Introduction
The art of content writing for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be intricate and requires detailed understanding. It isn't just about writing random content, it involves the structured arrangement of words, sentences, paragraphs that makes it appealing to both readers and search engines. However, it takes more than just arranging words in a structured way; it's about avoiding certain clichés, phrases, and words that make an article less effective.
Unnecessary Phrasing
Sometimes, in an attempt to make an article engaging, writers adopt phrases that are commonly used but rather unnecessary. Terms like 'Unraveling' 'Detailed Analysis' 'the evolution of' 'Understanding' 'Unraveling' 'The art of' 'Mysteries' 'in-depth' 'Exploring' 'Prominence' 'An exploration of' may sound appealing, but they add no substantial value to an article. They often make an article complex and harder for SEO.
Addressing Your Audience
Targeting a specific audience can elevate the relevance of an article. However, referring to specific terms or jargon can alienate a wider audience. Specifically, avoid mentions of 'fans' 'reddit', 'dexerto' or 'whattoexpect' as it can limit the reach to just the users of these platforms. Let your writing appeal universally.
Simplicity of Language
The kind of language used in writing plays a significant role in determining how well an article would perform. Using complex terms and long sentences can confuse a reader. More so, it hinders the effectiveness of SEO. Employing plain and simple English in your writings can keep your readers hooked and aid the crawling search engines.
Structuring Headers
Headers play a crucial role in determining the structure of an article. But, 'in Conclusion,' 'dive into,’ and 'delve into’ do not provide any meaningful contribution to the header. They make an article look scattered and distasteful. The first few words of your headers are to be highly impactful and relevant to the article's content.
The Art of Titling
Titles are important to the success of an article. An overly complex title can turn off a potential reader. Avoid using colons or the word 'analyzing' in your title. Your title has to be in plain English and should encompass the article's main theme.
Length of the Title
In crafting a title, ensure you keep it within an acceptable length, preferably less than 125 characters. Longer titles do not necessarily translate into a more effective SEO. This applies even if the title is well-crafted and engaging.
Writing in the JSON Format
Writing in the JSON format requires you to treat all content as HTML text. However, do note that formatting matters. Follow the standard JSON formatting such as
Content Format
Aside from JSON formatting, you also need to adhere to the expected word count, paragraph length and number. Writing an SEO content with a word count of about 1500 words, divided into 20 paragraphs, with each paragraph not exceeding four sentences is the ideal format.
Word Usage
While commonly used words can spice up an article, sticking to some specific ones like 'dive' and 'delve' does not necessarily contribute to the article. A successful writer knows that using a mix of terminology can make an article more engaging.
Outlining
An article that is properly outlined is much more readable and scannable. The use of sub-headers in your article helps to break down the information making it easier for your reader to navigate and understand.
Context of Article
While there will be a primary theme in every article, it is important not to lose sight of the wider context. Do not let your focus on specific details overshadow the overarching ideas you are trying to convey.
Authorship
Although the credibility of an author can add more appeal to an article, highlighting the author of an article can distract focus from the main theme. Unless necessary, it is best to keep the emphasis on the content itself.
Linking
Where possible, provide links to relevant information to support ideas or statements in your work. This not only adds credibility to your article but also boosts your SEO rating.
Keywords
Effectively incorporating keywords can drastically improve your SEO performance. However, the overuse of keywords can appear as spamming to search engines, so ensure you use them intelligently.
Originality
Content should be unique and original. Duplicate content or plagiarism is heavily penalized by search engines and can drastically impact your SEO performance. Always ensure your content is original and add value to your readers.
Clarity of Content
Always strive for clarity in your content. Avoid ambiguity and make sure your sentences are structured in a way that clearly communicates the message to your readers. This improves user experience and consequently SEO performance.
Accuracy of Information
Always ensure the information you provide is accurate. This enhances the credibility and value of your content. This also builds trust with your readers which can drive more traffic to your site.
Conclusion
To conclude, writing SEO-friendly content requires patience, practice and a good understanding of these guidelines. The more you write with these tips in mind, the easier it becomes and the better your SEO performance. Remember, the ultimate goal is to provide value to your readers.