What Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to help an article rank higher in search engine results is not nearly as complicated as many people believe. Writing an article that includes Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques makes an article easier to find by Internet users that use major search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing, which can drive traffic to an article.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the use of creative writing techniques to include a key word or key phrase in certain parts of an article, so search engines understand what the article is about, which is needed by search engines to properly categorize an article regarding relevancy of the article to the search term that is searched. The key word or key phrase must be repeated a number of times in specific locations within an article, so search engines associate the article with the key word or key phrase. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) also includes additional easy to implement actions that can increase the ranking and visibility of an article in major search engines.

The first step in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) takes place before a writer even begins writing an article. It is very important that a writer identify the key word or key phrase that they intend to focus on to implement Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques in their article. For example, it should be obvious by now that the key phrase in this article is: Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

To find a suitable key word or phrase, consider searching major search engines for key words or phrases that you are considering using to see how other articles used them in the top search engine search results. Also use online tools such as Google Adwords or similar key word or key phrase analytical tools to determine which words or phrases are used most often in search engine searches.

It is also very important to come up with a title for the article that uses the key word or key phrase and is likely to be searched by search engine users. Always keep the searcher in mind when deciding on a title for an article. What word or key phrase would you use, if you were searching for information that is within your article?

The second step in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves strategically placing the key word or phrase in the article in places that are known to be areas of an article in which search engine spiders and bots are known to look for key words and phrases. This is the essence of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), so take note of these instructions.

The key word or phrase should be placed in the following parts of an article to help search engines identify and properly index the article:

• In the Title of the article
• In the First Sentence or Paragraph of the article, highlighted in bold
• In at least one H2 Heading in an article, and if possible, in other H2 or H3 Headings
• At least Three Times within the Body of the article
• In the Last Sentence or Paragraph of the article
• In the Name of Photos included in the article and in the ALT Text for photos

That is it. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not so difficult after all. It can be difficult to find ways to work a key word or phrase into an article in the locations necessary for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) without writing in awkward manner; however, a little awkwardness may be worth earning higher search engine ranking.

In addition to carefully following the instructions in the second step above, the following should be kept in mind when trying to achieve Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for an article.

• The title should not only include the key word or phrase, but it should also be a title that is likely to be searched for. For example, someone looking to learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is likely to search for something along the lines of “what is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”, which is why I chose that title for this article.
• An article should be at least 400 characters in length, and preferably at least 700 characters in length, as longer articles are given higher rankings by search engines.
• Consider where you are uploading an article. Search engines rank websites regarding the relevancy of their content, when deciding how high to rank page links in the search results. An article that has included all of the elements of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) will rank higher in search engines if it is published on a well regarded website versus an unknown blog.
• If possible, include the key word or phrase in any Meta Tags or Summary Sections that are available when uploading the article to a website. This will help some search engines identify and index your article. Not all search engines read Meta Tags or Summary Sections, but including the key word or phrase in these areas is worthwhile.
• Create a RSS feed (RSS = Really Simple Syndication) at the bottom of your article to feature updates from your blog. Creating a RSS feed is a good way of not only promoting your other articles, it also helps with achieving Search Engine Optimization (SEO), since search engines rank webpages that update their information regularly more highly than static webpages.
• While not a crucial part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), creating backlinks to your article is not only a good way to drive traffic to your article, but is also a way to increase your ranking in search engines, since search engines consider an article with links to it from other webpages worthy of a higher ranking in their search results.
• Periodically visit your article to see if you can make any improvements regarding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and content. Check to see that all links and images are working and the grammar and spelling are correct.

Keep in mind that search engines typically need a few weeks to months to find and index articles published on the Internet, so be patient when searching for your article via search engines to see if your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts undertaken when writing and publishing an article are effective.