|
|
|
4 Major Mistakes to Avoid when Writing an Article
By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly improve your article. The Internet has an overabundance of disregarded content that was written in the same rambling way that the author normally speaks in. Many of these articles would never have...
Don't Miss These 10 Must Know Facts About Promoting Your Website with Article Writing
Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is something that gets tedious to the publisher who sends out an ezine every week. Fresh, unique ideas are always attractive, and ezine authors don't mind publishing others work, (along...
Finding eBook Writing Topics On eBay
I was speaking to a good friend of mine who operates many businesses online and he just happened to mention that he gets many of his ideas from eBay. Even more intriguing, he told me that he could tell how much of a given product was selling on...
"How You Can Find Freelance Childrens Writing Positions That Will Last"
Freelance childrens writing positions are always advertised. Rather, the schooling to learn how to write for these jobs is advertised. But, there is often a large lack of employment vacancies actually available. Many of these companies offering...
Improve Your Writing
None of us will be brilliant writers the moment we first pick up a pen or hit the keyboard. Its a fact. Were beginners and while some will be beginning with better skills and understandings than others, none of us will be the best writer we can...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEO Copywriting - In the Wake of the Florida Update
by Karon Thackston 2004
http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword
After Googles most recent update, those in the search engine optimization (SEO) field seem to be standing at attention. As sites that have held long-standing positions in the top 10 flounder and bob around in the search results like a fishing cork in a pond, many are scrambling for answers about what to do next. Ive been asked for my opinions about changes in search engine copywriting, so I thought Id share some of my insights.
Just like the SEOs whose editorials and interviews youve recently read, I too am expressing opinions here. Nobody knows for sure what has happened or what Google plans to do in the future. However, based on what Ive seen so far, I do have some observations to share in response to a few commonly asked questions.
Many are saying that over-optimized sites are being penalized. Should I reduce the keyword saturation on my pages?
The changes at Google this go round have nothing to do with a penalty; it's simply an algorithm change. No penalties, no punishments, etc. Over saturation of keywords has always been bad, however, many were getting away with it pre-Florida. I have never been a fan of shoving keywords into your copy wherever you have an extra syllable. Keeping an acceptable level of keyword saturation is still important. Just dont overdo it. Remember, your ultimate goal should be to write for your human visitors not the search engine spiders.
Case in point: Do a Google search for the term website design. At the time of this article, I clicked through to many of the sites returned in the top 10. As I read through the home pages of these sites, I noticed how often they repeated the keyphrase website design. These pages had a good level of saturation. Not too heavy, not too light.
Unless yours is one of those sites where every third word is a keyword/phrase, I would not recommend changing the level of keyword saturation at this point.
There have been reports of Google moving to a semantic-based system. Does this mean keywords will no longer be used?
In my opinion, the reports are true Google is moving to a semantic-type system. But that doesn't mean keywords are on their way out at all. After the changes are made, Google will be going beyond *just* looking for keywords on your page. Theyll want well-written copy actual language that speaks to your site visitors. That means your copy will take on a more important role than ever before. And thats great news!
For those of us who have been focusing on search engine copywriting that appeals to both the engines and the site visitors, Googles upcoming changes should be very exciting.
I have a couple of other common-sense thoughts on this topic as well.
Searchers will continue to type in search
strings that bring up what they are looking for. While I have noticed the keyphrases getting longer over time, I have not read any research that states searchers have begun typing wood, nails and glass when they are actually hoping to find mirrors.
Common sense tells me that keyphrases will always be a determining factor in generating accurate search results.
The other common-sense aspect that comes to mind is that when Google moves to semantic search results, keyword saturation will become even more important. How will the spiders know what to gauge their semantic results by if there are no keywords included in your copy? Yes, semantics means that other types of verbiage need to be included, too but -- as I said earlier -- hasnt that always been the case?
Some people have said that Google is now favoring information sites and information pages. Should I write more information-based copy for my site?
While *some* search results for *some* keyphrases do seem to be filled primarily with information-based directory sites (those that do not attempt to sell), it is not the norm. Google understands that over 85% of people looking to make a purchase turn to search engines. While information-filled pages definitely satisfy a need for the first part of the buying process, they dont replace retail sites.
People will continue to research and make purchases online. This means theyll want to see retail and other business sites returned in their search results. If they dont get what theyre looking for, theyll simply use another search engine.
So, to answer the question, Ive always thought (and so has Google) you should include information pages on your site. Gathering information was, is and will always be a part of the buying process. If you currently dont have information pages on your site, yes, add some. But not because you think Google might approve because your visitors will.
Just like the demise of most META tags, and just like Google practically ignoring ALT/image tags, tricks come and go. Write your copy primarily to impress your site visitors. Making drastic changes - unless they are based on a need by your target audience - is not a move I recommend.
Overall, it will take some time for any definite/solid information to filter down about the true effects of the Florida update. Theories will continue to swirl around the Net. So will rankings! But the fact remains that common-sense SEO copywriting wins out in the long run.
About the Author
Copy not getting results? Learn to write SEO copy that impresses both the engines and your visitors at http://www.copywritingcourse.com. Be sure to check out Karons latest e-report How To Increase Keyword Saturation (Without Destroying the Flow of Your Copy) at http://www.copywritingcourse.com/keyword
|
|
|
|
|
| Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Poetry, Creative Writing, Fiction ... |
| An online community dedicated to fostering writing skills. With a free membership anyone may read, write, rate, and review works. |
| www.writing.com |
|
| Welcome to Writing-World.com! |
| Writing articles and resources. Tips about how to become a better writer, get published and find writing markets. From Moira Allen. |
| www.writing-world.com |
|
| Guide to Grammar and Writing |
| The Guide to Grammar and Writing contains scores of digital handouts on grammar and English usage, over 170 computer-graded quizzes, recommendations on ... |
| grammar.ccc.commnet.edu |
|
| Purdue University's Online Writing Lab - The OWL Family of Sites |
| Writing lab and resources. Email newsletter available. |
| owl.english.purdue.edu |
|
| OWL at Purdue University: General Writing Concerns Handouts |
| This page contains important links to the writing: planning/writing/revising aspects of the OWL website. |
| owl.english.purdue.edu |
|
| Writing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The original Mesopotamian writing system was initially derived from a system of ... If it is deemed to be a written language, writing in China will predate ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Writing.org - Advice for Freelance Writers |
| Articles to help you launch a freelance writing career, from a former literary agent and PLAYBOY editor. |
| www.writing.org |
|
| Writing HTML |
| More than just an HTML reference, this is a structured approach for learning how to create web pages, designed by specialists in learning at the Maricopa ... |
| www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu |
|
| National Novel Writing Month - National Novel Writing Month |
| NaNoWriMo is an annual (November) novel writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world. |
| www.nanowrimo.org |
|
| Poynter Online |
| Apply by Dec. 11 Reporting and Writing the Untold Stories Apply by Dec. 11 ... Reporting & Writing for Multi-Platform Newsrooms. Apply by Jan. 10 ... |
| www.poynter.org |
|
| Pages tagged with "writing" on del.icio.us |
| This short online course provides a practical introduction to writing fiction. During the course you will be expected to write two short pieces for ... |
| del.icio.us |
|
| BBC Get Writing |
| The BBC's online resource for writing drama and comedy for television, radio and film. |
| www.bbc.co.uk |
|
| TOC About Writing |
| Menu of articles on writing written by professional SF/F writers. |
| www.sfwa.org |
|
| 11 Rules of Writing -- a concise guide to important grammar ... |
| A concise guide to some of the most frequently violated rules of writing, punctuation, and grammar. |
| www.junketstudies.com |
|
| NAEP Writing Subject Area |
| NAEP assesses student performance in writing periodically in grades 4, 8, and 12 for the nation, and in grades 4 and 8 for the states. |
| nces.ed.gov |
|
| Writing: See what people are saying right now on Technorati |
| See all blog posts tagged with writing on Technorati. |
| www.technorati.com |
|
| IPL Teenspace: A+ Research & Writing |
| Includes step-by-step instructions on researching and writing, how to find information online and offline, as well as links to useful resources. |
| www.ipl.org |
|
| Dictionary.com: Writing Resources |
| Free online English dictionary and reference guide. List of sites writers can use. |
| dictionary.reference.com |
|
| WritingFix: Home of Interactive Writing Prompts and 6 Trait ... |
| Daily and interactive writing prompts. |
| www.writingfix.com |
|
| Advice on Academic Writing |
| Includes articles on critical reading, planning, researching, style and editing, grammar and punctuation. |
| www.utoronto.ca |
|
|