Thursday, 24, Jan 2008 10:12
Understanding the role of search engine optimisation (SEO) can help online journalists write more effectively, an expert has commented.
Robert Niles, the editor of Online Journalism Review, suggested that even though much of the news published online is "simply repurposed" from print, writing for the web is still a unique skill.
He acknowledged that some journalists are unimpressed with the idea of writing to attract high rankings but argued: "When you write a piece to score highly in search engine result pages, you craft a piece that serves its readers as well."
Writing articles suitable for SEO purposes forces the journalist to consider keywords, which can give the writing additional focus, Mr Niles added.
Recently, Ciaran Norris, SEO and social media director at online marketing firm Altogether Digital, suggested that it is vital online journalists offer readers the gist of the story within the headline and first paragraph as that is what search engines will show.
