Only a few years ago search engine optimization tactics to elevate websites higher on search engine ranking results and attract Internet users to specific sites was based around some extremely dubious practices. These so called SEO ‘black hat’ tactics included articles that were spun, (that is the same article changed slightly and issued in many different versions, on many sites. Keyword filled articles and other tactics such as keywords that were in actual fact hidden in backgrounds. Other underhand tactics were widely employed.
The common thread was that this content did not add value to the Internet experience of those who were searching for content that added value to their professional and personal lives.
Google, as custodians of the most powerful and popular search engine took note of this and has released continuously updated versions of their algorithms (think of them as tiny robots that scour the Internet looking at content)that now punish these practices. The latest of these algorithms, called Panda (and the associated update, Penguin)have changed the playing field.
Today a company’s search engine ranking is determined by and large by the quality of its content. Creating engaging content on social media sites is part and parcel of what is today known as ‘content marketing.
This content can consist of video and images (in fact there are entire studies around what sort of content is best – a combination of types seems to be best) as well as copy.
Senior Google executive Matt Cutts has stated that the content provided must add value to the user experience, must be creative and unique and engaging. This means that content providers need to go that extra mile when they are developing the content that they showcase on social media sites, or the content on blogs and websites that host the content that is promoted by the organisation’s various social media channels.
Social media marketing can be tremendously powerful.
Sites like Twitter and Facebook have the ability to increase the reach of the organisation’s sales efforts, as well as the brand itself through the sharing of key messages and the promoting of the brand. A single Tweet can potentially reach thousands though retweets and the reach of extended networks. Many of the other social networks operate in the same way through likes and +1’s, in effect the impact is the same.
The advantages of using the social media are relative cost effectiveness over traditional marketing platforms. However care now needs to be taken to ensure that marketing efforts create value, rather than concentrate on keyword promotion.
Without paying attention to the creation of rich content which is now required by Google the company runs the risk of not taking advantage of the power of the social media.
If the organisation insists on maintaining a reliance on SEO (articles should now contain around 3 – 4% SEO keywords) they run a very real risk of being delisted (or banned) from the search engine ranking. That would spell doom for those companies that are relying heavily on the power and reach of the Internet in order to feed sales funnels.
To your success
You have really covered some interesting points well here, Amaka. Things have really changed over the past few years. I think for the better! Who needs “black hat” tactics? If you are blogging for people and trying to help them, it all becomes so much simpler. I write for people not robots so this suits me perfectly! 🙂
Thank you for the great graphics too! I really liked the first one the most! I can picture you working there at the computer, enjoying the beautiful view.
Best wishes and much success!
Deborah
LikeLike
Thank you Deborah. You comment is much appreciated. You are right “Black Hat” is in the back seat now. People are wide awake to the real world now. Yes indeed we write for people not robots, we need to make it as real as possibly. Have a great week.
LikeLike
Hi Amaka Adindu, Great tips shared ..yes content must be unique and valued it should be useful and informative for the readers so that they avail the benefit out of it….Thanks for sharing
LikeLike
I totally agree with you Sazia
LikeLike
Very informative article. When I began blogging it was primarily as a writer so – for better or worse – I pretty much ignored SEO because my impression of it was that it meant writing for Google rather than my readers. Of course, eventually I learned that the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and I can attest to the fact that becoming knowledgeable about doing SEO the right way can make a huge difference in the development of a website or blog. Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
Hi Amaka
I do remember those days when it was easy to play with search engines and get great result. As you shared, this boosted bad practices on SEO. Today, Google’s hammer are on those who don’t play by the rules.
This brings us to Social Media which has so many benefits for business. As long as they stick to connecting with their audience and building a solid relationship/
Thanks for sharing. Take Care
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting my blog post. I call it the new school of SEO. The old school SEO is out the door for good. Have a great week.
LikeLike
Hi Amaka,
I have seen Google changing the game of SEO from SEO and exactly social signals were not given more preference in the previous years but now social media is given more preference than anything.
Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
LikeLike
Hi Amaka,
it is true there have been many changes and social media is getting more and more powerful.
I think the changes are to the better,more human ,who likes to deal only with engines.
Thank you for the interesting article
Erika
LikeLike
Yes! it is an ongoing change. I like the fact that all the changes are designed to make it easy for companies to get better results.
LikeLike
Hi Amaka,
I have never bothered much about SEO beyond installing the Yoast free plugin and making sure that I follow its recommendations. As so many have said – I write for people not search engines.
However I am spending more time on Twitter and Facebook. Good to think this is the right direction in which to move.
Joy – Blogging After Dark
LikeLike
Thank you Joy. I understand what you mean. I do occasionally take a look and review and updates.
Have a great week
LikeLike
I too have never bothered about SEO. Mostly because I really have never understood it at all but also because I have seen some seriously badly written articles that have relied heavily on SEO but made pretty much no sense at all! Seems to defeat the object if you ask me. Thanks for sharing this though!
Enjoy the journey!
LikeLike
Thank you Mandy. I understand what you mean. I don’t relay on SEO and have come across some article the same thing. For some strange reason some people miss the point of giving value in their article. Sometimes I ask “you get the traffic then what ?” is there enough to bring the visitor back. We should focus on writing for real people not robots.
LikeLike
Great tips. I feel strongly that if we write about those subjects that our readers are curious about than the rest will fall into place.
LikeLike