Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Click This Post

1. 79

   YoungWolfposted 8 years ago

   Im starting to wonder if it is a bad idea to write hubs like "Top 10" or "Top7". I dont think people read the details, and only read the headings.It is really disappointing me as a writer because i put some time and effort into those details that people just scroll through. Is writing a "top" anything a bad idea?

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2. 82

   psycheskinnerposted 8 years ago

   If all they want is the headings, then that is what they will read.  It's still a hit and it's still a potential ad click.

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3. 0

   Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years ago

   I don't think it's a bad idea at all. In fact I have a top seven Hub in progress. Those who are interested in the topic will visit it, those who are not, won't.

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4. 85

   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   I do wonder if Google will eventually penalise these types of articles.   They have been the new "hot trend" for ages now, and every spam website is using that kind of headline - surely eventually, Google will decide it's a sign of someone trying to game the system (just like they now penalise keyword stuffing or headlines with repeated words)?

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   1. 88

      NateB11posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, and I hadn't thought of that. It is kind of like click bait--which I'm sure is the next thing for Google to tackle since so many people resort to click bait these days. I also have not noticed any significant amount of successful with such titles, myself.
      
      Also, I think wording in the article is more important; what the search engine can pick up on, variety in wording so the search engine can figure out how to index the page.

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5. 0

   Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years ago

   If they do, Marisa, I'll just take the one or two that I plan to write down and move them to my own site. In the meantime, there are more important things Google need to focus on, I think.

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   1. 85

      Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How would moving them to your own site help?   You need Google traffic to your own site, too, and if Google decides that type of article is spammy, they could penalise your whole site for it. 
      
      There are several sites which pay upfront for this type of article so if you've got one, I'd suggest pitching to one of them rather than putting it on a site.

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6. 0

   Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 8 years ago

   I hadn't thought of that. Thank's Marisa

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7. 0

   Farawaytreeposted 8 years ago

   I've thought of this myself. It seems the TOP 5 or Top 10 syndrome has been used so much you'd think it would get old. But, the hubs I do have with such titles, are doing very well, so I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it - YET.
   
   Although I would say most readers are wise to the fact  that those titles are designed to pull you in and will only click on select ones that REALLY peak their interest.
   
   This is like the click ad syndrome. I'm wise to the fact that people make money off me if I click on ads, so I never do, as a reader. So, how could I expect the majority of readers out there will fall for it on my own hubs? Some do, but I think those days are over.

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