Google Now Ranks Your Site On The Reading Level Of Your content! Guess What I Found Out Though?

[Rich Jackson]

Ok so i just found out that google now includes the kincaid reading level of your content for its rankings.

so if you are a college professor looking for material from google you can go to the advanced settings and set it up to find higher reading level content...which will obviously change the serp rankings...

on the other hand if you are a 1st grade teacher searching google for material then you can change the settings to find lower kincaid reading level conten..which again will change the reading level..

listen to this..

"The better the readability of your web pages, the more people will understand your marketing message. The average web surfer has a very short attention span."

Which means that content that has a really high level of reading (as compared to the kincaid test) will actually rank lower because the average user doesnt read at a high reading level.

I bsay Whatever just do what you have to do..a combination of good seo and list marketing should still bring you money anyway.

write good content but be yourself...dont try to change your content to please the search engines. use it to offer a solution to your readers problems.. and write it at a reading level thats comfortable for you..also dont forget PPC and you'll be successful really fast!

Thats just my thought on the whole thing....what do you think?

[John Breese]

Thanks for the tip-off Rich.

Personally, I will be adding a ton of video content to my sites, so hopefully, this will offset the Kincaid effect.

[Rukshan]

Thanks. I really like these kind of research type of posts.

[DavidTT]

thats why I try not to focus too much on the quality and more into SEO and quantity instead. people dont read we scan. As soon as we see a sea of text, we automatically because uninterested and start looking for a way out and thats when your anchor text comes into play.

[ashwinsatyanarayana]

Thanks a ton for the timely post, Rich. I guess it boils down to easy, conversational, persuasive, research-backed, simple writing?

Of course, SEO, good quality incoming links, and doubtlessly a serious focus on list-building is important too. There's enough being said on WF about it, eh?

[tpw]

Originally Posted by Rich Jackson

"The better the readability of your web pages, the more people will understand your marketing message. The average web surfer has a very short attention span."

Which means that content that has a really high level of reading (as compared to the kincaid test) will actually rank lower because the average user doesnt read at a high reading level.

I think it will only apply to those people using the Advanced Search techniques with their search criteria, which I believe to be a small percentage of Google's overall user base.

Unless someone is using that search option, I don't anticipate it changing the SERPs on my pages to any large degree.

[Jeffery]

In some ways I will have to disagree with your business logic. Content that does not "please the search engines" means that your content may "not" be indexed by the search engines. That means visitors searching for the content will obviously never visit your site.

When we are in the business of making money online and we rely on the search engines to drive visitors to our site what type of visitor are we targeting? Those with money to spend. Stats have always shown that people with a higher education level are those who spend the majority of the money.

This little ol thing called Internet Marketing relies on the sources of the internet to earn an online income. To elude that online businesses ignore what "pleases" the search engines is online business suicide.

Jeffery 100% :-)

[yaniman]

When I check the read level of my websites, most are in intermediate. Seems I need to avoid jargons from my content. Seems most users hate them.

[padre]

The readability of your text is most important to pleasing the reader. Glad to see the SE's are taking it into consideration.

Not too long ago someone ran the writing of ten best-selling authors through the F-K and came up with some amazing results. Want to know where all of the best-selling authors ranked?

If you google the phrase readability of best selling authors you can find the answer on my web page about this subject, it is #1 in the SERP's. Coincidence?

Cheers

[aldovacano]

yeah Rich be Yourself will bring more money , people will trust eaiser because you arent trying to be someone else.

[kindsvater]

Originally Posted by DavidTT

thats why I try not to focus too much on the quality and more into SEO and quantity instead. people dont read we scan. As soon as we see a sea of text, we automatically because uninterested and start looking for a way out and thats when your anchor text comes into play.

That is B.S. over generalization.

Depends on your content. If your content is important to a person they will read every word. Print it out and read every word again.

Scanning can result from uninteresting content.

People are searching for "something". If your quality is not up to par for what they are searching for your site is useless to the person.

[Rich Jackson]

Ummm whoooaaa not so fast there... i've also proven that really long posts are very good for seo purposes... they allow you to place alot of keywords in the content and normally i end up ranking for keywords i wasn't even trying to rank for.

also a really long post doesn't turn people away. If it's a blog based on a topic that they are really interested in learning about they will actually be more appreciative that you wrote a longer post..that was jammed packed with breakthroughs, tips, solutions etc, etc......

you're right people do scan.....but the internet was made to entertain, educate and to provide information....they people who learn how to do one or all of those things the best will be the most successful!....Think about it!

Originally Posted by DavidTT

thats why I try not to focus too much on the quality and more into SEO and quantity instead. people dont read we scan. As soon as we see a sea of text, we automatically because uninterested and start looking for a way out and thats when your anchor text comes into play.

From what I read it you're right but it also made it seem like it was going to alter the search results based off of the types of blogs/websites/content you normally read...(which would really be a horrible move if they did that)

but yeah, i hope it doesnt change the serps that much..i guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Originally Posted by tpw

I think it will only apply to those people using the Advanced Search techniques with their search criteria, which I believe to be a small percentage of Google's overall user base.

Unless someone is using that search option, I don't anticipate it changing the SERPs on my pages to any large degree.

ARE YOU SERIOUS..HAHAHA

dude i guarantee you that I can rank an entire website within 3 months for a keyword THAT ISN'T EVEN FOUND ON MY PAGE!.

yes you read correct, i can get people to type a keyword in google and my site will be at the number 1 position...without even having that keyword on my page....

**sidenote**
IMO SEO is a horrible business plan anyway (even though i know people who make thousands from mostly SEO alone.). but i dont think its a solid business plan because like a castle has a moat for protection..SEO fails to have any form of protection..so if somebody comes in with more tech than you and more cash..you're done.

Anyway, yeah it's easier to rank sites that "please the search engines" but believe me you can get those same rankings by writing good content..trust me bro...

I personally dont know about these stats of yours , im not saying you're wrong..you might be true but it doesnt matter. most people who make big bucks online dont give a damn about what their google rankings are...because it's an extremely faulty business model...

with that being said be yourself when you write. please your target audience with a solution to their problems..and sell stuff to them, simple as that.

Originally Posted by Jeffery

In some ways I will have to disagree with your business logic. Content that does not "please the search engines" means that your content may "not" be indexed by the search engines. That means visitors searching for the content will obviously never visit your site.

When we are in the business of making money online and we rely on the search engines to drive visitors to our site what type of visitor are we targeting? Those with money to spend. Stats have always shown that people with a higher education level are those who spend the majority of the money.

This little ol thing called Internet Marketing relies on the sources of the internet to earn an online income. To elude that online businesses ignore what "pleases" the search engines is online business suicide.

Jeffery 100% :-)

[jonrpatrick]

That's why I don't right me no new kontent.

[paulgl]

I don't think many people use this in relation the the zillions of searching going on.
If this is the first people have heard of it, well, what does that say about it's
popularity?

Content level is built in.

A 1st grade teacher would not be looking for 1st grade level content in the
vast majority of searches. A 1st grade teacher after all, is still an adult and
want's adult material. A teaching handbook on 1st grade is not going to
be written at a 1st grade level. Coloring pages and doing searches for
1st grade activities would have the level built in.

A college professor do searching would undoubtedly already be getting
technical stuff (journals, etc.) in searches as just part of the search
algorithm. You would not get kindergarten level content when searching
for ptolemy astronomy theory.

I think the whole thing is moot in 99.99% of searches.

I can just imagine someone doing a search for wii fit reviews written
at a college professor level. Nor can I imagine a high school student
searching for essays at a 5th grade level.

I cannot even come with a scenario where I would need to worry about
the reading level when doing a search.

It's just like people doing searches for images. Some choose to go for
large, small, or icon. But that's a filter, not an SEO ranking.

Big difference between filter and SEO.

Paul

[ilovejdmtoy]

make the site simply to read and include as many keywords as possible.

[cagliostro]

I'm sorry, i'm sick and tired of Google crap. I will write content for people and not seach engines. And i will write it as i see it fit.

[Rich Jackson]

Agreed..

Originally Posted by paulgl

I don't think many people use this in relation the the zillions of searching going on.
If this is the first people have heard of it, well, what does that say about it's
popularity?

Content level is built in.

A 1st grade teacher would not be looking for 1st grade level content in the
vast majority of searches. A 1st grade teacher after all, is still an adult and
want's adult material. A teaching handbook on 1st grade is not going to
be written at a 1st grade level. Coloring pages and doing searches for
1st grade activities would have the level built in.

A college professor do searching would undoubtedly already be getting
technical stuff (journals, etc.) in searches as just part of the search
algorithm. You would not get kindergarten level content when searching
for ptolemy astronomy theory.

I think the whole thing is moot in 99.99% of searches.

I can just imagine someone doing a search for wii fit reviews written
at a college professor level. Nor can I imagine a high school student
searching for essays at a 5th grade level.

I cannot even come with a scenario where I would need to worry about
the reading level when doing a search.

It's just like people doing searches for images. Some choose to go for
large, small, or icon. But that's a filter, not an SEO ranking.

Big difference between filter and SEO.

Paul

FAIL!

Originally Posted by ilovejdmtoy

make the site simply to read and include as many keywords as possible.

[GrowTallerNiche]

Another excuse for people to use subpar content. If you can't use intelligent stuff in your content then how are you supposed to generate it?

There is already a bias for reading level in content. Look at the reading level SERPs for weight loss versus fat loss versus adipose tissue loss versus adipose tissue reduction.

[scott g]

So Blazing CONTENT and Superbly written Articles aren't going to rank high?!?!

UgAbUg

[Rich Jackson]

haha i dont know...im just saying thats the way the article made it appear maybe you can do a google search and find some more info on it.

(but i'll tell you right now, im 100% sure that you wont get penalized for writing awesome content...googles whole business model (as far as the search engine is concerned) is based around seeking out this "superbly written content" )

Originally Posted by scott g

So Blazing CONTENT and Superbly written Articles aren't going to rank high?!?!

UgAbUg

[scott g]

Originally Posted by Rich Jackson

haha i dont know...im just saying thats the way the article made it appear maybe you can do a google search and find some more info on it.

(but i'll tell you right now, im 100% sure that you wont get penalized for writing awesome content...googles whole business model (as far as the search engine is concerned) is based around seeking out this "superbly written content" )

You yourself contradicted the article! I think the article is more false than true. Google has always allowed you to "alter" your searches - from finding blogs to discussions to news to etc...
As for ranking and content: stick to your guns! Build websites around sweet (short or long) content - do you keyword and competition research. Only you will know if your customers or page viewers want to read things or see big fluffy pictures!

Good article/thread nonetheless Rich Jackson... Gets the brain workin a little bit

CHEERS!

[Slin]

Doesn't matter for marketers too much.

This only matters for my old biotech professors, they are the only ones I know who would have a use for this.

[evazk]

Yes, I totally agree with you!

Readability has lots of importance in SEO.

Google tracks the quality of your content by knowing how much time visitors are passing on a particular page, if they are staying longer than it is really very qualitative content.

[padre]

Originally Posted by Slin

Doesn't matter for marketers too much.

This only matters for my old biotech professors, they are the only ones I know who would have a use for this.

Seems to me that the more readable your text and copy then the more conversions you get. When the copy puts off the reader then no sales are made.

Cheers

[Shirlyn]

Hi, Thank you for sharing but if this happens then the content writing methods and Online marketing techniques and tactics should also get affected with this.

[padre]

Originally Posted by Shirlyn

Hi, Thank you for sharing but if this happens then the content writing methods and Online marketing techniques and tactics should also get affected with this.

Those things have always been affected by the readability of the text. The best-selling authors have known it for decades and have been using it successfully to increase, astronomically, the number of their readers.

Since marketing and content writing are also a numbers game, it only makes sense that the more readers you appeal to and draw to your copy and content the more views and conversions you achieve.

This works whether you are selling or pre-selling. For some good tips on improving the readability of your own text check out the article referred to earlier in this post.

Cheers

[thebitbotdotcom]

I try to write in a conversational style that attracts the average person. College professors make up a very small percentage of the population. Thanks for the tip.

[bgmacaw]

Originally Posted by kindsvater

Scanning can result from uninteresting content.

It can but most people scan rather than read in-depth on the Internet.

Some of us are speed readers (I assume you are since you're a lawyer as I recall) and can process prodigious amounts of text quickly but the average person will simply scan headlines and bold text.

As for the reading level in general, I don't see how they could use this for meaningful ranking. I just ran some spun text that was truly awful through some of the online reading level testers and it scored just the same as the original text (a Wikipedia article).

[padre]

Originally Posted by bgmacaw

It can but most people scan rather than read in-depth on the Internet.

Some of us are speed readers (I assume you are since you're a lawyer as I recall) and can process prodigious amounts of text quickly but the average person will simply scan headlines and bold text.

As for the reading level in general, I don't see how they could use this for meaningful ranking. I just ran some spun text that was truly awful through some of the online reading level testers and it scored just the same as the original text (a Wikipedia article).

The spun articles may have scored the same readability as well written articles but that does not mean they will rank as well with the search engines. Readability is just one of the factors, albeit an important one, taken into account by the SE's.

And the average reader does scan . . . until they find something that hooks their eyes and interest. That would be well written headlines, leads, sub-headings and content.

Cheers