Getting a blog post to rank is harder than ever. Algorithms keep changing, everyone’s chasing the same keywords, and the “just write great content” advice only goes so far. If you want a better shot at showing up in Google, you need to get serious about on-page optimization—without turning your writing into keyword soup. This guide is for writers, marketers, and editors who want to use Clearscope’s content grading to boost their SEO, but don’t want to lose their minds (or their voice) in the process.
Let’s get practical about using Clearscope to make your posts rank. No magic bullets. No “growth hacks.” Just what works, what’s a waste of time, and how to tell the difference.
1. Understand What Clearscope Content Grading Actually Does
Before you even log in, it helps to know what you’re getting with Clearscope. It’s a tool that analyzes top-ranking search results for your target keyword, pulls out the terms and topics they cover, and gives your draft a “content grade” based on how well you include those terms.
- It’s not a grammar checker or a writing coach.
- It’s not a magic SEO guarantee.
- It is a way to see if your content covers the same ground as the stuff that’s already ranking.
Clearscope’s grading system (A+ to F) is meant to nudge you toward content that looks more like what Google is already rewarding. It’s about relevance, not just keyword stuffing.
What to ignore:
Don’t get obsessed with hitting a perfect A++ grade. Chasing every suggested term can make your writing robotic. The point is to cover what matters, not to make Google think you’re a thesaurus.
2. Start With a Solid Draft—Don’t Write for the Tool
Here’s a rookie mistake: staring at Clearscope’s suggestions while writing your first draft. Don’t do it.
- Write your draft first, for humans. Cover your topic as naturally as you can.
- If you’re working from an outline or brief, stick to it.
- Get your ideas down before worrying about SEO tweaks.
Why?
If you write to please a tool from the start, your post will sound awkward. You’ll end up with forced sentences just to cram in terms. Google’s smarter than that, and so are your readers.
Pro tip:
If you’re updating an old post, run the original through Clearscope first to see where it stands. Don’t start editing blindly.
3. Run Your Draft Through Clearscope
Once you’ve got a draft, upload or paste it into Clearscope. Pick your main keyword or phrase (the one you want to rank for), and let the tool generate its report.
You’ll see:
- Content grade (A+ to F)
- Term recommendations (words and phrases from top-ranking pages)
- Word count comparisons (how your draft stacks up to competitors)
- Readability score
Don’t obsess over the score.
If you’re sitting at a B or B+, you’re probably in good shape. An A is nice, but not a requirement for ranking.
What matters most:
- Are you missing any major subtopics or questions?
- Are you repeating yourself just to hit extra keywords?
- Does the post still make sense for your readers?
4. Fill Gaps and Add Relevant Terms—Without Sounding Like a Robot
Now’s the time to optimize. Go through Clearscope’s list of recommended terms. You’ll see some you’ve already used, and others you haven’t.
How to approach this:
- Focus on terms that make sense. If you missed an obvious one (“search intent,” “meta description,” etc.), find a natural place to add it.
- Look for subtopics you skipped. Are all the main angles covered? If not, add a new section or a few sentences.
- Don’t force it. If a term feels clunky or off-topic, skip it. Not every suggested word needs to be included.
- Watch for over-optimization. If you’re repeating the same phrase every other line, dial it back.
What to ignore: - Terms that have nothing to do with your post’s angle. - Awkward synonyms just to check a box. - Excessive keyword density—Google cares about context, not just repetition.
Example:
If you’re writing about “best running shoes” and Clearscope suggests “cushioning” but you never mention why that matters, you’re missing a key topic. Add a quick explanation about why cushioning is important, rather than shoehorning the word into a random sentence.
5. Use the Competition as a Sanity Check
Clearscope shows you what’s ranking, not just what’s possible. Click through some of the top competitor links in the report. Skim their headings and see what they’re doing differently.
- Are they covering topics you missed?
- Do they have stronger introductions or clearer answers to common questions?
- Are they using lots of fluff, or are they direct and useful?
This isn’t about copying—just making sure you’re not missing obvious points. If your post’s way shorter or thinner, that’s a red flag. But don’t play the word count game for its own sake; quality beats quantity every time.
6. Edit for Readability and Voice—Don’t Let the Robots Win
After you’ve worked in the relevant terms, read your post out loud or use a text-to-speech tool. Does it still sound like you? Are your sentences getting clunky?
- Trim jargon and fluff.
- Shorten sentences where possible.
- Break up big blocks of text with bullet points or subheadings.
- Keep your examples and explanations simple.
Remember: The goal isn’t to impress an algorithm—it’s to help a human. If a sentence feels weird to say out loud, it’s probably weird to read.
7. Publish, Track, and Iterate (Don’t Chase Perfection)
Once you’ve hit publish, your job isn’t over. SEO is slow. It can take weeks (sometimes months) to see results.
- Check rankings after a few weeks. Are you moving up for your target keywords?
- Watch for engagement. Are readers spending time on the page? Are they bouncing right away?
- Update as needed. If rankings tank, revisit Clearscope to see if you missed something—or if competitors have changed their approach.
What to ignore:
Don’t tweak your post every day chasing minor grade changes. Google cares about usefulness, not perfection.
Honest Takes: What Works, What’s Overhyped
What works: - Using Clearscope to catch major topic gaps you didn’t know you missed. - Making sure your content is at least as comprehensive as what’s ranking. - Balancing optimization with real readability.
What doesn’t: - Chasing every suggested term like your life depends on it. - Obsessing over content grades at the expense of voice or clarity. - Treating Clearscope as a “guaranteed rankings” button.
Ignore the noise: If someone tells you Clearscope (or any tool) is all you need for SEO, don’t buy it. It’s a tool—not a strategy. Solid research, good writing, and actually solving the reader’s problem still matter most.
Keep It Simple: Make Small, Smart Tweaks and Move On
SEO isn’t about hitting some mythical score. Use Clearscope to spot gaps, add what makes sense, and leave the rest. Don’t let optimization kill your writing voice. Publish, watch what works, and improve over time. That’s the real way to get blog posts ranking—and keep your sanity intact.