“I have a blog post that i want to update with better content – should i update it, or create a new blog post, and add the link there?”
When you’re sitting on an old blog post and have better content to add, you’re faced with a key decision: update the original or create a new post. Both strategies can work – but choosing the right one depends on your goals, the quality of the original post, and the nature of the new content.
Let’s break down the two approaches:
1. Update the Existing Blog Post
✅ Recommended in most cases, especially for SEO.
Why This Strategy Works:
- Preserves SEO Value
Your post likely has backlinks, social shares, and ranking history. Updating it keeps that “link juice” intact. - Faster Ranking Improvements
Google favors fresh, updated content. When you significantly improve an existing post, Google can re-crawl it and often reward the update with better rankings. - Avoids Keyword Cannibalization
Updating prevents you from accidentally competing with yourself for the same keywords. - Better User Experience
Visitors find everything they need on one authoritative, up-to-date page. - Less Work Than Starting Fresh
You already have the foundation – you’re refining and expanding, not reinventing.
Potential Downsides:
- Needs to Be Done Well
Minor edits won’t help much. Updates should be meaningful – adding new insights, improving structure, refreshing stats, etc. - Temporary Ranking Fluctuations
After a big update, Google may temporarily drop your rankings while re-evaluating. This is usually short-lived if the content is truly improved. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the “Google Dance”.
When to Choose This Option:
- The topic is still relevant and evergreen.
- The post is getting some traffic or rankings.
- You can enhance it with better insights, data, or structure.
- The post has a strong URL and backlink profile worth keeping.
How to Update Effectively:
- Add new data, examples, or expert quotes.
- Expand brief sections and improve readability.
- Refresh keyword targeting based on current search trends.
- Update images, links, formatting, and internal links.
- Change the “last updated” date (optional but helpful).
- Promote the updated post as if it’s new.
2. Create a New Blog Post
🆕 Use this when the content is significantly different, or the old post isn’t salvageable.
Why You Might Do This:
- New Keyword Target
You’re covering a distinct sub-topic or aiming for a different search intent. - Old Post is Low Quality or Outdated
If the original content is off-brand, incorrect, or just bad, it may be better to start over. - Fresh Focus or Angle
A deep dive or new perspective may deserve its own space.
Drawbacks:
- You Start from Zero
New content has no backlinks, ranking history, or authority. - SEO Dilution
If the topic is too similar, you risk competing with yourself. - More Time and Effort
It’s a full rewrite instead of a strategic refresh.
When to Choose This Option:
- The original post performs poorly or is off-topic.
- Your new content targets a completely different angle or set of keywords.
- You’re building a content series and want separate pages.
- The update would change so much that the old post is no longer relevant.
Tips for This Route:
- Link between the old and new posts (if they’re both still useful).
- If replacing the old post, use a 301 redirect to the new one to preserve SEO value.
- Promote the new post heavily to build fresh authority.
So, Which Strategy is Better?
In most cases, updating the existing post is the better move. It gives you the SEO advantage, improves user experience, and is more efficient.
However, create a new post if:
- You’re targeting a completely different keyword or angle.
- The old post is so outdated or weak that fixing it isn’t worth it.
- You’re branching into a new sub-topic deserving of its own article.
✅ Quick Decision Checklist:
| Question | If “Yes,” → Update |
|---|---|
| Is the core topic still the same? | ✅ |
| Does the post already have traffic or backlinks? | ✅ |
| Are the keywords still mostly relevant? | ✅ |
If you answered yes to most of those, update the post.
If you’d like personalized advice, feel free to share:
- The original blog post topic.
- What kind of content you want to add or change.
- How the post is performing now (rankings, traffic, etc.).
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