joi, 15 septembrie 2011

Why You Should Avoid Numbers in Your URL Graywolf's SEO Blog

Why You Should Avoid Numbers in Your URL Graywolf's SEO Blog


Why You Should Avoid Numbers in Your URL

Posted: 15 Sep 2011 10:47 AM PDT

Post image for Why You Should Avoid Numbers in Your URL

While linkbait posts aren’t as popular as they once were, top 10 lists have been popular ever since Moses came down from the mount with his top 10 list of “thou shalt nots.” Magazines like Rolling Stone will always have top 500 playlists and AFI will always have top 100 movies lists. However, as a responsible publisher, marketer, and SEO with an eye for evergreen content, there are more responsible and better long-term URL options you can make for “top 10″ and list style posts than using a number in the URL.

Let’s take the following examples:

  • Top 10 places to visit in Las Vegas
  • 15 Free things to do in Las Vegas
  • 20 Most Romantic Spots in Las Vegas
  • 7 Best Celebrity Restaurants in Las Vegas

While there might be some volume for KWDs with the “top 10″ add on, in every case the number is an editorial headline component designed to draw users in along social channels. It has almost no value in from a keyword/search perspective. However, in most cases, blogging software will usually automatically add the numbers into the URL unless you manually strip it out. So you’ll end up with:

  • Top 10 places to visit in Las Vegas – example.com/top-10-places-visit-las-vegas/
  • 15 Free things to do in Las Vegas – example.com/15-free-things-to-do-las-vegas/
  • 20 Most Romantic Spots in Las Vegas – example.com/20-most-romantic-spots-las-vegas/
  • 7 Best Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Las Vegas – example.com/7-best-celebrity-chef-restaurants-las-vegas/

While you may write these posts with an eye to be evergreen content, they are an example of evergreen content that needs to be updated. For example, 5 years from now there may be 12 celebrity restaurants in Las Vegas that need to be on the list. If you follow a living URL approach, you will have a URL with the number 7 and a post title/meta/serp listing with 12.

Mismatched Numbers in SERPs

While this isn’t a catastrophic, all hands on deck problem, it’s less than optimal. Sure, you could 301 the post, but you run the risk of tinkering with something that’s working and that Google may re-rank. If you take an extra 30 seconds to adjust the URL before publication, you can save yourself hours of headaches down the road.

So what are the takeaways from this post:

  • When writing top 10 or numbered list posts, remove the numbers from the URL/permalink.
  • Try to generate URLs in a format that makes them as evergreen as possible.
  • If after a content audit you decide to update content, I’d leave the URL intact unless it looks really really bad.

screen shot via snippet generator

photo credit: Photospin

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Related posts:

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  2. Google URL Searches I’m not sure if Google is crazy stupid or crazy...
  3. What is Evergreen Content Evergreen Content is a subject I talk about quite frequently...
  4. How Often Should You Update Evergreen Content The idea of evergreen content is that it is essentially...
  5. 6 Tools & Tips to Help You Improve Your Blog Posts I was having a a few conversations on twitter last...

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Why You Should Avoid Numbers in Your URL

Got Questions about the American Jobs Act?

The White House Thursday, September 15, 2011
 


This week, President Obama sent the American Jobs Act to Congress. Find out how this plan puts more people back to work and puts more money in the pockets of working Americans at WhiteHouse.gov/JobsAct.

Today, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, we're holding a special Open for Questions event where Administration officials will answer questions about the American Jobs Act submitted through Facebook, Twitter, and the White House website.

Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, will be moderating the chat, and Jason Furman, Principal Deputy Director of the NEC will be answering your questions about the American Jobs Act.

Today, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, you can watch and engage live:

Interested in reading the full American Jobs Act? You can find it on Whitehouse.gov. 

Stay Connected

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Conspicuous Gallantry

The White House Your Daily Snapshot for
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011
 

Conspicuous Gallantry

Today, the President will award Dakota Meyer, a former active duty Marine Corps Corporal, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. He will be the third living recipient - and first Marine - to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Watch the event live starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

President Barack Obama enjoys a beer with Dakota Meyer on the patio outside of the Oval Office, Sept. 14, 2011. The President will present Meyer with the Medal of Honor tomorrow during a ceremony at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog.

Office Hours 9/14/11 or "Make Voices Heard": Stephanie Cutter Answers Your Questions on Twitter
Stephanie Cutter, Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Advisor, answers your questions on the American Jobs Act.

President Obama: "Tax Relief for Every Worker and Every Small Business"
President Obama travels to North Carolina State University to outline how the American Jobs Act will help small businesses like WestStar Precision create jobs and get the economy growing faster.

17 Years After Violence Against Women Act, Vice President Calls on New Generation to Take Action
Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hold a reception to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) being signed into law.

Today's Schedule

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

9:30 AM: The Vice President attends an event for the Democratic National Committee 

12:00 PM: The President meets with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner

12:45 PM: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney WhiteHouse.gov/live

2:00 PM: Open for Questions: The American Jobs Act with Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Jon Carson and Principal Director of the National Economic Council, Jason Furman WhiteHouse.gov/live

2:15 PM: The Vice President attends an event for the Democratic National Committee

2:45 PM: The President awards Dakota Meyer, a former active duty Marine Corps Corporal, the Medal of Honor; the First Lady also attends WhiteHouse.gov/live

7:00 PM: The President delivers remarks at a DNC event

8:40 PM: The President delivers remarks at a DNC event

WhiteHouse.gov/live Indicates events that will be live streamed on WhiteHouse.gov/Live

Get Updates

Sign up for the Daily Snapshot

Stay Connected

  

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The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111 
    

 

SEOptimise

SEOptimise


44 Google Webmaster Tools Resources

Posted: 14 Sep 2011 06:04 AM PDT

*

When recently asked “what is your favorite SEO tool?” I could think of none other than Google Webmaster Tools. While many SEO experts will probably disagree and suggest to use some paid SEO tools suite, I’d like to explain my choice and present you with 44 Google Webmaster Tools resources.

Over the years Google has greatly improved the free Webmaster Tools. They’ve added lots of very useful new features and it’s now a must-use for regularly checking out your site.

Of course GWT is not perfect; there some shortcomings, such as the very short data retention or the rounding of views and click numbers. Nonetheless, you can gain lots of very up-to-date stats about your site, be it load speed, click through rates or backlinks.

You can improve and check indexation and GWT also offers valuable clues for your keyword research. You can use Google Webmaster Tools every day and still gain new insights each time.

 

How to use Google Webmaster Tools for SEO

 

GWB features

 

Internal and third party tools

 

Issues

 

Google Webmaster Tools for beginners

 

Advanced analytics with Google Webmaster Tools

 

Metrics and definitions

 

Did I overlook some major Google Webmaster Tools resources? Add them in the comment section please! I may update the list.

 

* CC image by Astrid Westvang.

© SEOptimise - Download our free business guide to blogging whitepaper and sign-up for the SEOptimise monthly newsletter. 44 Google Webmaster Tools Resources

Related posts:

  1. Google Webmaster Tools: A Beginner’s Guide to Installation
  2. More Than 30 Google+ Tools, Extensions, Tutorials and Other Resources
  3. 30 Social Search Tools & SEO Resources for Power Users

Seth's Blog : Why wait?

Why wait?

Who cares when it's due?

If you're on the critical path, if someone is waiting for your contribution, ship now.

We have deadlines for a reason, but the key word is 'dead'. In fact, you don't have to wait for the deadline or get anywhere near it, especially if you want to speed things up.

Too often, we find ourselves using the deadline as the lever to overcome our fear. If you're relying on drop dead dates to push yourself, the project is paying a price.

The bias is to slow down because otherwise the boss will just give you more work to do. Are you still stuck in the us/them dichotomy of factory work?

All other things being equal, faster wins.

PS the challenge with being an initiator of projects is that you are never, ever done.

 

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