"Hubbers' Doomsday - March 16, 2013!"
Cleaning the Backlink Spam
A major factor affecting page rank are Google's new standards regarding backlinks. Reputable, high-ranking backlinks bring top billing, while 'spammed sites' linking with your cyberspace home carry penalties.
Although stopping a questionable site from linking with you is next to near impossible, you can and must choose only websites you know to be reputable for future linkage invitations.
This is Google's attempt to stop spammers. Unfortunately, established sites that boast thousands of backlinks are being hammered.
I remember many hubbers mystified by the sudden BIG number tumble in page views and residual income. These questions reached a peak around March 15, 2013.
Upon checking my AdSense analytics, the 'page views' graph showed a deep decline in my numbers beginning March 16.
The captured image (ABOVE) shows that HubPages felt the new standards' wrath on that date and it affected many hubbers, including this copywriter.
SEO - Sweeping changes or small additions?
Google's last two algorithms, Penguin and Panda, have inflicted widespread impact on some major sites, including HubPages.
Google's most important deciding ranking factor now, more than ever, centers on receiving high quality subject content and a sprinkling of two or three highly targeted keywords and keyphrases.
Some SEO experts claim using keywords and keyphrases are a thing of the past . . . A claim this writer rebuffs.
Using keywords and long tail phrases reveal the subject content. So long as these phrases and terms naturally flow, and are not 'stuffed', they are essential for composing an enjoyable, informative online article or blog.
Page 1, Position: 1 - What Does It Take?
Online content writing and blogging require specific approaches, strategies and formulas.
What is true; and what is myth?
Let's begin . . . I think you will enjoy the journey!
CAUTION: Be apprehensive and discerning when a new Google algorithm is announced via ANY source. Many "SEO truisms" are at odds with another 'expert's knowledge'.
Proof positive that some hubs take some time to really begin to fly. This indexed (many times over) article is quickly approaching an average of 100 views/day!
PREMISE #1
Google requires high quality content that must contain at least 1000 words or more - MYTH
The fact is, I have several indexed articles parked in that coveted page one Google spot utilizing high quality content, and containing a great deal less than one thousand words.
An article I wrote for HubPages, "How I Cured Low Testosterone Before It Ruined My Life!", totals 552 words. This particular piece, on any normal day, gets 91-95 views.
In significantly less than two years, the same article has achieved well over 14,500 views, and stats show this 552 word article is a reliable climber. This particular, high quality article provides useful content, and only one keyphrase - "low testosterone."
Having said that, one needs to put together a minimum of five hundred words. This ensures keywords are not OVER-used, and creates sufficient space for exclusive, high quality content.
PREMISE #2
The most important keyword should always appear in the main headline - FACT
Cyberspace viewers scan copy included in any site searching for ONLY the desired or important content . . . IT'S THAT UNCOMPLICATED!
One must devote more time to writing quality headlines and sub-headlines to draw in the online, scanning audience. The headline should not be an artsy, creative expression that completely ignores keywords or keyphrases.
The fore described holds true if one's motivation for writing high quality content is to make money. The vast majority of high quality content writers, in fact, DO publish articles and blogs to earn nice profits.
The large amount of white space and an unordered list adds to the visual appeal of this article!
PREMISE #3
Page formatting need only be an afterthought considering that high quality content is what Google's 'bots check for in ranking position - MYTH
Granted, the search engine robots do not analyze page formatting. At the same time, when an Internet scanner stumbles over content that overwhelms them with a solid glob of black ink, exactly how much time is the average viewer probably going to spend? RIGHT! Zero; they won't; zip!
It makes perfect sense if one's content continues unread, the copywriter has forfeited a lot of invested personal time and research on a failed piece.
The fictitious, above-mentioned copywriter may have researched and written high quality content lost in the ink snarl, but if its not read, all is for naught.
Design the page for scanners by using:
- Numbered lists (at times called ordered lists)
- Bullet lists (sometimes referred to as unordered lists)
- Sub headlines
- Very short sentences
- Tons of white space
- Headers that summarize keywords and phrases
- Imagery spread across the blog post or article
Another formatting secret all great copywriters use: Bold every other line in all ordered or unordered list, as I did (above).
Applying this tip renders less difficulty in reading, and scanners love it!
PREMISE #4
Positioning the conclusion at the beginning of an online content article is a great idea - FACT
Block out all "copywriters' correctness."
Positioning the most important point at the beginning of the article will not tempt scanners to click off. In actuality, if the copywriter provides high quality content throughout the piece, this seemingly ill-conceived approach establishes instant credibility.
In turn, the scanner becomes the reader. Chances now become more than good, the visitor is likely to read this article through to the end.
Use this strategy whenever content writing for the search engines. The 'follower numbers' definitely enjoy a significant boost.
Some hubs or articles see peaks and valleys... "The Secret To Writing Well Written SEO Web Copy" stats.
PREMISE #5
Applying a relaxed, conversational color to an online article penalizes the copywriter - MYTH
This hub, "The Secret To Writing Well Written SEO Web Copy" experienced an amazing streak of extraordinary view numbers and a #1, page 1 place in all three major search engines found under 20 plus search phrases. Written in 2009, this article is now seeing renewed interest, and is reviving attention throughout search engines like Google.
Notice:
- The expansive white areas (white space)
- The casual, conversational writing style
- The use of quotations
- Storytelling
Do not hesitate to use the above, outlined list. In fact, these four points instantly develop high quality content throughout all levels of copywriting excellence.
Research shows a well-written story is THE most effective in holding scanners' and readers' focus, and is probably the most difficult copywriting discipline to master!
In summary, if you are a copywriter desirous to make residual income, you MUST stay current with SEO changes like Panda and Penguin . . . as tedious a job as this may be, like Nike's famous slogan so aptly reads: "Just Do It."