How to Update Old Blog Posts (and Which Ones First)

Updating old blog posts is one of the fastest ways to improve a blog, because the posts already exist and Google already knows about them. This guide shows how to choose which posts to update first, what to change, what not to change and how to track whether the update worked.

Most bloggers focus on publishing new posts. That makes sense at the start. But after a few months, your older posts start to drift: prices change, tools update their screens, links break and better examples appear.

Google’s own SEO starter guide recommends exactly this: “Check in on previously published content and update it as needed, or even delete it if it’s not relevant anymore.”

Why update old posts?

• Accuracy: outdated steps, prices or screenshots frustrate readers.
• Search performance: a post that answers the question better has a better chance of being shown.
• Less effort: improving a post that already gets impressions is often quicker than writing a new one.
• Trust: readers notice when a guide is current.

Which posts to update first

1. Open the Performance report in Search Console.
2. Click the Pages tab and sort by impressions.
3. Look for pages with plenty of impressions but a low click-through rate.
4. Open each page and click the Queries tab to see what people searched for.
5. Pick the posts where those searches are not fully answered.

Also prioritise posts with time-sensitive information, such as prices, offers, deal posts and tutorials for tools that change often. If you are new to Search Console, start with my Search Console guide for beginners.

What to update

• Facts and prices: check them against the official source and add the date you checked.
• Steps and screenshots: follow your own tutorial and fix anything that has changed.
• Missing questions: add sections for searches the post appears for but does not answer.
• Introduction: make sure the answer appears early.
• Title and description: make them clearer if clicks are low.
• Internal links: link to newer posts you have published since.
• Broken links: fix or remove them.
• Images: add alt text and compress large files.

What not to change

• The URL. Changing it loses the links pointing to the post unless you add a redirect. Keep it the same.
• The main topic. If a post ranks for a topic, do not turn it into a different post.
• Good sections. Do not rewrite parts that already work just for the sake of change.

Should you change the published date?

WordPress shows a “last updated” date on many themes when you update a post. That is fine when you make real changes.

Changing the date without changing the content does not help readers and is misleading. Update the date only when the post genuinely has new or corrected information.

How to update a post step by step

1. Read the post as a reader. Note what is unclear, outdated or missing.
2. Check the search results. Search the main topic and see what the top results cover that you do not.
3. Make a short list of changes. Facts, new sections, removed sections, links.
4. Edit the post. Keep the URL and main topic.
5. Update the title and description if they no longer match.
6. Request indexing for the updated URL in Search Console.

How to track if the update worked

Note the date you updated the post. After three to four weeks, compare the post’s clicks and impressions in the Performance report with the weeks before the update. Search Console lets you compare two date ranges.

Do not judge an update after a few days. Changes in search take time to show.

When to merge or delete a post

Sometimes a post is not worth updating:

• Two posts cover the same topic. Merge them into the stronger post and redirect the weaker one.
• The topic no longer exists, such as a tool that shut down. Redirect it to the closest useful post, or let it go if there is nothing relevant.
• The post is very thin and gets no visits. Improve it properly or remove it.

When I cleaned up this blog, I redirected many old deleted posts to their closest new replacements rather than leaving error pages. If you want to plan new content after your updates, my guide to finding blog post ideas is a good next step.

A simple update schedule

• Monthly: check your top five posts by traffic.
• Every few months: review posts with high impressions and low clicks.
• When something changes: update deal, price and tutorial posts as soon as the facts change.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I update old blog posts?

Check your most important posts every few months, and update time-sensitive posts, such as prices and deals, whenever the facts change.

Does updating old posts help SEO?

It can, when the update makes the post more accurate and useful. Google’s starter guide recommends checking previously published content and updating it as needed.

Should I change the URL when I update a post?

No. Keep the same URL so existing links and rankings are kept.

Is it okay to just change the date?

No. Change the date only when the content has genuinely been updated.

How long does it take to see results after updating a post?

Usually a few weeks. Compare performance in Search Console before and after the update.