Improve Google Rankings, A Step Ahead: How to Incorporate HEO & SEO to Your Content Together for free?

If you are reading this piece of content, I am assuming you are familiar with the term HEO. If not, then for better understanding, I recommend you read this blog first- https://www.viralverb.com/heo-high-seo-content

Before we start, I’d really like to break a myth that “the best-performing content isn’t the most optimized for SEO”.

It’s the most human. The most felt. The one that can make someone say, “I’ve never read something like this before.”

But what if the same content can also top Google rankings? I am talking about blending the art of HEO (Human Experience Optimization) with the science of SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

The best way to improve Google ranking is to stay ahead in the game and use a strategy not many are using.

And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools. You just need intention.

Let’s break it down, step by step.

Step 1: Start With HEO—Not SEO

Before you even think of keywords or Google, think of your reader’s heart.

Ask yourself:

• Who am I writing for?

• What are they feeling right now?

• What’s their pain, desire, or confusion?

HEO starts with empathy.

Let’s say you’re writing a blog titled "How to Budget When You’re Broke". Don’t start with numbers.

Start with the emotion:

"You stare at your bank balance and feel like your heart will explode. You’re not irresponsible—you’re just overwhelmed."

That line connects. It makes your reader seen. And that’s HEO.

Once your reader feels understood, then they’ll listen.

Step 2: Let the Story Flow Before You Worry About Ranking

Don’t interrupt the rhythm of your writing by stuffing in keywords too early.

Let the first draft be about flow. About emotion. About human language.

A story that starts like this:

“A single mom wakes up every day at 5 AM to prep school lunch, check emails, and somehow run her small business—all while carrying the weight of debt.”

...will pull your reader in. And make them read till the end.

That’s the kind of content that gets shared, bookmarked, and revisited.

Google loves that too. Because dwell time, scroll depth, and shares = Ranking.

Step 3: Now, We Add SEO—The Gentle Way

You’ve got the story. The emotion. The human touch.

Now, layer in SEO without compromising your voice:

1. Identify the core keyword

Use Google search, Ubersuggest, or just your intuition. For our example:

• “Budgeting when broke”

• “Money tips for low income”

• “Financial planning for freelancers”

2. Sprinkle keywords naturally

No stuffing. Think seasoning, not sauce.

"Budgeting when you’re broke isn’t about cutting out everything you love. It’s about knowing where your money is going—and why."

You just did SEO without sounding robotic.

3. Use SEO-friendly subheads

Break your story with H2s like:

• Why Budgeting Feels Overwhelming When You’re Broke

• Simple Steps to Track Spending Without Shame

• How to Build Savings Slowly, Even on a Tight Income

Yes, going deeper into real world problems.

These help with:

• Google readability

• Reader navigation

• Emotional pacing

Step 4: Add Micro-Moments of Empathy (HEO Enhancers)

Think of these like tiny sparkles in your blog:

• Use words your audience uses. Don’t say “expenses exceed income.” Say, “I don’t know where my money goes.”

• Add quotes, analogies, or confessions.

“Checking my bank balance felt like the worst nightmare.”

• Use second person (‘you’). Speak to them, not at them.

• Use soft CTA lines like:

“You’re not alone. And you’re not bad with money. You’re just human—with responsibilities.”

These lines become bookmarkable. That’s HEO.

Step 5: End with Purpose — Both for HEO and SEO

Instead of a dry CTA like "Contact us," try this:

“If you’ve ever been afraid to check your balance, just know—there’s a way out. We’ve built tools to help you breathe again, not just budget.”

Followed by:

• A link to your product or newsletter (SEO win)

• A line that feels like a warm hug (HEO win)

Step 6: Optimize Meta + Alt Text + URL Without Losing the Soul

SEO needs:

• A clear meta title (e.g., How to Budget When You’re Broke – A Kind Guide)

• Meta description (e.g., Feel overwhelmed by money? This guide helps you start budgeting with empathy, not shame.)

• Alt text for images (e.g., “Young woman tracking expenses on a notebook”)

• Clean URL (e.g., yoursite.com/budgeting-when-broke)

Just make sure it’s still in your tone. Don’t lose heart for the algorithm.

Step 7: Make It Skimmable, Not Skippable

Use:

• Short paragraphs

• Bullet points

• Bold lines

• “Tweetable” sentences

This helps both humans and search engines digest your work.

Example:

Money is emotional. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

This gets screenshotted. That’s the power of HEO.

Step 8: Repurpose with Soul

Turn your blog into:

• A LinkedIn carousel with a story hook

• An Instagram post with one emotional quote

• A short video where you read a line from it

• An email newsletter titled: “You’re not bad with money. Just overwhelmed.”

This takes your HEO-rich content and gives it SEO-friendly legs.

Real Results: What Happens When You Combine HEO and SEO

• Higher dwell time (people stay longer)

• Lower bounce rate (they don’t click away)

• More shares (emotional resonance = viral potential)

• Better ranking (Google notices human behavior)

• More conversions (people trust you faster)

All because you cared about the reader first, not just the rank.

Wait, before you go…

If you’ve made it this far, I know two things:

1. You care about the craft of writing.

2. You want your content to truly connect and convert.

That’s exactly what we help you do at ViralVerb. Our HEO-first writing doesn’t just chase rankings—it builds trust, relatability, and long-term traffic organically.

If you’re ready to create content that’s both high-ranking and heart-hitting, we’d love to be your team behind the words.

Explore our services → www.viralverb.com And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for real stories, writing tips, and HEO techniques you can apply for free—every week.

Let’s write to be remembered.