How People-First Content is Revolutionising SEO Strategies

The saying “Content is king” has been coined for a good reason. It’s the lifeblood of websites, the fuel for social media engagement, and the secret sauce that keeps audiences coming back for more. But with so much content out there, how do you make yours stand out? The answer lies in a powerful approach called people-first content.

People-first content is all about creating content that prioritises your audience’s needs and preferences. It’s a shift away from simply focusing on search engine algorithms and ranking factors, and instead, it’s about crafting content that genuinely informs, engages, and adds value to your readers’ lives. 

This blog post will explore the world of people-first content, comparing and contrasting it with traditional SEO practices. We’ll also explore actionable strategies you can implement to create content that not only attracts readers but also ranks high in search results.

Understanding People-First Content

People-first content is more than just a catchy phrase. It’s a content philosophy built on three key pillars: authenticity, relevance, and value.

• Authenticity is about being genuine and transparent with your audience. Your content should come from a place of expertise or experience and reflect your brand’s unique voice.
• Relevance means understanding your audience and creating content that directly addresses their needs and interests. This involves conducting thorough audience research and tailoring your content to specific demographics and pain points.
• Value is about providing your audience with something worthwhile. This could be anything from insightful information and practical advice to entertaining stories and thought-provoking ideas. By delivering valuable content, you build trust and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

Benefits of People-First Content

People-first content offers a multitude of benefits, both for your audience and your business. Here are some key advantages:

• Improved User Engagement and Satisfaction : When your content resonates with your audience, they’re more likely to spend time on your website, read your articles, and engage with your calls to action.
• Long-Term Audience Trust and Loyalty : By consistently delivering high-quality content that addresses their needs, you foster trust and loyalty in your audience. This translates into repeat visitors, brand advocates, and ultimately, increased conversions.
• Better Alignment with Modern Search Engine Algorithms : Search engines, like Google, are increasingly focusing on user intent and user experience. People-first content that prioritises genuine value aligns perfectly with this shift, making it more likely to rank higher in search results.

For instance, let’s consider a hypothetical example for a blog: “Top 10 Kitchen Gadgets 2024”. The traditional SEO approach would focus on the keywords “kitchen gadgets 2024” and list generic products without considering user needs.

The people-first content approach would be to change the title to “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Gadget for You.”. This reimagined title focuses on user needs. It could be a comprehensive guide that explores factors like budget, cooking style, and space limitations. The benefits of doing so follows: 

• Increased User Engagement : Readers feel the content understands their unique needs and are more likely to spend time reading.
• Improved Conversion Rates : The guide could highlight specific products suited to individual needs, leading to more targeted product recommendations.
• Enhanced Brand Trust : By prioritising user needs over generic lists, the brand establishes itself as a helpful resource. 

A Brief Overview Of Traditional SEO Content

Before we dive deeper into people-first content, let’s take a quick look at traditional SEO content creation. Traditional SEO focuses on optimising content for search engines by incorporating specific keywords, building backlinks from other websites, and ensuring a website’s technical structure is search engine friendly.

Benefits of Traditional SEO

While people-first content is the future of SEO, traditional SEO still offers some advantages:

• Quick Gains in Search Engine Rankings : Traditional SEO techniques can help you achieve faster results in terms of search engine rankings, particularly for highly competitive keywords.
• Structured and Measurable Approaches : Traditional SEO relies on well-defined strategies and metrics, allowing you to track progress and measure the effectiveness of your efforts.
• Effective for Highly Competitive Keywords : Traditional SEO techniques can help your content stand out when targeting highly competitive keywords.
  

People-First Content vs. Traditional SEO: Key Differences

Now that we understand both approaches, let’s explore the key differences between people-first content and traditional SEO:

Approach to Content Creation

• People-First : Focuses on audience needs and preferences, aiming to provide informative and engaging content that solves problems or answers questions.
• Traditional SEO : Focuses on search engine ranking factors, often using keyword stuffing and technical SEO tactics that may compromise readability.

Content Quality and User Experience

• People-First : Values high-quality, engaging content that provides value to readers. Prioritises user experience with clear navigation and appealing design.
• Traditional SEO : Content may be optimised for keywords at the expense of readability and user experience.

Long-Term Impact and Sustainability

• People-First : Builds lasting relationships with users by focusing on trust and value. Content remains relevant and valuable for longer periods.
• Traditional SEO : May require constant updates and adjustments to keep up with changing algorithms. Heavily optimised content can become outdated quickly.

5 Strategies For Creating People-First Content To Attract Readers

1. Focus on Content That is Informative, Relevant, and Useful

• Conduct audience research to understand your target audience’s demographics, interests, and pain points.
• Identify their search queries and questions using keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs.
• Create content that directly addresses their needs and provides solutions to their problems.
• Examples of informative and relevant content include blog posts that answer frequently asked questions (FAQs), how-to guides, in-depth industry reports, and product reviews.
  

2. Write in Language That is Easy to Understand and Straightforward

• Prioritize clarity and simplicity in your writing style. Avoid technical jargon and complex sentences.
• Use active voice and short paragraphs to make your content easy to read and scannable.
• Employ storytelling techniques and relatable examples to bring your content to life.

3. Pay Attention to User Experience (UX) on Your Website

• A website’s design and navigation play a crucial role in user engagement.
• Ensure your website has a clean and user-friendly layout with intuitive navigation menus.
• Optimise website speed for fast loading times to keep users engaged.
• Make sure your content is mobile-friendly for optimal user experience across all devices.

4. Promote Content Through Social Media Channels and Influencer Marketing

• Utilise social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share your content with a wider audience.
• Run targeted social media ads to reach specific demographics and interests.
• Partner with relevant influencers in your niche to promote your content and reach a new audience.
• Encourage social media engagement by asking questions, responding to comments, and participating in conversations.

5. Analyze Audience Insights to Tailor Content to Meet Needs

• Use website analytics tools like Google Analytics to track user behaviour and understand how visitors interact with your content.
• Pay attention to metrics like page views, bounce rates, and time spent on the page.
• Conduct surveys and polls to gather direct feedback from your audience about their preferences and needs.
• Use the data you collect to refine your content strategy and tailor future content to better meet your audience’s expectations.

What Kind of Content Should Be Avoided ?

While crafting your people-first content strategy, it’s important to be aware of the types of content that can hinder your efforts. Here are some red flags to avoid:

1. Content That Lacks Authenticity and Reliability

• Misinformation and a lack of credibility can damage your reputation and erode user trust.
• Ensure your content is based on factual information and cite reputable sources to back up your claims.
• Thorough research is crucial for building trust and establishing yourself as an authority in your field.

2. Content That is Pointless and Does Not Add Value

• Avoid creating filler content that serves no purpose and offers nothing of value to your audience.
• Focus on delivering content that is insightful, informative, and leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
• Prioritize quality over quantity and strive to create content that truly makes a difference.

3. Inappropriate Content

• Maintain professionalism and ensure your content is appropriate for your target audience.
• Avoid controversial or offensive topics unless they are directly relevant to your niche and handled in a sensitive and respectful manner.
• Use clear and concise language that avoids ambiguity or misinterpretation.

4. Content That Does Not Match the Target Audience

• Understanding your target audience is critical for creating content that resonate.
• Tailor your content to specific demographics and tailor your writing style to their preferences.
• Segment your audience into different groups and create content that caters to their individual needs and interests.
  

5. Content That is Not Promoted or Poorly Promoted

• Even the best content won’t reach its full potential without proper promotion.
• Develop a solid content promotion strategy that utilises various channels to reach your target audience.
• Utilise SEO best practices to increase organic search visibility.
• Leverage email marketing and social media marketing to promote your content and drive traffic to your website.

Ready To Supercharge Your Business ?

The future of SEO lies in creating content that prioritises people over algorithms. People-first content focuses on delivering value, building trust, and providing a positive user experience that will attract readers and also rank well in search results. By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can create compelling content that resonates with your audience and fuels long-term SEO success.

However, growing a business is tough work, and implementing these strategies can become a big task. When you don’t have the time or resources to implement a plan, it is best to reach out to the experts. 

Primal Digital Agency, an award-winning SEO agency in Thailand, can help you develop a comprehensive content strategy that blends people-first content creation with robust SEO techniques. 

Our team of experts will help you understand your ideal customer through in-depth research, craft high-quality content that resonates with your audience, optimise it for search engines to boost visibility, and develop a strategic promotion plan to drive traffic to your website and establish you as a thought leader in your industry.

Let Primal be your partner in creating people-first content that drives results. Contact us today to learn more about our content marketing services and how we can help you achieve your SEO goals.