Introduction

Creating a RankMath-optimized article is essential for bloggers, marketers, and website owners who want their content to rank high in search engines. In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to seamlessly integrate Focus Keyword research, develop an in-depth Content Brief, and format your work as a full, raw HTML article ready for publication on any SEO-ready website.

1. Research and Select Your Focus Keyword

The first step in crafting an SEO-friendly article is identifying your Focus Keyword. This is the exact search phrase you aim to rank for. For example, if your content is about SEO plugins, your focus keyword might be “RankMath-optimized article.” Use advanced keyword research tools to analyze search volume, intent, and competition for potential keywords.

• Use Google Keyword Planner or a paid keyword tool for comprehensive data.
• Evaluate related search terms in Google for extended long-tail opportunities.
• Choose keywords that align closely with your audience’s intent.

2. Develop a Detailed Content Brief

Outline your article with a robust Content Brief. This brief should include the primary objectives, target audience, main talking points, and desired CTAs. Using a content brief and outline software can significantly streamline the process, ensuring you cover all necessary SEO aspects.

• Define audience pain points and interests.
• Map the structure: Introduction, body, SEO elements, conclusion.
• List key questions or topics your content must answer.

3. Format a full, raw HTML article for SEO

Technical SEO is often overlooked in content writing. Prepare your full, raw HTML article with all meta tags, heading structures, internal and external links, images with ALT text, and schema markup as appropriate. An HTML editor software with robust SEO features will ensure compliance with best practices.

• Include <title>, meta description, and canonical tags.
• Use H1 for the headline, H2/H3 for subsections, and lists or tables where needed.
• Add relevant affiliate or informational links following compliance standards.

4. Optimize for RankMath Plugin

Before publishing, check your work using the RankMath SEO plugin’s checklist. Ensure the Focus Keyword appears in all essential on-page elements: title, meta description, URL, and throughout the article’s body. Incorporate internal and external links naturally to maximize your SEO score.

• Check the focus keyword density—avoid over-optimization.
• Verify your images include keywords in ALT text.
• Test readability and mobile responsiveness.

5. Final Review: generate the full, raw HTML article with all technical SEO elements Before Publishing

Before your article goes live, generate the full, raw HTML article with all technical SEO elements and preview it in your CMS. Be sure each affiliate link and SEO element is intact, and that the finished product adheres to your brand voice and user experience standards.

• Preview in multiple browsers and on mobile devices.
• Test all affiliate and internal links for accuracy.
• Validate HTML and structured data for technical SEO compliance.