Search Engine Optimization

What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Creating search-friendly web pages is called organic or free search engine optimization, meaning that web pages contain the details search engines seek, putting them up farther in search results without the web owner having to pay for this ranking.

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How Do I Achieve Good SEO?

The building blocks of organic (free) search engine optimization include:

• Make good use of keywords. For users to find your web pages on your own site's search engine and in commercial search engines like Google, pages must contain keyword phrases that match the phrases your users type into search boxes.
• Help kids search successfully. If you're designing websites for kids, remember that they use search tools differently than adults.
• Have effective site architecture. You can develop a good site architecture that will help users easily understand the structure of your site, navigate the content, and succeed using your search engine. A few, simple navigation and coding tips can help you do that.
• Have a process for indexing your site (using robots.txt files).
• Ensure quality links and link popularity. The last basic of successful search engine optimization is link popularity. That's the number and quality of links that point to your website. Link quality (links from popular, highly trafficked, or respected sites) carries far more weight than link quantity.
• Managing Search During and After a Site Redesign

Resources

• USASearch Affiliate Program (free search services for government agencies)
• The Yahoo! Style Guide SEO Basics
• Bing Webmaster Tools
• Google Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide
  (PDF, 4.12 MB, 32 pgs, September 2010)
• Practical Tips for Government Websites to Improve Their Findability in Search (O'Reilly)
• Revisiting the Basics of Video SEO (Search Engine Land)
• Digital Point Forum
• High Rankings Forum
• Multilingual Search
• Search Engine Optimization Help (SEO Chat)
• Search Engine Ranking Factors (SEOmoz)
• WebmasterWorld
• Matt Cutts: Gadgets, Google, and SEO