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Why SEO Still Matters for Static Blogs Jekyll is a static site generator, meaning it doesn’t rely on dynamic databases or back-end servers. While this makes it blazing fast and secure, it also requires a more intentional approach to SEO. You don’t get the automatic SEO perks of WordPress plugins—but you can still achieve excellent rankings with the right structure and strategy. Jekyll and SEO: The Fundamental Challenges Before diving into tactics, understand the key SEO challenges for Jekyll: No plugin ecosystem like Yoast to automate SEO checks No dynamic sitemap or robots.txt by default No built-in canonical tag handling No structured data unless you code it manually Despite these, Jekyll’s flexibility allows you to address each point with precise control—perfect for technical SEO enthusiasts. Step 1: Set Up SEO-Friendly Metadata Start by defining a consistent metadata structure in your layout files. Here's how to set basic tags in _layouts/default.html : ...

Why Tags and Categories Matter in Static Blogs Unlike dynamic CMS platforms, Jekyll doesn’t automatically create tag or category archives. But organizing your content with proper taxonomies is still critical. It helps readers explore related posts and improves your internal linking structure for SEO. Categories vs Tags in Jekyll Though they serve similar purposes, tags and categories are conceptually different: Categories: Broad, hierarchical groupings (e.g., tutorials, case-studies, tips ) Tags: Specific keywords describing content details (e.g., jekyll-seo, liquid, layouts ) Each post can have multiple tags and categories. Here’s how to implement them properly. Step 1: Add Tags and Categories to Front Matter In each markdown or HTML post, define tags and categories like this: --- title: "your post title" categories: [jekyll, seo] tags: [jekyll-seo, meta-tags, optimization] --- Use lowercase and hyphen-separated words for better consistency and URL str...

Why Show Related Posts in a Static Blog In traditional CMS platforms, related post sections are often generated dynamically using content similarity algorithms or tags. In Jekyll, where everything is static, we need a manual or Liquid-based approach to display related content. This section becomes essential for: Keeping readers on your site longer Improving internal linking structure Enhancing topic authority in the eyes of search engines Approach 1: Show Posts with Shared Categories One simple method is to display posts that share a category with the current post. You can add this logic in your _layouts/post.html file or any custom layout used for blog posts: <h3>Related Posts</h3> <ul> {% for post in site.posts %} {% if post != page and post.categories | join: ',' contains page.categories[0] %} <li> <a href="{{ post.url }}">{{ post.title }}</a> </li> {% endif %} {% endfor...

Why Use a Custom Homepage in Jekyll By default, Jekyll displays a list of recent posts on the homepage. While functional, it lacks the structure and branding needed for a more polished and goal-oriented blog. Creating a custom homepage allows you to: Showcase featured content or categories Improve navigation and user flow Highlight lead magnets, CTAs, or newsletter signups Enhance brand perception and visual hierarchy Creating a Custom Homepage Layout First, create a file named index.html at the root of your Jekyll project (not inside the _posts or _layouts folder). Example Template --- layout: default title: Home --- <div class="home-hero"> <h2>Welcome to My Blog</h2> <p>Sharing practical insights on building static websites with Jekyll.</p> </div> <div class="featured-posts"> <h3>Featured Posts</h3> <ul> {% for post in site.posts limit:3 %} <li><a...

Why Meta Tags Matter in Jekyll SEO Meta tags help search engines and social media platforms understand what your page is about. While Jekyll is a static site generator, it provides flexibility to inject dynamic meta tags using Liquid templates. This is essential for: Improved indexing and relevancy in search results Higher click-through rates from enticing social previews Control over duplicate content and canonical URLs Setting Up Meta Tags in Jekyll Meta tags should be managed in a centralized include file—typically in _includes/head.html . This makes your setup maintainable and modular. Sample Dynamic Meta Tags Setup <title> {% if page.title %} {{ page.title }} | {{ site.title }} {% else %} {{ site.title }} - {{ site.description }} {% endif %} </title> <meta name="description" content="{% if page.description %}{{ page.description }}{% else %}{{ site.description }}{% endif %}"> <meta name="author...

Public speaking and webinars are more than branding exercises—they are a goldmine for earning editorial backlinks naturally. By positioning yourself as a visible, credible expert in your niche, you invite event organizers, bloggers, and journalists to reference your insights, often resulting in high-authority backlinks without ever asking. This article explores how marketers, entrepreneurs, and subject-matter experts can harness the power of live events—whether physical or digital—to earn valuable links and long-term SEO equity. Why Speaking Engagements and Webinars Drive Natural Links Live events have an inherent multiplier effect. When you speak at a conference or run a webinar: Your name and business are often listed on event pages, which remain indexed on search engines. Your content is summarized or shared in recap blogs, slideshare decks, or social media threads. You generate curiosity and trust, prompting attendees to cite you or link to your site later. ...