Have you ever read a blog full of keyword stuffing? You’ll know it when you see it.
Yesterday I read a blog post about social media marketing. It was 4 whole paragraphs and they used the keywords “social media marketing” ten times. Yes. 10 times.
Obviously, the blogger was trying to stuff the article with keywords. Nothing wrong with using your keywords, I highly recommend it. It’s good SEO for your site and we all know Google loves keywords.
Here’s the thing. . .
The article basically said nothing. It just repeated the keywords over and over with some kind of point trying to be made which was obscured by all the keywords! One compassionate commenter actually tried to help the poor blogger out by writing the equivalent of a better blog post with some meat for the readers of the comments! I was actually embarrassed for the blogger.
Don’t let that be you!
You are better than that. If you want to use keywords (and you should), write a content rich blog post first, then sprinkle the keywords throughout.
Use common sense!
Nobody wants to read paragraphs where every sentence of full of keywords. Yes, for the search engines, keywords are necessary. But, for your readers, too many is too much! You don’t want to alienate.
Wikipedia actually calls keyword stuffing an “unethical” SEO technique. Who wants to be called unethical? That goes right up there with immoral! Yikes!
Are you really looking for credibility?
Do you want regular readers who get to know you and trust you? Then you have to produce good content.
I know. It sounds like a constant mantra but it’s just the truth of the matter. If you are passionate about your subject, the keywords will begin to fall easily into your blogging. If not, then go over to Fiverr and have somebody write a keyword stuffed article for you, don’t bother to proof read it or add any substance of your own, put it up on your site, and forget about it. Your readers will forget about you too!
I love to blog and I adore the blogging community. I think we’re all better than this!
Peace,
-Martha
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Martha,
This goes back to your post last week on boring blogs. Blogging has become all about getting noticed, not about content. I am sick of blogs that have not real message – and, are just there to show that you have a social media presence. It is simple – if you have a good and interesting message (and a consistent brand), then the attention and notice will follow.
Dale M.
Dale Myers recently posted..Failing is Good. Really?
So true! I guess I’m on a blog rant!
Martha Giffen recently posted..Why Keyword Stuffing Is Not A Blogging Tool
I am afraid that using common sense is highly under appreciated. Best to write your post for the readers and for yourself – just because you have something to say. Then add in your keywords a couple times where it makes sense …if it makes sense. Then choose a title for your post. If possible, include your keywords in your title – but if the title idn’t attractive and doesn’t draw readers and (ultimately) linkers, there is really no point to the keywords in the first place.
David @ writers blog recently posted..2011 Social Media Fail of the Year
David, you have just given the recipe for a well-written blog post. Now, about those search engines . . .
Was “keyword” your keyword? Just kidding! Yes, I have seen many blog posts like the one of which you speak. I usually don’t stay on those pages. I think that I have the OPPOSITE issue going on with my blog! I care SO much about content that I tend to all but ignore my keywords! Thanks for the reminder that moderation is the key!
Lauren Huston recently posted..Professional vs. Personal Use of Social Media
Haha! I thought about that when I realized how many times I used it! I’m actually more like you. Inclined to write and forget to put any in!
I think David comment is quite accurate and very true in nature. The important thing is that your content is of good quality that draws reader to read. What is the use of stuffing your post with lots of keyword and no one even have the heart to read it.
Ruth27 S. recently posted..How to win the lottery guaranteed
Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks for stopping by Ruth!
“If you are passionate about your subject, the keywords will begin to fall easily into your blogging.”
I think your entire post could have consisted of just that one liner, Martha.
You and your readers may think I’m nuts and that’s okay. But I don’t focus (one iota’s worth of my energy) on SEO when crafting blog posts.
The SEO gurus who stop by to read this post are probably going to faint. Keep some smelling salts handy. LOL
Don’t mean to come across as cantankerous, but …
I write for my audience, not the search engines.
Fantastic post!!
Melanie Kissell recently posted..Answering Your Social Media Telephone
We’re on the same page. I know I don’t give SEO the respect it deserves as I write as I’m moved. But, I am aware of it. LOL
” … write as I’m moved”
Music to my ears!
Melanie Kissell recently posted..Are You Hitting The “Reply” Button?
I’m a late bloomer re: writing a memoir and jumping into the social networking/blogging endeavors. Sonia Marsh posted this blog on LinkedIn (Thanks, Sonia!) so I chose to check it out. Two lead-in sentences jumped out at me: “You are better than that,” and, “No one wants to read…” While reading your helpful thoughts, Martha, the voice in my head that yells, “Blah, blah, blah,” never spoke. This voice, by the way, made its presence known when I began to write my memoir. A helpful friend!
Martha- I’m giving you a standing ovation for writing about one of my pet peeves. Not only is it unethical for someone to stuff a blog post with keywords, it’s unfair to the reader who wasted his or her time reading the post. Fortunately, readers are savvy enough to realize that the content is worthless and they’ll stop visiting the keyword stuffer’s site. Thanks for addressing a frustrating topic for many.
Lisa Kanarek recently posted..The Advantages of Hiring Help
Yes, it just ruins a bloggers reputation with their audience! As you can tell, it’s one of my pet peeves too! Thanks for weighing in.