If you asked me: it's all about the content.
Optimizing content for search engines by applying SEO techniques improves the chances to rank high in results (pretty straight forward, right?). Crafting SEO-friendly content isn’t difficult but there are many factors which play into the overall effectiveness of each piece.
Topic + Keyword
The content you plan to create should focus on one main topic and keyword. These should be repeated throughout the piece.
Relevance and keyword selection for content will allow search engines to more readily index the content due to the focus and clarity. Though, don't be afraid to write how you want since Google's AI is intelligent enough to pick up on the context even if the work is a bit jostled.
Valuable (and Passable) Content
A higher end concept to understand about SEO-Friendly content is to create extremely valuable content.
The long-form is the go-to style (aka. evergreen)
Content which skims topic is less likely to be shared and linked to by fellow website owners; these links are the most powerful ways to increase the search engine rankings of a content piece or website.
I'd tell you right now that this piece is passable meaning it's out there for a quick flash and then sizzles out. That's okay. Sometimes it's good to just get people engaged. Keep working on those big pieces in the background while you fill out your site or platform with daily updates.
Repeat, Repeat
Search engines reward website owners which create content that's specific to a keyword. Ranking can be improved by using a keyword density between 2 – 4% of the article (this is the percentage of how many times your main keyword is mentioned within the content).
The point being to not overload the content but do try to pepper the piece with the keywords when they fit (naturally). This is where rereading the piece comes in handy -- you'll find ways to inject (or remove) keywords that you wouldn't have found on the first pass.
HTML
Various HTML tags should be populated with relevant keywords (both main and secondary) such as the title, alt, and heading tags. This is a rather easy thing to do with plugins or just making it a habit.
Search engines continue to learn but they're not 100% there. You've gotta give them a hint as to what they're crawling.
Interlinking
Finally, proper interlinking with each piece (to relevant content) will allow search engines to quickly get a feel for the types of topics you've taken a focus on. I've found the best way to do so is by writing as how you'd talk to a friend. Write casual and these opportunities to divert off to a new topic will reflect in your writing.
Conclusion
The perfect SEO-Friendly content piece will be one which both applies value to its readers as well as keywords to the various on-page elements. Like I said: it's all about the content. You can bust your butt working on a piece and have it lost to the void of the Net if you're not optimizing it for search. It takes a few minutes to apply these tips so don't get lazy.
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Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/users/MianShahzadRaza-1991967/