Are you new to affiliate marketing?
Do you want more people to find your content?
SEO can help you get more visitors to your site.
Don’t worry if it seems like SEO is hard. These simple tips will help you write better content that ranks well in Google.
This post may contain affiliate links. ThriversHub earns commissions at no extra cost to you when purchases are made through links on this page. For more info, visit the disclosure page.
What is SEO for Affiliate Writers?
SEO stands for search engine optimization. It’s how you make your content easy for Google and other search engines (but mainly Google) to find and serve to people searching online.
When you write good SEO content, more people see your affiliate links. More visitors means more clicks. More clicks can mean more affiliate commissions.
Think of SEO like a map. It helps Google find your content and show it to the right people.
It Starts With Keyword Research
Keywords are the queries people type into Google to find stuff. You need to find the right keywords for your content.
To do this, you can use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest. Look for keywords that match the following criteria:
- Get searched 100 – 1000 times per month
- Have low competition
- Match the topic you want to write about
For example, instead of “best laptops,” try “best laptops under $500.” This keyword is more specific and easier to rank for.
Write down 5-10 keywords before you start writing. This gives you a clear plan to follow.
Write Great Headlines That Get Clicks
Your headlines are super important. It’s the first thing people see in the Google results.
Good headlines should:
- Include your main keyword
- Be 50-60 characters long
- Make people want to click
- Tell people what they’ll learn or how they can benefit
Here are some examples that are great for affiliate content:
- “7 Best Budget Phones under $300 (2025 Review)”
- “How To Choose Running Shoes: Simple Guide for Beginners”
- “Top 5 Coffee Makers That Wouldn’t Break Your Budget”
Test different headlines for your content and see which ones get the most clicks in your Google Search Console.
Check out my guide on writing great headlines for your affiliate content.
Create Content That Helps People
Your job as an affiliate marketer is to help as many people as you can. When you help people by providing valuable content, you end up earning more commissions.
Google loves helpful content. Write articles that solve real problems for your readers.
Start each article by asking: “What problem does this solve?” Then write your whole article around that answer.
Good affiliate content should:
- Answer common questions
- Compare different products
- Give honest pros and cons
- Include personal experience when possible
Don’t just list products. Explain why someone should buy them. Share how they work in real life.
Use Your Keywords the Right Way
Where you put your keywords in your content is important. If you want to do SEO the right way, put your main keywords in these places:
- Title tag (headline)
- First paragraph
- At least one sub-heading
You should also use your keyword throughout your content naturally. If you’re writing content focused on solving the user’s query, you wouldn’t even have to think about including your keyword. It should naturally come out in your writing.
There are also wrong ways to use your keywords.
Don’t stuff them in your content everywhere. This looks spam-like to Google. Use your keyword 1-2 times per 100 words.
You also want to use related keywords. If your main keyword is “best gaming mouse,” you can also use:
- “gaming mice”
- “computer mouse for gaming”
- “wireless gaming mouse”
This helps Google understand your topic better.
Write Longer, Detailed Articles
Long articles often rank better than short ones. Aim for at least 1,500 words for product reviews.
But don’t add fluff just to make articles longer. Every paragraph should add value.
Break up long articles with:
- Clear subheadings
- Bullet points
- Images
- Short paragraphs
This makes your content easy to read on phones and computers. Your readers can easily scan your content and find what they’re looking for.
Optimize Your Images
Images make your content more interesting. They also help with SEO when done right.
For each image:
- Use a descriptive file name (not “IMG_1234.jpg”)
- Add alt text that describes the image
- Keep file sizes under 100KB for fast loading
- Use your keywords in alt text when it makes sense
Good example: “wireless-gaming-mouse-review.jpg” as your file name with alt text “Logitech wireless gaming mouse on desk setup”.
Build Internal Links
A great way to help your search engine rankings is to link to other articles on your site. This helps Google find all your content.
When you mention a product you’ve reviewed before, link to that review. If you write about “best laptops,” link to your “laptop buying guide.”
Use descriptive link text. Instead of “click here,” use “read our full laptop review.”
Internal links keep people on your site longer. This tells Google your content is useful to people browsing your website.
Get External Links (The Right Way)
For an even bigger boost in rankings, you should also be getting links from other websites.
But you need quality links, not spam links from unrelated sites.
Here are some suggestions on getting good links
- Write amazing content that people want to share
- Guest post on related blogs
- Join affiliate marketing communities
- Share your content on social media
- Email other bloggers about your amazing content.
The bad ways?
Never buy cheap links. Google can tell and it will hurt your rankings. You can read more about Google’s guidelines on link schemes.
Make Your Site Load Fast
Slow sites rank worse in Google. Most people leave if a page takes more than 3 seconds to load.
You can do some things to speed up your website’s loading time.
- Use a good, fast web host (I use WPX Hosting).
- Compress images
- Use a caching plugin
- Choose a fast-loading WordPress theme (I use Blocksy for this website)
- Removing plugins that you don’t need.
Test your speed with Google PageSpeed Insights. Fix the biggest problems first.
Write With Mobile Users in Mind
More people use phones than computers to browse the web. Your site must work well on mobile.
Mobile-friendly tips:
- Use a responsive theme
- Keep buttons big enough to tap
- Make text easy to read without zooming
- Test your site on different phone sizes
Google uses mobile-first indexing. This means it looks at your mobile site first when deciding rankings.
Track Your Results
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use free tools to track your progress. I use the most important ones.
Google Analytics shows:
- How many people visit your site
- Which pages get the most traffic
- Where your visitors come from
Google Search Console shows:
- Which keywords bring you traffic
- Your average ranking position
- Any technical problems with your site
Check these tools every week. Look for patterns and opportunities to improve.
Common SEO Mistakes To Avoid
When you don’t understand SEO, you’re liable to make some simple mistakes. Here are some of the most common beginner mistakes that you should avoid.
Keyword stuffing: Using your keyword too much looks like spam to Google. Write naturally.
Copying content: Never copy from other sites. Google will punish you for duplicate content.
Ignoring user intent: Write for what people actually want to know, not just keywords.
Forgetting about competition: Check what’s already ranking before you write. Make yours better.
Not updating old content: Refresh your articles with new information and products.
Always remember that Google wants to rank helpful content. If what you’re doing does not contribute to helping the reader, you’re probably doing something wrong.
Build Your SEO Skills Over Time
I did not always understand SEO. I started with the very basics. Over time I picked up some new skills which contributes to my overall knowledge of this needed skill for affiliate marketers.
The most important thing you need to know about SEO is to focus on creating helpful content first. If people love your articles, Google will notice.
Join affiliate marketing groups online. Learn from other successful affiliates. Ask questions when you’re stuck.
Read SEO blogs like Moz and Search Engine Journal. They share the latest tips and updates.
Remember: SEO is a long game. You might not see results for 3-6 months. But once you do, the traffic can grow for years.
Your Next Steps
Ready to improve your affiliate content? Here’s what to do next:
- Pick one article to optimize using these tips
- Do keyword research for that article
- Rewrite the headline and first paragraph
- Add internal links to other articles
- Check your site speed and fix any problems
Start small and build from there. Each optimized article brings you closer to more traffic and affiliate sales.
Good SEO takes time, but it’s worth the effort. Your future self will thank you for starting today.
