How to Update Blog Posts for SEO and Add Affiliate Links (2025 Guide)

This post may contain paid and/or affiliate links. I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our Privacy Policy.

I love sharing my experiences with blogging and helping others improve their content.

Today, I want to talk about updating old blog posts and adding affiliate links in a smart way.

It’s something I’ve been doing lately, and I think it can be really useful for new bloggers.

When I look at my blog traffic, I see steady growth over the last 6 months.

While Google isn’t my main focus, I prefer TikTok and Pinterest.

I still get about 3,000 clicks a month from search.

That’s not bad at all! I’ve been adding new content, but I’ve also been updating older posts.

It’s amazing how a few tweaks can breathe new life into old articles.

Key Takeaways

• Updating old blog posts can help boost traffic and engagement
• Adding affiliate links thoughtfully can create value for readers
• Simple changes like new images and better formatting make a big difference

Checking How Well Blog Posts Are Doing

Traffic in the Last 6 Months

I’ve been keeping an eye on my blog’s traffic over the past 6 months. While Google isn’t my main focus for getting visitors, I’m still happy with the roughly 3,000 clicks I get each month from search.

My traffic has been growing steadily, with a few dips here and there. I think the recent uptick is thanks to adding new content and sprucing up some older posts.

Keyword Rankings and How Often Posts Show Up

To see how my posts are doing, I look at my keyword rankings and compare how often they’re showing up in search results. I’m pleased to see that many of my keywords have improved their rankings.

To find posts that need work, I check which ones have had fewer impressions lately. Surprisingly, the drop-offs weren’t as bad as I expected.

Finding Posts to Update Based on How They’re Doing

I start by looking at the posts with the biggest drops in traffic. For example, my “small office ideas” post has lost the most visitors. This might be because it’s a really competitive topic.

When updating posts, I focus on:

• Using vertical images that look better on phones
• Making text easier to read by:

• Bolding important sentences or words
• Breaking up long paragraphs

• Checking that links to other posts still make sense
• Adding helpful visuals like screenshots with arrows pointing to key info
• Creating unique images using tools like Canva

After updating a post, I submit the URL to Google Search Console so it gets re-indexed quickly.

For posts about products, I use tools like SiteStrip for Amazon links and Pretty Links to make affiliate links look nicer. I also use the Lasso plugin to manage my affiliate links easily.

Listicle posts with lots of ideas work great for Pinterest. When updating these, I look for ways to make the intro more engaging and add relevant product links throughout.

By regularly checking on my posts and making these kinds of updates, I can help keep my content fresh and hopefully improve its performance over time.

Adding Affiliate Links to Your Blog

Using Amazon for Product Links

I love using Amazon for my affiliate products. It’s super easy, and even though the payouts aren’t amazing, everyone shops there. To get started, I use Site Stripe. It gives me the full link, which works great with my Lasso plugin (more on that later).

When I’m updating old posts, I look for spots to naturally add product links. For example, in a post about home office ideas, I might link to a nice desk lamp or organizer.

The key is to make sure the products fit the content and add value for my readers.

I always try to use vertical images in my posts. They look way better on mobile devices. When I’m adding new pictures, I’ll often create them in Canva.

If I’m using screenshots, I add arrows or callouts to make them unique. This helps with Google and Pinterest, since they like fresh content.

Making Links Look Nice with Lasso and Pretty Links

Nobody likes ugly, spammy-looking affiliate links. That’s where Lasso and Pretty Links come in handy.

With Lasso, I can easily manage my Amazon links and make them look nicer in my posts. It’s a real time-saver.

Pretty Links is great for cleaning up other affiliate links. Here’s how it works:

1. Take the long, ugly affiliate link
2. Paste it into Pretty Links
3. Create a short, clean link using your own domain
4. Make sure it’s set as a permanent link
5. Update and use your new pretty link in your post

This makes your links look way more professional and less spammy. Your readers will appreciate it!

When I’m updating old posts, I also look for ways to improve readability. I’ll bold important sentences or keywords, and break up long paragraphs. This makes the content easier to scan and digest.

Adding internal links to other relevant posts on my site is another smart move. It helps readers find more useful info and can boost my SEO too.

Updating Blog Post Content

Making Images Work Well on Mobile

I’ve found that vertical images look better on mobile devices than horizontal ones. When I update my blog posts, I switch out wide images for tall ones. This helps my content look great on phones and tablets.

Tweaking Text for Easy Reading

To make my posts easier to read, I do a few things:

• Bold important sentences or keywords
• Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones
• Use simple language

These changes help visitors quickly scan and understand my content.

Looking at Internal Links

I always check the internal links in my older posts. I make sure they still go to the right pages and remove any that aren’t needed anymore. This keeps my site tidy and helps readers find related content.

Making New Pictures with Canva

I use Canva to create fresh images for my updated posts. Here’s a neat trick:

1. Take a screenshot of something important in my post
2. Open it in Canva
3. Add arrows pointing to key parts
4. Save and upload to my blog

This gives me unique images that explain my points clearly. It’s great for how-to posts or listicles.

SEO Tips and Using Google Search Console

Sending Updated Web Pages to Google

I’ve found it’s important to let Google know when I’ve made changes to my blog posts. After updating content, I take the URL and submit it directly in Google Search Console.

This helps ensure Google crawls and indexes the fresh content quickly. It’s a simple step that can give my updates a boost in search rankings.

How Google’s Algorithm Changes Affect Website Visits

Google’s algorithm updates can really impact traffic to my site. In the last 6 months, I’ve seen some ups and downs in my Google visits.

While Google isn’t my main traffic source, I still get about 3,000 clicks monthly from search.

To track these changes, I use Google Search Console to compare pages over time. I look at impression differences to spot posts that may need refreshing.

This helps me focus my efforts on content that could use a boost.

Ways to Boost Your Content’s Appeal

Making Eye-Catching Lists for Pinterest

I’ve found that creating listicles is a great way to grab attention, especially on Pinterest. These types of posts are perfect for sharing inspiration and ideas.

When I make a listicle, I focus on picking topics that will resonate with my audience. For example, I might create a list of “10 Cozy Fall Decor Ideas” or “5 Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipes”. The key is to choose themes that are visually appealing and easy to scan.

Highlighting Important Points and Creating Readable Text

To make my blog posts more engaging, I use a few simple tricks:

1. Bold key phrases: This helps important info stand out
2. Break up long paragraphs: I aim for 1-3 sentences per paragraph
3. Use bullet points or numbered lists: These make content easier to skim

I also pay attention to my intro paragraphs. I try to make them punchy and interesting to hook readers right away.

Adding a Festive Touch to Your Posts

Seasonal content can really boost engagement. Here are some ways I add a festive flair to my posts:

• Use seasonal images. For example, pumpkins for fall and snowflakes for winter.
• Mention upcoming holidays or events.
• Share seasonal tips or recipes.
• Use festive colours in graphics or headers.

A scent diffuser with seasonal oils can be a nice touch for home-related content. You could suggest winter spice scents for the holidays or fresh floral scents for spring.