Freelance On-Page SEO Expert — Make Every Page Rank on Google and Get Cited in AI Search
You could have the most insightful content on the internet and still sit on page three if your pages are not properly optimised. In 2026, on-page optimisation means more than titles and headings. It means structuring your content so Google ranks it AND so AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews can extract and cite it accurately.
On-Page SEO in 2026: Optimising for Google Rankings and AI Citation
Most businesses jump straight to link building when rankings stall. They chase backlinks, commission more content and wonder why nothing moves. The answer is usually sitting right on the page. Weak title tags that do not include the right keywords. Heading structures that confuse search engines. Content that covers the topic but misses the intent behind the search. Internal links that leave authority pooling in the wrong places.
In 2026 there is a second dimension most on-page work is missing. The same structural issues that hurt your Google rankings are also preventing AI systems from extracting and citing your content. AI reads at the passage level: it looks for direct answers in the first paragraph, clear question-based headings and FAQ sections it can pull from. Pages optimised only for traditional SEO are often invisible to AI search even when they rank on Google.
I work through your pages methodically, auditing what each one is trying to rank for, checking how well it is optimised for both Google and AI extraction and making the precise changes that move the needle across both. Every recommendation is backed by data and matched to actual search intent, not guesswork.
What Gets Optimised and Why It Matters
On-page SEO covers everything that happens on the page itself. Each element below plays a distinct role in how Google interprets your content, where it decides to rank it and whether AI systems choose to cite it in their answers.
AI Extraction Structuring
AI systems like ChatGPT and Perplexity extract answers at the passage level. They look for direct answers in the opening paragraph, question-based H2 headings and FAQ sections with schema markup. I structure every page so AI can read, extract and cite it accurately alongside the standard Google ranking optimisations. This is the on-page element most SEO experts are not yet covering.
Title Tag Optimisation
Your title tag is the single most important on-page ranking signal. I rewrite every title to include your primary keyword naturally, communicate relevance clearly to Google and give searchers a compelling reason to click your result over the ones above and below it in the SERPs.
Meta Description Optimisation
Meta descriptions do not directly affect rankings but they have a significant effect on click-through rate, which does. I write meta descriptions that match the search intent behind each keyword, speak to what the reader actually wants to know and drive more clicks from the traffic Google is already sending you.
Heading Structure
A well-structured heading hierarchy helps Google understand what your page covers and how it is organised. In 2026 it also determines whether AI systems can extract your content correctly. H2 headings written as complete questions are both strong Google signals and the primary way AI systems navigate a page to find extractable answers. I review and fix your full heading structure with both in mind.
Keyword and Semantic Optimisation
Getting the right keywords into the right places throughout your content, at the right density, without tipping into over-optimisation is a precise job. I place primary and supporting semantic keywords strategically so your page signals strong relevance to Google without reading like it was written for an algorithm.
Internal Linking Strategy
Internal links pass authority around your site and tell Google which pages are most important. A poor internal link structure leaves some pages chronically under-supported and others competing with each other. I build a smart internal linking plan that distributes authority properly, improves how deeply search engines crawl your site and strengthens your topical clusters for AI search.
Image Optimisation
Unoptimised images slow your pages down and miss an easy opportunity for additional search visibility. I compress images to reduce load time, write descriptive and keyword-relevant alt text and implement lazy loading where needed to improve both your page speed scores and your image search presence.
How On-Page Optimisation Works in Practice
Every page is different. Some need minor adjustments to an already solid foundation. Others need a more substantial overhaul to have any chance of ranking competitively and being cited in AI answers. Here is how I approach it.
Page-by-Page Audit
I start by auditing your existing pages against the keywords they should be ranking for. I look at title tags, heading structure, content depth, keyword usage, internal links, page experience signals and AI extractability. The output is a clear picture of which pages are well-optimised, which are underperforming and which need the most urgent attention to move the needle on both Google rankings and AI citations.
Keyword Mapping
Each page is matched to one primary keyword and a supporting cluster of semantic terms based on actual search intent. This ensures every page on your site is pulling in a distinct direction rather than competing with other pages for the same terms, which is one of the most common and damaging on-page mistakes. The keyword map also identifies the questions AI systems are answering for each topic so your pages can be structured to answer them directly.
Optimise and Implement
Titles, meta descriptions, headings, body content, FAQ sections and internal links are rewritten and optimised, either directly within your CMS or via a detailed page-by-page recommendations document your team can implement. For pages that need a full content refresh to compete, a complete rewrite is available, or I can work with your existing content to strengthen it without losing the voice you have already established.
Monitor Rankings and Report
Once changes are live, keyword rankings are tracked for every optimised page and reported on over the following weeks. You see exactly which pages improved, by how many positions and for which search terms. If a page is not responding as expected, I dig into why and adjust the approach rather than waiting for the next monthly report to flag it.
Questions People Ask About On-Page SEO
Do you optimise pages for AI search as well as Google rankings?
Yes. In 2026, on-page optimisation covers both. I structure every page so Google can rank it and so AI systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews can extract and cite it. This includes direct answers in the opening paragraph, question-based H2 headings and FAQ sections with schema markup. Most on-page SEO services do not cover this yet. This one does.
How many pages do you optimise?
That depends entirely on your site and what it needs. Some clients start with their five to ten highest-priority commercial pages where ranking improvements will have the most direct impact on leads or revenue. Others want a full site optimisation pass across every page. The scope is agreed together based on your goals, the size of your site and your budget.
Do you rewrite content or just optimise what is already there?
Both options are available and each page is assessed individually to recommend the right approach. Some pages have solid content that simply needs better keyword placement, a stronger title and improved structure. Others are too thin or too far off-target to optimise effectively, and a full rewrite gives them a much better chance of ranking competitively and earning AI citations. The honest recommendation for each page is always given upfront.
How soon will I see ranking improvements after optimisation?
Most pages show meaningful ranking movement within four to twelve weeks of changes going live. The timeline depends on how competitive the target keywords are, how significant the changes were and how frequently Google recrawls your site. Highly competitive terms in established niches take longer. Less competitive terms on technically healthy sites can move within a few weeks.
Can you work directly in my CMS?
Yes. I work directly in WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Squarespace and most custom CMS platforms. If you would rather receive recommendations for your team to implement, that option is available too. Either approach produces the same outcome and the choice depends on whatever fits your workflow best.
Do I need keyword research done first, or can we go straight to optimisation?
If you already have a solid keyword strategy in place, we can move straight to optimisation. If you are not confident that your pages are targeting the right keywords in the first place, it is worth doing keyword research first. Optimising a page for the wrong term is a wasted effort. Keyword research is available as a separate service and can be combined with on-page work if needed.
Your Pages Are Already Getting Traffic. Let’s Make Them Rank and Get Cited.
Book a free consultation and we will look at your highest-priority pages together. I will show you exactly what is holding them back from ranking on Google and appearing in AI search answers.
Start On-Page Optimisation →