What is SEO? SEO refers to search engine optimization, or the process of optimizing a website in order to make it easy to find via search engines like Google.
So how do you optimize your site content for Google SEO? Let WordStream lead the way!
Google SEO Basics: Keyword Research
Ideally, it’s best to do your keyword research before you start writing content. This lets you know which keywords to focus on in your content. It’s best to use a mixture of broad and long-tail keywords.
Read WordStream's SEO Basics Guide
Read the Ultimate Google SEO Guide to Keyword Competition
Try WordStream’s Keyword Research Tool to discover valuable keywords for your business
Google SEO 101 Guide: On-Page Optimization
After you complete your Google SEO keyword research and have a list of Google SEO keywords you want to target, it’s time to write! Your SEO keywords need to appear in your content – just don’t overdo it or your content will look spammy.
Google SEO Guide Search Results
Place your most valuable keywords in:
Body of the text. No brainer, right? Remember not to just use the same keywords over and over again. Add in modifiers (ex. “best”, “top”)and long-tails.
Title. Having the keyword in your title will improve your CTR from the SERP. (See our title tag guide for more help with writing SEO-friendly titles.)
Subheads. Subheadings/H2 headings are valuable spots for Google SEO keywords.
Your work is not over yet! Don’t forget to add Google SEO keywords into the:
Meta title: The meta title appears in search engine results. Use some solid keyword here.
Meta description: This description appears below your link in Google. Write an engaging meta description that includes relevant keywords to boost your click-through rate.
Image file names/ALT attributes: First of all, include pictures in your Google SEO content! Pictures are attractive and appealing for readers, and Google also likes them. Use the keyword in the file names (e.g., how-to-catch-fish.jpg). Also use the ALT attribute to tell search engines and users what the picture is with a keyword.
Anchor text: Link to your new page from several other pages on your site, using your keyword as the anchor text. This makes it easy for Google crawlers to find and rank your page.
Need more help? Read the full Google SEO Guide to Content Creation on WordStream’s Internet Marketing Blog.
Google SEO Guide to Link Building and Content website Promotion
Increase visibility to your optimized content by sharing it on social networks and building links to your content. Be sure to create internal and build external links from outside sites. These activities are known as "off-page SEO."
Get more information about Google SEO link building techniques:
Link Building 101: This Google guide to SEO link building covers everything all the basics link building techniques.
How to Build Amazing Backlinks
Five Experts on Google SEO Link Building: This Google SEO starter guide provides you with advice from SEO gurus who share their best link building secrets.
Advanced Google SEO Guides
11 SEO Tips for Optimizing for Local Search
5-Step Google SEO Guide for Creating and Optimizing Video Content