Module 38Stage: Create90 min

On-Page SEO

Write a page title optimized for both search engines and clicks.

Jump to lesson:
01Titles02Meta Descriptions03Headings04Internal Links05Media Optimization
1
Lesson 1

Titles

Objective

Write a page title optimized for both search engines and clicks.

Teach
Include the target keyword naturally near the front of the title, keep it under ~60 characters so it doesn't get cut off in search results, and make it specific.
Real-World Example
"30-Day Content Calendar Template (Free Download)" is specific, keyword-clear, and under the length limit.
Common Mistake
Titles that are either too vague to signal relevance or too long and get truncated in search results.
Practical Exercise

Write an SEO title for one piece of content, checking its character count.

Lesson Checkpoint

A good SEO title should

2
Lesson 2

Meta Descriptions

Objective

Write a meta description that earns the click.

Teach
A meta description is a short, specific summary (under ~155 characters) that promises the value inside — not a repeat of the title, and not stuffed with keywords.
Real-World Example
"Learn how to build a 30-day content calendar with pillars, formats and a free downloadable template" tells the searcher exactly what they'll get.
Common Mistake
Leaving meta descriptions blank or letting them auto-generate from random page text.
Practical Exercise

Write a meta description for one page, focused on the specific value it delivers.

Lesson Checkpoint

A meta description's main job is to

3
Lesson 3

Headings

Objective

Structure a page with a logical, scannable heading hierarchy.

Teach
Use one H1 (the page title), then H2s for major sections and H3s for subsections — this helps both readers scan and search engines understand structure.
Real-World Example
A guide with clear H2s for each major step is easier to scan and rank than one long unbroken block of text.
Common Mistake
Skipping heading structure entirely, or using headings just for visual styling rather than logical structure.
Practical Exercise

Add a heading outline (H1, H2s, H3s) to one existing piece of content.

Lesson Checkpoint

A logical heading structure helps mainly by

4
Lesson 4

Internal Links

Objective

Link related pages together deliberately.

Teach
Internal links help visitors find related content and help search engines understand which pages are most important and how topics connect (supporting the topic clusters from Module 37).
Real-World Example
Linking from a "content calendar" article to a "content pillars" article connects two related topics for both readers and search engines.
Common Mistake
Publishing pages with no links to other relevant content on the same site, leaving them isolated.
Practical Exercise

Add 2–3 internal links between related pieces of content you've written or planned.

Lesson Checkpoint

Internal linking mainly helps by

5
Lesson 5

Media Optimization

Objective

Optimize images for both speed and accessibility/search.

Teach
Compress images so they load fast, and add descriptive alt text (what's actually in the image) — alt text helps accessibility and gives search engines more context.
Real-World Example
Alt text like "screenshot of a 30-day content calendar template" is more useful than "image1.png" or no alt text at all.
Common Mistake
Uploading large, uncompressed images with no alt text, slowing pages and missing accessibility/SEO value.
Practical Exercise

Check one image on your site for file size and whether it has descriptive alt text.

Lesson Checkpoint

Good alt text should

Module Template

**SEO Content Brief** and **On-Page SEO Checklist** — see Templates Library.

Deepen Your Knowledge
  • •Ahrefs Academy — SEO Course for Beginners
  • •Google Search Central — official on-page guidance
Module Checkpoint Assessment

Test Your Mastery of Module 38

5 questions · 70% passing threshold required

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