When you're writing for search engines formatting can make small differences that will raise your rank from page two to page one. Here are some tips.

• Place your main keyword or phrase in bold once in the article. Only do it for up to three keywords or phrases and put it in context to where it makes sense to put an emphasis on the term.
• Place your main keyword in italics once or maybe twice. The key is to be subtle. Don't over do it when writing for search engines.
• Use bulleted lists. Create a heading or a list. An effective way to use HubPages is to add a new text capsule, give it a Subtitle and then add the bulleted list.
• Use your keywords and phrases in an occasional anchor text. Anchor text is the words that make up a hyperlink.

TIP: If you have written other articles on the same topic (Example: Writing for Search Engines), it is very effective to create a link with the target keyphrase that points to your other article. It even helps if it links to someone else's site.

• We suggest linking out to two or three other sites that will add to the value of your content.