You’ve spent hours testing the recipe, styling the dish, photographing it from every angle, and writing out every step with care. But then… crickets. No traffic. No comments. No sign that your hard work is reaching the audience you had in mind.
Sound familiar?
This is one of the most common frustrations food bloggers face—especially early on. The recipe is solid, the photos are beautiful, and the post is well written… so why isn’t it ranking?
The short answer: writing for search engines requires a different kind of strategy. It’s not about tricking Google—it’s about helping Google understand exactly what your post is about, and making it easy for your content to be discovered, clicked on, and trusted.
Thankfully, you don’t need to be an SEO expert or marketing guru to get results. With a few specific changes to how you structure your recipe blog posts, you can start building momentum. That means more traffic, more engagement, and more return on all the time you’re putting in.
This guide breaks down 10 practical tips to help your recipe blog posts rank—without compromising on quality, voice, or creativity. These are the same tactics used by top food bloggers who consistently land on the first page of Google.
Let’s walk through the steps that make your content not only helpful to your readers—but visible in search results, too.
1. Start with a Keyword That Has Potential
Before you write a single word, do keyword research. Look for specific terms that people are actually searching for, with low to moderate competition.
Example: Instead of targeting “chocolate cake,” go for “one bowl chocolate cake” or “chocolate cake without buttermilk.”
Use tools like:
- Google autocomplete
- Ubersuggest
- Keysearch or Ahrefs (paid tools)
- The Detailed SEO Extension (for on-page analysis)
One keyword per post. This helps Google understand what your recipe is about. For an example of a food blog that does this well, check out this website.
2. Use a Clear, Descriptive Title Tag
Your title tag is what shows up in Google search results. It should include your target keyword and make someone want to click.
Bad: “The Best Cake Ever”
Better: “One Bowl Chocolate Cake – No Buttermilk Needed”
Also write a meta description that summarizes what makes the recipe worth clicking on—without sounding spammy.
3. Structure Your Blog Post with SEO in Mind
Google (and readers) like structure. Here’s a recommended format:
- Intro paragraph: Include your target keyword naturally.
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients + Notes
- Step-by-Step Instructions (with photos if possible)
- Pro Tips
- Storage or Variations
- FAQ
- Printable Recipe Card
Use H2 and H3 headings to break up content and help Google scan your post.
4. Use the Keyword Naturally Throughout the Post
Avoid keyword stuffing, but make sure your target phrase appears in:
- The first 100 words
- A few subheadings
- The image alt text
- The URL (e.g. yoursite.com/one-bowl-chocolate-cake)
Also use related phrases: e.g. “easy chocolate dessert,” “no mixer needed,” “homemade cake recipe.”
5. Optimize Your Images
Google can’t see your images—only the file name and alt text.
- Rename your image files before uploading (e.g. one-bowl-chocolate-cake.jpg)
- Write descriptive alt text (e.g. “slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting”)
- Compress images so your page loads fast (try TinyPNG)
6. Write for Readers First, Then Search Engines
Avoid fluff, but don’t skip useful context. People want tips, substitutions, and clear instructions—not just the ingredients list.
If someone searches “chocolate cake without buttermilk,” explain what you’re using instead and why it works.
7. Add Internal Links to Keep Readers On Your Site
Link to related recipes or blog posts. For example:
- “Looking for a frosting to go with this? Try my whipped ganache recipe.”
- “This cake pairs perfectly with my 3-ingredient strawberry compote.”
Internal links help with SEO and keep visitors on your site longer.
8. Include a Recipe Card Plugin That Supports SEO
Use a plugin like WP Recipe Maker or Create by Mediavine. These add structured data (schema) that helps Google understand your post is a recipe—so you can qualify for rich snippets (the special search results with ratings, cook time, etc.). For help with your recipe card plugin and food blog design, check out this website.
9. End with a Strong Call to Action
Invite interaction at the end of your post:
- Ask readers to leave a rating or review
- Encourage them to share on Pinterest
- Suggest joining your email list for more weekly recipes
10. Keep Updating Your Posts
Google likes fresh content. Go back every 6–12 months and update:
- Photos
- Recipe instructions
- Keywords (if trends shift)
- Internal links to newer posts
Sometimes a small update can give an old post new life in search rankings.
Final Thought
Great food blogging isn’t just about the recipe—it’s about helping your readers solve a problem and making it easy for them to find your post in the first place. With just a few tweaks, your recipe blog posts can be more discoverable, more helpful, and better positioned to rank on Google.
