Hey Google – Look At Me!
It’s about time I post something on Search Engine Optimizing (SEO)! We’ve all gone to Google and found what we were looking for – right? But did we? Maybe there was better information available, but because the Web page had not been crafted to respond to Google’s criteria, it ranked low down on the search results list.
Not only can Google be used to find information, but also to reach the intended audience. Most Web writers want their content to be retrieved by Google and displayed on the first page of the search results. Accomplishing this requires an understanding of the various factors that have an influence over this powerful search engine. Of those various factors, which are the ones that Web writers can manipulate?
Tips on Google’s searching priorities:
- Page title – what you see at the top of your browser has the most effect.
- Breadcrumbs – a series of links appearing above the text which form a navigation trail back to the entry point of a website.
- Main title – the wording of this should clearly indicate what the content is about. Generic titles, e.g. ‘Links’, should include distinguishing information.
- Sub-titles in the document – these too should relate to the topic.
- Content of the first paragraph – this should contain as many of the relevant keywords, that a user might employ to find content on a particular topic, as possible.
- Complete text of the document.
If Web writers ensure that words are strategically selected and placed, they will be harnessing the muscle of Google and making it a mighty partner. Both partners, working in unison, can connect the right information with those searching for it.
Keep in mind that there are a number of other important elements that contributes to pushing that search result up, such as domains .gc.ca and .org have better ranking as a credible source, also the amount of links from other credible sites to your site pages ads value to your ranking score.
