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SEO Secrets: How Media Professionals Can Make Their Blog Posts Rank High

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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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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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MTN Foundation Hosts Stakeholders to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse Among Youth

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L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
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MTN Foundation hosted its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference on July 9, 2025, at the MTN Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector to address the growing challenge of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Prominent attendees included Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Dr. Tolu Ajomale of the Lagos Ministry of Health, among others. Also present were representatives of NDLEA, UNODC, academia, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to safeguarding its youth and fostering a future free from substance abuse. Dr. Olusoga emphasized that drug addiction extends beyond health, touching families, communities, and national well-being, calling for proactive, united action.

MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo, stressed the company’s long-standing dedication to youth development through initiatives like ASAP. NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended MTN Foundation as a vital ally in drug prevention efforts.

The conference featured personal stories of recovery in a session titled “Journeys Through the Fire,” followed by a panel discussion on multi-sectoral solutions to substance abuse. It concluded with a dramatic performance, “Just One Breath,” by LASU’s WADA Club, illustrating the personal and societal toll of drug use.

Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, closed the event with a powerful call to action, urging media, communities, and policymakers to drive sustained investment in youth empowerment and early intervention.

The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building resilience among young Nigerians and catalyzing cross-sector partnerships for a drug-free future.


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MTN MUSON Music Scholars Graduate in Style at Lagos Ceremony

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MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was filled with music, pride and emotion on Thursday, July 4, as the Class of 2025 of the MTN Foundation–MUSON Diploma in Music graduated in a ceremony that celebrated discipline, artistry and the power of partnership in nurturing young Nigerian talents.

The event marked the culmination of two years of intensive training for the graduating scholars, supported by the MTN Foundation–MUSON Scholarship Programme. This partnership has provided full scholarships to hundreds of talented Nigerians, giving them access to world-class music education and helping them hone their skills as professional musicians.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation, praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication. “Despite personal and financial obstacles, you showed up with determination, supported one another and embodied the values of excellence and empathy. You are stepping into the world as teachers, performers and cultural advocates. Nigeria and the world need your music now more than ever,” she said.

Chairman of MUSON’s Board of Trustees, Louis Mbanefo, SAN, reflected on the legacy of MUSON and the impact of its partnership with MTN. “Through the generosity of MTN and the dedication of our faculty, MUSON has produced more than 500 graduates who are making significant contributions to Nigeria’s cultural scene and beyond. As you join this vibrant alumni community, remember your responsibility to give back, uphold excellence and enrich the nation’s musical heritage,” he said.

Director of the MUSON School of Music, Princess Banke Ademola, described the graduates as ambassadors of discipline and artistry. “Today, we are not just sending graduates into the world; we are releasing ambassadors of discipline, creativity, and cultural excellence. Each of you has proven that with hard work and resilience, music can transcend challenges and inspire change. Go out there and let your music heal, connect, and transform lives.”

In her speech, Chief Mrs. Joke Chukwuma, Yeye Oba Iye of Ekiti Kingdom, encouraged them to use their music to inspire change and heal communities. “Music is the heartbeat of our culture, and today’s graduates are its future custodians. You are not just musicians; you are storytellers and architects of emotion. Carry your craft with pride and remember that your sound has the power to give voice to the voiceless and light to the world.”

As the graduates received their diplomas to loud applause, the event highlighted the impact of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s creative industries. The MTN Foundation–MUSON partnership continues to inspire hope for the future of music in Nigeria, turning dreams into reality and passion into excellence.


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Nvidia Overtakes Apple and Microsoft to Claim Global Tech Crown

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Nvidia has become the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market valuation, surpassing tech giants Apple and Microsoft. Shares rose 2.5% in early trading on Wednesday, July 9, lifting the chipmaker’s market cap past the historic milestone.

Nvidia’s rapid rise reflects its dominant role in powering the global artificial intelligence boom. The company’s chips run the data centers behind AI models and cloud services for Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and more. Global spending on AI infrastructure is expected to top $200 billion by 2028, driving further demand.

Nvidia’s revenue for the quarter ending in April soared 69% year-over-year to $44.1 billion. Its stock has climbed nearly 20% this year, despite facing export restrictions and fresh competition from China’s DeepSeek, which briefly rattled markets. Nvidia shares dropped as much as 37% from January to April, before roaring back to gain almost 74% since early April.

Analysts say Nvidia’s success cements it as the backbone of the AI revolution. “There is one company in the world that is the foundation for the AI revolution, and that is Nvidia,” wrote Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives. He predicts Microsoft, currently valued around $3.77 trillion, will also cross the $4 trillion threshold later this summer.

Nvidia rose to prominence through graphics cards loved by gamers, but now leads in AI hardware, from autonomous vehicles to next-gen chips like the Blackwell Ultra, which promises to support more advanced reasoning in AI models.

The company’s surge has also made CEO Jensen Huang one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth of roughly $140 billion. Huang has met with President Trump and joined other tech leaders on trips abroad, as Nvidia partners in major initiatives like Project Stargate, a $500 billion push to expand US AI infrastructure.

Despite challenges from new players and US-China trade tensions that cost it an estimated $2.5 billion last quarter, Nvidia’s outlook remains bright. On a May earnings call, Huang said AI would become essential for “every country” and “every industry,” from software and healthcare to manufacturing and transportation.

Some on Wall Street believe Nvidia’s rise is only beginning. Loop Capital analysts recently projected the company could reach a staggering $6 trillion valuation by 2028, calling it “essentially a monopoly for critical tech” in the AI space.


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