17 replies to this topic

[mybinding]

Hey Guys,

I have read the sticky post about duplicate content penalty. I really appreciate the information.

I have been working with a SEO company that is having me write entriely seperate articles for syndication from the articles that I am posting on my website. They told me that this was so I wasn't punished by google. I now know that this probably wouldn't happen.

My question is... Is there a reason to write completely seperate content for submission to the article databases than the articles that I write for my website? Also, is there any reason not to post the press releases and articles that I have already submitted for syndication on my own site for my customers to see?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Randy]

It sort of depends what you want out of your article and press release submissions Jeff.

If you have articles and releases on your site but the articles directories or wherever they end up getting placed are considered to be more important in the eyes of the search engines, it'll be those sites that that show up in the SERPs when someone searches on your targeted phrases --displaying your article/release-- instead of the version on your site.

Some people have an issue with that. They want their own site to show up every time. Or want to get two bites at the apple by having both the slightly different version on your site show up with one of the versions that have been picked up. So they write one version for distribution and other that lives on their site.

Personally, I don't worry about it. Any article or release I put out has a bio box or something similar that identifies me and links back to my site. So I could care less whether my site version is the one that shows up, or if it comes from someone elses site.

Then again, maybe I'm just too lazy to write two near duplicate articles for the sake of some obscure potential benefit that may or may not ever materialize.

[Jill]

My question is... Is there a reason to write completely seperate content for submission to the article databases than the articles that I write for my website?

No, no, and no.

Writing "near duplicate" articles just for the search engines is spam. Don't do it.

[mybinding]

That's the crazy thing. I have been writing completely different articles for each. I have been trying to write 20 articles a month for my website and another 4 for syndication and honestly, I am running out of things to write about

Thanks,
Jeff

No, no, and no.

Writing "near duplicate" articles just for the search engines is spam. Don't do it.

[Jill]

And are those all about binding?

Some sites don't really need articles. Sounds like something you're just doing because it's what you think the search engines want, is that correct?

[mybinding]

I am trying to make sure that each article deals with either a question from a customer, a particular application in binding or laminating or provides new information about a product that we carry. My SEO company seemed to want me to just write keyword packed articles for the search engines but I didn't feel comfortable posting anything on my site that wouldn't be useful for my customers. I do my best to make sure that all my articles include appropriate keywords and I link them to the appropriate sections of our website.

Still, I did start writing them when I started my SEO campaign. Do you think it would be more useful for me to spend my time doing other things. Each article usually takes me close to an hour to write, link and post.

Thanks,
Jeff

And are those all about binding?

Some sites don't really need articles. Sounds like something you're just doing because it's what you think the search engines want, is that correct?

[Jill]

If you just describe your products and what they do on the actual product pages and create FAQs, etc., it's difficult to imagine why you would need articles.

And what other types of sites would reprint articles on your particular subject?

I simply don't understand this whole trend towards article writing that so many alledged SEO companies are forcing people to write. It makes absolutely no sense in so many circumstances.

We had a potential client call us last week, and he was so sick of hearing other SEO companies telling him that he had to become an expert in his field. He said, "I'm NOT an expert, nor do I want to appear to be one! I just want to sell our products."

Nothing wrong with that!

[mybinding]

Wow... What a different perspective than I have heard from other SEO people that I have talked to. It seems that almost every SEO company that I talk to claims that doing article submissions is the best way to get the backlinks that I need for my site.

Truthfully, I can't really think of any sites that would republish any of the articles that I write. The only other sites dedicated to our industry are from our competitors and obviously they wouldn't provide us with backlinks.

I really do want to establish our company as an expert in our field. However, more than that I want to drive more traffic and sales

I guess I have some rethinking to do.

Jeff

[Jill]

It seems that almost every SEO company that I talk to claims that doing article submissions is the best way to get the backlinks that I need for my site.

How would you get backlinks from articles that nobody would publish?

Jeff, you'll be happy to note that this thread as well as some other articles I've been reading lately have sparked the idea for my next Search Engine Land article due out this week. I'm nearly done with it now. Look for it to be published over at Danny's site on Thursday!

[tyggis]

There is no doubt that if you write articles on niches and publish them you will get more visitors, its up to you how much time you will like to spend on doing that. And if the articles are good they are not spam.

[Jill]

There is no doubt that if you write articles on niches and publish them you will get more visitors

Yes, there is doubt.

Not every type of business has a need for articles.

Who would publish an article on a specific part that is used in a certain type of machinery, for instance?

What if that is what you sell. Do you still suggest they write articles?

Ridiculous!

[tyggis]

I could write articles on the difference in quality and price, history, development and so on.
And to get more visitors from the SE`s I would of course write a couple of articles yes.

[Jill]

And people would care about that stuff?

I have a hard time imagining it.

Of course, that information should be on your site as part of your product information. But presumably you already have that, no?

Info on your site about your products and services is good.

Articles created for search engines only is bad.

[roxyyo]

I would just post articles on your own site. If you're running out of things to write about, you're pretty much wasting your time repurposing your own content for other sites and submitting to article directories. If you are going to offer content to other sites, why not make some network-connections with complementary sites and offer them articles (uniquely written for their site) in exchange for the exposure and link back to your site. That might actually send you some customers, and can be accomplished in less time than it takes to submit to 100 article banks.

[tdgac]

So actually there are two sides to this street - the article that is completely unnecessary and the article that gives your website greater exposure because it can be placed in higher visible areas of the net (directories) than on someone's site who is just starting out. The reason to write is to generate traffic and search engine interest. Going for more of the "warm/hot" market. Granted writing about obscure things may be a harder sell, but I don't think it should be discounted completely. The net is full of the obscure... and individuals looking for it.

I've got to admit that the only reason to stop writing would be if you truly hate it. Sounds like you've reached your maximum article overload. Writing just to pump stuff out ain't right lol.

But, the other side of the coin... Telling someone who's site revolves around pets (for example) and that website owner has a wealth of knowledge and/or interest to write not to write ... that's not right (pun intended).

Write if you love to do it. Don't if you hate it. If you need an occasional article, hire a writer lol.

However, articles done correctly can, and do, get lots of quality keyword-related backlinks. And yes, they can especially through well-position article directories, get a site on the front pages of say Google. The only "problem" is that is you're using it as a form of marketing, one or two articles isn't going to make a bit of difference. Like anything in this world, if it's working you've got to stick with it.