Top SEO Tips for Noticeable Content

Quality and relevance of content are worked into search engine optimization (SEO) so that keywords are no longer the sole focus. These aspects are given increasing priority in search results with semantics that SEO algorithms build around your industry and topics. 

Last week, Google launched Panda 4.1, an updated search engine algorithm with more precision in filtering out thin content. Webmaster Trends Analyst Pierre Far made the announcement on his Google+ page last Thursday. Compared to previous updates, Panda 4.1 is more significant—3% to 5% of search queries are affected, instead of the average 1% or 2%.

This can be positive news, however, as search results should now show a variety of high-quality small and medium websites higher in ranking. If you’ve detected a decrease in site traffic over the past week or so, here are some tips for staying search engine visible:

• Keywords are still important, especially in the title. Spend half your time optimizing the title by using keyword tools like Google AdWords or HubSpot SEO to determine the best searchable phrases. The other half of your time should be spent on writing the content for your target audience. Also make sure the page URL matches the title of the piece.

• Longer, unique content will allow you to maintain a better SEO presence. Don’t load the body of your writing with forced keywords, which could lower your ranking on search results. If you’re referencing or summarizing other people’s work, vary the headlines and text.

• Writing should still speak to the person behind the computer, not the Google bots.  No matter how fitting your keywords and titles are, it means nothing without user engagement.  To achieve this, aim for posts with at least 600 words, with some longer, more in-depth posts in between.  Google can better understand the context of longer, quality posts.

Read more about Google’s new algorithm here.