SEO optimization
Optimize meta tags, headings, keywords, slugs, and images for maximum search engine visibility.
SEO optimization
Every article competes for search engine visibility. IANews auto-generates SEO metadata during article creation, but reviewing and refining it can significantly improve click-through rates and rankings. This guide covers each SEO field, content structure best practices, and image optimization.
Auto-generated vs manual SEO
When you generate an article -- in either Gateway or Agent mode -- IANews automatically populates the following SEO fields based on content analysis:
- Meta title (derived from the article headline)
- Meta description (summarized from the opening paragraphs)
- Slug (generated from the title, lowercased with hyphens)
- Keywords (extracted from topic, headings, and high-frequency terms)
- Alt text for auto-inserted images
You can accept these defaults or override every field manually in the metadata panel.
The auto-generated values give you a strong starting point. Human review consistently improves click-through rates by 15--25% compared to unedited defaults, so always take a moment to refine them before publishing.
SEO metadata fields
Open the metadata panel by clicking the gear icon below the editor or scrolling past the article body.
Meta title
The title displayed in search engine results pages (SERPs) and browser tabs.
Best practices:
- Keep it under 60 characters to avoid truncation in Google results
- Place the primary keyword near the beginning of the title
- Make it compelling -- this is the first thing searchers see and click
- Avoid keyword stuffing; write for humans first, search engines second
AI Regulation in Europe: What the New Act Means for Tech (57 chars)
Meta description
The summary shown below the title in search results. Aim for 150--155 characters.
Best practices:
- Summarize the article's value in one or two clear sentences
- Include the primary keyword naturally
- End with a hook that makes searchers want to click through
- Do not repeat the meta title verbatim
Example: The EU AI Act introduces sweeping rules for artificial intelligence. Here's what developers, businesses, and users need to know about compliance. (149 chars)
Slug
The URL path segment for the article. Auto-generated from the title but fully editable.
Best practices:
- Use hyphens between words:
ai-regulation-europe - Keep it short -- 3 to 5 words is ideal
- Include the primary keyword
- Avoid dates unless the article is inherently time-bound (e.g., an annual report)
- Remove stop words (a, the, in, of) when they do not add meaning
Example: /articles/eu-ai-act-compliance-guide
Keywords
Comma-separated terms that describe the article's topic. Enter 3 to 5 keywords.
Best practices:
- Start with the primary keyword
- Add variations and related terms (synonyms, long-tail phrases)
- Mix broad and specific terms for wider coverage
- Check for keywords that match trending search queries on the Trends page
Example: AI regulation, EU AI Act, artificial intelligence compliance, tech policy Europe
Canonical URL
Set this when the same article is published on multiple platforms (e.g., your IANews site and Medium). The canonical URL tells search engines which version is the original to avoid duplicate content penalties. Leave blank if the article is published in one place only.
Content structure best practices
Search engines reward well-structured content. Follow these heading and formatting guidelines for the article body.
Heading hierarchy
| Level | Usage | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | Article title | Exactly one per article. Should match or closely reflect the meta title. |
| H2 | Main sections | Use 3--5 H2 headings to break the article into logical parts. |
| H3 | Subsections | Use within an H2 section when further subdivision is needed. |
| H4+ | Avoid | Rarely needed. If you find yourself using H4, consider restructuring. |
Never skip heading levels. Going from H1 directly to H3 confuses both readers and search engine crawlers.
Paragraph structure
- Keep paragraphs short: 2 to 4 sentences each.
- Lead with the most important information (inverted pyramid style).
- Use transition words between paragraphs to maintain reading flow.
- Break up walls of text with lists, blockquotes, or images every 3--4 paragraphs.
Lists and scannable content
- Use bullet lists for items without a required order.
- Use numbered lists for sequential steps or ranked items.
- Lists improve scannability and are frequently featured in Google's rich snippets and featured answers.
Image SEO
Images contribute to rankings when properly optimized. For each image in your article:
- Alt text -- IANews auto-generates alt text, but edit it to be descriptive and include a relevant keyword. Screen readers also use this text for accessibility.
- File names -- When uploading, use descriptive names (
eu-ai-act-timeline.jpginstead ofIMG_4532.jpg). - Dimensions -- Use appropriately sized images. Oversized files slow page load, which directly hurts Core Web Vitals and SEO rankings.
- Featured image -- Always set a featured image. It is used for Open Graph and Twitter Card previews when the article is shared on social media.
See the Images guide for detailed instructions on sourcing and managing images.
SEO checklist
Verify each item before publishing:
| Check | Target |
|---|---|
| Meta title length | 60 characters or fewer |
| Meta description length | 150--155 characters |
| Slug | Contains primary keyword, uses hyphens, no stop words |
| Keywords | 3--5 defined, primary keyword listed first |
| H1 | Exactly one, matches meta title closely |
| H2 headings | 3--5 per article |
| Heading hierarchy | No skipped levels (H1 → H2 → H3) |
| Paragraphs | 2--4 sentences each |
| Images | All have descriptive alt text |
| Featured image | Set and optimized |
| Canonical URL | Set if cross-published, blank otherwise |
| Internal links | At least 1--2 links to related articles on your site |
SEO metadata is included when publishing to WordPress, Ghost, NextJS Direct, Medium, and LinkedIn. Each publisher formats the metadata according to the target platform's requirements automatically.
What's next?
- AI editor -- Use AI tools to improve article clarity and structure
- Citations and sources -- Well-cited articles build reader trust and rank better
- Images and media -- Source and optimize images for your articles