Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Shrinking the Camel

Home
Careers, Workplace and Religion
How I Got a Number One Ranking on Google Search

How I Got a Number One Ranking on Google Search

Last updated on: August 19, 2011 at 5:07 am by JBW

How I Got a Number One Ranking on Google Search 2011-08-19T05:07:50-05:00 JBW

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I recently discovered that one of my blog posts is ranked at the top of a certain Google search, which, as you know, represents the pinnacle of blogging success.

God be praised!

That’s right, when you tap out “Feeling Stupid” into your Google search engine, my blog lands right up there at number one with the post, “Are You Feeling Stupid at Work? I’m Here to Help.”

What an honor, to be known throughout the world as the go-to resource for stupidity!

Not exactly what I was reaching for, but I’ll take it.

And what, exactly, does that do for me?

Well, first, I receive a staggering number of hits on my site from this lofty perch, anywhere for 50 – 100 a week! Holy crap! Hope all that traffic is not bringing down the WordPress servers!

Well, the important thing is not generating traffic, but that I am helping people in need. Go ahead and look at the post and see all the wise counsel I’ve been offering. There are 80 comments so far, and I also get a few private emails every month. I answer all of those, too. It’s become like the crowdsourcing center for Feeling Stupid.

Now, about how I made that #1 ranking happen…

Actually, I have no idea. Someone will have to explain to me, because I don’t have a clue. It’s not like I started this blog with the goal of getting a number one spot on Google search.

Although I am not hard-core, I have learned there are some basic things you must do if you want to get the #1 ranking swag:

1.Don’t Blog like its Facebook

Dear friends, I love you, but if you want to land high on the Google search engine, then you best tone down the personal story-telling details and begin writing with a more general audience in mind. For instance, no one is going to seek out your inner thoughts about tonight’s dinner plans or the latest scripture verse that revs your engine. That information is diffuse and generic, as far as google is concerned.

2. Write something useful and specific.

If you want to start angling your way into a search engine result, then write in terms that people are going to search for to begin with, then offer information that might actually be beneficial to the reader. Be practical, specific and direct, and don’t rant on and on, like I am doing here. Try to work it into the title, too. Look at all the headings of those snappy high-traffic blogs: “How to blah blah blah…” “Five Ways to x y

z…”

3. Write the desired search phrase right into the post.

This may have been my big Google-ticket item. In this particular post, I came right out and used the phrase that people were going to be typing into the search bar: “I feel stupid at work.” I even put it in bold, which show those SOB search bots that I’m serious!

4. Write about something that no one has thought of yet.

It’s not that I was the first one to write about this topic, but the fact is, there is a lot less competition for the “feeling stupid” category than, say, “Anderson Cooper” or “Lady Gaga” or “Celiac Disease Symptoms.” Now, this probably goes against the grain of most blogging advice, which says to go with the trends, ride with the tide, etc. But it worked for me.

5. Don’t try so hard

And finally, if all of this fails, then good. Don’t try to make a number one ranking on Google search your goal, because that’s lame and entirely misses the whole point of blogging. Which is, like, to build community and help people.

Right?

Blogging

Google search ranking

Search bots

Previous Post

August 16, 2011

Vacation Avoidance Syndrome: Why Aren't We Taking More Time Off?

Next Post

August 22, 2011 Everyone Here Says Hi

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ambition Blogging Career Culture Executive Career Development Failure Faith in the Workplace Family Feeling Stupid Leadership Managing People Purpose Reviews Spirituality Uncategorized Work-Life Balance

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Lydia's profession?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Cloth merchant Weaver Potter Farmer