Search engine optimization for RSS
Posted by Alan | Posted in engine , optimization , Search | Posted on 09:46
Tips for helping your RSS Feed perform!
In some ways RSS is very similar to HTML, the language commonly used to create Web sites. As with HTML, search webmasters using traditional engine optimization tactics, when you create an RSS feed will find their RSS feed receives additional exposure and interest.
Simple steps to optimize an RSS feed for search engines: 1.) the title shall include important keywords.
To state the obvious the title should be relevant and not misleading, while still emphasizing keywords. At the end of the day, give the title readers to read about, not mislead them.
2.) Display RSS feeds.
Most webmasters display their feeds as content on their home page. When you view a feed you will need to use PHP, ASP or HTML so that search engines will spider the contents of the feed displayed. If using a template to display the feeds, use the header tags to define the appearance of the channel title and item titles. Many Search engines weight header tags with greater significance. See display RSS feeds for additional information-http://www.small-business-software.net/display-rss.htm
3.) Internal and external Links.
Within the feed, you should always use the full path to the links, keep in mind that other sites may publish the information in the RSS feed. Hyperlinks that are not local to the site should launch a new browser. While this is not specific to the search engines it will help keep visitors on your site.
4.) Link text should highlight keywords.
It is no longer a deep, dark secret that text is used for incoming connections will help a site revenue potential define the keywords that the Web site appears in search engines. Keep that in mind, you must use keywords in the link text pointing back to your site.
5. My). Yahoo and My MSN.
This is surprisingly simple to do, but often overlooked by publishers and webmasters. The quickest way to have an RSS feed spidered by Yahoo or MSN must include feed on a personal my. yahoo or my msn home page.. Simply create an account on the respective search engines and customize the home page to include your RSS feed. This is done by adding content and listing the URL of the RSS feed. Typically within 24-48 hours the feed content will be spidered and indexed by Yahoo and MSN.
6. Theme feeds.)
Feeds should theme. This will help with theme links back to a Publisher's site from anyone syndicating the feed content.
7.) Link popularity.
Increase link popularity by submitting RSS feed, blog or podcast to the appropriate folders. The following directories Allow submissions of specific kinds of RSS feeds. Be sure to follow the guidelines for each site, and choose categories wisely.Submit Podcasts-http://www.podcasting-tools.com/submit-podcasts.htm
Submit RSS feeds-http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-submission.htm
Submit Blogs-http://www.blog-connection.com/submit-blogs.htm
8.) RSS feed descriptions.
RSS feed descriptions are generally Summaries or introductions to other content. Often will feed creators provide additional information on an HTML site, enticing Reader click through the full information, if it is a topic that is of interest to them. Provide enough teaser copy that the reader can easily distinguish, if content is somethingthat are important to them.
9.) subscribe to feeds.
This may seem obvious, but a surprisingly large number of publishers subscribing not on their own feed. This is a great way to visualize your customers see and experiment with formatting and embed HTML in feeds.
10.) image ads.
Add your company logo to your RSS feed. Create a tag and enforce this tag by the image in the RSS feed. The image will increase your company's identity and embellish the look of your feed by adding your company logo.
11. Alphabetical rank.)
Many feed readers list feeds alphabetically in the reader. Feed channels that begin with a will, of course, appears at the top of the list feed in most feed readers. If you want to appear at the top of the list of feeds, a reader has subscribed to, remember this tip.
12.) meaningful Links
Each item in your feed should contain a unique URL associated with it. This will direct users to associated information. Many find using target URLs with the symbol "#" in the link to identify specific content useful.Most marketers have a love-hate relationship with search engines. Search engines have the abilitiy to make even the most confident webmaster feel powerless. Let us face it – all of us have felt the wrath of the search engine powers that be at one time or another, and while it may be difficult to know what line was crossed or how we fell out of favorAfter some basic guidelines will be helpful in optomizing feeds for search engines.
About the author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing and publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for Note Page http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
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