SEO Content Articles

While most business owners rarely think about the images on their website beyond how they look, search engines view them differently. Google may be better than ever at understanding visual content, but it still relies heavily on contextual signals to determine exactly what an image is showing and how it relates to the page it’s on. That’s where ALT text comes in.

Even today, properly optimized image ALT tags remain a valuable part of our monthly SEO work. They help search engines better understand your content, improve accessibility, strengthen topical relevance, and create additional opportunities to appear in image search results. It may seem like a small detail, but over time, these small optimizations can make a meaningful difference in how well your website performs in search.

Simply put, if Google can’t confidently understand what your images are about, you’re missing an opportunity to reinforce the topics and services you want to rank for. That’s why image ALT tags continue to be an important piece of a successful long-term SEO strategy.

What Are Image ALT Tags?

ALT tags, or alternative text, are descriptions added to images within your website’s code. Originally designed to help visually impaired users understand image content through screen readers, ALT text now serves an important role in search engine optimization as well.

When Google crawls your website, it uses ALT text as another signal to determine what an image represents and how it relates to the surrounding page content.

Why ALT Tags Still Matter

Although AI can analyze images better than ever, search engines still rely on contextual information to accurately categorize and rank content.

Well-written ALT tags help:

• Improve image search visibility in Google Images
• Reinforce page keywords and topical relevance
• Enhance website accessibility and user experience
• Provide context when images fail to load
• Support overall on-page SEO efforts

Think of ALT text as another opportunity to explain your content directly to search engines rather than leaving them to guess.

Best Practices for Writing Effective ALT Text

Be Descriptive

Clearly explain what is shown in the image.

Good Example:
“Roofing contractor installing standing seam metal roof on a New Hampshire home”

Poor Example:
“Roof image”

Use Keywords Naturally

Include relevant keywords when they genuinely describe the image. Avoid stuffing multiple keywords into a single ALT tag.

Keep It Concise

Most effective ALT tags are short and descriptive, typically under 125 characters.

Match the Page Topic

Your image descriptions should support the overall subject of the page. If a page is about financial planning, the images should reinforce that topic through relevant ALT text.

Avoid Generic File Names

Search engines gain little value from image names like “IMG_1234.jpg.” Descriptive ALT text provides much stronger context.

Why We Include ALT Tags in Ongoing SEO Work

SEO is rarely about one major change. Success typically comes from consistently improving hundreds of small details across a website. Image ALT tags are one of those details.

Search engine optimization continues to evolve, but the goal remains the same: helping your business appear in front of the right people at the right time. From image ALT tags and on-page optimization to content strategy and technical SEO, every detail plays a role in how Google evaluates and ranks your website.

If you’re ready to optimize your website for the way search engines rank content, now is the time to take action. Contact the team at Keyword Performance today to learn how a comprehensive SEO strategy can help improve your visibility, attract more qualified traffic, and position your business for long-term success online.

Our web design services build image optimization and alt text in from the start.

Google documents the speed and usability thresholds it measures in Core Web Vitals. If you want help putting this into practice, our web development services are a good place to start.

The post The Importance of Image ALT Tags for Searchability appeared first on Keyword Performance.

What is Alt Text?

Alt text is a brief description that conveys the content and purpose of an image. It is essential for accessibility because it helps visually impaired users understand what’s displayed on the screen through screen readers. For SEO, it provides search engines like Google with the information needed to index images and relate them to the context of the page they’re on.

In other words, alt text serves a dual purpose: it enhances user experience while improving your site’s chances of ranking higher in both web and image searches.

Why Alt Text Matters for SEO

Search engines can’t “see” images the way humans do, so they rely on alt text to understand the image’s content. By using descriptive and contextually relevant alt text, you’re helping search engines better interpret and rank your images, thereby improving your overall page ranking.

But simply stuffing alt text with keywords won’t cut it today. Google’s algorithms are becoming more sophisticated, focusing on context, relevance, and user experience. Alt text should accurately describe the image while seamlessly fitting into the overall context of the page. This approach will not only boost SEO but also enhance your content’s usability and relevance to users.

John Mueller’s Advice on Alt Text and Context

In a recent statement, Google’s John Mueller provided valuable insights on how to best use alt text. Responding to a question about alt text for SEO, Mueller explained:

“For image search, there’s the context that comes from the page + image combination that matters.

A photo of a beach might be a relaxing poster, it might be the beach from a hotel, it could be the site of a chemical spill. Just knowing that the image is of a beach doesn’t really give sufficient background information to be able to show it in image search appropriately. A lot of it does come from the page, and the alt-text is unique in that it’s what directly connects the image to the page with context.”

Mueller stressed that the alt text needs to provide the right context for both users and search engines. Using generic alt text like “photo of a beach” isn’t sufficient because it doesn’t tell the whole story. Instead, he suggested that alt text should offer a specific, meaningful description relevant to the page.

For example, a hotel website with an image of a beach should use alt text like “luxury beachfront hotel in Miami” rather than just “beach.” This approach aligns the image with the page’s purpose and ensures that the image is indexed properly for relevant search queries.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

In light of Mueller’s advice and the evolving nature of SEO, here are some best practices for writing effective alt text:

1. Be Descriptive, Yet Concise
Alt text should accurately describe what’s in the image without being too wordy. Keep it under 125 characters to ensure it’s readable for screen readers and easily parsed by search engines.

2. Use Contextually Relevant Keywords
Including keywords in your alt text can help with SEO, but only when done naturally. Avoid keyword stuffing, and make sure the alt text enhances the image’s relevance to the page. For example, on a travel website, a picture of a tropical beach might have alt text like “all-inclusive resort on a private beach in the Bahamas.”

3. Align with the Page’s Content
As Mueller highlighted, the image and alt text should align with the rest of the page’s content. For instance, if you’re selling hotel stays, the alt text should emphasize the hotel and its amenities, not just describe the image in isolation.

4. Avoid Using AI-Generated Alt Text without Editing
Mueller also cautioned against relying solely on AI to generate alt text. While AI might produce something like “photo of a beach,” it misses the opportunity to add meaningful context. Always review and edit AI-generated text to ensure it adds value for both users and search engines.

5. Enhance Accessibility
Remember, alt text is primarily for users with visual impairments. Describe the image in a way that helps them understand its relevance, and don’t forget to add context if the image plays a critical role in understanding the content on the page.

Our on page SEO services cover image alt text and the rest of your page-level details. We also pair this work with our SEO consulting services when a site needs a bigger plan.

The post How to Use Alt Text for SEO appeared first on Keyword Performance.

Search engine optimization has changed again. But this time, the shift is bigger than keywords, backlinks, or technical tweaks.

With the evolution of Google Search and AI-driven results, Google is now prioritizing one thing above all else:

Content that genuinely helps users.

If your website isn’t delivering real value, it’s not just underperforming—it’s becoming invisible.

What Is Google’s Helpful Content System?

Google’s Helpful Content System is designed to reward websites that create content for real people, not search engines.

Instead of focusing only on keywords, Google now evaluates:

• Whether your content answers the user’s question clearly
• If it demonstrates real expertise or experience
• How useful and original the information is
• Whether users actually engage with it

This means content written purely to “rank” is quickly losing ground to content that actually solves problems.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The rise of AI tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT has changed how people search.

Users are no longer just clicking links—they’re getting instant answers.

So what does that mean for your business?

• Only the most helpful, high-quality content gets surfaced
• Weak or generic pages are skipped entirely
• Google evaluates your entire website, not just individual pages

In other words, if your content isn’t strong, it doesn’t stand a chance.

What Helpful Content Actually Looks Like

Helpful content isn’t longer, it’s better.

It focuses on delivering real value quickly and clearly.

Strong Content Includes:

• Clear answers to specific questions
• Real-world insights or examples
• Local relevance when applicable
• Logical structure and easy readability
• Content written by someone with actual knowledge

Weak Content Often Includes:

• Generic advice found everywhere else
• Keyword stuffing or awkward phrasing
• Thin blog posts with little substance
• AI-generated content with no human editing
• Pages that don’t fully answer the user’s intent

The Connection Between Helpful Content and User Experience

Google’s algorithm now closely mirrors how real users behave.

If someone lands on your page and:

• Leaves quickly
• Doesn’t find what they need
• Returns to search results

That sends a strong signal that your content isn’t helpful.

On the other hand, content that keeps users engaged:

• Builds trust
• Increases time on site
• Improves conversion rates

Helpful content isn’t just good for SEO, it’s essential for growing your business.

How to Create Helpful Content That Ranks

At Keyword Performance LLC, we approach SEO differently because the rules have changed.

Here’s what works now:

Start With Search Intent

Instead of focusing only on keywords, ask:
What is the user actually trying to accomplish?

A search for “roof repair NH” isn’t just about roofing, it’s about:

• Cost concerns
• Urgency
• Finding a trusted local contractor

Your content should address all of it.

Go Beyond Surface-Level Information

Top-ranking content answers the main question—and the follow-up questions users haven’t even asked yet.

This is where most competitors fall short.

Use Real Experience and Expertise

Content backed by real knowledge stands out.

This could include:

• Industry insights
• Case examples
• Local experience
• Practical advice

This is a major factor in building trust with both users and search engines.

Eliminate Low-Quality Content

Older blogs or thin pages can drag down your entire site.

We often recommend:

• Updating outdated content
• Merging overlapping topics
• Removing pages that offer little value

Quality now outweighs quantity—by a wide margin.

Write for Humans First

If your content sounds robotic, over-optimized, or unnatural, it won’t perform.

Clear, conversational, easy-to-read content wins—every time.

The Future of SEO Is Helpful, Human Content

The biggest shift in SEO today is simple:

It’s no longer about ranking for keywords.

It’s about becoming the best answer available.

Businesses that invest in helpful, high-quality content will:

• Gain more visibility
• Build stronger trust with users
• Generate more leads and conversions

Those that don’t will continue to lose ground.

Ready to Improve Your Website’s Performance?

At Keyword Performance LLC, we specialize in creating content strategies that align with Google’s latest standards while driving real business results.

If your website isn’t performing the way it should, it may not be a traffic problem; it may be a content problem.

Let’s fix that. Contact our team today to build a smarter, more effective SEO strategy.

If you are planning a website redesign, rewrite your key pages around helpful content at the same time.

Our AI SEO services build on helpful, experience-led content like this.

Google documents the speed and usability thresholds it measures in Core Web Vitals.

The post What Google’s Helpful Content Update Means for Your Website appeared first on Keyword Performance.

The Rise of Experience in Content Ranking

Google’s Search Quality Raters assess content quality based on a range of factors, including the author’s real-world experience. This means that content written by someone with direct, hands-on knowledge of a subject is considered much more credible and useful than generic, repurposed information that’s already out there everywhere else.

For example, an article about financial planning written by an actual certified financial advisor with their advice, experience and tips added in carries more weight than a blog created by a general content writer who is just pulling information from multiple sources online to create the blog. The same applies across industries—Google values content backed by direct experience, whether it’s medical advice, home improvement tips, or technical product reviews.

How to Showcase Experience in Your Content

If you want your content to align with Google’s evolving standards, consider these strategies:

1. Highlight Author Credentials
   Establish credibility for posts by showcasing the expertise of your content creator. Develop author bio pages that detail their background, certifications, industry experience, and previously published work. This not only enhances trust but also helps readers understand why the information is reliable.
2. Incorporate Real-World Insights
   Instead of regurgitating widely available information, provide unique perspectives and case studies that add more layers and context and demonstrate direct experience. Share things like real-life success stories, challenges, and lessons learned to add depth to your content.
3. Expert Review for Accuracy
   Especially for Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics—such as finance, health, and law—having subject matter experts review your content can also increase its credibility. A simple “Reviewed by” section with the expert’s credentials can reinforce the trustworthiness of the content you’ve posted.
4. Use Original Data and Research
   Whenever possible, include firsthand research, surveys, or proprietary data to back up claims. Google favors content that offers fresh, valuable insights rather than repackaged information with no data to back it up. 

Google’s focus on experience means businesses must rethink their content strategies. Prioritizing firsthand expertise, author credibility, and real-world examples can help improve rankings and build audience trust. By adapting to this trend, your content will not only meet Google’s expectations but also provide more meaningful value to your readers.

Our copywriting services help businesses publish content that shows real experience and expertise.

Google’s guidance on helpful, people-first content is the standard we write to.

The post Why Experience Matters In SEO Content appeared first on Keyword Performance.

Today, understanding and aligning your content with searcher intent is more critical than ever. In this blog post, we will explore why searcher intent is crucial for SEO rankings. We will also provide actionable tips and strategies for crafting content that meets the specific needs of searchers.

The Significance of Searcher Intent in SEO

Search engines like Google have become incredibly sophisticated. They understand not just the keywords users enter, but also the underlying intent behind those queries. In essence, they aim to deliver the most relevant results that satisfy the searcher’s needs. 

Here’s why searcher intent is paramount in the SEO landscape:

1. Improved User Experience

User experience (UX) is a fundamental ranking factor, and aligning content with searcher intent contributes significantly to a positive UX. When your content fulfills what users are looking for, they are more likely to spend time on your website. As a result, bounce rates drop and the chances of conversion increase.

2. Enhanced CTR (Click-Through Rate)

Searcher intent optimization can lead to improved click-through rates. When your content accurately reflects what a user is seeking, they are more likely to click on your search result. That, in turn, brings more organic traffic to your site. 

3. Higher Rankings

Search engines reward websites that consistently deliver content that matches what users want. Aligning your content with intent can help you climb higher in the search engine rankings. In the end, that leads to more visibility and traffic. 

4. Reduced Keyword Stuffing

As search engines become more sophisticated, they penalize websites that engage in keyword stuffing. Crafting content around searcher intent allows for a more natural use of keywords, avoiding the pitfalls of over-optimization.

Tips and Strategies for Crafting Content Aligned with Searcher Intent

Now that we understand the importance of searcher intent in SEO, let’s look at some actionable tips. These strategies help you create content that resonates with users:

• Conduct Comprehensive Keyword Research

Start by researching and identifying keywords relevant to your niche. Then look for long-tail keywords and phrases that show what searchers specifically want. You can also use keyword research tools to discover the most common queries related to your topic.

• Analyze Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)

Examine the top-ranking pages for your target keywords. What type of content are they offering? How are they addressing the searcher’s intent? This analysis can then provide insights into what works in your niche.

• Create High-Quality, In-Depth Content

Craft content that thoroughly addresses the searcher’s query. Provide valuable information, answer questions comprehensively, and offer unique insights. After all, well-researched, comprehensive content is more likely to rank well and satisfy searcher intent. 

Structured Data, Mobile, and AI Search

• Use Structured Data and Schema Markup

Structured data can help search engines understand the content on your page better. Implement schema markup to provide context to your content. Then search engines can more easily match it with the right search queries.

• Optimize for Mobile and Voice Search

With the rise of mobile and voice search, ensure that your content is mobile-friendly and optimized for voice search queries. Many voice searches are conversational in nature, so focus on providing concise, conversational answers.

• Answer Questions Directly for AI Search

Lead sections with a clear, direct answer, then add detail. AI Overviews and chat assistants pull from pages that answer questions plainly, so clear structure helps both people and machines.

• Continuously Monitor and Adapt

SEO is an ongoing process. So regularly monitor your rankings, traffic, and user behavior to see how well your content meets user needs. Then adapt and update your content as needed to stay relevant.

Aligning your content with searcher intent is paramount for SEO success. It not only improves user experience but also leads to higher rankings and increased organic traffic. If you’d like help creating content that satisfies searcher intent, we can help. We can also position your website as a valuable resource in your niche, so it drives success in the digital marketing landscape. Get in touch with Keyword Performance today! 

Website design should make intent-matched content easy to find.

Google’s guidance on helpful, people-first content is the standard we write to.

The post Creating Content that Aligns with Searcher Intent appeared first on Keyword Performance.

Today, however, the stakes are much higher. To survive, companies need to focus on the customer experience. This means having every possible iteration of interactions possible with your organization.

• What does the customer see when they log onto your site? Can it be viewed on a mobile device?
• What do they encounter when they make a call out to you? 
• What’s their social media experience?

Is your organization anticipating their needs and meeting them in advance, or behaving reactively and only providing attention when a crisis or a problem pops up?

It’s About Touchpoints

For a strong customer experience, companies need to be managing every possible touchpoint with the customer and ensuring the experience is stellar. If a customer visits your Facebook page, they’re going to want to see relevant and recent posts. If they call your main phone number, they’re not going to want to find a lot of irrelevant self-service gibberish to get through. If they’re looking to solve their own problems, you need to have the content available on your website and every other place they might seek you.

Content Marketing is Customer Support

In this way, it’s apparent that effective content marketing is a critical element of the customer experience. Content Marketing Institute’s Enterprise Content Marketing 2020: Benchmarks, Budgets, and Trends – North America uncovers that more than half of respondents (51 percent) say their brands provide customers with an optimal customer experience across the engagement journey and say their content marketing is extremely or very successful. On the flip side, less than one-third (29 percent) of the participants rated their content marketing highly.

The truth is that customers like to find their own answers and there are a variety of ways to do that. It might be through news or social media. It might be direct Web searches or using mobile apps. It might be through YouTube, or family and friend recommendations or local listings. In all these places, there is an appropriate place for fresh and compelling content. A chance to write in your brands voice and get messaging across in the way you’d like it to be portrayed. Companies that don’t provide this relevant and local content risk getting left behind.

Professional Content is Our Business

The bottom line is that content is too critical to the customer experience and the marketing strategy today to leave to chance. If you don’t have the resources to produce fresh and innovative content in-house, we are the SEO professionals to help you.  At Keyword Performance we can help you develop a unique content marketing strategy – and the content to make it work. Reach your long-term SEO goals and start driving visitors to the places where they belong.  Get a FREE SEO CONSULTATION!

Our content strategy services help you plan content that supports your customers at every step. Our blog writing services can then turn that plan into regular, helpful posts.

The post Content Marketing is Customer Service: You Can’t Have One without the Other! appeared first on Keyword Performance.

In marketing, for example, writing new, fresh copy has always been a sure way to gain customers and attract buyers. With online media, the focus remains on content.

How Content Strategy Used to Work

Years back, “content is king” was something many of us in digital media we’re familiar with hearing.

It meant that if you wrote more and more, you would stay relevant on search engines. People searching online would find you.

While it worked to some degree, it quickly changed to a discussion of quality over quantity. How much is too much to post? Are you now annoying readers? What about quality? Clearly, you can’t keep posting information that others have told and re-told many times. Eventually, the search Gods stop looking at it positively.

SEO Today

Today, bits and pieces of what lead us to the current state of online digital marketing are still relevant. It’s about knowing how to execute it. That means knowing when to use what kind of content and which tactics will work on a case-by-case basis.

To keep things condensed for readers, this week’s blog focuses on three things. We believe these are the 3 most important elements of content for moving SEO in the right direction.

We’ll cover the bases and offer some background and tips on each topic. But remember, nothing trumps working with an experienced team of writers. Their natural talent and years of experience can help you come up with the content readers and online users crave.

Tip #1 – High-Quality Content is a Must

We put this tip first because it’s the single most important factor to consider when writing content. That applies to your blog, landing pages or even targeted emails. Quality includes how you write a post, including grammar and the correct tone and connotation. It also includes original commentary that thoroughly covers the subject. This type of content will engage and attract quality leads from which to begin your conversion targeting.

Tip # 2- Posting Frequency Matters

The great thing about quality content is that you don’t need a lot of it to still hold weight. In the prior days of web marketing, people had an idea about posting. They believed that if you post every single day, you signal to Google that your site is important. This isn’t entirely true. Unless you’re a news site reporting on daily updates, posting every day can actually harm your quality score. That is especially true if that content is short and low quality.

Google’s QDF (Query deserves freshness) rank factor gives some weight to timely news items. However, posting a ton of content frequently will only bring a temporary spike in ranks if that content isn’t authoritative.  Quality is the top factor. Period.

Tip #3 – Avoid Dry & Stale, Create Evergreen Content

Speaking of quality content, there’s only so far that timely news items can take your site. That’s because these pieces go stale – quickly. Instead of going for consistent news posts, focus on evergreen content. This is great for the long haul of your SEO plan. This content is similar to evergreen trees that never turn their leaves. The content remains relevant at all times and never becomes stale. Search algorithms can detect lots of new content. Similarly, they can rank content based on its age and on how irrelevant (less frequently visited) it has become over time. With evergreen content, the article, blog or write-up should keep on turning eyeballs. That’s a golden ticket in the SEO world.

A Note on AI-Generated Content

AI tools can speed up drafting, but search engines reward content that shows real experience and expertise. Use AI to assist your writers, not replace them. Also make sure someone who knows your business reviews, fact-checks and shapes every post.

Are you ready to turn things around with your website? Tired of reading all of these wonderful posts on your competitor’s pages wishing you had come up with that clever idea yourself and posted about it? It’s time to work with Keyword Performance. We help you learn about your audience and research what’s hot in your industry. We can also write in the tone and voice that attracts attention.

Google’s guidance on helpful, people-first content is the standard we write to.

The post Perfect Your Content Strategy to Boost SEO appeared first on Keyword Performance.

In light of this sweet holiday, we’re thinking about how SEO can be a lot like nurturing a relationship.

Here’s how falling in love with SEO is easy… one keyword at a time.

Understanding One Another

Once you’ve selected the keyword phrase you want to target, it’s time to start growing and nurturing the relationship. Often this involves learning about the history and understanding unique intricacies. It can also mean spending long hours getting to know more and more about the keyword. As a result, you can become an expert on all things about it.

Willing to Work Together

As time passes, you will experience the typical relationship highs and lows. Then you might notice that making changes and sacrifices to move forward is often necessary. This might mean changing things up a bit or finding a new angle to focus on. You might even go back to the drawing board. Break-ups are sometimes necessary, too. In that case, finding a new term to start the process again might make sense.

Looking to Growth

Of course, sometimes there is more work involved, along with growing pains. If you’re willing to work through them, they will take you to the next level in love. By sticking out the hard times and being patient, growth can be possible. After all, not all results are instant. Maybe you’re not seeing the traffic increase on SERPs or the conversion you hoped for. In that case, your work may just need time to season and settle before it gains the intended traction.

Committed to Results

The glorious thing about using tools to track and measure your results is simple. You can see how far you’ve come over time. As you build your strength in a topic, find new avenues to pursue and commit to improving outcomes. With some attention and love, you’ll find that growth and long-term success is possible!

Want to be our Valentine?

We’d love the opportunity to get to know you! Fill out our form and get a free quote so you can tell us all about your website desires.

The benefits of SEO come from steady work on one keyword after another.

Google’s SEO Starter Guide is a good companion to this article.

The post Fall in Love with SEO, One Keyword at a Time appeared first on Keyword Performance.

To Improve SEO, Think of Content as an Investment

The importance of regular content production can’t be overstated. When you get started, it may seem like an overwhelming task. But if you can produce a few pieces of content a week, you’ll have a solid “nest egg” at the end of the first year, according to Jayson DeMers writing for Forbes.

“As your investment earns interest, your principal grows, and you earn more interest with each subsequent round of compounding,” he wrote. “Content works much the same way since it’s more or less ‘permanent.’ If you publish twice a week, you’ll have 110 pieces the first year, so the first year you’ll produce 110 pieces and get 110 pieces’ worth of results. The second year, you’ll produce 110 pieces and see 220 pieces’ worth of results.”

DeMers notes that content can serve as a complementary strategy to almost any other online marketing strategy, and this includes SEO. The reasons are many, but linking is one of the most important.

Content Builds Backlinks

Backlinks are an important element of any SEO campaign, and just a few good links can be enough to get your campaign moving quickly. Good links, however, will never come from “tricks” or poor-quality content with keyword stuffing. It takes regular, high-quality content to earn great links, as influencers and popular sites aren’t going to link to “One Weird Trick” fluff. Instead, they’ll be looking for content by experts that offers readers value: a well-designed infographic, research statistics, a funny anecdote or an informative video. Blogging is also an excellent way to build good backlinks, particularly if the blogger offers new insight and value to readers.

Don’t Rest on Your Laurels

While it may be tempting to say, “We have a lot of great content, so we can take a break,” don’t give in to the urge. When a blog or a social media account drop off, readers will become disengaged and look elsewhere for content. Keeping users consistently engaged with your content is important if you’re hoping to steadily improve your search rankings.

Ask for Help

Content should never be an after-thought, or a by-product of other marketing channels (e.g., “Let’s just scan our newest brochure, stick it on the Web site and call it content.”) If you can’t produce it in-house, look to SEO professionals to help you. At Keyword Performance, we can help you develop a unique content marketing strategy – and content to make it work — that will help you reach your long-term SEO goals. Visit our website or call (203) 284-1929 for a consultation.

Strong content is one of the main ways businesses see the benefits of SEO.

The redesign process should protect your best pages and fix the ones holding the site back. WordPress website maintenance matters because outdated plugins and themes are a common way sites get hacked. Clear website pricing should spell out pages, design, content and what happens after launch.

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What’s the Difference between a 301 and a 302 Redirect?

For starters, let’s go over the definitions:

301 Redirect: This is a permanent move, not suitable for temporary changes. Webmasters generally use it in three cases. The first is for bad links or outdated URLs that need to go to a desired page. The second is when visitors can reach your site through several URLs. In that case, one URL is the preferred destination, and the others use 301 redirects to send traffic to it. The third is when you’ve moved your site to a new domain.

302 Redirect: This is a temporary change. It redirects users and search engines to the desired page for a short time period until you remove it. It may appear as a 302 found (HTTP 1.1) or moved temporarily (HTTP 1.0).  You can set up a 302 redirect using a metatag or Javascript. That avoids accessing server files and the additional time and effort a 301 redirect needs. A 302 is suitable if a company is doing A/B testing of different sites for marketing purposes. It also works when updating a site and temporarily relocating visitors.

The Old Wisdom about 301 vs. 302

A quick surf around the Internet uncovers a common claim. It says a 301 redirect may result in a 10 to 15 percent loss in linking for SEO. As a result, many Webmasters still routinely substitute 302 links. At other times, the conventional wisdom has been the opposite. So which is true today?

Google search engine guru Matt Cutts has spent a lot of time laying out the differences between 301 and 302. (Here’s a video that helps explain the basics.)

The conclusion is that there are tradeoffs that make them roughly equal.

Cutts put it this way: “Use whatever is best for your purposes. You don’t get to horde or conserve any more page rank if you use a 301, and likewise, it doesn’t hurt you if you use a 301.”

But What about Other Search Engines?

SearchEngineLand contributor Bryson Meunier recently confirmed that this is the case with Google. However, he pointed out that Google isn’t the only search engine in the world. Bing still prefers that Webmasters use a 301 permanent redirect when moving content, if the move is permanent.

“If you’re optimizing for users in China, where Google currently only has 1.5 percent of the market, you probably care more about what Baidu and Shenma say about redirects than Google or Bing, and you should use permanent redirects for permanently moved URLs just to be safe,” he wrote.

If you’re not sure what the best redirect strategy would be for your situation, contact Keyword Performance for a free consultation. We’re always happy to take time to educate our clients about SEO and the reasoning’s behind tactics.

We are an ethical search engine optimization and social media company. Our focus is to build professional marketing strategies for long-term keyword placement on search engines and social media platforms. These strategies support product, service, and company branding. We develop solutions for companies to expose their websites on the search engines. We also help them build brands on a local, national, and international level.

Get in touch today!

Our SEO migration services help you avoid ranking drops during a site change.

Many businesses hire an SEO firm to handle this work for them.

Redesigning a website without a redirect plan is one of the fastest ways to lose search visibility. Website maintenance packages take routine upkeep off your plate and keep small issues from growing. Owners often ask how much does a website cost, and the honest answer depends on pages, features and content.

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