Start Here If You Want More People to Find Your Blog Posts!

Dear reader, if you’ve ever poured your heart into a blog post only to hear… crickets?

Yep, I’ve been there too. 🙁

When I first started Simply Sunni, I thought the hard work was simply writing great blog content.Like many bloggers, I quickly learned that growing a successful personal blog requires not just great writing but alsosmart strategies to help your blog posts stand out online. You see, I was pouring my heart into post after post, but my blog posts just weren’t showing up where I hoped – in search results, on social media sites, or anywhere that would bring real readers to my website.

And here is the key: real growth happens when you learn how to help people actually find your content through smart search engine optimization and intentional marketing.

Good news: today, we’re going to fix that. Whether you’re launching your very first blog or looking to grow your traffic, these proven strategies will help your blog posts get discovered, read, and shared. (And friend, make sure to scroll down for my Quick-Start Blogging Checklist to help you stay on track.)

Oh, and if you still need more when we are finished here, please feel free to check out my blog post and FREE COURSE: How to Promote Your Blog for Beginner Bloggers. Then head over to 11 Best Blogging Tools to Help Grow Your New Blog for even more helpful information.

Now, let’s get started!

The Most Common Ways Visitors Find Your Content

Before we get into the specifics, let’s talk about where your readers are actually coming from. If you understand these different ways people discover your blog posts, you’ll be better equipped to bring more visitors to your site.

There isn’t one magical source. In fact, most successful blogs get traffic from several places working together. This is how visitors typically find blog posts:

Search Engines

This is where most blog traffic starts for many bloggers. Platforms like Google, Bing, and Yahoo help users find answers by ranking the most relevant blog posts. The better your search engine optimization (SEO), the more likely your blog content will appear in search results. Search engines scan millions of websites every day, evaluating which blog articles best match a user’s search query.

Social Media Platforms

Sites like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube are powerful ways to share your blog posts with new audiences. You don’t need to be everywhere, just focus on where your target audience spends the majority of their time. Sharing your blog posts across various social media sites allows you to reach internet users who might not otherwise find your content.

Email Newsletters

Once you start building a substantial email list, you will be able to notify your subscribers each time you publish a new blog post. It’s a great way to bring loyal readers back to your website consistently.

Backlinks from Other Websites

When other websites or popular blogs link to your blog posts, search engines see your content as trustworthy and valuable. Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for search engines.

Direct Traffic

Sometimes, people type your domain name directly into their browser or save your website to their favorites. This often comes after you’ve built a strong brand presence online.

Online Communities & Forums

Places like Facebook Groups, Reddit, or niche online communities can drive traffic when you genuinely participate and share helpful blog content.

YouTube Videos

Creating short YouTube videos that tie into your blog topics can help you reach all-new audiences and drive them to your blog posts for deeper content.

The goal is to use a mix of these to reach your target audience in multiple ways, which leads us to one of the most important things: keyword research.

How to Use Keyword Analytics to Your Advantage

Let’s be honest, friend — the moment we say keyword research, a lot of people freeze up. It sounds technical, complicated, and even a little intimidating if you’re new to blogging. But it doesn’t have to feel that way. In fact, when you approach it the right way, keyword research can feel a lot like a treasure hunt — you’re simply searching for the exact words your audience is already typing into search engines. When you uncover those phrases, you’re not just boosting your blog posts — you’re providing real answers, helpful information, and content that your target audience is actively looking for. And that’s what makes your blog valuable and worth returning to again and again.

As Ahrefs explains, choosing the right niche and keywords can make a huge difference in your blog’s growth:

“Choosing a blog niche with high traffic potential is one of the most important things you can do to get organic search traffic.” (Ahrefs)

You don’t need expensive tools to get started. Here are some easy ways to do keyword research:

  1. Google Search Suggestions: Start typing a blog topic into Google and see what autocomplete suggests.
  2. Google Keyword Planner: A great tool for finding related keywords.
  3. Google Trends: Shows what’s rising in popularity.
  4. Google Search Console: See what search terms are already bringing people to your site.
  5. Pinterest Trends: A goldmine for trending blog content.
  6. YouTube Search: See what people are searching for in your niche on video platforms.

Using these tools is the easiest way to uncover valuable topic ideas that attract your specific audience and help your content rank higher. Therefore, by doing a little keyword research before you write, you’re giving your blog post a much better chance of showing up in search results.

And don’t worry — I’ve linked to all the tools above to make it easy for you. You don’t have to use every single one each time. Just pick a few that make sense for you, start where you feel most comfortable, and build your confidence from there. The important thing is simply starting.

Don’t Forget to Add Relevant Keywords to Your Post and Page Titles

Now that you’ve found your keywords, you need to place them where search engines and readers will see them.

Google’s own Blogger Help resource says it best:

“Create descriptive titles that accurately reflect the content of your posts. Use words that people would search for.” (Google Blogger Help)

That means your blog post titles, meta descriptions, and headers (H1, H2, etc.) should include your target keywords.

Here’s a simple checklist for placing keywords:

  • In your blog post title
  • In your page URL (slug)
  • In your meta description
  • In your H1 heading
  • In subheadings (H2, H3)
  • In the first paragraph of your blog post
  • Naturally, throughout the content (avoid keyword stuffing)

Just be careful not to force keywords where they don’t belong. Keyword stuffing can actually hurt your blog’s performance. Instead, use your keywords naturally while staying on topic and aligned with your brand’s voice and purpose.

Optimize Your Images (Make Your Images Searchable)

Believe it or not, images play a big role in search engine optimization, too.

When you add the right details to your images, you give Google even more reasons to send traffic your way. After all, many internet users find blog posts through Google Image Search, which is its own type of blog search engine!

Here’s how to make your images SEO-friendly:

  • Use descriptive file names (ex: summertime-seo-checklist.png)
  • Add alt text that includes your keywords and describes the image
  • Compress images to improve page load speed
  • Use relevant images that match your content

Be sure to check your media file or image library inside your blogging platform to confirm that you’ve added alt text to each image. This often gets skipped, but can make a real difference in helping search engines index your images.

When you write your alt text, think of it like a brief sentence describing exactly what’s in the image. For example:“Woman sitting at desk doing keyword research for blog posts on her laptop.” This allows screen readers and search engines to understand the image better while naturally including your target keywords.

Optimized images also give your own blog an extra advantage when people search visually on search engines. Simple image optimization like this can give your blog posts an extra boost in organic search traffic.

Get Others to Link to Your Post

When other websites link to your blog posts, search engines see that as a sign your content is helpful and trustworthy, and they’re more likely to rank your blog higher.

Search Blogspot shares that:

“Incoming links from reputable sites can significantly improve your blog’s search rankings and visibility.” (Search Blogspot)

It is true that building high-quality backlinks is one of the most effective ways to improve your Google rankings and strengthen your blog’s domain name authority over time.

Here are a few simple ways to get backlinks:

  • Write guest posts on related blogs.
  • Collaborate with other bloggers and small business owners.
  • Share your expertise in interviews or roundups.
  • Create helpful, evergreen content that others want to reference.
  • Build relationships in online communities.

I’ve also created several helpful blog posts on Simply Sunni that dive deeper into building backlinks. Be sure to check these out:

These guides are packed with specific steps, email templates, and deeper strategies to support your backlink journey.

And yes, backlinks take time and consistent effort, but even a few can make a real difference in helping people find your blog posts.

Why Social Media Still Matters for Blog Posts

Social media may not directly affect Google’s ranking algorithms, but it absolutely affects your blog traffic. When you share your posts on platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube, you’re putting your content in front of new audiences who may not have found you otherwise.

Here are a few ways to use social media to promote your blog posts:

  • Create Pinterest pins for every post.
  • Share snippets or quotes on Instagram.
  • Use Facebook Groups to share helpful content.
  • Record short YouTube videos related to your blog topic.
  • Encourage social media shares from your audience.

The good news? You don’t need to be on every platform — just pick the few that make the most sense for your target audience. Plus, social sharing often leads to social media shares and even potential guest posts, which can expand your reach even further.

Sunni’s Quick-Start Blogging Checklist

Here’s your simple, repeatable system to help more people find your blog posts — whether you’re writing for a food blog, beauty blog, or any other specific niche:

Pick a Specific Blog Niche. This is a good starting point for building authority and attracting your target audience.

Do Keyword Research Before You Write. Focus on relevant keywords that match what your readers are searching for.

Add Keywords to Titles, meta descriptions, and headers. This will help your content rank on the first page of Google.

Optimize Your Images (Alt Text + File Names).

Publish High-Quality New Content Consistently. Fresh, new content tells search engines your blog is active and valuable.

Promote Your Posts on Social Media Platforms.

Pursue Backlinks Through Guest Posts & Collaborations.

Monitor Search Console & Analytics for What’s Working.

Keep Updating Old Blog Posts Regularly.

These are some of the best ways to give your blog posts a strong foundation, help them get noticed by search engines, and bring steady traffic to your own website.

FAQs About Getting People to Find Your Blog Posts

When will my blog posts start getting traffic?

Usually, it is within 3–6 months for search engines, but social media can bring quicker results.

Is SEO or social media better?

Both work together! SEO builds long-term organic search traffic; social media gives you instant visibility.

Can new blogs still get traffic?

Absolutely! Even new blogs can rank when you target the right keywords and promote your posts effectively.

How long does SEO take?

SEO is a long game. Most blog posts see peak traffic after 6–12 months with consistent updates.

What are some of the top sources for finding content for my blog on the internet?

Use Google Trends, Pinterest Trends, AnswerThePublic, YouTube search, Facebook Groups, and even Reddit or Quora to see what people are talking about in real-time.

I cannot find my blog on Google — how do I get in the search results?

First, make sure your blog is indexed in Google Search Console. Then, optimize your posts with keywords, meta descriptions, and internal links. Over time, Google will start indexing your content.

How do I find blog post ideas that win?

Look at what your audience is already asking. Use keyword research tools, competitor analysis, Pinterest, and even your own inbox or social DMs for common questions.

How do I find already popular blog posts in my niche?

Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or BuzzSumo to see which blog posts in your niche are getting the most shares and backlinks.

How do you know if your blog site is listed on Google?

Do a simple search like “simplysunni.com” on Google. If your posts show up, you’re indexed. You can also check your status in Google Search Console.

Is blogging still a good idea today?

Absolutely! With millions of blog search engine users worldwide, there’s still plenty of space to grow a successful blog that reflects your passion and serves your readers. Yay for us!

Sunni’s Final Thoughts (and a Little Sunshine) 🌞

Friend, if you’ve been frustrated that no one seems to be reading your blog posts, you’re not alone. We’ve all started there. But by following these simple SEO strategies, doing a little keyword research, and consistently sharing your blog content across social media platforms, you’ll start seeing those search results rise and your blog traffic grow.

I know this has been a lot of information to take in, so don’t feel like you have to master every marketing strategy today. Bookmark this blog post, revisit it often and take notes as you go. And to make it even easier, you can print out my freebie, Sunni’s Quick-Start Blogging Checklist, and pin it right by your computer. That way, you’ll have a simple reminder of what steps to take, which will help you create your best blog posts in your own voice because, friend, the world wants to hear what you have to say.

Check out the Simply Courses, online courses made easy for bloggers and business owners.

Grab our free printables and resources to get your content planned out.

Or schedule a consult with me, and let’s map your blog growth together!

And as always…

Sprinkle it with Sunshine. 🌞

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