What a lot of bloggers don't know is that for search engines to pick up your blog post, generally when someone types a "keyword" in search, generally it has been suggested that Google for instance looks for content with 1,500-2,000 word minimum.
Not saying posts with less than that, can't come up. But you increase your visibility chances of coming up in search engine results with longer content posts.
However, if you wrote every single post at 2,000+ words, your going to make it kind of hard for your active followers to want to read that every single day or 3-5 times a week. Let's face it, not everyone has the time!
So the question is, Can you, have a 2000+ word post without having to actually write a post with that many words?
The answer is YES!
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Tweet: Quick easy ways to grow your blog and get seen more on search engines http://ctt.ec/gV5Pn+ @runwybridlplanr #workfromhome #blogging
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The trick is using your comment system! More importantly, having a great comment system!
That's right, your comments if shown on the post itself (meaning not hidden, or not only seen via pop up.) actually count as word count for your post.
WHAT I DO If I follow your blog and comment regularly, there is one thing you will almost notice from me. I do my best to always leave a thoughtful well thought out comment to your post. Additionally when I can, I try to leave a sentence or two.
I do it, first because I enjoy your blog and care what you have to say. But second I do it to help out word count and it's sort of my way of contributing to others growing their blog.
Now, I won't lie sometimes I can't come up with that long of a comment depending on the post or the time I have, but more often than not I do my best to do so. I've noticed a lot of other bloggers who do the same.
Not only does having people comment on your post add to your posts word count as far as the search engines are concerned. When you go back and reply to their comments, and leave your reply posted on your blog as well. Did you know you are again adding to your word count? Because you are!
You can increase your posts validity and visibility chances in the huge and vast online search engine world just by comments alone.
You can easily turn a 500 word post you wrote, into something far more by inviting those who comment on your blog into conversation. Before you know it, you could easily have a 2,000 or maybe even 5,000 word count post. Just by having fun with your followers and getting them to share their opinions, and your responding to them. After all, that is the best part of blogging, the interaction!
I run a monthly series, on the first Thursday of each month I offer blogging tips that I have learned along the way. If you'd like to see my other tips, or find other blog help topics I wrote, you can find them HERE.
What is your favorite comment system type?
Do you respond to all your comments on your own blog?
Do you leave thoughtful comments on others blogs?
Did you know your comments count towards your posts word count and can help increase your search engine visibility?
If not, do you plan on taking more advantage of it going forward?
I did not know that at all. I don't like pop-up comment systems myself so I didn't want that for my blog. I block most pop ups so I wouldn't have seen that kind of option anyway.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that comments contributed to overall word count! That's of course not my main reason behind commenting on blogs, or responding to comments on my own blog, but definitely great info to know. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete:) well...I'm like you but my blog is still teeny weeny.
ReplyDeleteNice post
This is all totally new to us about comments counting as part of the word count. We do try to reply to the comments left on our blog, but as with everything, it does not happen every time. I appreciate the comments you leave, because as you mentioned above, they are always well thought and appropriate to the blog post. It is clear you actually read the posts! Since we do not monetize our blog, I am not certain I would worry about the number of words going forward, but you certainly are a wealth of information when it comes to blogging. You are also very kind to share your knowledge!
ReplyDeleteI love the interaction I have with other bloggers and I really always appreciate when people take the time to make thoughtful comments. I have never heard that comments count towards the word count. I also respond to each and every comment on my blog and I feel that has really helped it grow.
ReplyDeleteI try to leave comments back & HATE when things are a 'no reply"... & I hate the people that you see on the same blogs that post the same comment "Great Post"... really?
ReplyDeleteYes, comments really do count, I learned about it and looked into it a while back! I'm not a fan of the pop up comment systems myself, they are just hard to use!
ReplyDeleteThey do! I learned about it a while back, as long as the comment system is attached to the post, which most are then yes they help build word count and can even help with the SEO in the post. It's kind of an added bonus since it's so fun to interact with others anyway!
ReplyDeleteAll blogs have starting points, there is so much I know now that I wish I knew when I began, but then that's half the fun of blogging! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI know it's kinda cool huh, it's like an added bonus to the already fun interaction part of blogging:) I learned about how the word count helps your post a while back, and did a little research to make sure its still valid and true, and it is. I've been wanting to share the info for a while, glad I finally got around to it:)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I know, I really do love reading blogs, and I actually do like reading the content, that's probably the main reason I am not able to visit dozens and dozens each day, because it takes so much time. But I thoughouly love visiting the blogs that I do, it's just a lot of fun!
I am the same way, blogging is really a lot of fun. I actually feel like I have built friendships over time with bloggers like you and it's become just a really fun hobby to visit blogs read and leave comments:)
ReplyDeleteYes, I learned about comments contributing to the word count a while back, and then did a little investigation to make sure it was still true, and it is, Google for one definitely picks them up, as long as they are part of the post itself, which most are unless they are the Facebook comment systems, the pop up ones and some few other rare ones I don't see much. It's kinda a cool thing to know that it helps:)
You're awesome with replies, I read all of them:)
ReplyDeleteI don't like the no reply ones either, it kind of takes the fun away!
Definitely agree on the "Great Post" ones, I mean once in a great while maybe but I think some just go around leaving comments never reading anything and maybe that's why they leave those two words, LOL
Whoa! I never knew that! I try to keep my posts between 500-1000 words because I know I already tend to be verbose, and subjecting my readers to masses of text isn't something I wanna do (that and it'd mean I'd need to come up with more pictures, haha). That's awesome that comments actually contribute to the word count! :] One of the things I love most about blogging = the community, and I really like getting to know my readers! <3
ReplyDeleteThats my favorite part of the blogging community too!!!
ReplyDeleteYes the word count and comments was something new to me earlier this year. I reasearched it a little more recently before I posted this to make sure it was all still true and it it YAY. Its just kind of a great thing to know to use to your SEO and word count advantage :)
I had no idea about how comments contribute to blog word counts - or even that blog word counts influence search results. Very helpful and informative info to know!
ReplyDeleteApparently I'm not the only one who didn't know about comments adding to your word count! I always reply to comments through email. I wonder if I should start replying to the comments actually on my blog instead? I love how you know so much! 😀
ReplyDeleteI did not know this information! You always leave very nice comments and it makes it easier to get to know you better :) which is the name of the game! thank you for sharing this valuable information, I feel a little smarter today! TGIF!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of a cool thing to learn huh! I thought so when I did. Once I did it made me realize a whole new extra tool I could utilize and have fun with!
ReplyDeleteI know, when I learned about this earlier this year I was like, say what? LOL and then I was like, awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think it all comes down to what you prefer to do, and what your goals are. I know some bloggers like to email their responses to keep future conversations private, and that totally makes sense too:)
Thanks MB! I really love the blogging world and the bloggers I follow, I figure if I am going to take the time to read a blog, I should also take the time to leave a thoughtful comment. Getting to know other bloggers better is so much fun and like you perfectly put it, the name of the game!
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea that comments add to the word count, or that google even looks for larger content posts. This is good to know. Thanks for sharing this info I always try to comment on those that comment on my blog. I think it really helps in having return visitors.
ReplyDeleteYes, google is a little picky and it changes its algorithms quite often. But one thing is when someone googles a word they look for popular posts with a good amount of content, and those generally are the ones that come up first on pages. I've read several different sources that say 1,500 - 2,000 words, which is an awful lot for a blog, but yes comments do count and if you add those if the comments relate to the post can beef up the word count and improve your blogs SEO a little too.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, I am a return commentor, it just is the fun part of blogging the networking!
Wow, I had NO idea that google went by work count!! So good to know! I try to respond to all comments on my blog, but sometimes I don't have a lot of time to dedicate lengthy responses. But after hearing this, I may think twice! Thanks for the helpful info Kristy!!
ReplyDeleteI can tell right now I'm going to learn so much from this hop. I too am just amazed. I do try an comment back as well, course I am human an I'm sure some have slipped through the cracks but with this information I will make a conscience effort to do better. Thanks so much Kristy for doing this. :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the comments added to the word count. I know that comments make me happy though, that's for sure. I feel like I spend a lot of time putting a post together so it's nice to know that someone is reading it! I like to visit their page right away because I figure they appreciate comments as well and it's fun to read others posts. I am super excited for the Blog Hop and am liking the Facebook group as well.
ReplyDeleteYa, Its one of many factors. But yes they tend to pull the most relevant and word count to the search engine spider crawlers is one of the things they go by.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes take a week or so to respond to comments its hard. But a year ago when I learned this that comments on the post itself help I have tried to be better with it.
If you already made a big attempt to comment back and then visit their blog then your really going to love this hop. That's one of the most important things about growing a blog that a lot of bloggers don't do. Its also seriously fun to build online communities and relationships. I am excited your participating I think you'll like it a lot!
ReplyDeleteComments make me happy too. Its so fun to build blogging relationships.
ReplyDeleteYes comments can be a huge building block for getting your post and blog noticed. Especially when its newer or still in the building phase when you can handle responding and visiting other blogs.
I think and hope you will enjoy the hop!
Wow! That's interesting! I try to respond to every comment because if someone is taking the time to read and leave a comment, I feel it's only proper to acknowledge them. Thanks for all the knowledge you're sharing with us!!!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI definitely didn't know about the word count of blog posts being an effect on google searches. I am glad I am joining your November blog hop! Your blog alone has some great tips for blogging! Thanks for this post! I am a new blogger, so I really don't get too many comments but have tried to look around other blogs and leave thoughtful comments once in awhile. Definitely making sure to reply to any comments I get! Thanks again! ♥
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on that. In fact visiting blogs and commenting back and forth is a great way to build a blog but super fun too. I have met so many friends that way too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Word count plays a huge role when search engines are looking for valuable content. I am glad your joining us too, I hope you'll have a lot of fun with it and make some great progress in blog networking and building.
ReplyDelete