seo: keywords and meta data for bloggers
Post on 18-Oct-2014
639 views
DESCRIPTION
Check out my Geek Bar presentation from BlogHer and learn how to use keywords and meta data to improve your search engine rankings!TRANSCRIPT
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
SEO: Meta Descriptions and Keywords
Get geeky and get noticed!
Your Barista:Amber Page@amberpagewrites
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Three Steps to Better Visibility
1. Use keywords/phrases to help users and web crawlers find you
2. Write targeted, keyword-rich meta titles designed to rank highly and attract eyeballs
3. Write engaging, informative meta descriptions to get people interested enough to click
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Anatomy of a SERPs Page
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Step 1: Using Keywords
“Words aren’t powerful. The right words are.”
- Copyblogger
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
What the Heck is a Keyword?
Keywords are:
• The words people type to search for a specific type of content
• The words web crawlers use to find content relevant to their users’ searches
In other words, keywords get your posts found.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Good Keywords are Not Words
• Single words are very competitive and tough to rank for
• Think in terms of “keyphrases” instead
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
What makes a good keyphrase?
Good keyphrases are:
• Specific
• Targeted
• Steadily trafficked
• Relevant to your post
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Bad Keyword Example
• Too general
• Impossible to tell what the user is looking for
• Too much competition
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Better Keyphrase Example
• Less general
• More targeted
• Still a lot of competition
• Big players currently ranking
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Good Keyphrase Example
• Very specific
• Less competition
• Bigger players have less juice for this term
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Choosing Keyphrases: Step 1
Brainstorm!
• Think about all the different ways users might search for your post subject
• Think like a person, not a robot
• Put yourself in your readers’ shoes
• Keep going until you have a fairly long list
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Choosing Keyphrases: Step 2
Meet Google Adwords, your new best friend.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Using Google Adwords
1. Enter your keyphrase list, one term to a line.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Using Google Adwords
2. Review results for your search terms.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Using Google Adwords
3. Review Google’s keyword ideas for other options.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Adwords Tips n’ Tricks
• Check out the current search results to see if the term is relevant
• See the Insights page for seasonality of your term
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Using Keyphrases on Your Blog
The least you need to know:
• Choose two or three phrases to focus on for each post
• Put your most important keyphrase in the headline
• Try to use your most important phrase within the first paragraph or two
• Break your post up with subheads using your keyphrases
• Do. Not. Stuff. Write naturally, but with focus.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Step 2: Writing Meta Titles that WorkMeta titles have two jobs:
1. Tell people and web crawlers what your post is about
2. Get people interested in your post
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Writing Meta Titles That Work
To make your meta title search engine friendly:
• Start with your most important keyphrase
• Use the complete keyphrase – don’t break them up
• Feel free to use more than one, but only if it sounds natural
• Use no more than 65 characters, including spaces
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
How Google Sees Meta Titles
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Writing Meta Titles That Work
To make your meta titles people friendly:
• Think of it as a headline to an ad
• Use action-oriented words. Avoid passive voice.
• How-to’s, lists, and tips are perennial winners
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Good Meta Title Examples
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Step 3: Writing Killer Descriptions
Good title tags grab attention.
Great descriptions get people to click.
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Writing Meta Descriptions
The basics:
• Always write a meta description. If you don’t, Google will do it for you (and that’s not usually good).
• Limit yourself to 155 characters, including spaces.
• Use your most important keyphrases. Google checks.
• Write them for people first. This is your chance to sell!
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Writing Killer Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions = ad copy. Write them accordingly.
• Write a complete sentence (or two).
• Engage your reader.
• Use action words. Learn, discover, explore, get…you get the idea.
• Invite the reader to do something. Ask them to take action!
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Meta Descriptions in the Wild
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Where to Put Meta Data in Your Post
Most themes have a space for SEO details. Example:
Access code: [Goes here]Login/password: [Goes here]
Session hashtag: #BH12Geek: Conference hashtag: #BlogHer12:
Questions?
Find me at:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @amberpagewrites
Blog: http://amberpagewrites.com