SEO: Its Significance for Success as an Online Writer
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Chapter 1: Understanding SEO's Role
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is essential for enhancing your online content’s visibility. This concept revolves around tweaking your work so that search engine algorithms, like those of Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, can easily analyze and rank your articles.
Given the competition, how much effort should you really invest in SEO? And what return can you expect? Moreover, how applicable is SEO when writing for platforms like Medium?
To clarify, SEO can be divided into two main categories: On-Page SEO and Off-Page SEO.
Off-Page SEO is largely beyond your control. It pertains to the perceived “authority” of your content, which is influenced by the number and quality of backlinks pointing to your article. A backlink is essentially a reference from another site, which may not hold much weight if your article is new. Hence, let’s focus on On-Page SEO.
On-Page SEO encompasses several factors beyond just keywords:
- Time on Site: How long users stay engaged with your content.
- Page Load Speed: The time taken for the content to appear.
- Article Structure: A well-organized piece versus a dense block of text.
- Relevance: Ensure your content aligns with your chosen topic.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Your article should be easily readable on mobile devices.
- Image Optimization: Ensure images are properly formatted.
- Broken Links: Regularly check for and fix any broken links.
Keep in mind, Google evaluates many factors, and while you can’t influence all of them, your focus should be on creating engaging content. Google algorithms may not interpret the flow of your article as a human would, but they do recognize structural elements like metatags, which describe your content.
For instance, when creating subheadings, don’t simply bold them; format them as heading tags. This allows search engines to recognize the structure of your article.
Your primary goal is to create a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged. This leads to my main point: effective copywriting techniques inherently incorporate SEO principles.
For example: - Craft an engaging Title and Subtitle to draw readers in. - Write a strong lead paragraph that clearly communicates the benefits to the reader. - Develop a well-structured body with intriguing subheadings. - Maintain relevance throughout your piece.
While SEO is important, don’t let it stifle your creativity.
The Myth of Keywords
Have you ever been told to shove a specific keyword into your title? This approach can limit your creativity. In reality, while HTML includes a keyword metatag, Google largely ignores it. Instead, it employs a sophisticated method for understanding context, recognizing synonyms, and related phrases.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a main phrase. If your article discusses ‘pigs,’ use that term naturally alongside related words. Focus on creating relevant and engaging content rather than obsessing over specific keywords.
Ultimately, consider who benefits from your SEO efforts. The search engines gain more than anyone else. If you attract external visitors through SEO but they read your Medium article, you won’t receive direct payment from Medium for that engagement.
However, you might benefit in these ways: - Attract new Medium followers. - Enhance your professional credentials. - Monetize your article through affiliate links.
So, before you dive deep into SEO, ask yourself: is it worth the effort? Instead, leverage your copywriting skills and creativity to attract quality readers.
The following article by Tarun Gupta may provide additional insights:
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