How to Use Keywords in Web Writing, Blogs
Why Keywording is Important for Good SEO and Making Money Online
Mar 31, 2009
As an increasing number of newspapers, magazines and other print publications disappear, many journalists and writers are turning to the internet as a place to earn money online as a web writer.
Unfortunately, many less experienced web journalists see low page views and poor revenue for their blogs, articles or other written website content because they assume that a print publication writing style is suitable for the internet.
In fact, an effective web writing style is going to be very different from the style used when writing for print publications. This article will explore what makes a good keyword, why strong keywords are the foundation for strong web writing and how writers can select keywords for blogs, articles or other website content using information from the Google Keyword Tool or other similar website.
Why Are Keywords Important for Web Writing and Making Money Online?
A keyword is a single term or phrase that reflects the theme or main idea of a blog entry, article and other forms of website content.
Search engines like Google use keywords as the basis for their website indexing system. When each new blog entry, article or web page is indexed by Google, the search engine algorithm detects keyword phrases in an attempt to determine the topic of the blog or website content. When a web surfer enters a search term in the Google search engine, Google searches its database of indexed web pages looking for articles with keywords that match the search term.
In addition, contextual advertising programs like the Google AdWords program uses the keywords in a blog entry or web page to determine what online advertisements will appear on a given page.
What Makes a Good Keyword or Keyword Phrase?
A good keyword or keyword phrase is one that reflects precisely what a person would enter into a search engine like Google if they were seeking the writer's article, blog entry or website.
Keywords and keyword phrases must be very specific. A web surfer seeking an article on personal debt management will enter a term like "personal debt management" into a search engine such as Google. Therefore, an article on the topic of eliminating debt and managing personal debt would be wise to use keywords like "personal debt management" and "eliminating credit card debt" throughout the article.
Keywords that are too broad are useless. A person seeking an article on personal debt management would not enter a Google search term like "debt" or "money," as these terms would bring up a very broad variety of search results, many of which would not apply to the topic of personal debt management.
How to Use Keywords and Keyword Placement for Good SEO
To increase page views and to earn money online by blogging or creating web content, writers must select two or three primary keywords for an article, web page, or blog entry.
These primary keywords must be used in strategic locations if the web writing is going to exemplify strong SEO (search engine optimization.)
For good SEO, keyword phrases should be used:
- In the blog/article/website title
- In subtitles
- In bulleted lists
- At the beginning of paragraphs
"Good" keyword placement is determined by the habits of readers; in turn, search engines place high value on keywords utilized in these strategic keyword locations.
Keyword Stuffing and Keyword Density
Keyword stuffing is the practice of writing in an unnatural way that utilizes abnormally high keyword density in a web page, article or blog entry for the purpose of increasing page views; increasing page views increases the writer's potential for earning revenue via contextual advertising programs like Google AdWords.
An optimal keyword density is between three to five percent, depending upon which SEO theory one subscribes to. Articles, blogs and websites with keyword densities above five percent risk being penalized by search engines for keyword stuffing.
Google and other major search engines discourage keyword stuffing. So instead of appearing on the first page of search results for a particular Google search term, a blog with keyword stuffing may end up on page 20 or 30, which means a dramatic decrease in the number of page views and reduced online money earning potential from blogs and websites.
Using the AdWords Keyword Tool to Research Keywords
The AdWords Keyword Tool provides a great way for writers to to research keywords. To learn more about finding good keywords with high search volume and high cost per click bids, check out Google AdWords Keyword Tool Uses for Web Writers.
Writers may also enjoy How to Make Money Online as a Web Writer and How to Write for the Web.
 |
