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Good SEO practice or over-optimization?

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Alfred M
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Alfred M
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If I'm writing a blog post targeting a long tail keyword such as "How to build a model airplane", should I have the img alt tag for one of my pictures as exactly "how to build a model airplane" or would that be considered over-optimization?

Also, if I'm targeting a less lengthy keyword such as "how to build models" should I have my title as just "how to build models" or should I add text in there to make it longer such as "how to build amazing models" or "how to build models quickly" so that the title isn't just the keyword - would that harm or hurt SEO?

Very curious since now Google is clamping down on overoptimization!
#good #overoptimization #practice #seo
  • Profile picture of the author alvinchua91
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    Originally Posted by Alfred M View Post

    If I'm writing a blog post targeting a long tail keyword such as "How to build a model airplane", should I have the img alt tag for one of my pictures as exactly "how to build a model airplane" or would that be considered over-optimization?
    That is fine, no worries about that. But if you really can't sleep due to that issue, then changing it slightly such as 'build a model airplane' would be perfectly fine too. It does not have too much effect unless your domain name is an EMD such as howtobuildamodelairplane.com which I highly doubt you have.


    Originally Posted by Alfred M View Post

    Also, if I'm targeting a less lengthy keyword such as "how to build models" should I have my title as just "how to build models" or should I add text in there to make it longer such as "how to build amazing models" or "how to build models quickly" so that the title isn't just the keyword - would that harm or hurt SEO?
    Once again this has minimal impact, but since people tend to search for e.g. 'where to get the best haircut' 'how do i build the coolest house', it would be more beneficial for you to have your title as "how to build amazing models" or "how to build models quickly".

    2 reasons:
    i) People tend to click that more in the search results (sounds more interesting) - resulting in higher CTR into your website and (assuming your content is good) improving your average viewing time on your website
    ii) It's more natural looking and there are people who type in words like 'amazing' or 'quickly' into Google search bar as well and you get to target these people while still ranking for your 'main keywords'
    • Profile picture of the author Alfred M
      Alfred M
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      Hi Alvin,

      Thanks for the insightful response!

      For the title, however, wouldn't it be MORE optimized and thus MORE likely to show up if the user searches "how to build models" and my title is exactly "how to build models" rather than "how to build amazing models"?
  • Profile picture of the author alvinchua91
    alvinchua91
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    If your off-page SEO is done right, you will still rank well if the title is slightly different like "how to build amazing models".

    Of course, if you prefer keeping "how to build models", you can try something like "How To Build Models Quickly Which Look Amazing!"

    *Edit it accordingly to your exact needs But yes, it's below 60 characters and also suits all of the following:
    1) Maximum number of characters shown on Google SERPs
    2) Your exact keyword phrase
    3) Not too 'fake/over' optimized
    4) Captures people's attention

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