New to SITS? Welcome!! Go read this to get started.
Welcome to the weekly blogging tip and comment game! This week I’m talking about keywords.
Keyword usage is confusing to many bloggers. You want to optimize your blog and get some Google juice, but you’re not sure what keywords to use, where to put them, or how often to use them. Today I’ll try to take away some of the mystery for you.
The first thing to remember is that keyword usage is not an exact science. Google regularly changes the “formula” it uses to rank blogs in its search results. They do this as they refine their technology and also so web site owners are less likely to be able to game the system. That said, here are some basic tips.
- Make a list of words that describe your blog content. If you want someone to find your blog, what words do you think they should use in a Google search?
- Go to Google’s keyword analyzer, put in your keywords and click “Get Keyword Ideas.” This will tell you how popular your keywords are and give you similar keyword ideas. Now click on the column that says “Global Monthly Search Volume” to see a list of similar keywords in order of popularity. Click again to see it in reverse order – from least popular. Use this to refine your list and decide on a handful of final keywords to describe your blog. It’s fine (and good!) to use popular keywords, but try to have some not-so-popular ones, too. Try to balance common, yet not too competitive words. Make note of the phrases that the Google tool suggests – this is also important. The more specific and niche you can get, the better. For example, if your blog is about soap, maybe you can use the keywords soap, making, herbal, recipe, and gift. Five to ten words is sufficient.
- Now that you have a few keywords and phrases, you need to get them into your blog. Use the exact words and phrases. They key here is balance. If you flood your posts with keywords, Google will flag you as spam. I’ve heard the rule is to use no more than one keyword out of every 100 words on your blog, but no one really knows the exact formula (except maybe Google insiders!). Try to use your keywords and phrases in your posts and in your titles when you can. But don’t try too hard or your posts will just sound repetitive and ridiculous.
- What about “META” tags? They are part of the code that is placed in the header of your blog. You can access them in your template code. They are invisible to your blog visitors, but search engine spiders and bots do see the info. According to the Google Webmaster Blog, Google’s web search “disregards keyword meta tags completely.” But there is always a chance that could change, so it doesn’t hurt to have those tags and keywords in place if you are comfortable with editing your blog template.
Unless you have a very unique niche or product, you’re probably going to get more traffic out of your social interactions than your “bot” interactions. In other words, don’t stress over getting Google to put you in the top five. Spend your efforts making personal connections in social media: commenting, Twittering, Stumbling, Facebooking, etc. And, of course, spend most of your time writing great content!
Now, let’s play a game! Here are the rules for the SITS Saturday Sharefest:
- Leave a comment here with a link to one of your best blog posts (or just your main URL if you prefer).
- After you leave your comment, visit the link of the person who commented BEFORE you.
- Comment on their post and be sure to say “Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest” in your comment.
Now, go leave some comments! And please visit my blog, Mom, Reinvented.
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LEAVE A COMMENT.
This is great info, thanks for sharing.
Yesturdays, flower tutorial post is my best in a while:
http://hipchicdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-many-flower-tutorials-sew-little.html
Have a great weekend
.-= cyndejolene´s last post: Tornado in Huntsville =-.
This weeks sharefest goes to:
http://biggerbythebelly.blogspot.com/2010/01/misadventures-in-babysitting.html
.-= Babe_Chilla´s last post: The Cloth Diaper Edition =-.
I am new to this site but I wanted to share in this game. I am putting the URL to my blog http://dizminnie.blogspot.com/.
.-= Joan´s last post: Sometimes its good to take your hubby shopping =-.
Happy Saturday everyone!!!
visit my blog growingupblackxican.blogspot.com
Yeah, weekend! wheee!
visit my blog (please?) at http://thehecticeclecticgirl.blogspot.com/
.-= Jean´s last post: Turkeys on Parade =-.
Forgive me for being away for soooo long. Back into the swing of things now.
.-= Kristin´s last post: Guess it takes 12 days to defrost =-.
Happy Sharefest Saturday!
.-= Holly L´s last post: Design Inspiration…Bold Black and White =-.
I guess there aren’t as many people that check on in Saturday.
.-= Jennifer´s last post: We love our vitamins, Friday Funny =-.
I’m here…
Happy Saturday everyone although it’s Sunday here in NZ…
Havbe a wonderful weekend
http://kaffeineaddict.com/?p=310
.-= Lottie Ford-Powley´s last post: Facebook Funny =-.
thanks so much for the information!
http://alabastercow.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-love-my-husband-let-me-count-ways.html
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all aren’t spending your day as lazily as me…haha. Thanks for the tips! I have one beauty blog and one fashion blog and I tend to post a bunch of photos…I really need to work on my written content!
Kade
http://deenandgray.blogspot.com
http://kadebotehbeauty.blogspot.com
im a bit late!! hope you are enjoying the weekend!!!
.-= Helena´s last post: What makes me happy today =-.
Thanks for the blogging tips and advise! I need to be putting keywords into my posts and haven’t been! I will do so now!
Here is my Frugal Friday post this week – look at what I made out of an ugly old headboard!
http://thelittlebrownhouse.us/2010/01/22/frugal-friday-from-headboard-to-console-table/
Happy Saturday! That tag info is interesting… I never knew about any of it!
trying one more time – my comments don’t seem to be posting!
Happy Saturday anyway! Come by and say hi at
http://thehecticeclecticgirl.blogspot.com/
.-= Jean´s last post: Turkeys on Parade =-.
Checking in late after helping my 89 year old mother in law with a problem today. Just enough time to check out one blog. Oh, and any post will do, if you want to take a look. http://thegreenhangershop.blogspot.com
.-= Judy´s last post: Color me ______ =-.
Don’t see my previous post, so I’ll just say Happy Saturday Sharefest.
.-= Judy´s last post: Color me ______ =-.
Don’t see my previous post either, so, again, happy Saturday sharefest everyone!
.-= Nicole´s last post: I Really Don’t Condone Torturing Children =-.
Hi there!
Happy Saturday, everyone! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
I have just gotten started blogging, so I don’t have a lot of posts going yet. Here’s the link to my first real post:
http://latemommy.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/honoring-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-with-a-mattress-sale/
Thanks for visiting!
.-= Judy N.´s last post: Alphabet Books-More Than Just Simple ABCs =-.
Trying this one more time! Checking in for Saturday! *waves howdy*
I’m new to SITS, looking forward to reading some great blogs!
My best post recently? Hmmm, maybe this one on online dating?
http://diaryofcurvyjones.com/?p=312
How can it be that Saturday’s almost over? Here’s one of my favorites…hope you enjoy it.
http://www.amberpagewrites.com/2009/10/things-id-like-to-teach-my-daughter.html
.-= amber´s last post: BBB Round 2: Week 2 (Seven Ways To Stay Motivated). =-.
Happy Saturday!
.-= Tiffany´s last post: Flashback Part III =-.
I spent today shopping…and you? Happy Saturday!
.-= Tamara´s last post: Mommy Moment Featured Blog: Random Musings from a Pregnant American in London =-.
Know I’m late. Sorry! Long day at work.
Hope everyone’s having a good weekend! 
.-= Lauren´s last post: Ten Little Confessions =-.
very informative post- Thanks!
.-= Rebecca´s last post: Kolette Hall "class" on her blog! =-.
Oooh thanks for this. I always wondered how the key words thing worked!
.-= Lise´s last post: Holiday photo backlog: the food edition =-.
I think it is a great idea to more site view of fellow bloggers.
Hey Rebecca (the person who commented before me)… here I come
.-= Ramya´s last post: Picture Perfect: Snow capped mountain view =-.
Happy Saturday!
.-= Nicolasa´s last post: And so it begins… =-.
Happy Saturday. New here, first timer. So I hope this comes out right =) Hope everyone had a fantastic day & not too rainy. And I truly hope everyone has a blessed Sunday. Go SAINTS!!!!
.-= Crystal´s last post: Be Not Afraid =-.
I am late posting today.
I am sad.
.-= Kasey´s last post: Some people make me sick. =-.
I am so happy it is Saturday! Off to church in the am.
Here is my favorite from this week!
http://3under4familyof5.blogspot.com/2010/01/wheres-cowthe-story-of-forgotten-breast.html
.-= Kristina´s last post: How Guido Got His Name =-.
I got to enjoy a day with the girls!
My first post and one of my faves:
http://www.lifeinthebatcave.com/2009/10/thought-on-tv.html
.-= B´s last post: Life is full of Lemons =-.
Happy Saturday everyone! Had a relatively chill day, just went to the gym and then read a great book at Starbucks (which I’m just about to blog about) then will be having a chill night in with some girlfriends watching movies. If you’d like to hear about the book, “The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindess” check out my blog at http://www.seattlekimd.blogspot.com. Thanks!
.-= Kim´s last post: Spice Girls Musical?!? =-.
Crap, almost missed Saturday Sharefest!! That’ll teach me not to play on my computer all day
Hope everyone is having a good one
.-= Suz´s last post: An Open Letter to My Husband =-.
http://bormanntwins.blogspot.com/2009/09/bormann-household-mystery.html
Great post! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It’s an icy weekend in Minneapolis.
.-= Jessica´s last post: Stella’s food…relocation #6… =-.
Hi everyone, hope you’re having a lovely relaxing weekend. Mine’s mostly revolved around eating and drinking in the sun, good times!
.-= Hannah´s last post: Green-lipped moules mariniere =-.
Oh my goodness, the weather here has been so beautiful! We went for a 3 mile walk this morning and I worked in the yard for a couple hours. In January! In the Pacific Northwest! If the weather holds, we’re playing paintball tomorrow.
.-= Newlywed & Unemployed´s last post: How to Motivate a Man =-.
Better late than never! Signing in for sharefest!
.-= April´s last post: Wedding Video Love =-.
Happy Saturday sharefest! looking for new blogs to follow and to be followed, cooking,crafts or family ones esp!
.-= MRSOFFICER/MROFFICER´s last post: Foods I’m loving right now =-.
Checking in SUPER late today! We had an awesome time playing in the snow today!
Took some really pretty pictures on our little outing.
Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!
.-= Mommy Taylor´s last post: Snow Day in San Diego! (Picture Heavy!) =-.
Lots of new Freebies for Saturday’s Samples!
Hope you all have a wonderFilled and blessed weekend!
Wendy
.-= Wendy @ Frugal Fabulous Finds´s last post: Saturday’s FREEBIE | Free Bottle of Country Bobs All Purpose Sauce =-.
oOh I am late due to my hosting my Hubby’s 40th b’day party!!
Happy Saturday Sharefest Everyone!!
.-= Amanda {my life badly written}´s last post: I DO LOVE A MAN IN A DRIVING SUIT… =-.
It’s Saturday night! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
I am so late today! Busy day! Have a great weekend!
Oh, what a long day it’s been. And week …. Glad it’s coming to an end!
Interesting… I’ll definitely have to think more about keywords…
Happy late Saturday everyone!
And thanks for the tips on keywords. This is actually something I never remember to do, but probably should.
Sorry for the double comment, but something weird happened to my last one. Didn’t like to my last post for some reason.
.-= Jessica´s last post: Maryland Zoo partners with the B&O Railroad, Maryland Science Center, and Port Discovery for the Months of January and February. =-.
Happy Sits Day Everyone!!!!
http://www.candyandcake.blogspot.com
.-= Candace (Candy and Cake)´s last post: Cake Friday =-.
Ohh, Candy and Cake. I got a sweet one!
.-= Melissa @Cellulite Investigation´s last post: Joyce Vedral in Action: Meet the Featured Author in Our Cellulite BOTM Research Group =-.