About Robg1
Rank 288
1,199 followers Joined December 2009
Hi my name is Rob. I am originally from Scotland but live in Thailand now. I first joined WA back in 2009. However I made all

Posts

20

Questions

7

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asked in
Keyword, Niche and Market Research

Getting back into things and wondering if I should continue to pursue this angle.

I think a review of maybe three related products with genuine reasons for and against (not just trashing two and praising one) can work well.

But preferable done as a landing page containing, if possible, with affiliate links to all three products and then one or more informative blog posts pointing to the landing page, where the blog posts address the issue rather than the products solving it.

You have FANTASTIC responses here; kindly let us know if you require additional assistance.

I'm finding the articles that rank best for me are informative, with personal stories and a link to a product review rather than a best of list of products.

The new google updates are certainly making me rethink how I create articles

This is kind of what I'm getting at.

Hi - with the multiple Product Review updates that Google has rolled out over the last couple of years, it's become increasingly difficult.

In fact, Google specifically says:

"The reviews system works to ensure that people see reviews that share in-depth research, rather than thin content that simply summarizes a bunch of products, services or other things."

You may wish to read Google's advice on how to write reviews.

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/ecommerce/write-high-quality-reviews

Thanks. Actually it looks like you can do best of lists no problem. Just make sure each product is well described and give clear reasons why they have been selected for the list.

I have thought a lot about this, too.

But I am not sure. In my opinion, and I talk as an individual looking for things, I feel this best list is very useful. Of course, we know this and that, but a well-done list is very helpful, at least for me.

So I am hard to believe that is what Google has in mind even so we can believe it too.

But what I focus on is the word thin. It is nothing that says that the best of the list needs to be thin. So if we change that and have that deep but still best, it should click in boxes of Google about the best-of list.

Then it is about personal trying. I remember Partha came up with an idea I thought about too. That was just saying that you have put hard work into reading what people say about this product/s.
Just admit that you didn´t buy 20 different cars to find which is the best or cheapest car!
I stressed that I do not remember what he said word for word, but this was the idea.

I really don´t know how we can have a money page without some lists. Too, I believe now 3 items is max because of the speed of people all over.

But what is your opinion on using this method, deep and lets people know that you used this method?

To be honest, I haven't written a product review for a long time, although I still keep my knowledge up to date.

I have diversified my online income, and now focus on social media management, ad revenue and freelance writing.

However, with "user experience" being high on google's priority now, I think writing encyclopaedic explanations might not be good. I see many best of lists ranking that are very simple with bullet points of pros and cons. So as usual it's not very clear. lol

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Are best of lists of products still a viable tactic or is that an outdated method now ?

Are best of lists of products still a viable tactic or is that an outdated method now ?

asked in
Keyword, Niche and Market Research

Getting back into things and wondering if I should continue to pursue this angle.

I think a review of maybe three related products with genuine reasons for and against (not just trashing two and praising one) can work well.

But preferable done as a landing page containing, if possible, with affiliate links to all three products and then one or more informative blog posts pointing to the landing page, where the blog posts address the issue rather than the products solving it.

You have FANTASTIC responses here; kindly let us know if you require additional assistance.

I'm finding the articles that rank best for me are informative, with personal stories and a link to a product review rather than a best of list of products.

The new google updates are certainly making me rethink how I create articles

This is kind of what I'm getting at.

Hi - with the multiple Product Review updates that Google has rolled out over the last couple of years, it's become increasingly difficult.

In fact, Google specifically says:

"The reviews system works to ensure that people see reviews that share in-depth research, rather than thin content that simply summarizes a bunch of products, services or other things."

You may wish to read Google's advice on how to write reviews.

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/ecommerce/write-high-quality-reviews

Thanks. Actually it looks like you can do best of lists no problem. Just make sure each product is well described and give clear reasons why they have been selected for the list.

I have thought a lot about this, too.

But I am not sure. In my opinion, and I talk as an individual looking for things, I feel this best list is very useful. Of course, we know this and that, but a well-done list is very helpful, at least for me.

So I am hard to believe that is what Google has in mind even so we can believe it too.

But what I focus on is the word thin. It is nothing that says that the best of the list needs to be thin. So if we change that and have that deep but still best, it should click in boxes of Google about the best-of list.

Then it is about personal trying. I remember Partha came up with an idea I thought about too. That was just saying that you have put hard work into reading what people say about this product/s.
Just admit that you didn´t buy 20 different cars to find which is the best or cheapest car!
I stressed that I do not remember what he said word for word, but this was the idea.

I really don´t know how we can have a money page without some lists. Too, I believe now 3 items is max because of the speed of people all over.

But what is your opinion on using this method, deep and lets people know that you used this method?

To be honest, I haven't written a product review for a long time, although I still keep my knowledge up to date.

I have diversified my online income, and now focus on social media management, ad revenue and freelance writing.

However, with "user experience" being high on google's priority now, I think writing encyclopaedic explanations might not be good. I see many best of lists ranking that are very simple with bullet points of pros and cons. So as usual it's not very clear. lol

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asked in
Getting Started

Why do I keep getting offered to extend the premium membership? I bought for a year already. Then it says $0.50 due to day?

Brilliant, you have done it. :) Yeah, the system would work out a prorated value. It makes total sense.

If you're done, you're okay. The banner represents you with the PP+ offer.

Are you asking about the banner at the top of the screen? The Black Friday deal got extended. It’s for all those who missed out. If you’re already on the Black Friday deal you’re good to go :) It’s for everyone who hasn’t gotten the deal and wants to save.

Yeah I thought so. But I go to the payment and it says $0.50 due. I think that's meaning what I would need to pay in order to top up to one year from today. So I think it's fine thanks.

If you’re all set with your membership that banner doesn’t even apply to you. Nothing to worry about. 😎👍🏼

That doesn't make any sense at all. I'd put the question directly to Kyle at https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/kyle

I'm not getting any more warning e-mails about payments not working so I think I'm ok. But will send a message to get confirmation. Thanks.

Hope it's all OK now, Rob.

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Why extend premium offer?

Why extend premium offer?

asked in
Getting Started

Why do I keep getting offered to extend the premium membership? I bought for a year already. Then it says $0.50 due to day?

Brilliant, you have done it. :) Yeah, the system would work out a prorated value. It makes total sense.

If you're done, you're okay. The banner represents you with the PP+ offer.

Are you asking about the banner at the top of the screen? The Black Friday deal got extended. It’s for all those who missed out. If you’re already on the Black Friday deal you’re good to go :) It’s for everyone who hasn’t gotten the deal and wants to save.

Yeah I thought so. But I go to the payment and it says $0.50 due. I think that's meaning what I would need to pay in order to top up to one year from today. So I think it's fine thanks.

If you’re all set with your membership that banner doesn’t even apply to you. Nothing to worry about. 😎👍🏼

That doesn't make any sense at all. I'd put the question directly to Kyle at https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/kyle

I'm not getting any more warning e-mails about payments not working so I think I'm ok. But will send a message to get confirmation. Thanks.

Hope it's all OK now, Rob.

See more comments

asked in
Search Engine Optimization

It looks to me like they are after simple articles with direct answers. When I do google searches for "best XXXXXX" the top ones now are simple lists without huge great intr

It is not how many words in an article vs. covering your topic well and doing your posts justice, compelling quality content that folks are searching for.

Yeah, I searched for the search terms where my website pages have lost rankings. It seems that very simple, to the point, and easy to read/navigate (i.e good user experience) is winning over long winded content. Long winded was the way to go before. Now with AI giving people very direct answers that's all we need to do.

The way I like it. Short, simple (keeping it simple), relevant, discreet, and straight to the point.

Hey Rob,

Google has kinda stated "what they want" FOR YEARS, and yet many people tend to ignore this.

In fact, ever since the Google "Hummingbird" Algorithm Update of 2015, and the subsequent Google "BERT" Algorithm update of 2019, this has become more obvious.

And it was nailed on after the "Helpful Content" Updates of 2022 and 2023.

So, what is this magical and impossible thing that Google wants?

STOP WRITING FOR SEARCH ENGINES, START WRITING FOR PEOPLE

Who'd have thought? Yep, that's right, there are REAL people on the other end of the screen.

You might want to "binge-read" my WA blog posts, as this is something that I have been banging on about for YEARS now.

My blog posts show how I conduct niche research and keyword research WITHOUT using keyword tools (in order to "write for people" then do your keyword research "among the people".

I've also explained why I don't use SEO plugins, and also how easily these can be manipulated to fool YOU.

Sure, sticking with the "well-known" SEO rules can certainly help to get you ranked.

HOWEVER

It will become more-and-more obvious to Google when people are simply trying to "trick" the algorithms in order to "rank", and those who SINCERELY & GENUINELY are trying to help their audience.

ANY question you ever ask yourself about an article THAT DOESN'T focus on the end user can be considered "writing for search engines", e.g. "how many words in my article? How often should I use my keyword? how can I get my meta title under 60 characters? Should I place an affiliate link in this article? How many images should I have? How many videos should I add? Will adding an FAQ section help me rank higher? How many internal links should my article have?

NONE of the above example questions have anything to do with the end user or "writing for people", they are all focused on "manipulating the search engines" and therefore "writing for search engines".

This type of content will have difficulty ranking in the months and years to come.

I've even mentioned in my last published WA blog post about Google's new "Hidden Gems" search and ranking changes, this PROVES even more than Google wants people to be more "NORMAL" - treat your website visitors in the same way as you would your friends and family, we're not here to "trick" or "manipulate" with outdated SEO practices, we're here to HELP and GUIDE them.

Here's my last blog post, but I've been saying the above for around 3 years on the platform, and about 6-7 years off-platform. Partha

"STOP WRITING FOR SEARCH ENGINES, START WRITING FOR PEOPLE"

Exactly thank you.

Ok thanks

Nicely done, PP-- as usual!

LJoB

Google wants useful content without any artificial keyword stuffing. It doesn't matter if you use AI to produce that content. Do that and you'll not only survive, but benefit from Google search algorithm updates.

Yeah and I think it doesn't need to be artificially long either. Before we were making articles longer than they needed to be to get Google's attention. I don't think that's the case now?

Google has specifically stated that article length is not a ranking factor. It should be as long as is necessary to convey the information.

I dont think google knows what it wants and thats the problem

lol

You have a valid point, Barry :)

See more comments

What is google wanting?

What is google wanting?

asked in
Search Engine Optimization

It looks to me like they are after simple articles with direct answers. When I do google searches for "best XXXXXX" the top ones now are simple lists without huge great intr

It is not how many words in an article vs. covering your topic well and doing your posts justice, compelling quality content that folks are searching for.

Yeah, I searched for the search terms where my website pages have lost rankings. It seems that very simple, to the point, and easy to read/navigate (i.e good user experience) is winning over long winded content. Long winded was the way to go before. Now with AI giving people very direct answers that's all we need to do.

The way I like it. Short, simple (keeping it simple), relevant, discreet, and straight to the point.

Hey Rob,

Google has kinda stated "what they want" FOR YEARS, and yet many people tend to ignore this.

In fact, ever since the Google "Hummingbird" Algorithm Update of 2015, and the subsequent Google "BERT" Algorithm update of 2019, this has become more obvious.

And it was nailed on after the "Helpful Content" Updates of 2022 and 2023.

So, what is this magical and impossible thing that Google wants?

STOP WRITING FOR SEARCH ENGINES, START WRITING FOR PEOPLE

Who'd have thought? Yep, that's right, there are REAL people on the other end of the screen.

You might want to "binge-read" my WA blog posts, as this is something that I have been banging on about for YEARS now.

My blog posts show how I conduct niche research and keyword research WITHOUT using keyword tools (in order to "write for people" then do your keyword research "among the people".

I've also explained why I don't use SEO plugins, and also how easily these can be manipulated to fool YOU.

Sure, sticking with the "well-known" SEO rules can certainly help to get you ranked.

HOWEVER

It will become more-and-more obvious to Google when people are simply trying to "trick" the algorithms in order to "rank", and those who SINCERELY & GENUINELY are trying to help their audience.

ANY question you ever ask yourself about an article THAT DOESN'T focus on the end user can be considered "writing for search engines", e.g. "how many words in my article? How often should I use my keyword? how can I get my meta title under 60 characters? Should I place an affiliate link in this article? How many images should I have? How many videos should I add? Will adding an FAQ section help me rank higher? How many internal links should my article have?

NONE of the above example questions have anything to do with the end user or "writing for people", they are all focused on "manipulating the search engines" and therefore "writing for search engines".

This type of content will have difficulty ranking in the months and years to come.

I've even mentioned in my last published WA blog post about Google's new "Hidden Gems" search and ranking changes, this PROVES even more than Google wants people to be more "NORMAL" - treat your website visitors in the same way as you would your friends and family, we're not here to "trick" or "manipulate" with outdated SEO practices, we're here to HELP and GUIDE them.

Here's my last blog post, but I've been saying the above for around 3 years on the platform, and about 6-7 years off-platform. Partha

"STOP WRITING FOR SEARCH ENGINES, START WRITING FOR PEOPLE"

Exactly thank you.

Ok thanks

Nicely done, PP-- as usual!

LJoB

Google wants useful content without any artificial keyword stuffing. It doesn't matter if you use AI to produce that content. Do that and you'll not only survive, but benefit from Google search algorithm updates.

Yeah and I think it doesn't need to be artificially long either. Before we were making articles longer than they needed to be to get Google's attention. I don't think that's the case now?

Google has specifically stated that article length is not a ranking factor. It should be as long as is necessary to convey the information.

I dont think google knows what it wants and thats the problem

lol

You have a valid point, Barry :)

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
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icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
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icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training