A keyword is a subject term or heading used by search engines. In other words, when you type in a search on Google, the results that pop up are based on the keywords you typed. If you search for cars, often, autos will pop us as a related search term.
So if you want to increase the readership of your blog, your site will appear higher in the Google search results if you use commonly searched keywords. -Pretty simple idea to grasp.
Lots of advice exists on how to do this. Some statistically minded (ie: obsessive) web developers have turned the concept into a science. But for those of you not interested in earning a masters degree in search engine optimization (SEO) here are a few simple tips to get you on the right track:
Tubetorial has an article showing how you can go to the Google homepage, type in a word related to your content, and find a whole host of high ranking related keywords to add to your post and headlines.
Wordtracker has a similar, easy to use keyword search tool, and articles on how to use your results to attract new readers. (By the way, the phrase “attract new readers” is a search phrase I suspect will bring a few new readers to this post.) Hopefully they will like what they read, and come back for more.
See how what works?
Matt Bailey has a good article on the related subject of “Longtail” search terms. Longtails are search words NOT in your top ten most popular search terms. Of course, my slant on longtail, is to use more descriptive titles. Look at the headline for this post. It could have been something like Top Keywords. But I expanded it and added the words attract readers, blog and google: all search terms that will draw hits on the search engines.
I find it interesting how the Internet has changed the way we approach the art of writing. In the days of print media, a good headline meant grabbing peoples attention through pithy, pun or plunder, but today headline construction is not aimed at humans: we are writing to attract the red beady eye of Skynets Terminator.
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Love your blog. just put it in my favorites.
I may try to get more readers. I think you advise helped me.
thank you so much.
Form a 60s Libeal
Thanks Gabriele. I appreciate the feedback. Its nice to know I could be of help.