Why should you listen to what we write on search engine optimization?

Understanding search engine optimization is a full time job. What worked even a month ago doesn’t work today. You will hear from others it is best to use keywords consistently. It is not necessary. How do we know? Because we do not; yet are still ranked page one in several niches. Now what pleases the powers that be, the "Google algorithm" is user friendly information. In reality this started with the first Panda as this is when our "UN-optimized" hubs and other articles started being found by people searching.

You could say “well they have outside optimization help.” In truth we do. Our readers who are willing to share what we have written are our help. Why do they share? Our content is well written and of interest to them. None are stuffed with keywords, there is no need. There are people who put our links on their blogs and websites because it contains information of value to them and their readers. We have never asked outright for a single link. As far as we can tell and from information shared with us by people "in the know" sharing on Google + is one of the best ways to help with any writer or website with ranking. All social sharing helps.

The latest Panda then Penguin updates were specifically designed to put information which is of value however was not optimized to the old standards where its users could find it. It is now in front of their audience where quality content has always belonged. Those who were keyword stuffing and using other black hat techniques are now no where to be found. What Google understands is quality content never goes out of style. Their updates are specifically designed to remove as much of the sites using black hat technology as possible.

They look at what people are commenting on and sharing as their basis of value. The more natural links they find the more value they believe it will be to their users. The bots look at the number of comments and check for relevance as well. They also check for back links which are keyword specific. Any back link you receive from a .edu site, as long as where it is used matches your keywords, from anywhere in the world is worth its weight in gold.

At first we didn’t use Google Adwords. Time was spent searching what we thought were our keywords then combined these with other keywords we found in articles and websites in our niche. We still believe the human mind is the best optimizer there is. This doesn't mean not to use Google AdWords or other keyword search programs. Learning to use them really will help with keyword optimization.

We decided because so many others were using Google Adwords it was worth a try. What we gained was finding keywords which were more searched than the ones we were using. Finding keywords which were searched a lot with only a little competition has helped with articles and website content we write for others. Once we have found the keywords we want we still search them. This gives us a feel for our competition and in cases shows us how to outrank them.

Optimizing pictures and videos used is still a good idea. This adds relevance to your keywords. Well written keyword rich summaries where they can be used are also a good idea. Where they can’t be used use the keywords in the first paragraph and in the final paragraph. In each case in sentences which make sense to the reader. You are no longer trying to please the “search engines” your goal is providing relevance to the reader.

Although there are still a few black hat techniques which might work for the short term they will never work for long. As of the Penguin update if you cover a word with a link make sure not a single word of the link is the same as the one you are covering it with. If you make this mistake you will automatically be passed over as spam. An example would be wheelchair parts with the link below easywheelchairparts.com. Remember this is what NOT to do.

In reality at this point in time your readers are your search engine optimization. If they don’t like or share what you have written your chances of being well ranked are pretty much nonexistent. If you listen to what we write your articles and websites will rank well. This has been working for us daily since the last Panda and Penguin updates.

© May 3, 2012 Dennis Thorgesen for Lisech eMarketing, All rights reserved.

© Updated January 7, 2013 8:10 AM CST Dennis Thorgesen for Lisech eMarketing, All rights reserved.