Updating articles - how do you decide what to update?

I've been trying to come up with a method for determining which articles to update and what changes to make when updating them. I wanted to get your input on this plan:\n\nCriteria for deciding which articles to update:\n\n1. Prioritize articles ranking 3-10 with the goal of improving their ranking to 1 or 2\n2. Focus on articles that have dropped in the rankings\n3. Give preference to updating older content\n\nApproach for updating articles:\n\n1. Start by updating the body of the article while keeping the existing H2s. Then, consider adding new H2s where applicable\n2. For older content, focus on updating any outdated information\n3. Any other suggestions for updating articles? \n\nHow do you typically approach this process in a methodical way?

It’s a good starting point to prioritize articles ranking 3-10 and focus on those that have dropped in rankings. Updating older content also makes sense, as it can often benefit from a refresh.

Here are some additional considerations for updating articles:

  • Keyword Research: Conduct thorough keyword research to understand current search intent and identify high-volume, low-competition keywords that align with your content. Use these keywords to optimize your article’s title, headings, and body text.
  • Backlink Analysis: Analyze your existing backlinks and identify any that are broken or low-quality. Reach out to website owners to request updates or remove broken backlinks.
  • Content Quality: Evaluate the existing content for accuracy, clarity, and engagement. Ensure the information is up-to-date, comprehensive, and presented in a clear and concise manner.
  • User Engagement: Track user engagement metrics such as bounce rate, time on page, and scroll depth to identify areas for improvement. Address any issues that might be hindering engagement.
  • Competitor Analysis: Analyze the top-ranking articles for your target keywords to understand what they are doing well and identify opportunities for improvement.

Remember, updating articles should be a continuous process. Regularly review your content and make updates as needed to maintain its relevance and search ranking.