TL;DR:
- No, you shouldn’t change the publish date just for SEO.
- If an article is outdated, update the content instead of changing the date.
- If the article is extremely outdated, write a new article and redirect the old one.
- Use tools like WP Last Modified Info or Rank Math’s “Lock Modified Date” feature to manage update dates properly.
Why Do People Change the Publish Date?
Many website owners believe updating a blog post’s publish date will improve search rankings. The idea is that Google’s search snippets often show the date, and users are more likely to click on recent articles. However, changing the publish date without modifying the content is a gray area and could be seen as deceptive.
Google’s guidelines emphasize content quality and relevance over date manipulation. Simply changing the date without updating the information doesn’t add value to users, and could backfire.
The Right Way to Handle Blog Post Updates for SEO
Instead of altering the publish date, here’s what you should do:
1. If the article is still relevant but needs updates:
- Modify the content with new information.
- Keep the original publish date but add a last modified date to indicate updates.
- Example: If an article discusses Google Analytics UA but now needs to cover GA4, update the content and mark it as modified.
2. If the article is completely outdated and irrelevant:
- Write a new blog post with fresh insights.
- Redirect the old article to the new one to preserve SEO value.
- Alternative: Change the old article's canonical URL to the new article URL.
- This approach works best when industry trends or technology have changed significantly.
3. Use a “Last Modified” Date Instead of Changing the Publish Date
- Many WordPress sites don’t differentiate publish date from last modified date.
- A plugin like WP Last Modified Info allows you to display both.
- This keeps your site transparent while showing users the latest updates.
Best Practices for Handling Article Dates
- ✅ Modify the content, not just the date.
- ✅ Use a “last modified” date to indicate updates.
- ✅ Write a new post if the topic has changed significantly.
- ✅ Redirect old posts to maintain SEO value.
- ❌ Don’t change the publish date to manipulate rankings.
Tools to Manage Modified Dates in WordPress
If you want to control how your blog dates appear, these tools can help:
1. WP Last Modified Info
- Lets you show a “Last Modified” date instead of altering the publish date.
- Clearly differentiates between original and updated content.
2. Rank Math’s “Lock Modified Date” Feature
- Prevents the modified date from updating with every small edit.
- Ensures Google sees the correct modification timeline.
Why use this?
- Google values authentic updates over artificial date changes.
- It helps maintain trust with both Google and your readers.
Final Verdict
Should you change the publish date of a blog for SEO?
No.
Instead, update your content, use a last modified date, or write a new post if needed.
Google rewards fresh, valuable content—not date manipulation. Stay transparent, use the right tools, and keep your articles genuinely useful for the best SEO results.
