strong collaboration between Coderina and the NUC, noting that the program has created a national pathway for students to design, build, test, and pitch solutions with real potential for commercialization.
The COUCH 2025 grand finale demonstrated Nigeria’s readiness to harness university-driven innovation as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Google.org has announced a $2.1 million (₦3 billion) investment to support Nigeria’s artificial intelligence sector, targeting the creation of one million digital jobs and strengthening the country’s growing tech economy.
The initiative is aligned with Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and is expected to contribute significantly to the nation’s digital transformation, with AI projected to add $15 billion to the economy by 2030.
The funding will support partnerships with local organizations focused on skills development and cybersecurity.
FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) will collaborate with universities to integrate AI curriculum into classroom teaching, creating a sustainable pipeline of AI-ready graduates.
Similarly, the African Technology Forum (ATF) will run an AI innovation challenge, guiding developers from bootcamp training through product development and pitching stages.
Google also emphasized digital safety. Junior Achievement Africa will scale the “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum to teach online safety to youth, parents, and teachers nationwide, while the CyberSafe Foundation will provide cybersecurity training and technical support to public institutions to strengthen digital infrastructure defenses.
Highlighting the human impact of its digital skills programs, Google cited the case of Joel Kiate, a digital marketer in Abuja, who secured employment after completing Google’s training despite failing university entrance exams five times.
A Google spokesperson said: “When we connect people with the right tools and opportunities, they don’t just find jobs—they build careers and become part of Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”
The investment reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s tech sector, which continues to position itself as a major hub for digital innovation in Africa.
As Team OneGrid Energies walked away with the grand prize of three million naira and an HP laptop each at the MTN 2025 PachiPanda Challenge, the strongest message from the closing ceremony held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, was not just about winning ideas, but about building ideas that pay.
OneGrid Energies
Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, delivered a powerful charge to the next generation of African climate innovators. He said, “Too often we celebrate innovation only for its brilliance. Today I challenge you to go further and create bankable innovation. Look around you, find the problems that need solutions, and solve them with boldness. The future belongs to you, and Africa is counting on you all to rise and deliver the change we have been waiting for.”
Okigbo reminded the finalists that Africa’s greatest asset is its youth, and that digital tools, from AI to the internet, have levelled the global playing field. “The future is yours,” he declared. “You are the leaders of tomorrow and with the necessary tools and boldness, you have the platform to rise and rewrite Africa’s story.”
The winning solution by OneGrid Energies, a scalable platform providing smallholder farmers with hyper-localised climate data and optimised planting advice, was hailed as a perfect example of innovation that can both save livelihoods and create viable business models.
Joshua Ndaman secured second place with his innovative solution, BuyScrap, a tech-driven platform that streamlines the collection and recycling of electronic waste. By ensuring that discarded electronics are ethically reused and repurposed, BuyScrap supports a circular economy and provides a reliable link between households and processors in the e-waste value chain.
Representing Dr. Joseph Daniel Onaja, Director General, Nigerian Conservative Foundation, Uchenna Achunine, Director, Business Development and Communications, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, congratulated the winners and commended their efforts in the two-day, intense pitch hosted by MTN Nigeria in partnership with WWF, the three-day PachiPanda Challenge held from 24–26 November 2025, transformed the MTN Rooftop in Lagos into a launchpad for climate-tech startups, proving that African youth are not waiting for permission to solve the continent’s biggest challenges; they are already building the profitable, impactful solutions the world needs.
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