Welcome back, feel free to comment!

Create for People, Optimize for Search Engines

Create for People, Optimise for Search Engines

This is a rule/guide I use whenever I create content in articles, blog posts or whatever… “Create for people, optimize for search engines“. The reason I use this rule is because I keep coming across questions from people about keyword density, about how long (or short) the article should be, whether to use variations (for example, personal development vs self improvement vs self help).

Here’s the thing about trying to follow the rules… they keep changing. Google, for example, often updates it’s search algorithms and use real, actual human feedback to better their search engine service. The reason they want to do that is because Google wants to provide the best search results for their users.

The front user and end user is always a human being.

The internet is but a way for people to connect and share ideas, resources, et cetera. When you are creating content, think of directing your article to a specific person… or a group of people if you want.

You’re not writing for the search engines, you want people to read your content and from there, follow the link to your website and hopefully, make a sale of some sort.

I’ve come across people who create articles with so much consideration into the keyword density that at the end of the day… their articles are quite trashy. Sure, the keyword density is acceptable but the article makes no sense! When the reader reads it, what kind of value or benefit has been given to the reader?

Your articles give you the opportunity to showcase your expertise, to proclaim that you have in depth knowledge into the subject.

So, the first part of the rule I use is to always have the reader in mind… I always think of what can I say to benefit the reader. And then, I use my keywords whenever necessary; letting them flow naturally as if I’m talking to him or her through my article.

Utilize the power of technology and communication.

Having stated that, the search engines serve as one medium for people to connect and share information using search terms. Understanding how it works and optimising your articles so that you have a better chance of being found will work to your advantage.

Imagine that you are writing an article about a cure for cancer and let’s say that you know it works because you’ve seen the miraculous results.

You get inspired and you start writing an article. After spending time on your article and putting in a lot of hard work, you submit the article to article directories, news sites, everyone.

But no one seems to care! You wonder why… you take a look at your article and the title reads: “We are saved – Thesis of study results in proven cure for a human problem“. You might think that it’s a title that tells everyone the good news and that you’ve found a cure for a common deadly disease but when you submit it, the search engines won’t be able to use your article.

Why? Because people don’t search for “How to be saved – show me a thesis for a cure of one of mankind’s deadliest diseases“. Well, no one in their right mind would. They would much rather search for “How to cure cancer” and terms like that.

So if you had changed your article title to “Cure for cancer” and someone happens to be searching for “How to cure cancer”… chances are, your article will stand a much more significant and higher chance of being found rather than using the other title.

No more headaches and better results

In the end, did you realize that it goes full circle and your article ends up with a human reader?

Always place the end user in mind whenever you create content… but also study how the search engines work, how they match answers to search terms.

One example I can think of is back in the older days, people use to say that you can create web pages and websites with a typo on purpose just so you can reach the people who have also spelled the word incorrectly.

Well, as of today, that problem is solved. So the people who have created web pages and websites with typos in them?… Well, they don’t look too good when people visit their site and they see lots of typos now, would they?

As of now, technology still can’t “read” pictures, technology can’t “watch” video, technology can’t “listen” to audio, because we haven’t reached there yet. There are already some research and tests going on about it but it’s not so rampant yet.

However, the day might come and we’ll never know when it will be.

If you create your content and always, always have the end user in mind without bothering too much about the technical information, you’ll always be on the winning side – no matter how often the rules change in search engines.

Because rules can change very quickly but the fundamental principles of how people work don’t. And that’s why, I always follow my rule of “Create for people, optimize for search engines“

Tagged with: • • • •

Filed under: Article Marketing • Work From Home Strategies

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!