The No-BS On-Page SEO Checklist for 2024-2025: What Actually Works Now

Hey there, SEO warriors! Jeff Lenney here, and I’m about to share an on-page SEO checklist that’s more up-to-date than my coffee maker (and trust me, I upgrade that thing religiously).

If you’re looking for basic tips like “put keywords in your title tag” or “make sure your site works on mobile,” you’re in the wrong place. This is 2024, folks – we’re going deep into the stuff that actually moves the needle.

Let me show you the power of proper on-page SEO with a real example. Back when I worked with Timothy Sykes, his site was buried on page 5 for ‘penny stocks‘ – a hugely competitive term.

Using JUST the on-page techniques I’m about to show you, we pushed him to #10 on page 1. No backlinks, no black hat stuff, just pure on-page optimization. Once we had that foundation, we added strategic backlinks and shot up to the top half of page 1.

The lesson? Solid on-page SEO can get you 80% of the way there, even in competitive niches. Here’s how to do it right.

AI Content & SEO in 2024: The New Reality

Let’s address the elephant in the room: AI content. It’s here, everyone’s using it, and Google knows it. But here’s what really matters:

Making AI Content Rank in 2024

• Pattern Interruption: Break up AI-generated content with personal experiences, unique insights, and real data
• Voice Consistency: Maintain a consistent brand voice across all content
• Experience Signals: Add unique insights that only you or your brand can provide
• Data Integration: Include current stats, case studies, and real examples

The Human Touch Factor

The key to making AI content work isn’t hiding that it’s AI – it’s enhancing it with elements only humans can provide:

• Real Examples: Share actual client stories and results
• Personal Experiences: Add your own successes and failures
• Industry Insights: Include trends you’ve personally observed
• Original Data: Share your own findings and statistics

E-E-A-T Signals 2.0: Experience is King

Remember when E-A-T was all the rage? Well, Google added another ‘E’ for Experience, and it’s a game-changer. Here’s what matters now:

Demonstrating Real Experience

• Author bios that showcase actual expertise
• Case studies with verifiable results
• Client testimonials with specific outcomes
• Industry certifications and awards
• Speaking engagements and publications

Let me break down how I handled this with Timothy Sykes’ site. Instead of just saying he was a penny stock expert, we:

• Showcased his actual trading results
• Highlighted media appearances
• Featured student success stories
• Added video content showing real trades

The result? Google started treating the site as a legitimate authority, not just another financial blog.

Advanced Content Architecture

This is where most people mess up. They think creating content is enough. It’s not. You need a strategic architecture that shows Google the relationships between your content.

Topic Clustering That Works

Your content structure should look like this:

1. Pillar Content:

• Comprehensive guides
• Ultimate resources
• Complete tutorials

2. Supporting Content:

• Detailed subtopics
• Specific examples
• Case studies
• How-to guides

3. Related Content:

• FAQ pages
• Glossaries
• Tools and resources
• Implementation guides

Content Depth vs. Length

Stop obsessing over word count. Here’s what actually matters:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Answer all relevant user questions
• Unique Insights: Add value beyond what competitors offer
• Practical Examples: Show real-world applications
• Action Steps: Give users clear next steps

Technical Components That Matter

Core Web Vitals Evolution

The metrics that actually move the needle:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP):

• Aim for under 2.5 seconds
• Optimize crucial above-the-fold content
• Use proper image formatting and loading

2. First Input Delay (FID):

• Keep it under 100ms
• Minimize JavaScript execution
• Optimize event handlers

3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):

• Target under 0.1
• Pre-define image and ad spaces
• Manage font loading properly

Advanced Schema Implementation

Forget basic Article schema. Here’s what’s working now:

• HowTo Schema: For step-by-step guides
• FAQ Schema: For common questions
• Table Schema: For comparison content
• Speakable Schema: For voice search optimization

The Future of On-Page SEO

What’s Coming in 2025

Based on current trends and Google’s direction, prepare for:

1. AI Detection Evolution:

• More sophisticated AI content detection
• Emphasis on unique insights
• Premium on original research

2. Visual Search Integration:

• Advanced image optimization requirements
• Visual content relevance signals
• Integrated multimedia requirements

3. User Journey Optimization:

• Content engagement metrics
• Navigation pattern analysis
• Cross-device experience signals

Advanced Keyword Strategy for 2024-2025

Gone are the days of stuffing keywords into your content. Here’s what’s working now:

Search Intent Mapping

Break down your keywords by these intent categories:

1. Informational Intent:

• How-to guides
• Ultimate resources
• Definition pages
• Comparison content

2. Commercial Intent:

• Product comparisons
• Best-of lists
• Review content
• Buying guides

3. Transactional Intent:

• Product pages
• Service descriptions
• Pricing pages
• Checkout processes

Entity Optimization

This is huge and most people miss it. Google doesn’t just read keywords – it understands entities and their relationships.

Key Entity Optimization Steps:

• Define your primary entities
• Establish entity relationships
• Create supporting content clusters
• Link related entities naturally

Visual SEO & Rich Media

Image Optimization 2.0

Beyond basic alt tags:

1. File Optimization:

• Use descriptive filenames
• Implement WebP format
• Enable lazy loading
• Utilize srcset for responsive images

2. Visual Search Optimization:

• Include object detection markup
• Use descriptive captions
• Implement image sitemaps
• Add relevant context

Video Optimization

This is crucial now that Google’s indexing video content better than ever:

1. Technical Optimization:

• Proper schema markup
• Transcripts and closed captions
• Thumbnail optimization
• Loading speed considerations

2. Content Optimization:

• Descriptive titles and descriptions
• Chapter markers
• Engagement signals
• Cross-linking with text content

Local SEO On-Page Factors

Advanced Local Schema

Your local schema should include:

• Multiple location markup
• Service area definitions
• Business hours with special times
• COVID-19 safety measures (still relevant)
• Specific department information

Multi-Location Strategy

For businesses with multiple locations:

• Unique content per location
• Location-specific testimonials
• Area-specific service details
• Local event integration

Mobile-First Implementation

Beyond Basic Responsiveness

1. Touch Interaction Optimization:

• Button size and spacing
• Form field accessibility
• Navigation patterns
• Gesture support

2. Mobile Speed Optimization:

• AMP considerations
• Progressive loading
• Resource prioritization
• Cache management

Analytics & Measurement

Setting Up Proper Tracking

1. GA4 Integration:

• Custom event tracking
• User journey mapping
• Conversion path analysis
• Engagement metrics

2. Search Console Integration:

• Core Web Vitals monitoring
• Mobile usability tracking
• Index coverage analysis
• Rich results monitoring

Implementation Checklist

Quick Wins (Do These Today):

✓ Audit your title tags and meta descriptions

✓ Check Core Web Vitals scores

✓ Verify schema implementation

✓ Review mobile experience

✓ Check site speed

Short-Term Projects (Next 30 Days):

✓ Implement advanced schema

✓ Optimize image delivery

✓ Set up proper tracking

✓ Create content clusters

✓ Establish entity relationships

Long-Term Strategy (90+ Days):

✓ Develop comprehensive content architecture ✓ Build out topic clusters ✓ Implement advanced tracking ✓ Optimize user journeys ✓ Regular content updates

Tools I Actually Use

These are the tools I personally use and recommend:

1. Technical SEO:

• Screaming Frog
• Ahrefs
• SEMrush
• GTmetrix

2. Content Optimization:

• Surfer SEO
• Clearscope
• MarketMuse
• Frase

3. Analytics:

• GA4
• Search Console
• Hotjar
• CrazyEgg

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Over-Optimization:

• Keyword stuffing (yes, people still do this)
• Too many internal links
• Overdoing schema markup
• Excessive header tag use

2. Under-Optimization:

• Thin content
• Missing schema
• Poor internal linking
• Weak E-E-A-T signals

The Bottom Line

On-page SEO in 2024-2025 is about creating a comprehensive user experience that satisfies both search engines and users. It’s not about gaming the system – it’s about building something valuable and making sure Google understands its value.

Remember the Timothy Sykes case study I mentioned earlier? The reason we succeeded wasn’t just technical optimization – it was creating a complete user experience that demonstrated real expertise and value.

Now it’s your turn. Take this checklist, implement it systematically, and watch your rankings climb. Just remember – SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on building something that lasts.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments below. I’m always here to help fellow SEOs crush it!