Should you be updating old blog posts instead of writing new posts with a similar subject? What about the date – should you change that, too?
Updating old blog posts is a smart SEO strategy and can be more effective than writing a brand-new post on the same topic.
I have a few tips on why and how to update old blog posts effectively.
1. Should You be Updating Old Blog Posts Instead of Writing New?
Update an OLD blog post, if:
- The topic is still relevant, but the content is outdated; for example, an old list of “Best SEO Tools” needs updating with newer tools
- The existing post ranks well but has lost traffic. Refreshing it can help regain lost rankings.
- The older post has backlinks and authority. Keeping and improving it is better than starting from scratch.
Write a NEW Post if:
- The topic is completely different or needs a whole new angle.
- Your existing post is thin on content or lacks traffic. Sometimes starting fresh is better.
- You’re creating a series of related posts instead of just one updated post.
Best Practice
If you have multiple similar posts, consider merging them into one stronger, updated post and redirecting the old URLs to the new one (with a 301 Redirect).
2. Should You Change the Published Date in WordPress?
Changing the published date will depend on the size of your update.
- Minor edits and tweaks like images and a typo fix? NO, keep the original date.
- Major updates like new paragraphs and updated SEO? YES, update the published date.
If you add new sections, update stats, change keywords, or improve SEO, changing the date signals to Google that the content is fresh.
How to Change the Date in WordPress
In the Post Editor, look for the published date setting and update it to the current date before republishing.
Does Changing the Date Help SEO?
Google prefers fresh content, so updating the date can improve rankings if the content itself is significantly improved.
If the update is only surface-level, changing the date won’t have much impact.
3. Properly Updating Old Blog Posts for SEO
What updates should you make to improve SEO of your old blog post?
- Improve & Expand Content ⇒ Add new sections, recent statistics, or FAQs.
- Update Keywords ⇒ Use Google Search Console to see what keywords the post is ranking for and optimize further.
- Refresh Images ⇒ Add new images, compress them for speed, name with relevant keywords, and update alt text.
- Improve Meta Description ⇒ Make the description more engaging and update it with new keywords.
- Check Internal Links ⇒ Add links to newer blog posts for better site structure.
- Improve Formatting ⇒ Use bullet points, headers, and short paragraphs for better readability.
4. Bonus Tip: Promote Your Updated Post
You just refreshed an important blog post so now it’s time to promote it!
After updating, don’t forget to:
- Share it on social media with a note like Updated for 2025!
- Send it to your email list as a refreshed resource.
- Resubmit it to Google Search Console to get it re-crawled faster.
Updating Old Blog Posts
The final verdict is, yes, updating your old blog posts is often better than writing a new one on the same topic.
And if the updates are substantial, changing the published date can help with rankings and click-through rates.
