On-Page SEO · Content Optimisation

How to Optimise Existing Content for SEO

Refreshing what you already have is often the fastest win. Here is how to optimise existing content, what content freshness really means, how to improve depth, and how related and so-called LSI keywords fit in.

Updated: July 2026
Written by: Andrew Odgers, Managing Director
Reading time: 9 minutes
The short answer

Optimise existing content by matching current intent, updating outdated info, filling gaps, and improving structure and internal links. Content freshness matters more for news and fast-changing topics than evergreen ones. Depth means completeness, not word count. LSI keywords are a loose label, and the classic idea is not how modern search works. Use related keywords by covering the subtopics naturally, not stuffing.

Refresh what you have

How to optimise existing content, and content freshness

You optimise existing content by reviewing how well it matches current intent, updating outdated information, filling gaps, improving structure and clarity, and strengthening internal links, and it is often quicker than writing new pages. Because existing pages already have some history, refreshing them can be an efficient way to improve performance. Content freshness is how up to date a page is, and it matters more for some queries, like news or fast-changing topics, than for evergreen ones. Freshness is context dependent; because not every page needs constant updating, freshness is worth focusing on where the topic genuinely changes over time, and it starts with matching real search intent.

CO 01

Match intent

Then fill gaps.

CO 02

Real depth

Completeness, not padding.

CO 03

Cover naturally

No LSI chasing.

Depth, LSI and related keywords

Content depth, LSI keywords, and using related keywords

You optimise depth by covering a topic thoroughly enough to answer the questions searchers have, without padding for length. Depth means completeness, not word count; because a genuinely useful page addresses the whole question, adding real substance rather than filler is what improves depth. LSI keywords are often described as related terms search engines use to understand context, but the classic technical idea behind the name is not actually how modern search works. The label is loose; because search engines understand topics through meaning rather than a fixed list, covering a subject naturally and completely matters far more than chasing so-called LSI terms. You use related keywords by naturally including the connected terms and subtopics a thorough piece would cover, which helps signal that you have addressed the topic fully. It is about coverage, not stuffing; because related terms reflect real facets of a subject, weaving them in naturally strengthens relevance without forcing keywords, which builds on solid keyword research.

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Existing content,
made to work harder.

We review and refresh the pages you already have, updating, deepening and restructuring them so they match what people search for today. Often the fastest way to improve results.

Everything included in your plan:

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Frequently asked

Optimising existing content

How do you optimise existing content for SEO?
You optimise existing content by reviewing how well it matches current intent, updating outdated information, filling gaps, improving structure and clarity, and strengthening internal links. It is often quicker than writing new pages. Because existing pages already have some history, refreshing them can be an efficient way to improve performance.
What is content freshness in SEO?
Content freshness is how up to date a page is, and it matters more for some queries, like news or fast-changing topics, than for evergreen ones. Freshness is context dependent. Because not every page needs constant updating, freshness is worth focusing on where the topic genuinely changes over time.
How do you optimise content depth?
You optimise depth by covering a topic thoroughly enough to answer the questions searchers have, without padding for length. Depth means completeness, not word count. Because a genuinely useful page addresses the whole question, adding real substance rather than filler is what improves depth.
What are LSI keywords and do they matter?
LSI keywords are often described as related terms search engines use to understand context, but the classic technical idea behind the name is not actually how modern search works. The label is loose. Because search engines understand topics through meaning rather than a fixed list, covering a subject naturally and completely matters far more than chasing so-called LSI terms.
How do you use related keywords for on page SEO?
You use related keywords by naturally including the connected terms and subtopics a thorough piece would cover, which helps signal that you have addressed the topic fully. It is about coverage, not stuffing. Because related terms reflect real facets of a subject, weaving them in naturally strengthens relevance without forcing keywords.