SEO Tips for 2013

We've all been saying it: Content is King. Not just for the user experience, but to satisfy those picky search engines as well. And, this is a good thing. As users, we are able to find the information we seek more easily, and as optimizers working with talented content creators, we can put down our swords and shields and work together.

So, without further ado, here are some tips to help you move forward with your SEO strategy in 2013:

 

1. Focus on the Long-Tail

With over 70% of online searches containing three or more words, users are getting smarter in finding the information they need and search engines are adapting to meet those needs. Focus your SEO efforts on developing those long-tail, cumulative keyword phrases that really encompass what your brand/website is about and optimize around those phrases. This way your content will be discovered by those who truly want it.

 

2. Provide Content That Solves Problems

Users are usually conducting searches because they have a problem to solve. Don't shy away from offering up eBooks and whitepapers. And, here I'd like to remind you all to take full advantage of Google Trends. Do a search on the key terms related to your industry and create a piece of content around the ones that are trending. Not only will you be playing to the whims of searchers, you'll be solving someone's problem too.

 

3. Share Content Via Social Media

Social likes and shares are quickly becoming important indicators to search engines when designating relevant and high SERP-worthy content. Sharing content not only promotes your brand, it provides links, and establishes you as a thought leader. So, start tweeting!

 

4. Pictures, More Pictures!

With websites and social media becoming more visual - Instagram, Pinterest, infographics mania - it is becoming more and more important to make your brand more visual. Post infographics, get an Instagram account, don't fire that graphic designer, and always use alt tags to ensure the search engines can "see" your images.

 

5. Become a Thought Leader

Establishing a presence on social media, tailoring content to solve your audience's problems, and utilizing techniques such as setting up rel=author tagging to stand out in search results will put you on the path to becoming an expert in your industry. And, experts stand out, they get noticed, they perform well in search.

 

6. Track Your Efforts

Don't be afraid to measure your results. While the "important" metrics are constantly changing, keeping an eye on key stats can help you understand what is or isn't working for your website. And, always keep in mind what your ultimate goal is - it's the only to way to really know which metrics are worth looking at. Numbers can often blind and numb us, scaring us from moving forward with more innovative and risky ideas. If you always keep your main goal in mind, you can sort through all the nose to focus on the one or two numbers that really matter.

Blackberry Launches Blackberry 10, Renames Company Alicia Keys

After three years of development, RIM finally released the Blackberry 10 yesterday and changed its company name to, well, Blackberry. Makes sense. Oh, and Alicia Keys has been hired as Global Creative Director. Wow, lots of big news went down at the launch event, but after all the hype - and celebrity employees - the question still remains as to whether or not Blackberry will be able to compete in a global market dominated by the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Android.

The new Blackberry Z10 looks like every other smartphone on the planet, but does boost some interesting features. For example, the upgraded device could be a good option for employers, as the "Blackberry balance" feature allows users to more efficiently separate professional communications and applications from personal ones. Or the camera function that let's you TURN BACK TIME!

But still, even with its snazzy new case and snazzy new Alicia Keys, Blackberry still has a mountain to climb to win its way back into the palms of today's mobile users. And although market shares fell 4.4% after the launch, good things may still be yet to come:

Excited2jump right in2my new role as Global Creative Director of@Blackberry! #BlackBerry10 #keepmoving #forwardthinking bit.ly/VWrnYZ, tweeted Alicia from her iPhone.

Surprise! We Like TV More Than Social Media

In what is a surprise to no one, a recent study shows that 58% of people would rather give up social networks than their TVs. We love our screen time, and although we're addicted to sharing, we're even more addicted to sitting and staring. And, North Americans are even more attached to their televisions than the rest of the world, as 73% of them would ditch social media over the boob tube.

Check out the Infographic:

(Via AllTwitter)

Google Drive is Here

Ahhh, everyone, it's time to  lose your mind - Google Drive is finally here!
No, no, I kid. We can all stay calm and enjoy the newest product to come from Google. Although there have been rumors about Drive for a while now, it was officially announced on the company blog today.
Google states,

Today, we’re introducing Google Drive—a place where you can create, share, collaborate, and keep all of your stuff. Whether you’re working with a friend on a joint research project, planning a wedding with your fiancé or tracking a budget with roommates, you can do it in Drive. You can upload and access all of your files, including videos, photos, Google Docs, PDFs and beyond.

Tumblr to Feature Advertisements

"We're pretty opposed to advertising. It really turns our stomachs."

This is a quote from Tumblr CEO, David Karp, made back in 2010 to The Los Angeles Times. Looks like he's had a change of a heart, or invested in some Pepto-Bismol, because starting May 2 Tumblr will start featuring advertisements in place of their "Radar" posts.

The "Radar" posts appear in Tumblr's dashboard and usually offer up a current selection of notable posts from bloggers. And while I find Karp's 2010 statement amusing and admirable, I get it - Tumblr's got to keep up with the times and they have to start making real money for their investors (they recently received $125 million in funding).

One thing Tumblr does plan to do differently is infuse their featured advertising with creativity. If you know Tumblr, you know it's image rich. Karp has chastised other tech giants like Facebook and Google for being "devoid of creativity" in designing ads that are too text heavy, and well, just plain boring. And who could argue?

As Tumblr's popularity continues to soar, brands and high profile individuals (hello, Beyonce) are already embracing the platform to reach fans. (Karp's personal favorite: Warby Parker's Warby Barker.) So, really, isn't this the logical next step?

With Tumblr's unique platform and emphasis on the creative the ads will probably be easier to stomach for both Karp and Tumblr's users. And, the advertisers will benefit from the potential 120 million impressions a day - score!

Source Ad Age.

Brands Just Don't Get Facebook

An interesting study was released last week that analyzes what type of Facebook content draws the most engagement...and no surprise, it was video and photos. However, brands just don't seem to understand as the post popular posts were merely status updates. Take a look at the infographic for more insight:

Via AllFacebook.

Story Time on Twitter

One of my favorite Twitter users is R.L. Stine. Maybe it's my love for his classic Goosebumps books, which I consumed non-stop as a kid, but it's also because Stine uses the medium in innovative ways to suit who he is as a writer. Basically, he tells stories through Twitter. Here's his latest, a story about Friday the 13th.

Also - he has one of the best Twitter bios ever: