Sunday, March 4, 2012

How to Use Adwords Effectively - Blogging Tips Weekly

In past "blogging tips," I expressed the importance of using keywords for seo. I also showed you how to add meta tags and meta descriptions for both your blog (see here), and your individual post (see here).

To use keywords for seo, you need to find the right keywords to use. One way to do this is by using Adwords, a free seo keyword research tool by Google. 

Today, let's learn how to use Adwords effectively, so you get the most out of one of the most powerful seo keyword suggestion tools

Step 1: Write Really Good Content


Your writing counts. More than the technology you use. More than the pretty pictures you post. (Although beauty and fashion blogs have amazing photos.) What you write is what search engines care about the most. So write well, and provide substance.


Step 2: Find SEO Keywords for Your Content


With your content, identify seo keywords. Make sure they are related to your post's subject.

For example, if my post is an eye makeup tutorial for Asian women, then my seo keywords might include "eye makeup tutorial."


Step 3: Log into Adwords SEO Keyword Research Tool



Go to this address https://adwords.google.com and log in with your Google account if you haven't yet.


Step 4: Go to Keyword Tool


Click on "Tools and Analysis" tab > Drop down shows up > Click on "Keyword Tool"


Step 5: Filter Keywords


Filter 1: Match Type

On the left side, under "Match Type", click on "[Exact]"


What each Google keyword tool match type means:


Broad:

If you select "broad," the search volume returned involves the keyword you searched for, but isn't exact.
For example, search volume for "eye makeup tutorial" might include volume for other words like "best eye makeup tutorial," "eye makeup tutorial books" or "eye shadow and makeup tutorial."

The numbers returned are large and inaccurate.

"Phrase": 

If you select "Phrase," the search volume returned includes words with the exact phrase, and other words.
An example for "eye makeup tutorial" might have "eye makeup tutorial for women" or "best eye makeup tutorial."

The words won't be broken up, but still might return undesirable results.

[Exact]:

This is the most accurate selection -- and one I suggest. Results match exactly your search keywords.

Step 6: Enter Keywords. Click Search




Step 7: Interpret Results.


This is what your search results looks like for your seo keyword:


There are three columns to interprete: Competition, Global Monthly Searches, and Local Monthly Searches

"Global Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched globally in the past 12 months.

"Local Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched in the United States in the past 12 months.

"Competition" in Adwords Keyword Tool does NOT mean how competitive the keywords are to other websites and blogs. (You look at global and monthly search volume for that.) 

Competition actually means how willing companies are likely to pay for that keyword. So "high" is good.

As you can see, there were a lot of searches, and competition is medium, for "eye makeup tutorial." This means that "eye makeup tutorial" isn't desirable for use.

Step 8: Change SEO Keywords


Even though "eye makeup tutorial" did not work out, you can always update it. In this case, I updated it to "Makeup for Women of Color."

Results look much more promising:

 
Use Suggested Keywords



To get the keywords you want, you can also use Adwords Keyword Tool's "Keyword Ideas." It appears below keyword results. 


Step 9: Optimize


Now that you know which keywords you want to use, add them to your title, meta tags, meta description, and content.

For example, the title of my fictitious post would be "Makeup for Women of Color - an Eye Makeup Tutorial for Asian Women"


 Wow. I am finally done with this post.

Do you have any suggestions on how to use Adwords effectively?



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23 comments:

  1. thanks for this post, that's really interesting! unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions on how to use Adwords effectively, because I didn't know about it so far, but I'll check it out now!

    xxx Anita

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  2. I don't know Adwords I going to search w/it but it is such a helpful information to us.....take care girlie

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  3. I love you for posting all this!!! <3 :)
    I'm technologically challenged so this is soooooo helpful! :)
    And thank you so much for answering my question about the meta tags.

    xoxo
    Karola
    karolasway.blogspot.com

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  4. Thank you so much for this! It's very generous of you! :) I am definitely incorporating little by little all your tips, and I noticed a slight increase on my daily pageviews! Great post! xoxo

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  5. Oh...thanks for stopping by my blog and following me on Bloglovin :) xoxo

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  6. This is very helpful. Writing is very important for tagging and getting on the search engines.

    -Lisa
    Thelovelymemoir.blogspot.com

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  7. Wow! I had no idea about AdWords but now I want to try it :) I'll have to check it out!

    xoxo,
    Paris

    glitteratiandglamour.blogspot.com

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  8. Ad words give me a headache thanks for simplifying it :)
    -Ash
    Beauty Flawed

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  9. Thank you for all these blogging tips! It always reads more complicated than it really is :)

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  10. wow, this post is so well done and totally helpful. thanks for sharing, love. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. If you get a sec, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my latest outfit post. xo

    www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

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  11. Wow, great post, dear.
    Christy

    http://am2pmchic.blogspot.com/

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  12. Thank you so much for this post! I never quite understood this before

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com/

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  13. great blog hun! I'll be back soon!
    X

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  14. Oh excellent advice. Thanks for these tips.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  15. Hey babe, you are insanely good with this! OMG, first I never knew such things existed and you gave such detailed explanation to how Adwords work. Wow.

    Fang Ting
    ftashion

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  16. wow what a helpful article! i never knew there was a method to the madness. i know seo will help my blog become more popular but i kind of like keeping me and randomness in my posts, forsaking the keyword boost

    pandaphilia style

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  17. You got everything bang on point. I've learned this a while back from my husband because he uses these tips/rules, if you will, for some of the work he does. You did excellent in simplifying it. =)
    Adding just slightly to it, really as you said, it's important to keep using or repeating key words (related to your topic) within the post. However, don't overkill it of course. It's easy to get the right feel for it, so don't worry about key word overkill, haha.

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