Introduction to Search Engine Optimization : A Guide for Absolute Beginners

Don't be intimidated by all the search engine optimization (SEO) tools out there. You will start out learning about keywords and the importance of quality content and then walk through incremental steps as you try out the tools and master the tips and strategies. If you are completely new to search engine optimization and you want to learn the basics, this guide will introduce you to the content quickly. __Introduction to Search Engine Optimization__ is a detailed guide to the most important tools and skills needed to accurately and effectively utilize search engine optimization. This book covers SEO basics, keyword research, SEO ranking and analytics, Google Analytics, and more. It also includes an overview of how to pursue SEO-related certifications.**What You’ll Learn*** Create a content platform, including blogs and YouTube channels * Use keywords to maximize findability and increase search volume * Check your SEO rank and other analytics * Hunt for duplicate content * Set up Google Analytics, including Blogger * Utilize Indexing and Webmaster tools/search console **Who This Book Is For** Those who need to get up to speed on search engine optimization tools and techniques for business or personal use. This book is also suitable as a student reference. Contents 5 About the Author 6 About the Technical Reviewer 7 Introduction 8 Chapter 1: Introduction 12 How Search Works for You 13 It All Comes Down to Quality Content 15 Not the Only Game in Town 16 YouTube 17 Bing (not Crosby) 18 What’s Next? 18 Conclusion 19 Chapter 2: Skillbox: Content 20 Curation vs. Creation vs. Collaboration 20 Curation 21 Creation 21 Collaboration 22 Create a Google Account/Gmail Address 22 Content: Start a Blog (or Find One) 22 Weekly Bloggery: What I Do in My Classes 27 Search Drill: Find a Blog 28 Content: Create a Free Web Site 28 Other Systems for Making Web Sites 33 Make/Edit a Video (or Find One) 33 Editing on YouTube 35 Getting Going on YouTube 36 More Reading on Video Editing 37 Adjusting Digital Images 38 Taking Screenshots 39 Conclusion 39 Chapter 3: SEO Basics 40 SEO: Where’s the Content Going? 40 Content SEO 41 Classic SEO: On-Page, Off-Page 42 Keywords and More Keywords: Can you Ever Have Too Many Keywords? 43 Example: SEO Steps for a New Web Site or Client 48 Activity: Meta Description 49 Conclusion 53 Chapter 4: Keyword Research 54 Understanding Keywords 54 Keyword Opportunities 55 Search Volume and Competition 56 Doing Basic Keyword Research 58 AdWords Keyword Planner 61 Trying the AdWords Keyword Planner 62 Activity: Research Keywords 66 Make a Keyword Target List 66 Make a Keyword/Topic List 66 Additional Resources 67 Conclusion 68 Chapter 5: Try SEO 69 Simple SEO: Blog Post 69 Blogger Overall Meta Description 70 Post-Level Description 72 Site-Level SEO: Google Sites 74 Activity: Site Title Optimization 78 Activity: Learn HTML the Easy Way 81 For Further Review 84 Conclusion 84 Chapter 6: Analyze How Things Are Going 85 Fun with SEO: Check Your SEO Rank! 86 Fun with SEO: Hunt for Duplicate Content! 88 Other Analysis: Analytics 89 Fun with Conversion Tracking in SEO 92 Set Up Google Analytics: Blogger, Google Sites 95 Setting Up a Google Analytics Account 95 Create a New Property for Each New Web Site 98 Google Sites: Enter the Google Analytics Tracking ID 100 Fun with Analytics: Using Your Superpowers 102 Conclusion 104 Chapter 7: Explore Indexing and Webmaster Tools/Search Console 106 Fun With SEO: Check Indexing with Google 107 Explore Google Webmaster Tools/Search Console 109 Connecting Webmaster Tools/Search Console 110 News Flash: Checking Rank 115 Conclusion 118 Chapter 8: Keeping Up with Changes 119 Keep Up with Industry Resources and Blogs 120 Conclusion 122 Chapter 9: Exploring SEO Certification 123 HubSpot Certification 125 SEO Certification 130 Conclusion 130 Index 132 Don't be intimidated by all the search engine optimization (SEO) tools out there. You will start out learning about keywords and the importance of quality content and then walk through incremental steps as you try out the tools and master the tips and strategies. If you are completely new to search engine optimization and you want to learn the basics, this guide will introduce you to the content quickly. Introduction to Search Engine Optimization is a detailed guide to the most important tools and skills needed to accurately and effectively utilize search engine optimization. This book covers SEO basics, keyword research, SEO ranking and analytics, Google Analytics, and more. It also includes an overview of how to pursue SEO-related certifications. What You’ll Learn Create a content platform, including blogs and YouTube channels Use keywords to maximize findability and increase search volume Check your SEO rank and other analytics Hunt for duplicate content Set up Google Analytics, including Blogger Utilize Indexing and Webmaster tools/search console Who This Book Is For Those who need to get up to speed on search engine optimization tools and techniques for business or personal use. This book is also suitable as a student reference. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-8 Skillbox: Content....Pages 9-28 SEO Basics....Pages 29-42 Keyword Research....Pages 43-57 Try SEO....Pages 59-74 Analyze How Things Are Going....Pages 75-95 Explore Indexing and Webmaster Tools/Search Console....Pages 97-109 Keeping Up with Changes....Pages 111-114 Exploring SEO Certification....Pages 115-123 Back Matter....Pages 125-126