Understanding the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

What's the point of creating content if no one ever sees it? As Google continues to refine its algorithm, it's become harder and harder for content creators to get audiences to view their work. So, why is Search Engine Optimization important? When done right, it drives organic traffic to your site. Optimizing your site starts with choosing the right keywords. But first, let's talk about the three types of keywords needed for successful SEO. There are generic keywords, broad match keywords, and long tail keywords. Generic keywords are unspecific, high-volume words, highly competitive, and harder to rank for. Broad match keywords are high-volume words, have moderate competition, slightly easier to rank for. Long tail keywords are lower in search volume, have less competition and are easier to rank for.

When Google recognizes you as a reliable site, it will rank your articles higher. This is why you should aim to become a high-authority domain. Since Google is a business, its success relies on providing its users with legitimate and relevant results. In order for Google to determine credibility, it takes various factors into consideration such as in-links, out-links, a clean/error-free site, traffic, an easy-to-navigate website, social standing, and freshness or timeliness of topics.

Every time you pick a target keyword for an article, you're essentially making an "educated guess" that takes a number of different factors into consideration. There are four important factors to consider, which are relevancy, current events, volume and competition.