Complete Guide to On-Page SEO in 2025 - What It Is and How to Do It

On-Page SEO Basics: What You Need to Know

Hey there! Are you looking to improve your website’s visibility on search engines to drive more organic traffic? It’s simple, yet every single person complicates it! If you want to learn the easiest way, you’ve come to the correct place! In this blog, we will talk about on page seo and how to do it. 

Before starting, we would like to inquire if you’re looking for an SEO expert in Kolkata. If the answer is yes, FavFly is at your service! We are the best seo company in Kolkata and offer multiple services like seo on page optimization, PR, digital marketing, design services, press releases, and a lot more. So next time you find it difficult to trust any Seo services, connect with us immediately! 

Today, search has evolved dramatically, with generative AI, mobile-first indexing, and increasing “zero-click” results dominating SERPs. Over 65% of searches now end without a click, especially on mobile and voice devices That means on-page SEO must be more precise and user-focused than ever.

Now, let’s delve back into the topic! 

What is On Page SEO?

On page SEO, also referred to as on-site SEO, is the process of optimizing or revamping parts of your web pages. The objective is simple, ranking higher in the search results and driving more organic traffic! 

Most people tend to confuse off page with on page SEO. But, both these are completely different. We will take a closer look at their distinction in the later parts of this blog. 

On page seo examples comprise content, title tags, internal links, and so on. It primarily involves optimizing elements within your website to boost its user experience, relevance, and visibility on search engines.

On-page also now includes ensuring structured data is implemented, so Google’s AI (SGE) can interpret your content directly on the results page.

The Difference Between On-Page and Off-Page SEO

While on-page SEO is about optimizing what’s on your website, off-page SEO focuses on what happens outside of your website, like backlinking, brand mentions, PR, and social media signals.

One key 2025 update? Google’s algorithm now gives more weight to the quality of your on-page signals, especially as AI-generated content floods the web. That’s why nailing your on-site SEO is more important than ever!

If you’re just starting, focus on on-page SEO first — it gives you more control, and it's the foundation for everything else.

Why is On-Page SEO Important for Your Website's Ranking?

As mentioned before, search engines solely focus on the keywords used and their relevance to a user’s search intent. Additionally, they also look at another on-page seo checklist. It means Google or Bing pays attention to on-page seo signals when serving the user.

Their algorithm always changes, but they continue prioritizing the best user experience. In short, they concentrate on excellent on-page seo strategies. The creation of insightful and relevant content is what reflects the best seo on-page optimization.

2025’s ranking factors emphasize EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). This isn’t just jargon; content evaluated for EEAT performs significantly better in competitive niches. A Moz report found that 64% of marketers say improving on-page SEO is the most effective way to boost performance

Why On-Page SEO Matters More in 2025

In 2025, Google’s Search Algorithm is smarter than ever, thanks to AI and machine learning upgrades like Search Generative Experience (SGE) and MUM (Multitask Unified Model). These updates mean Google focuses even more on understanding search intent, user experience, and content quality.

That’s where on-page SEO becomes your superpower.

Search engines use your on-page elements to understand your content and determine whether it should be shown in search results. If your content is relevant, trustworthy, and user-focused, you're much more likely to rank.

How to Do On-Page SEO Optimization: Step-by-Step SEO Tactics

1. Write Quality Content That Helps Google Understand Your Page

The very first step in on page search engine optimization refers to the creation of unique and high-quality content. It must match your searcher’s intent. Start by conducting efficient keyword research. You can do this by using free or paid tools like UberSuggest, Wordstream, Ahrefs, SEMrush, etc.

Copy the link of similar content or blog. Paste it into the tools to find relevant keywords with higher ranks and lower competition rates. You can also search by entering a keyword, such as ‘best cafes near me’. Most of the time, you already know the keywords or transition phrases. You have to scratch your heads and you can easily come out with them.

Make sure the keywords you select are of high position and volume. Also, the keyword difficulty should be low when targeting them. One of these on page seo techniques is using long-tail keywords also. They may have a lower search volume but lower difficulty as well! This makes it easier to help you rank. 

After conducting keyword research, the next on page seo checklist involves content creation. These could be in the form of blogs or articles. Follow this on page seo guide to create them in an SEO-friendly way.

• Include the keywords naturally into your content, and avoid overstuffing. Stuffing them would harm your rankings.
• The content should match or be relevant to your target audience’s search intent. 
• The content should be informative and relevant. It should properly solve the queries of your readers.
• Research well before writing the blog. Make sure your content is factually correct and accurate.
• Make sure to stand apart from your competitors, by incorporating on page seo factors like avoiding plagiarism at all costs. Copying others’ content will make the search engine penalize your work by affecting your ranking.
• Note that these engines want you to write something very different from others. 
• Incorporate more visual content like ad copies, infographics, memes, etc

In fact, long-form content (2,000+ words) generates 77% more backlinks and 56% more social shares than shorter posts . Use depth and topical breadth to attract those links.

🔥 Pro Tip for 2025: Use People Also Ask and Google’s SGE answers to identify what real users are searching for right now!

2. Input the Targeted Keywords Calculative

The on-page seo meaning is not just writing unique blogs but also adding the targeted keywords strategically. Search engines study your web page to see what it’s about. The readers also do the same. Thus, for effective on-page seo optimization, make sure you add them in

• Heading 1 (H1)
• The first paragraph of the copy
• Subheadings (H2, H3, H4, etc.)
• Throughout the body of the content wherever it fits best

You can use some on page seo checker tools like Ahrefs. It reports to you as soon as it detects some issues. Moreover, it provides recommendations and alternatives. For example, it will ask you to add a shorter or longer meta description. This will enhance your content quality and also improve its readability. 

3. Optimize Title Tags to Improve Your Search Snippet

Title tags are HTML codes that indicate the title of your web page. Also, they show them in that title in search engines, browser tabs, social media posts, and so on. In addition, these also enhance the search engine rankings of the web page. A good on page optimization of title tags will decide if a user will click on the page. 

Follow these on page seo strategies to make your title tag revamped. 

• Keep it short and sweet

Keep it between 50 -60 characters. A longer one would ultimately be cut by the engine.

• Incorporate your target keyword

Using it in the title would make Google understand what your page is all about.

• Stand apart from the crowd

Do not copy-paste the other users’ titles. Duplication heavily affects your search engine rankings. Hence, come up with a unique piece.

4. Write Visually Appealing Meta Descriptions for Better Optimization

A meta-description is one of the most important factors for on page optimization in digital marketing. It is usually present below the meta title of your blog. For instance, “how to define your target audience effectively”.

However, a meta description doesn’t have a direct impact on your search engine rankings. But they can be a decrypting factor for a user searching for a particular query on Google or Bing. It serves as an on page seo definition which helps them understand if the page is relevant to their interest or not.

If your meta description doesn’t match the person’s search intent, then Google may select its description for seo on page optimization. If you want your meta description to get selected, follow these quick and easy on page seo elements or tips.

• Make it mobile-friendly 

Google shortens meta descriptions after 120 characters on mobile. Thus, optimize them for a mobile user as well by keeping them short. 

• Incorporate your target keyword

Adding the target keyword in your meta description is a very crucial one among one the seo on page factors. In addition, bold your keywords used as Google also does to highlight the information represented. It makes your content stand apart by making it look more visually appealing.

• Use active voice

Avoid using passive voice as blogs are generally conversational. You’re directly talking to your audience. Hence, use active voice as much as possible. However, you can use a more passive voice in an insightful blog of health or science niche but within a limit. 

• Add a Call-To-Action (CTA) button

Encourage the readers to take action, such as placing an order or booking a consultation by adding a CTA button in your article. Some of them could be “try now”, “subscribe”, “read more”, etc.

Check site audit to know if there are duplicate meta descriptions. Some of the best on page seo tools for the same are SEMrush, Google Keyword Planner, and a lot more. 

5. Use Headers and Subheaders

Using headers and subheaders like H1, h2, etc. structures your page and highlights the importance of on page seo. It helps Google in understanding the scaling of your pages. Plus, it makes your content easier and more engaging to read. You can also use h4, h5, and h6 to further subdivide the information in your content.

Using keywords in headings help your content match with a user’s search intent. This elevates your readability and improves your rankings on Google for relevant key terms. You can use them as it is to the content or alter them a little to avoid grammatical errors. 

6. Optimize URLs

Use simple URLs to avoid making them look mysterious. This is the most important thing you have to remember in on page seo. Add worlds that are relevant to your content so that readers can understand what your page is all about. Don’t forget to mention your target keyword into the URL, to enhance its readability. 

And yes, URLs with keywords see roughly 45% higher CTR than generic ones. Keep them short, clean, and descriptive.

6. Optimize URLs and Internal Links for Better SEO

Internal links in elements of on page seo refer to the hyperlinks that direct you to different pages on the same site. Here’s an example of the same: How Off-Page SEO Can Benefit You. Here are a few reasons why these links are important on page ranking factors.

• They assist search engines in understanding the structure of your site and how pages are related to each other.
• They allow Google Crawlers to find and navigate to new pages.
• They communicate to Google that the linked-to-page is of value.
• They help visitors navigate through your website
• Visitors stay on your site longer through these seo on page factors.
• Google understands that a user’s search intent matches the content of your website.

Ultimately, traffic increases on your website.

7. Add External Links to Authoritative Sources

External links are usually the on page seo best practices that point to other websites. These enhance user experience and build credibility with your audience. 

However, there has been a discussion over whether these directly influence on page seo rankings. But, Google has clearly stated that adding external links is a great way to improve on page seo. 

Hence, make sure you’re including external links from reliable and safe sources, such as Government websites, reputed pages, etc. Follow these tips to enhance your on page seo strategies.

• Keep it short and simple

Don’t add complicated or long blocks of links. This is because screen readers cut all characters after the limit of 125.

• Incorporate your target keyword

Ensure to add your target keyword to enhance readability but don’t forcestuff.

• Adding alt text to ornamental images is a big no-no

Alt text indicates that it’s describing an image. Thus, don’t add it to these pieces. It would only be a character wastage.

To find missing alt text on your website, click on the “Issues” section on your site audit tool. This is an example of the SEMrush tool. 

Apart from including optimized alt text, here are several other ways to optimize graphics to add to your content.

• Write elaborative file names

Google knows about a page’s motif through file names, captions, and so on. Thus, take the example of pink-one-piece.jpg. This file name is far better than IMG555.jpg.  

• Compress Images

It helps in a faster loading time. There are many free and paid tools for the same. You can select anyone after thorough research. 

9. Revamp for User Engagement

If a user spends more time on your website, Google will consider it as an on page seo checklist. If users leave quickly from there without staying much, it will think there’s something wrong with your page. 

Have you ever heard about the terms bounce rate or dwell time? Google applies “interaction data” to decide if a search result matches a user’s intent. This helps it monitor the metrics via machine learning. 

Thus, note this one way of becoming Google's eye apple. Add important written content “above the fold”, where the visitors can see it before scrolling. Most people don’t have time to read every single line of your page. So make sure they grasp the information by reading the description and title only.

Using subheaders and images is a great way of enhancing readability. Adding CTA is also one of the great on page seo examples. 

Advanced On-Page SEO Strategies to Rank Higher

Once you’ve mastered the on page seo, it’s time to try some advanced strategies to rank higher. Let’s delve into those tactics! 

1. Revamp for Website Speed

We may not know all the ranking game plans. But we surely know that page speed is one of the greatest seo on page factors. Hence, it’s important to optimize your page speed for good performance. You may use Page Speed Optimizer to get an overall metric of how your page is performing and can improve it as well. 

Note these main web vitals. These are features offered by Core Web Vitals.

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): The amount of time a piece of content takes to load.
• First Input Delay (FID): The amount of time your website takes to respond to the first communication from the visitor (For example, clicking on a link)
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): The time taken by your website to shift (move down) as other or more content starts loading, such as images or banners.
  Start by clicking the “Analyze” button after entering the URL. 

2. Target Featured Snippets & SGE Results

Featured Snippets come up in the “position zero” above all the other organic search results. Hence, they can make it easier for you to drive more click-through-rate (CTR). Some of the popular forms of featured snippets include:

• Videos
• Lists
• Tables
• Definitions

You can use the Keyword Overview Tool of SEMrush to see if a keyword has a present featured snippet. For instance, use the keyword “Are dogs vegetarian”, enter your target market (suppose, US), and click on the “Search” button. 

You’ll see all the information related to this key term, such as keyword difficulty, search volume, Cost Per Click (CPC), and a lot more. 

Scroll down to the “SERP” section. To the extreme right side of the graph, you’ll see a link named “View SERP”. By selecting it, you can see what the SERP appears like for that particular keyword when it’s not impacted by location, user behavior, etc. 

If you want to achieve supremacy, create or upgrade your page following on page seo best practices. Some of the effective ways for doing so include

• Answering the doubt in a clear-cut and user-friendly way.
• Understanding the visitor’s search intent.

Configuring the answer accordingly. For example, it could be a concise one or two lines answer, a video, a graph, and so on.

3. Add Schema Markup

Schema markup is one of the best on page seo tools for on page seo techniques. It adds code to a page that better explains the page content. 

You can convey your message to the search engines about what your page topic is all about, whether it contains a recipe or a technical blog, and so on. Ultimately, the SERP can review that. You can get rich snippets using schema in SERP. They usually appeal like this:

Cook: 1hr 30 min                                                                                       Prep: 20 min

Level: Intermediate 

Schema markup also boosts your site’s CTR. The above-given examples are just for reference. You can add many distinct types of the same to your web page.

Common types of schema markup include

• Testimonials (Reviews)
• Products
• People
• Events
• Local Businesses
• And a lot more

You can find detailed information about the same at Schema.org. 

Modern Way to Do On-Page SEO with EEAT, SGE & Schema

Alright, now that you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to level up your SEO game with some advanced, 2025-ready strategies. These are not just tips — they’re real game-changers if done right. Let’s dive in:

1. Optimize for Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience)

Okay, this is a big one.

SGE is Google’s new AI-powered way of answering user queries directly on the SERP — kind of like ChatGPT inside Google. It's fast, smart, and already changing how people search.

So how do you stay visible?

• Write in natural, conversational language — avoid robotic, keyword-stuffed content
• Add FAQs, definitions, how-tos, and clear examples — these help Google pull your content for SGE responses
• Structure your page cleanly with proper headers, bullet points, and sections

Basically, the more helpful and clear your content is, the better your chances of showing up in AI-driven results.

2. Create Topic Clusters with Pillar + Supporting Pages

Gone are the days of targeting a single keyword per post. In 2025, it’s all about topical depth.

Here’s the move:

• Create a pillar page that covers a broad topic (like this guide on On-Page SEO)
• Then build supporting pages around that topic (for example: one blog on title tags, another on internal links, one for schema markup, etc.)
• Interlink everything like a boss 🔗

This helps Google see you as a subject-matter expert, boosts crawlability, and keeps users hooked. Win-win-win.

3. Strengthen Your EEAT Signals

This is not optional anymore.

EEAT — Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness — is a core part of Google’s algorithm now. The more you demonstrate these, the better your rankings.

Quick ways to boost EEAT:

• Add an author bio with credentials and links to socials
• Show testimonials or reviews if it’s a service/product page
• Link to credible sources to back up your claims
• Keep content up-to-date with visible published or modified dates
• Make sure your site is secure (HTTPS) and professional-looking

If your content looks like it came from a real expert (and not a content farm), Google will reward you for it. Simple as that.

Essential SEO Tools for On-Page Optimization

1. Google Keyword Planner

Helps identify relevant key terms and phrases along with metrics like keyword difficulty, cost-per-click, and search volume.

2. SEMrush

Provides holistic keyword research, competitor analysis, and content revamping features. 

3. Moz Keyword Explorer

Provides keyword suggestions with high rank and search volume as well as low difficulty. The SERP analysis and CPC data are also offered.

4. Yoast SEO

It is a powerful WordPress plugin that offers on-page optimization suggestions and analysis of readability.

5. Google Analytics

Tracks and analyzes user metrics to measure performance and engagement to ensure the effectiveness of your on-page seo techniques.

6. Google Search Console

Offers insights and valuable data such as crawl errors, search performance, and status of indexation.

7. Surfer SEO (2025 favorite)

This one’s huge in 2025. Surfer analyzes top-performing pages for your keyword and shows you exactly how to optimize, down to the number of headings, images, and keyword usage.

8. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT)

AWT gives you free insights into your backlink profile, site health, and keyword rankings. Not as robust as paid Ahrefs, but still super valuable for on-page and technical SEO.

9. Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Ideal for doing a deep technical audit. You can crawl your entire website and find broken links, duplicate content, missing meta tags, slow-loading pages, etc. A must-have for larger sites.

10. ChatGPT + SEO Plugins (yep, this too)

AI-assisted tools like ChatGPT with SEO plugins (like Keywords Everywhere, SEO Core AI, or ChatGPT Web Browsing for competitor data) are becoming essential in 2025 for ideation, outlining, and optimization.

On-Page SEO Checklist for 2025

Use this checklist before you hit publish (or when optimizing older posts) to make sure your content is 100% search-ready:

🔹 Basic SEO Elements

• Focus Keyword in Title Tag
  Include your main keyword naturally within the first 60 characters.
• Meta Description Optimized
  Between 150–160 characters. Clear, persuasive, and includes your keyword.
• URL Structure is Clean
  Short, descriptive, keyword-rich, no unnecessary stop words or numbers.
• H1 Tag is Unique & Keyword-Rich
  Only one H1 per page, and it sets the tone for the content.

🔹 Content Optimization

• Main Keyword in First 100 Words
  Use it naturally within the opening paragraph.
• Semantic Keywords Added
  Use related terms and LSI keywords throughout to help with context.
• Content Depth (1000+ Words if Needed)
  Cover the topic fully and answer all related sub-questions.
• Easy-to-Read Formatting
  Use headers (H2–H4), bullet points, short paragraphs, and visuals.
• Images with Alt Text
  Every image should be descriptive and include relevant keywords where it makes sense.
• Internal Links Added
  Link to other related posts/pages on your site using descriptive anchor text.
• External Links to Authority Sites
  Cite credible sources to build trust and EEAT.
• Schema Markup Implemented
  Use FAQ, How-To, Article, or Product schema based on your content type.

🔹 User Experience (UX) & Technical Checks

• Mobile-Friendly Design
  Your site should be responsive and fast across all devices.
• Page Load Speed Optimized
  Compress images, minify CSS/JS, and consider using a CDN.
• No Broken Links
  Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to scan for dead links.
• HTTPS Secured
  Security is a ranking factor — always use HTTPS.
• Breadcrumbs Navigation
  Improves UX and helps search engines understand your structure.

🔹 Advanced 2025 Tactics

• SGE Optimization
  Answer questions concisely, use natural language, and include quick definitions or lists for AI summaries.
• Topic Clusters/Pillar Strategy Used
  Ensure this content connects to a broader content hub (pillar page and cluster articles).
• EEAT Signals Added
  Show experience, expertise, authority, and trust: author bios, citations, publish/update date, testimonials, etc.
• Updated Date Visible
  Helps Google (and users) see your content is current — especially important in fast-moving niches.

🔹 Final Checks Before Publishing

• ✅ SEO Title looks great on SERPs
• ✅ Meta description makes people want to click
• ✅ Featured image added and optimized
• ✅ Call to action (CTA) included where appropriate
• ✅ Content proofread and grammar checked
• ✅ Indexed properly (no “noindex” by mistake)

Conclusion

In concussion, on page seo is an important aspect of digital marketing. It directly impacts your website’s readability, rankings, engagement, relevance, visibility, and organic traffic. By implementing the given on page seo tips, one can learn the basics to advance in no time. 

Of course, everything needs time, consistency, and patience just as this one. So keep reading similar blogs like this and learn new skills daily to master seo on page optimization. Good luck!