SEO
MADE SIMPLE
2020
Insider Secrets For Driving More Traffic To Your Website - Instantly
7th Edition
by
Michael H. Fleischner
SEO Made Simple
2020
(Seventh Edition)
Search Engine Optimization
All rights reserved
Copyright 2020 by Michael H. Fleischner
ISBN: 9798607258344
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data is on file with the publisher
Printed in the United States of America
To Jamie, Samantha and Alex-
My inspiration and joy
To my father, brother, and extended family
In memory of my mother
Contents
Foreword 7
Introduction 10
The Beginning 13
What You Need to Know about Google 16
Section 1: On-Page Optimization
What Is On-Page Optimization? 24
Keyword Research 25
Keyword Development and Placement 26
Researching the Competition 30
Keyword Research Shortcut 33
On Page Factors 35
Meta Tags 36
URLs 41
HTTPS:// 43
Clean Code 43
Heading Tags 44
Alt Image Tags 45
Proper Keyword Placement 46
No Flash 47
Sitemaps 48
Internal Linking 49
Final Three 51
Section One Summary 53
Section 2: Off-Page Optimization
What Is Off-Page Optimization? 56
Link Types 59
How to Get Links? 60
How to Link 63
Anchor Text for the Ideal Inbound Link Profile 64
Negative Link Juice 67
How to Get Links to Your Website 71
The SEO Made Simple Off-Page Techniques
Content Marketing 74
Asking for Links 82
Local Directories 87
Reviews 92
Blogging 93
Profile Sites- Authority Links 98
Social Media Sites 100
Press Releases 108
Forum and Community Marketing 110
Aged Domains 113
Give People a Reason to Link 113
Outsourcing 115
Caution: Automated Tools, Shortcuts 118
Section Two Summary 121
Section 3: Research to Practice
Develop a Game Plan 124
Link-Building Process 127
Conclusion 134
Section 4: SEO Glossary
Glossary of SEO terms 136
BONUS
See page 135 for access to a special download!
Foreword
Its amazing how the art and science of search engine optimization (SEO) continues to evolve, and this past year was no exception. In addition to the ever present Google updates, social influence, and artificial intelligence, Google is continually expanding search. The goal of this book is to make the idea of top rankings simple for you. SEO can be complex but the core philosophy of SEO Made Simple has not changed, it has simply evolved. What youll find in this 7 th edition is more than just tactical updates on search engine optimization; youll find a shift away from some of the more traditional aspects of SEO towards factors influencing rankings today: engaging content, mobile search, local search, online reviews, social media, and more. In my opinion, this evolution affecting search engine optimization doesnt have to make it more complex. In fact, it simply reinforces what Google has been talking about all along, improving the user experience for those seeking information online.
According to Internet Live Stats, Google now processes over 40,000 search queries every second on average, which translates to over 3.5 billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide. Add the number of interactions with social media and mobile apps, and ranking well on Google search can become overwhelming. The good news is that search engines are still the dominant resource for finding and cultivating information on the web, so focusing your efforts on organic search can pay huge dividends for websites and blogs.
Whether youre new to SEO or simply looking for the most effective strategies to dominate Google, having an understanding of basic search engine optimization techniques, supplemented with knowledge of the latest algorithm changes, puts you ahead of 95% of those trying to optimize their website. Ive updated this guide to include the latest information, tools, and resources you can begin using immediately to command top organic placements for your website, blog, apps, and other digital assets. I have no doubt that further changes to the Google algorithm are soon to come. As such, I encourage you to sign up for exclusive updates to take advantage of the free tools, information, and resources as referenced throughout this book via our resources page.
The most important thing to keep in mind as you embark on your journey of optimization is that your success is directly correlated to the understanding and implementation of these SEO techniques. If all you do is read this book, but fail to put into practice the simple techniques youre about to learn, your results wont be any better than they are today. I encourage you to read and do. Keep the long-term goal in mind as you start your journey and you will get there no matter what Google throws your way.
Search Engine Optimization is Still the Holy Grail
The reason search engine optimization continues to be so important is because the data on search marketing and buying behavior has proven time and again that organic search results drive significant amounts of qualified traffic to websites, blogs, and affiliate marketing pages. In fact, studies indicate that 71.3% of searches resulted in a page one Google organic click, not paid. Organic results arent only clicked on more often, they are also more trusted.
In the last few years, social media, local search, mobile optimization, and personalized browsing experiences that integrate multiple forms of media into a single user session have become commonplace. The culmination of all these factors has resulted in a growing demand for top search engine rankings and a better strategy for achieving number one results or even the coveted position zero.
Many of the individuals and companies I work with through my business, Big Fin SEO, are not only interested in achieving top rankings for their websites, theyre also concerned with managing online reputation, gaining a presence through social media, generating multiple listings on page one, and dominating local search. This gives them more real estate on the first page of Google to promote their brands and build brand equity.
This type of need has taken SEO to a completely new level. It used to be that success came from optimizing a single web property but now SEO is really about the optimization of multiple assets (websites, micro-sites, blogs, social media, videos, press releases, review sites, and so on). Thats why I felt so compelled to again update this top-selling guide for all those seeking more organic traffic.
Achieving your online goals requires proactive management of online presence in every sense of the word. Knowing the importance of doing so is the first step towards achieving top rankings. With a thorough understanding of search engines, consumer behavior, and the importance of organic search, youre ready to learn SEO techniques that drive results.
Im often asked whether or not the search engine optimization techniques I first introduced a number of years ago are still valid for optimizing websites and other online assets today. My response to the question is still emphatically Yes. Not only are the basic techniques effective, theyve grown in importance as search engine optimization has evolved over time. And of course, theyve been updated to reflect the latest changes in the Google algorithm including all Core updates and even the BERT updated which made a major step towards improving results based on user intent.