When it comes to online content, a lot has changed in the last 2 years; The days of writing poor content just to build links are over and rather it is a sure way to get penalized by major search engines and be frowned upon by readers all over the web. Not surprisingly, we have seen many highly optimized websites rank poorly in search, which until now were favorites on top keywords.
On the contrary, many previously unknown blogs with stellar content have been steadily climbing the ranks since the search engines went through algorithm updates; that, despite not doing what traditional SEO textbooks used to suggest: writing keyword-rich content. But first the basics…
The frenzy behind keywords and their impact?
Keywords have traditionally been associated with searches people make across the web; therefore, it has always been the guiding force for both SEO managers and content managers; Furthermore, the idea that “Keyword-rich content will get the job done no matter what” was the reason why people were paying less attention to creating great looking content and more attention to stuffing, with whatever keywords they could, where they saw fit, the end result was a web full of shoddy content which was of no value to readers at all and was designed to trick search engines into giving such websites excellent rankings despite low-quality content.
However, over time, search engines realized that the average internet user was basically angry that they were landing on shoddy portals that had nothing to offer visitors; furthermore, some of the websites used all kinds of keywords, even those that had nothing to do with the website in question; webmasters were stuffing their content with unnecessary keywords in hopes of attracting additional visitors, even if the visitor was searching for something. otherwise, just to increase traffic to your website.
That’s when the major search engines did a complete overhaul of their systems and finally decided to separate the good from the bad, as even their own reputation was being damaged due to the return of unwanted search results; then came the amazing algorithm updates.
So does that mean you no longer need to focus on keywords?
Not really, keywords are important, after all, that’s how your audience reaches you; however, the focus has shifted from short-tail keywords to long-tail keywords, which is a great way to reach non-tech savvy people. Confused? Well, here is an example:
“Andy is a 21-year-old who uses the Internet a lot, so when he wants to find something, he usually types ‘ABC products, followed by their location’ while on the other hand we have Aaron who is 55 and not that tech-savvy; so when he searches, he types ‘Where can I find the best and most affordable ABC products in Kansas City?’
In Andy’s case, optimizing his content for short-tail keywords should be a good bet; however, if Aaron comes to search, his website may or may not appear in the search results, isn’t that good? Since an average Internet user doesn’t know the technicalities of searching, he would be typing questions into the search box, just like we ask our friends when we search for something.
Therefore, it is important that your content is optimized enough to meet the requirements of both the tech-savvy user and the non-tech-savvy user. With that explained…
Let’s take a look at How to Make Your Content Stand Out
Great content speaks volumes about your company or product and shows that you really care about your visitors and readers and that you’re not one of those people who just wants to make a quick buck. There is a reason why so many expert writers and webmasters suggest writing content that is optimized for people and not for search engines. Over time, search engines have become incredibly smart and search websites and blogs more like real people; meaning that quality is paramount and more emphasis should be placed on the overall quality of the content.
There are 4 tips that could help you create the kind of content that is admired by people and search engines alike… Let’s take a look!
#1. Less of keywords and more of information
Focus on the overall quality of the content and the overall theme and not just the keywords you are going to include. Focusing only on keywords often results in content that is bland and not interesting enough to read. Since the average Internet user has a very short attention span; so if you can’t find the information you’re looking for, you’ll quickly switch to another website that provides that information.
#two. In-Depth Research on Topiagainst
It is vital for any webmaster to create content that has been generated after a lot of research; Also, it is important that you read a lot of blogs that have been consistently writing high-quality posts on that topic, as that will help you gain insights on that particular topic. The reason some websites and blogs stand out from thousands of others targeting the same niche is because the people responsible for the content do a lot of research before they write; resulting in content that offers real value to readers.
#3. Focus on the reader and not the search engines
Make sure the content you post has been optimized with the end user in mind and not just search engines. If your readers love it, eventually the ratings will start to rise. Today, social networking websites like Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc. they are playing a very important role in search engine optimization; therefore, every time a reader or visitor shares any of your posts or links from their profiles, it sends an indication that they liked what they saw. Now imagine, if hundreds of users shared your posts and links on their personal profiles; that would tell search engines that the content is stellar and that many people find it useful as the post is genuine and delivers on its promise; thus, giving a significant boost to your rankings.
#4. A different version of a previously covered topic
Almost every topic has been covered by someone or another on the World Wide Web; therefore, what you bring to the table is really important. Having a different view of a topic that has already been covered by others establishes you as a well-informed person; Plus, readers love being intrigued by viewpoints they’ve never read before. So the next time you decide to write something about a topic that has already been covered many times by others; present your best game and try to present a different vision of your preferred topic.
Content has come a long way from the days when almost anything would have worked; regardless of how much work has gone into it. However, today, it has become one of the strongest pillars in the world of internet marketing; Not surprisingly, content can make or break your online presence. So you need to focus more on the end user experience and less on pleasing the search engines, the next time you decide to post something or market your services, give your visitors the information they are really looking for and give them something they want. I would come back to your website again and again. Forget rankings, focus on building a solid reputation first!