Are You Writing For Users Or Rank
Does Your Site Need To Be Mobile Friendly?
Hi Folks
I know I have said in previous blogs about making your websites and the content mobile friendly. This is because Google has made their mobile priorities clear and says that you have to make the shift to a mobile-focused strategy.
However, who will this hurt the most? If you don't have a mobile friendly site just now, there is no reason to worry about it. Google will still be indexing desktop/laptop sites when there isn't a mobile version available.
However, what you have to remember is, it will be doing so with its mobile Googlebot. Therefore in your Webmasters Tools you should take the time to fetch and render as the mobile Googlebot to verify that your site content is fully accessible.
It will also pay you to start building a mobile friendly website. Although there is no rush Google has issued a few words of warning.
Quote - “If you're creating a mobile version of your site you should bear in mind that a desktop-oriented site will be better than an incomplete mobile version of the site. It’s much better to build up your mobile site and launch it when ready.” - Unquote
One other important piece of information you would be wise to take heed of is to stop using those annoying pop-ups, especially the full screen ones. You really should stop using them now because Google is penalizing websites that have intrusive pop-ups on mobile devices. If you don't do this then don't be surprised if you see your ranking drop.
Although there are more and more people browsing with mobile devices that doesn't mean you must have shorter posts. At least not yet. For now, long-form content is still king and reigns supreme in the SEO department.
This despite the fact that it would make a long read on a small mobile device. But that's exactly why you must publish long articles that comprehensively cover the topic at hand.
If this means that you have to sacrifice the number of publications you produce, so be it. People are growing weary of the same old same oh content that isn't informative and doesn't provide any real advice.
(The graphic below is a really good one with tips on effective writing - (Right click and chose to open in a new tab or whatever method you use to enlarge)
Dig deep, research extensively, and produce information rich, longer articles that provide real value to readers. This being said...
Looking Ahead To Future Strategies For Ranking
A lot of marketing experts are saying that keywords are losing their power to other SEO factors, and that a change is in the air for moving from phrases to intent.
Since search engines are shifting their focus from keyword relevance to topic relevance, its important to look at pertinent topics in your Niche and your users in a new light.
The power of longer posts has long been touted, but Google’s algorithm changes have pushed the influence of in-depth and comprehensive articles to new heights.
This is not to say those marketing experts are right and that keyword research is dead. While writing great content is where the power lies, keywords are still essential in the titles, headlines and sub-titles, but not so much within the body of the content (see graph at bottom)
For years, everyone has been saying that content should be written for people and not the search engines. With this information in hand, you can now switch a large portion of your focus from keyword research to topic research and content creation.
The most important things to consider when writing these newly-focused posts is intent. Ask yourself - Why would a visitor land on my site? What information do they seek? What actions do they aim to take? These are all questions you should be asking before writing your articles. This is simply because topical relevance is going to become more important.
Does this mean that keyword research will eventually become extinct? Maybe it will become a dinosaur. That decision is ultimately up to Google. And since SEO is shifting, it’s safe to say that it eventually will.
Meanwhile I wouldn't stress about it too much. At this moment, what you need to focus on is creating fantastic content that covers a topic and caters to the user’s. Whether it be to satisfy a need or provide a solution to a problem.
Ok folks there you have it in a nutshell, rather a big nutshell but in this case less is not better.
Anyone with any thoughts on the content of this blog can of course leave them via a comment below.
Enjoy your day and be successful.
Robert Allan
ps
A graph that shows the ranking factors Google uses. Look at keywords percent way down at the bottom, whereas keywords within backlinks are pretty good. Something to think about.
Recent Comments
34
Hello Dear Lady, I haven't seen you around my blogs for a wee while so thank you for reading this one.
Hope the newer members read this blog and take the information onboard and act on it.
If they don't they will surely regret it and big-time.
Now I best be off home so you take care and have a great evening - feet up and a glass of wine.
Robert
That was a quick run home but time to get off into a hot bath so catch you another time Loes.
Take care.
Robert
Hi Robert, excellent post thanks for sharing!
When I first joined last March, I was aware that most use cell phones for everything and kept that in mind.
My niche is more visual and my content will never be over 1000 words but...keeping in mind that no one wants to read 'novels' as they look like on cell phones.
I always checked my cell phone and tablet to make sure it was all good and it has been. So..I'm ready for whatever comes my way :D
Hello Patsy and thank you for reading my blog and for your input.
As far back as the summer of 2016 Google was promoting mobile friendliness and a lot of marketers still don't seem to have cottoned on to this very important fact yet.
I myself tend to keep my articles under a thousand but have to admit when I have more to say it goes over that figure.
I would continue as you are now but keep a weather eye on Google just the same coz it does tend to catch people by surprise.
Enjoy your day.
Robert
You are welcome Robert,
Thanks, we should all keep our eyes on the forever changing Google! I think we are used to them changing frequently by now!
Hello Dean and thank you for stopping by.
Lots of good info there for you to take onboard and hopefully help you as you progress.
Enjoy your day.
Robert
Hi Jhurreea
Thank you for reading the blog and for your comment.
Content will always be king even if the articles are shorter.
Give visitotrs the information they came to your website for and you will not go far wrong.
Enjoy your day.
Robert
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Wonderful information, Robert...thank you :)
No probs James and hope you went away with a few tips you can now implement.
Have a good one.
I'm off for the night now.
Robert
Thank you once more, and have a good one too, Robert.
James