Is Evergreen or Trending Content Better for SEO?

The Two Big Content Types Every Business Blogger Should Know

If your blog is the voice of your business, the type of content you publish is how it speaks. Some posts are like timeless advice from a wise friend — always useful, no matter when you hear them. Others are like someone telling you what’s happening right now, helping you stay in the loop. These two types of blog content — evergreen and trending — both have value. But choosing between them (or finding the right mix) can be confusing. Let’s clear that up.

What Evergreen Content Really Means

Evergreen content is the kind of post that keeps working for you long after you hit publish. It’s not tied to any particular season, news event, or moment. Instead, it answers questions that people are always asking. Things like how to write a blog headline that brings in readers or how to start a business blog, in my case :) These posts don’t age, or if they do, it happens so slowly that an occasional update keeps them useful.

Think of evergreen content like planting a fruit tree. It takes effort in the beginning, but once it grows, it keeps feeding your blog with steady traffic over time. It also helps search engines understand what your blog is about. This makes it easier for your ideal readers to find you when they search online. If you're trying to build a strategy that lasts, this kind of content becomes your blog’s foundation.

Why Trending Content Can’t Be Ignored

But let’s not ignore the power of trending content. These are the hot takes, the reaction posts, the timely topics your audience is already talking about. Trending content is like catching a wave. It can carry your blog fast and far, but you need to paddle hard and catch it at just the right moment. These posts can bring a quick spike in views, show your brand is current, and help you connect with readers who care about what’s happening right now.

One downside is that these posts usually have a short shelf life. Once the buzz dies down, the views tend to dry up. Also, keeping up with trends takes time and quick decision-making. You might need to research fast, write fast, and publish even faster. If you're managing your blog solo or with a small team, this can be tough to keep up with.

Which One’s Better? (Trick Question)

So which one should you focus on, the steady performer or the exciting risk-taker?

Honestly, the best blogs usually mix both. You need content that builds long-term value, but you also need to show you’re present and aware. Evergreen posts help you grow slowly and steadily, like adding bricks to a house. Trending posts, meanwhile, are like painting the walls, freshening things up and drawing attention. You wouldn’t want to build a house without both.

How SEO Fits Into This

There’s another piece to this that often gets missed: how these two types of content affect your SEO. Evergreen posts are great for showing up in search results over the long haul. When people search for answers, these are the posts that can pop up years after you publish them. Trending content, on the other hand, can give you a short-term SEO boost if you jump on a hot topic quickly and people start clicking. If you're curious about improving your SEO results, check out this post on getting found online.

The Best Strategy? Use Both

You might also find it helpful to look at how your blog fits into your bigger goals. If your aim is to pull in consistent traffic over months or even years, evergreen content should be a major part of your plan. But if your goal is engagement and staying active in conversations happening in your industry right now, then trending topics deserve your attention.

One helpful way to find a rhythm is to build a content calendar that includes both types. For example, you might publish one evergreen post each week and mix in trending content as news or ideas pop up. If you’re not sure how to keep generating fresh ideas, this post on content ideas for business blogs could help a lot.

Make Your Content Stick With Stories

Also, don’t forget how powerful storytelling can be in both formats. People remember stories more than facts. Whether you’re writing a timeless tutorial or a reaction to current events, if you tell it like you’re talking to a friend, your readers will stick around. If that sounds interesting, here’s how storytelling works in blog content.

Don’t Fall Into the “One Type Only” Trap

Some blogs get it wrong by only focusing on one type. If you only write evergreen posts, your blog might feel out of touch. If you only chase trends, your content can quickly feel outdated. Finding the right mix helps you stay visible today and valuable tomorrow.

Grow Deep, Grow Wide

At the end of the day, your blog is like a living thing. It needs deep roots (evergreen posts) and new growth (trending content) to stay healthy. You don’t need to pick sides. You just need to understand when and how to use each one, and keep checking in on what your audience is looking for.

If you're running a business and don’t have the time (or desire) to keep up with writing blog posts that drive results, I can help. I write clear, engaging blog content that fits your goals, whether that means building long-term traffic with evergreen topics or jumping in on trends to get attention now.

Want blog posts that actually do something for your business? Get in touch and let’s make it happen.