The inspiration for this series of articles comes from the insightful writers at the Absolute Writers Forum. This series aims to demystify the technical jargon and skills needed to navigate the world of website creation, blogging, and search engine optimization. Drawing from forum posts, personal web creation articles, and blog entries, this guide provides essential information for online success.
The web is saturated with content, but the core message remains consistent: “Content is King.” However, to thrive in today’s digital landscape, it’s crucial to refine this adage. The updated rule is:
“Content is King, but Original Content is the King of Kings.”
This principle is the foundation for online success. Here’s a breakdown of its key components:
1. Content is Essential: Websites must contain words, phrases, and valuable information.
2. Originality Matters: Prioritize unique content, whether created independently or reproduced with permission. Avoid simply copying content found elsewhere, as this can negatively impact search engine rankings. While complete originality for every single phrase isn’t necessary, the majority of your website should be your own.
3. Consistent Growth: Regularly update your content. Stagnant websites quickly lose visibility in search engine rankings. Websites require ongoing effort and maintenance.
Search engines employ sophisticated algorithms to analyze content and identify originality. This analysis, while mathematical, is crucial for ranking. Forums, for example, often achieve rapid indexing due to their high volume of original posts. This originality signals value to search engines, boosting their ranking and attracting more users. Increased traffic leads to more posts, further enhancing originality, and creating a positive feedback loop.
The ability of search engines to “read” content is evident in advertising platforms like Adsense and Adwords. These platforms deliver targeted ads based on page content and user location. The algorithms identify keywords to display relevant advertisements. Therefore, understanding the importance of content is the first step to search engine optimization. Remember the rule: “Content is King, but Original Content is the King of Kings.”