@ Bullet Points - For Articles Good or Bad?

[Dano1981]

hey warriors,

are frequent "bullet points" looked upon negatively by google for
creating pages in blogs?

I am discovering I am terrible at creating content, seriously...
I can't "spin" for the life of me (my brain can't grasp! or simply does allow me)

But what I've noticed is that I'm able to do is "piecemeal" articles together if I use frequently use bulleted point for "facts" and that type of "short bursts" of info....

It somehow allows my brain the motivation! because I simply get "mentally" stuck, BUT if I use bullet point frequently it somehow allows my brain the ability to continue to write, and before long I have an article! (who knew!)

(YES finally something that works for me! One bullet set below)

• bullet some interesting stuff
  
• points that allow me to "stretch" my article"
  
• showing things in short "bursts"
  
• facts and such, things that keep people reading
• Without bullets, my mind freezes!

My question is if I write an article or page of say 500 to 700 words of which there are maybe 3 or 4 "bullet sets" consisting of maybe 5 "bulleted points" each (like the example above) is google ok with that? In the set above there are 30 words, so if I use maybe 4 sets, That's 120 words already in the bag!

any experience with anything like this?

thanks warrior matties!
Dano~

[SEOChief]

Google and other search engines want original relevant content that appeals to users.

Users want to be able to scan content quickly to get to the main points.

Therefore, bullets appeal to users which the search engines will reward you for. Listen to any well done speech and you will here the following.

1. What you are going to here [Bullets]
2. Content of the message [Break down of bullets]
3. A summary of what you have heard [Bullets]

The same works quite well in writing.

Other ways to get the words you need include:

* numbered lists like I provided above.
* Subheadings within the article.
* Short, quick sentences that are easy to scan.

After you finish creating your content on an article directory or your own Website be sure to promote that content socially using a tool like Ping.FM or the free Twitter tool mentioned in my signature below.

[Dadelius]

I personally like reading articles that are in bullet form.

perhaps an intro paragraph, some details about the list, and then an itemized list I can run down, with another paragraph at the bottom.

Just because I might get through this type of article quicker than a 1000 word piece doesn't mean that I click out when I'm done either, I'll usually check the sidebar for "Popular posts" or failing to find that I'll look for an "Archives" area, and click the titles that appeal to me.

Something I read once that has stuck with me (because it's true)
80% of people read titles or headlines
20% of people read the article.

Make sure the title grabs them!

[zimzalabim]

I wouldn't have thought the use of bullet points would make a difference one way or another for SEO purposes as it's the content/keyword use of more relevance in that respect.

Appropriate use of bullet points or other lists will break up your articles nicely and make them "easier" to read and hold the reader's attention rather than large blocks of paragraphs which can be "heavy" on the eye.

Yours,

Andy.

[Lilwarrior]

Bullets are considered good for readers, it's easier to read. That's why I prefer using them in most of my articles.

[Ordinaryme]

Definitely helps, especially during promoting sales of a product/service. (Example-Do's/Don'ts sort of stuff, Plus points, negative points highlighted)

[Dano1981]

thanks for helping me out

SEOChief
Dadelius
zimzalabim
Lilwarrior
Ordinaryme

Thank you guys very much!
I actually thought everyone would say just the opposite, and that it was bad for SEO, but I'm surprised. Yeah you guys are like me they are simply easier to read, but my curiosity was about "google crawling" my blog and how that might affect attempts to gain rank...

I imagine if for "ranking" purposes it had a negative effect you guys would have mentioned that, and no one did...

So I assume it ok then?

and thats better for me because then I'm actually able to finish an article or post, where if I don't use bullets I simply get "writers block"

thank you!
(unless of course there is someone who knows different?)

Dano~! thank you warrior matties!

[Blakers]

I like to use bullet points because it's easier to read, easier on the eyes, and gives the reader more of a checklist of notables versus paragraphs, when too long, can deter a person from moving on.

[Andrew Barton]

From an SEO perspective, I don't know why bullet points would hurt you. There isn't really a difference between...

*
*
*

and

1.
2.
3.

My only suggestion would be to still use sub-titles (just like when you create a numbered list) and not dive right into writing the core content.

[Dano1981]

thank you andrew and blakers,

I really appreciate the detail and explanation
yeah I will do that as well

an extremely poignant and helpful bit of info, very very good point for me to follow

still use sub-titles and not dive right into writing the core content

Dano~

Originally Posted by Andrew Barton

From an SEO perspective, I don't know why bullet points would hurt you. There isn't really a difference between...

*
*
*

and

1.
2.
3.

My only suggestion would be to still use sub-titles (just like when you create a numbered list) and not dive right into writing the core content.

[hitecballer]

Bullets are great for articles. When writing I try to stray away from large chunks of touch and bullets can break up articles nicely and bring your main ideas to the forefront of the readers mind. Also as mentioned we are in an instant age and readers want to scan your article more than they want to read it so put your best foot forward with bullets and encourage them to read.

[Ordinaryme]

Originally Posted by Dano1981

thanks for helping me out

SEOChief
Dadelius
zimzalabim
Lilwarrior
Ordinaryme

Thank you guys very much!

Glad I could help