I just came across this article about amassing huge amounts of Google traffic that really stands out from other search engine optimization tips on the web. Viperchill explains in depth why to use current events as tags to increase traffic to your site.
There is a percentage that SEO geeks like me should be keeping in the back of their heads. 20-25% of search terms on Google are completely unique–as in, they have not been searched in the history of the web browser. When the right time approaches, these unique items will have front-page results for whichever website is being promoted. The key to taking advantage of these facts is knowing when people will begin searching for the terms, and knowing exactly which tags should be used in order for a site to pop up to the top of the Google popularity contest. The trick, as explained on Viperchill, is using “current event” tags.
A satisfactory current event is not necessarily something pre-determined, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. These terms have been searched to death in previous years. Instead, one should get creative and pay attention to what truly seems to matter to the masses. I’m going to use a blanket excuse of “I am the only male in a family of three sisters and a mom” to let the following suggestion slip out. The upcoming Bachelorette season finale. If you are catering a website or selling a product catering specifically to the 18-45 age group of females, consider including “2011 bachelorette finale results” (or some variation) as a tag. As much as it pains me to say it, reality TV is all the rage. A great deal of the female demographic is going to search something related to the show, whether it be a particular contestant choice or a nasty catchphrase uttered by a macho dude in the confession room. Other past examples of event tags include “michael jackson death” and “ufc 101 streaming for free.” The next goldmine will probably be the World Cup results. Google Trends and Twitter trending topics for any past date can easily be accessed. Videos are even being posted for upcoming events that have not happened yet, such as this premature “release” of the new Red Hot Chili Peppers single. The advantage of these posts means that the content can be quickly updated when the event actually occurs.
This SEO tip really got me thinking about the direction web marketing is heading. It is not as easy to change consumer perceptions or brand a product with exaggerated claims on TV, and I think that these enhanced perceptions of what honest advertising is will carry over to the internet. Pop-up ads that are difficult to exit out of or ads that are disguised as legitimate site content are already frustrating enough for the average user. The frustration that will come from users trying to generate relevant results on Google search is guaranteed to increase if sites are appearing without the relevant information that is needed. While Google’s constant search algorithms make it hard to master SEO, I believe that it is a beneficial safeguard for users at the moment.
If you plan on taking advantage of the current events tags, just be sure to include relevant content that provides web searchers the information that they are looking for. Content can be a blog article, a product demonstration video, or even a Flickr gallery. High traffic on the internet is a source of great power and potential revenue. As with anything though, traffic can be generated tastefully or barbarically. It is ultimately up to the SEO geek what guidelines to follow.
I would also like to point out that I tagged this blog entry with “Shia Lebeouf.” He’s numero uno on Google Trends today. We’ll see if that gets me more readers or if it just further reinforces my inner geek.