SEO Tricks for Bloggers 2: Using Keywords in Your Blog
By Karina Fabian
Last time, we discussed how to select keywords for search engine optimization, and using Google Adwords to determine which will give you your best return on investment of time. I also recommended considering long-tailed keywords[K1] , which is a phrase of three to five words. This helps you reach your target audience who is seeking the specific information your blog offers. Once you have these, then what?
In the past, the trick was to pick a keyword and use it as often as possible. So for example, if your keywords were “blog” and “SEO tricks,” your blog might look like this:
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Fortunately, modern search engine algorithms have grown more sophisticated, so much so, in fact, that excessive repetition of a keyword will in fact count against your rating. Google especially, but also other search engines, are moving toward a more content-friendly approach. One way they do that is by understanding key phrases can be separated by other words. So, if your keyword is “SEO Tricks”, it will understand if you write something like this:
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Also, Google can conjugate. Thus, if you have a keyword like “pray the rosary,” it will understand “prayed the rosary,” “praying the rosary,” and even “rosary prayers.” Again, the goal of modern search engines is to look for blogs and articles that are seriously addressing a topic without playing games to get high ranking.
Choosing three to five keywords, rather than just one, helps you with your flow of prose. Back to our Marian Devotions for Advent example: if you have the keywords “Catholic prayers for Advent,” “Advent devotions” and “Mary, Mother of God,” you don’t have to heavily load your phrases.
In general, you should have your selected words or phrases at least once in your blog, although two or three times is good for longer blogs, as long as the writing is flowing naturally. Your best one – either the one with the highest SEO rate according to AdWords or the one that best defines your blog – should be used in the beginning, middle, and end if possible. Remember, you don’t need the exact word or phrase. Google understands context and derivations of words.
Finding this a difficult thing to do while writing? Never fear. Next time, we’ll discuss editing for search engine optimization.
[K1]Link to http://www.wordstream.com/long-tail-keywords
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org