How to Use Surfer SEO to Optimize Your Blogs

Businesses like yours can achieve higher rankings on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) through implementing the right Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. It increases conversion rates by attracting targeted traffic and enhancing user experience. That said, leveraging tools like Surfer SEO can help your content outperform competitors on search results. 

Source: Colorlib

In addition, Backlinko revealed that content in the top 1 results in Google enjoying the highest Click-Through Rate (CTR) of 27.6%. Meanwhile, only 0.63% of Google users clicked from the second page.

Using tools like SurferSEO, businesses can optimize content — especially blog posts or articles that share valuable information with interested readers. 

Key Features of Surfer SEO Tool

SurferSEO is an advanced content optimization tool that helps businesses and writers improve their search rankings. It provides data-driven recommendations on keyword usage, content structure, and competitor insights. 

Moreover, it simplifies SEO by analyzing top-performing pages so your content is well-optimized, competitive, and aligned with search engine algorithms to increase engagement and visibility.

Key Features include:

• Content Editor: Write and optimize your content based on real-time suggestions, including keyword density, headings, and structure.
• Content Audit: Analyze the existing content and measure its SEO metrics. This includes content score, position, and Click-Through Rate. 
• Topical Map: Generate relevant topic ideas for new content that aligns with your audience.

How to Use Surfer SEO to Optimize Your Blogs

SurferSEO can streamline your content optimization process along with its data-driven insights and recommendations.

Research Target Keywords

This tool primarily optimizes content, but it also aids in keyword selection. While you can utilize your preferred keyword research tool, ensure your choices align with your content marketing strategies.

For optimal ranking, conduct a multi-keyword analysis by selecting closely related keyphrases with low competition yet high relevance. Choosing keywords with manageable search volumes improves your chances of securing top positions in SERPs.

Set Up Your Draft in the Content Editor

Enter a query in the content editor to generate a structured optimization plan. This tool recognizes keywords with check marks.

• For single-keyword analysis, enter the keyword and click “Create a Query.”
• For multi-keyword analysis, input multiple phrases and decide whether to create separate or combined queries.
• Choose mobile or desktop as the preferred scraping device.
• Specify the target country (or locality, if applicable).

• Activate Surfer’s NLP-powered analysis for additional keyword suggestions.

Once set up, this tool will provide recommendations on the following:

• Ideal content length or word count;
• Heading structure, and
• Relevant keyword usage.

Customize Competition Analysis

Surfer SEO analyzes top-ranking competitors, offering insights into your content strategy.  Here’s how to refine your optimization: 

• Click the Customize icon on Surfer’s sidebar.
• Manually select relevant competitor articles.
• Evaluate Content Scores (0-100) to gauge content relevance.
• Exclude articles that don’t match your search intent.
• Add up to ten extra pages for further analysis.

Structure Content for Maximum Optimization

The Surfer SEO Tool also suggests an optimal word count, headings, paragraphs, and images based on competitor data. However, you can adjust these settings to align with your content needs. 

Initially, Surfer generates a baseline from competitors. Writers can customize these numbers for balance and readability, while adjustments impact the content score in real-time.

Add Extra Related Terms

Surfer will recommend additional terms that improve your content score and ranking potential. If Natural Language Program (NLP) analysis is enabled, it extracts valuable keywords from Google’s algorithm.

• Incorporate up to 50 suggested terms.
• Prioritize keywords in headings where necessary.
• Disable irrelevant terms to maintain content quality.
• Focus on natural keyword integration for readability.

Not only that, Surfer’s algorithm also enhances the chances of appearing in featured snippets. According to 37+ SEO Statistics And Trends, 12.29% of search query results pages now contain featured snippets.

Add Relevant Topics and Questions 

Surfer’s content editor tool will also list topics and questions based on the following:

• People Also Ask (PAA) sections from Google;
• Competitor analysis, and
• Surfer’s database.

Optimizing content for related topics might help you with passage ranking, fill content gaps, and increase reader engagement.

Use Notes for Seamless Collaboration

Notes can significantly enhance the writing process, especially when collaborating with one or more writers. Content marketers have ample space to include details about the content, deadline, or preferences. These notes can also be customized to serve as a comprehensive writing guide.

Optional: Share and Export Optimized Content 

One of the standout features of the Surfer SEO Tool is the ability to facilitate collaboration among content marketers and writers. You can grant others access to the content editor tool by simply sharing a unique link. In this way, it eliminates the need for them to log in or create an account to contribute. 

Additionally, writers can utilize Surfer’s plugin, which integrates with Content Management Systems (CMS) and Google Docs.

Start Writing in Surfer’s Content Editor

Blogging increases a business’ chances of getting noticed online. According to SmallBizGenius, websites with blogs have 434% more indexed pages than those without. Fortunately, the Content Editor tool provides SEO recommendations tailored to your target keywords. This helps you optimize content and further enhance your presence online.

When writing, the goal is to achieve a high optimization score. With Surfer’s Editor Tool, scores update in real time as you add content to the draft. This reflects the guidelines set up in earlier steps. This allows you to track your progress and ensure your content aligns with optimization best practices.

Another advantage of Content Editor is the sidebar, which displays guidelines as you write. This keeps you on track and informed throughout the process.

Check the Content Score as You Work

The Content Score displayed on the sidebar indicates the quality of your content by showing your current score. Depending on your settings, it may also reveal your draft’s maximum potential score.

However, your settings might prevent you from achieving a perfect Content Score, even if you’ve done everything correctly. This is because the scoring guidelines are benchmarked against your competitors. 

For example, if your competitors’ content scores are low, aiming for an exceptionally high score might not be necessary. Instead, the focus should be on outperforming their metrics to ensure your content stands out.

Reach the Desired Counts or Limits on Words

Aim for an optimal word count and structure in your draft. This tool provides real-time guidance showing what’s missing to avoid overuse, including the following:

• Headings;
• Paragraphs, and
• Keyword mentions, etc.

Ensure natural flow and readability while meeting recommendations. It also offers insights into how competitors use specific phrases.

Export the Finished Content 

Once you’re satisfied with the content and its score, export it by transferring it to your SEO-Friendly CMS. Ensure the pasted text matches its appearance in the Editor Tool, and review it carefully before publishing. Alternatively, marketers can export the article in an HTML format and upload it directly to the server or paste it into an HTML editor.

Use SurferSEO to Create Top-Quality Content!

Surfer’s Content Editor tool helps optimize articles by providing keyword suggestions and actionable editing advice. In the hands of skilled content marketing professionals like us, we ensure that content is search-engine optimized and evergreen. Our expertise also includes: 

• Conducting keyword research; 
• Identifying content gaps, and 
• Analyzing competitors to craft high-quality articles.

Achieve higher rankings on SERPs today to drive organic traffic and boost visibility. We are reliable content marketing services provider in the Philippines that can help you in many ways — specifically in creating winning content!

Updated on March 6, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About SurferSEO

Is SurferSEO suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its intuitive design feature makes it easy to use for both content marketing professionals and beginners. Surfer also provides step-by-step recommendations to improve content effectively.

Can you use SurferSEO for free?

Surfer offers a limited free version with basic features. Fortunately, professional content marketing services have full access to tools, like SurferSEO. To know more about the tool and content services we offer, contact us today!

How does SurferSEO improve content rankings?

Surfer provides data-driven insights that help optimize content based on top-performing pages. It also recommends ideal word counts, keyword usage, and structure adjustments to ensure better rankings on search engines.