Understanding Content Optimization

Search engines are much like the geeks from algebra class. If you can speak their language, they can help you. Try telling them a joke, and watch the blank reaction. Writing content that gets you noticed by targeted audiences, is known as the fine art of content optimization. Content optimization simply means-writing in a language search engines notice. Remember, search engines are programs that work based on text, relevance and context. They have no understanding of abstract ideas, humor or word associations.

To understand content optimization, imagine you are at a party. You could chose one of two options. You can stand in a corner talking to yourself, or you can listen in on conversations, understand what is going on and get involved in the exchange. Lets look at how to keep this exchange going, with our good friend, the search engine.

Understanding Keyword Density

Keyword density is the number of times a word or phrase appears in a written text. Repeating your keywords gets you noticed. Overusing it gets you blacklisted as spam. The key to good keyword density, is to use the proper ratio of one, two, and three word phrases. To demonstrate this simple but crucial step, lets look at a Google content page as an example. Google content pages are designed with specific keywords, to attract viewers to click through to Google Ads, hence creating income for the web administrator. While this may not be your business niche, these pages are the best optimized, and offer an insight we can all benefit form.

Case Study of www.[3 keyword url].ca

First step, is to check the word density of a website. The main keywords for this site are:

3 Word phrase: Economic Action Plan, Global Economic Crisis,

2 word phrase: Action Plan, Economic Action, Tax Relief, Government Programs,

1 word keywords: Economic, Plan, Action, Government, Programs,

Website’s header categories: Banking, Families, Housing, Debt Assistance, Employment, Business,

Second step, is to note how these keywords are used.

Word	Count	Density
economic	10	6.21%
plan	8	4.97%
action	7	4.35%
canadians	4	2.48%
government	4	2.48%
programs	3	1.86%
Phrase	Count	Density
action plan	6	3.73%
economic action	5	3.11%
tax relief	3	1.86%
government programs	2	1.24%
stimulus	2	1.24%
economic crisis	2	1.24%
Canadian economy	2	1.24%
global economic	2	1.24%

Phrase	Count	Density
economic action plan	5	3.11%
global economic crisis	2	1.24%

Case Study Observations

1. Keyword concentration is focused on single words being repeated 7-8 times. Three word phrases are only repeated 2-5 times. The reason? Repeating two and three word phrases too much is considered keyword stuffing by search engines. What that means for you? Your keyword stuffed article will not rank high in Google Search.
2. The top 3 single words are derived from the three word phrases. Why? This way you target your readers specifically, without getting blacklisted for spamming. Single word reoccurrences are not considered spam.
3. The URL address contains keywords. For a specific page of this website the complete url is www.[3keywords].ca/EconomicActionPlanforDebt.html
4. Each page has its own unique, relevant keywords.
5. SIDENOTE: I came across this site via an e-mail . The subject line was personalized to read

“ Your government funds are available Edina” How did they know I am interested in this topic at all? My own blog keywords contain “government funding”.

In Conclusion

In order to rank high in Google Search, know the language of search engines. Pick your keywords wisely, and use them in the right ratio to prevent being blacklisted for publishing spam content. Use single words to create your word density around the top 4 single keywords, while using 2-3 word phrases sparingly. A good rule of thumb is to repeat single words with 4-6 percent density, and phrases with only 1-3 percent density.

Edina Hodos is a Professional Web Content Writer and Researcher. Her online publication as Volunteer Expert, appears on Allexperts.com , in the category of >>Internet Technologies>>Internet Media. Contact Edina for a quote. Professional Profile on LinkedIn.