SEO – more than good writing
In this series, we have looked at various aspects of SEO and successful web marketing, yet we have hardly scratched the surface. We noted the ugly side of SEO (low quality, digital spam), and Google’s assault on low grade “content farms”. In examining the Panda algorithm, we’ve touched on ways to improve your articles in order to avoid “a Panda attack”. We have discussed 'Writing for Search Engine Optimization: the ABC’s of SEO', and we’ve talked about SEO for human consumption…
Have you noticed? Thus far, everything which we have discussed has been primarily about text. Interesting, informative text is essential. Without it, SEO does not exist. Well written text is the reason that people even DO internet searches. The “bait” which keeps readers coming back is information, well presented through thoughtful, informative, properly written articles.
Writing for dummies?
The truth is that your readers are no dummies! Figuratively speaking, you might succeed in selling them a box of sawdust dressed up as breakfast cereal – but if you do, you may be certain that most of them won’t be back for seconds! Reading dry, “unflavored” text, with no value added can be somewhat like munching down on a bowl of sawdust! Choosing the best wording is helpful, adding good sub-headings improves it further, but text can only go so far.
To reiterate this concept: Useful, informative text is absolutely essential to success in 21st century internet marketing, but if you have the best of written articles – unembellished – you will quickly discover that good text is not good enough!
This IS the 21st century!
We have previously noted this, but it bears repeating: in order to be successful in SEO / internet marketing, you must remember that you are writing for human consumption. Oh, yes, we should further define that – make it for 21st century human consumption!
In case you haven’t noticed, children are growing up – even in the developing countries – with a steady diet of colorful images. Such images are presented in print, TV, movies, video games, and computer / internet interactions. Your developing audience grew up with it, they expect it, and they quickly become bored without it.
For that matter, even “old fogies” such as this author find pictures, slideshows, and videos much more interesting – even more informative – than plain text. Although I consider myself something of an intellectual, I’ll admit that an informative article which is enhanced with good illustrations, still photos and videos definitely grabs my attention.
Since we have been discussing Google’s “Panda”, I should tell you that the Panda likes pictures, too! That’s right; Google’s algorithms seem to be designed to give your articles a better ranking when they include pictures, slideshows, and videos (or links leading to such). Either that, or pictures cause folks to linger a bit longer, resulting in better ranking. While we’re on that subject, links, in general, are useful in raising your search ranking. (We should note that Google isn't publishing details on their algorithms. If they did, "Black Hat" operators would immediately compromise the search / ranking process.)
Panda likes pictures!
Two brief notes:
- Links are not universally good.
- Google updates the algorithm every few weeks, so you have to scramble to really stay on top – but those topics are too complex for this article. We should reserve them for another time.
