Writing Headlines for AC: How to Find Phrases, Check Keyword Density & Google Your Content

Raise Your Search Engine Ranking to Raise Your Clout

Writing articles for an online publication such as Associated Content is entirely different than writing for newspapers, magazines, and other print media. Articles written for Associated Content rely on keywords, phrases, keyword density, and clear and concise headlines in order to be discovered and properly listed by search engines. Without the proper keywords, headlines, and the appropriate keyword density, Associated Content articles can't be found, and online articles that can't be located through popular search engines are virtually worthless.

Choosing Keywords and Phrases

While writing for Associated Content, choose the keywords before choosing the headlines, and while in the process of writing the article, keep those words in mind. Choose your keyword phrase or phrases accordingly, and let the article you're writing revolve around the handful of keywords that form a phrase that best describes the subject of your work.

Don't make the mistake of focusing on too many keywords or phrases while writing. If you try to cram many different keywords into an article, the total keyword density will be greatly decreased, and if density is below one percent, the discoverability of the article will be greatly reduced.

On the other hand, keyword density over five percent is viewed as spam by search engines, and articles considered spam are penalized. Those who cheat, intentionally or unwittingly, must go to the end of the line. Instead of moving to the top of the search engine list, articles with too many keywords are placed at the bottom. The density for a main word should rank between one and five percent. I usually shoot for a minimum density range between two and three percent, but the closer to five percent density the better.

Besides the fact that a submission will be penalized for spamming the search engines, a piece with too many keywords tends to be choppy. When an article is difficult to read or understand it won't hold the attention of the reader, and this also renders it worthless.

Choosing Associated Content Headlines