Lately I've been writing a lot about SEO cocitation because it's truly a new Google idea that I wholeheartedly support (and it doesn't seem I'm the only one who has been waiting for something of its kind). As usual, Google's latest tactic when it comes to analyzing and ranking a website deals with links, however this time it isn't about the actual links. Cocitation deals with the words that surround a link. This then means that SEOs need to change their content strategy in order to adapt, and it's important for writers to understand how to make it happen.
If you've never heard of cocitation or have been ignoring it, have no fear. Although it's not a new concept, Google is still working out the kinks, so your current SEO strategies are still important (and surely always will be). Fortunately, it's easy to get a head start.
SEO Cocitation for Small Businesses 101
As discussed above, cocitation deals with the words around a link as well as the actual anchor text. It was becoming entirely too easy for spammers to create a rich anchor text and attach a link to it for SEO benefits, and unfortunately this would sometimes trick the Google bots. Cocitation works to prevent this by analyzing all of the text around the link-not just the link. Take the following example:
- Without taking cocitation into consideration: For information about franchise SEO services, visit Highervisibility.com
- When cocitation is taken into consideration: For information about franchise SEO services, visit Highervisibility.com.
As you can see in the example above, the first entry is clearly highlighting the keyword phrase "franchise SEO." Naturally, you would want to link to Highervisibility.com, which is where cocitation comes into play. Because franchise SEO is near the link to the website, it tips off the Google bots that your page must be about franchise SEO.
What Writers Need to Know about SEO Cocitation
When it really comes down to it, it's the writers who have to really change the way they think in order to abide by the new cocitation idea. Writers are the first editors, and understanding how to link properly is a great way to show businesses you know your stuff and are on-top of the latest linking concepts. Writers need to link to wherever it is natural, but they also need to be creative about the words around that link by doing a few different things:
- Use keywords around the link.
- Consider referencing a reputable website (complimentary websites are better than the competition, but both work great).
- Find synonyms for your keywords, which will help you practice semantic SEO.
- Don't be afraid to use "here" and "more info" as anchor text.
Are you a writer familiar with cocitation and writing with this idea in mind? Do you think cocitation is a good move by Google?
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