15 Lesser Known On-Page SEO Techniques to Boost Your Rankings

1. Optimize for "Hidden" HTML Elements

While most people focus on visible elements like headers and meta tags, there are hidden HTML elements that can impact SEO. These include:

• Canonical tags: Ensure you’re using canonical tags correctly to avoid duplicate content issues, especially for paginated or dynamically generated pages.
• Noscript tags: Add descriptive content within <noscript> tags for users who have JavaScript disabled. This can help search engines understand your page better.
• Open Graph and Twitter Cards: While these are primarily for social media, they can indirectly impact SEO by driving traffic and engagement.

How to implement it:

• Audit your site’s HTML to ensure all hidden elements are optimized.
• Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify missing or incorrect tags.

2. Use "Keywordless SEO" for Semantic Relevance

Instead of stuffing your content with keywords, focus on semantic relevance. Search engines like Google use natural language processing (NLP) to understand context, so you can rank without explicitly targeting a keyword.

How to implement it:

• Write naturally and focus on user intent.
• Use related terms, synonyms, and variations of your main topic.
• Tools like Surfer SEO or Clearscope can help you identify semantically related terms.

3. Leverage "Internal Anchor Text Optimization"

Internal linking is well-known, but few people optimize the anchor text of their internal links. By using descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text, you can pass more relevance to linked pages.

How to implement it:

• Avoid generic anchor text like "click here" or "read more."
• Use exact-match or partial-match keywords in your anchor text.
• Ensure the linked page is contextually relevant to the anchor text.

4. Optimize "Above the Fold" Content for Engagement

The content that appears "above the fold" (visible without scrolling) has a significant impact on user engagement, which is a ranking factor. Few people intentionally optimize this section for SEO.

How to implement it:

• Place your primary keyword and a compelling call-to-action (CTA) above the fold.
• Use engaging visuals or videos to capture attention.
• Keep the loading speed of this section fast to reduce bounce rates.

5. Use "Content Layering" for Depth

Content layering involves adding multiple layers of information to a single page to make it more comprehensive. This can include:

• FAQs: Answer common questions related to your topic.
• Definitions: Explain technical terms or jargon.
• Case studies or examples: Provide real-world applications of your content.

How to implement it:

• Use accordions or tabs to organize layered content without overwhelming the user.
• Ensure each layer is optimized for its own set of keywords or questions.

6. Optimize "Image File Names" for Context

While alt text is commonly discussed, image file names are often overlooked. Descriptive file names can help search engines understand the context of your images.

How to implement it:

• Rename image files to include relevant keywords (e.g., "blue-widget-product.jpg" instead of "IMG1234.jpg").
• Use hyphens to separate words in file names.
• Avoid keyword stuffing in file names.

7. Implement "Lazy Loading" for Images and Videos

Lazy loading delays the loading of non-critical resources (like images and videos) until they’re needed. This improves page speed, which is a ranking factor.

How to implement it:

• Use the loading="lazy" attribute for images and iframes.
• Test your site’s performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
• Ensure critical images (like logos or hero images) are not lazy-loaded.

8. Use "Structured Data for Breadcrumbs"

Breadcrumbs improve user experience and help search engines understand your site’s structure. Adding structured data for breadcrumbs can enhance their visibility in search results.

How to implement it:

• Use JSON-LD structured data to mark up your breadcrumbs.
• Test your markup using Google’s Rich Results Test tool.
• Ensure your breadcrumbs are consistent and reflect your site’s hierarchy.

9. Optimize "Click Depth" for Important Pages

Click depth refers to how many clicks it takes for a user to reach a page from the homepage. Pages with a lower click depth are considered more important by search engines.

How to implement it:

• Ensure key pages are no more than 3 clicks away from the homepage.
• Use internal linking to reduce click depth for important pages.
• Regularly audit your site’s structure to identify and fix deep pages.

10. Add "Meta Keywords" for Bing and Yahoo

While Google ignores the meta keywords tag, Bing and Yahoo still use it as a ranking signal. If you’re targeting these search engines, optimizing this tag can give you an edge.

How to implement it:

• Add a meta keywords tag with relevant keywords (e.g., <meta name="keywords" content="keyword1, keyword2, keyword3">).
• Avoid keyword stuffing and keep the list concise.
• Use tools like Bing Webmaster Tools to monitor performance.

11. Use "Pagination Tags" for Multi-Page Content

If you have content split across multiple pages (e.g., a multi-part guide), use pagination tags to help search engines understand the relationship between pages.

How to implement it:

• Use rel="next" and rel="prev" tags to indicate paginated content.
• Add a "View All" page for users who prefer to see the entire content at once.
• Ensure each paginated page has unique meta descriptions and titles.

12. Optimize "Page Load Sequence"

The order in which elements load on your page can impact user experience and SEO. For example, loading critical content first improves perceived speed.

How to implement it:

• Prioritize loading text content before images or videos.
• Use asynchronous loading for JavaScript and CSS files.
• Test your site’s load sequence using tools like WebPageTest.

13. Add "Table of Contents" for Long-Form Content

A table of contents (TOC) improves user experience and helps search engines understand the structure of your content. It can also lead to featured snippets for specific sections.

How to implement it:

• Use anchor links to create a clickable TOC.
• Add schema markup for the TOC to enhance its visibility in search results.
• Place the TOC near the top of the page for easy access.

14. Use "Hidden Text" for Accessibility (Without Penalty)

Hidden text (e.g., text that’s visible only to screen readers) can improve accessibility without negatively impacting SEO—if done correctly.

How to implement it:

• Use CSS to hide text visually while keeping it accessible to screen readers (e.g., .sr-only class).
• Avoid using hidden text for keyword stuffing or deceptive practices.
• Test your site’s accessibility using tools like AldoMedia SEO Score.

15. Optimize "404 Pages" for Engagement

A well-optimized 404 page can reduce bounce rates and improve user experience, which indirectly benefits SEO.

How to implement it:

• Add helpful links, a search bar, or a fun message to your 404 page.
• Use humor or creativity to keep users engaged.
• Redirect users to relevant pages using internal links.

By implementing these lesser known on-page SEO techniques, you can create a more optimized, user-friendly site that stands out in search results. These tactics go beyond the basics and tap into the nuances of how search engines and users interact with your content. Happy optimizing!