[Dele]

In choosing a keyword phrase to optimize for, which keyword phrase of the two below is more beneficial?

The keyword phrase (a), with the inverted comma open before it and closed after it has a larger number of competing websites than the other alternative keyword phrase (b), but without the inverted commas, has a lower number of competing websites than the other alternative keyword phrase.

Please assume that search volume is more or less the same for both.

[Patrician]

Hi Dele.

I am not sure what an inverted comma is and don't think it makes any difference either way but I could be wrong.

All I know is it is advised to use terms that are not the most competitive nor the least, but somewhere toward the mid range in popularity of searches.

I think you may know more than I do because I have never heard of analyzing number of competing websites. It seems it would be a daunting task and the emphasis should be the content on your site and in your ad copy, no matter what the phrase might be.

As the phrase goes as well, I believe the longer tail the better and the individual components (words or smaller phrases) within the long tail are also relevant so that you can rank for several phrases within the one main long tail keyword phrase.

It has been a while since I consulted with any SEO specialists. It will be good if somebody like Kooza shows up to answer as I think he is the most knowledgeable in all things IT that we have. Haven't seen him (Mike Law) more than once since we got the new forum, and Suzanne Morrison is on vacation.

In any case I will be interested to learn something new so I look forward to the answers you get - even if you have to go and find them elsewhere and come back to share with us!

[Dele]

Thank you Patrician.

Inverted comma is " " and as you know, in the context of keyword searches, it is used to denote that the competing websites that result from the search with the keyword phrase in inverted commas, contain all the words in the keyword phrase and probably also in the order stated while the competing websites that result from a search with the keyword phrase not in inverted commas, contains one or more of the words in the keyword phrase and not necessarily in the order stated.

Probably I have now clarified my question and so may receive an answer to my question from you or any Pipster or Warrior and in the alternative as you advised, I will seek answers elsewhere and revert back to this forum with the answer I get.

Many thanks once again.

[Patrician]

Did you try the SEO forum right here in Warrior Forum?

We call the inverted comma a 'ditto' mark or 'quote' marks and now I understand what you meant...

[Dele]

I have not yet tried the SEO forum on the Warriors.

Thanks. I will do that and revert with the answers I get.