Latest Google update changes SEO keyword positioning strategy for writers

Google did it again.

It wiped out a lot of sites from the organic search results just a couple of days ago. 

If you're a freelance writer who mainly crafts web content for a living, here's a heads up for you: You can cut some slack on canned content and exact keyword positioning, and give natural writing a big welcome hug. Hurray!

The Old Way

For quite a while, search engine optimization (SEO) specialists managed to game the system and manipulate search results by:

• using key phrases in the exact same order -- even if they do not make sense
• using formatting techniques (bold, italics, underlines) to emphasize the key words
• positioning the key phrases "strategically" so that they appear in the title, in the body, and in the last paragraph
  
  

That was how things used to work.

How does Google assess quality?

Wooing the search engine is not really my cup of tea. With the dreaded Panda slapping down the page rank and search engine position of content farms and websites, I felt that this list deserves a share.

What is quality content for Google? As quoted by Web Pro News, quality will be screened by Google on at least 20 points:

1. Can you trust the information presented?

2. Is the author reliable?

3. Can you say that the site is an authority of the topic?  

4. Is the content shallow or in-depth?

5. Can you trust the site with your credit card information?

6. Are there too many factual and typographical errors?

7. Was the content primarily created to rank in search engines?

8. Does the content reflect original research and analysis? 

9. Does the site follow content quality measures?

10. Is the site rife with redundant articles with slightly different keyword variations? 

11. Is the page of substantial value to readers when compared to other pages in search results?

12. Is the article biased or fair?

13. Does the content appear to be mass produced or outsourced to many writers?

14. Does the site discuss the topic consistently and comprehensively?

15. Is the information or analysis presented beyond the obvious?

16. Is this content something that you might want to recommend or share to a friend?

17. Is the site cluttered with ads which overpower the site content?

18. Can you imagine the article published in a printed magazine or book?

19. Are the articles short and unsubstantial?

20. Will the site evoke reader interest or complaints?*