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Is there a Content Shell Life — Case Study & Research

Have you ever wondered about the fleeting nature of news articles these days? How does this transience impact your blend of marketing, authoritative perspectives, research, and other news-oriented content? Recent research conducted by Chartbeat, a platform for content analysis used by publishers, offers valuable insights into how an article’s positioning, traffic source, subject matter, and other characteristics influence its lifespan.

Robert Rose, the chief strategy advisor at CMI, elaborates on the implications of these findings for your content decisions in this week’s CMI News video. You can watch the video below, or I’ll provide you with the key points:

Consider this: How much time does it take for content to garner 80% of its total lifetime views? Chartbeat delved into a vast pool of 27 million articles spanning diverse networks, encompassing prominent media outlets, companies offering products and services with a media component, and more. They defined an article’s lifespan as the duration required to accumulate 80% of its total page views within the initial week of publication.

Astoundingly, a significant majority of news articles achieve this 80% milestone within a mere 24 hours of their publication. Nearly all articles complete their journey within 48 hours.

Chartbeat clarifies that this doesn’t imply that articles won’t continue attracting views in subsequent days. Instead, it highlights the paramount significance of the first day in this equation.

Equally fascinating, but not entirely surprising, are the patterns associated with traffic sources. Articles driven by returning visitors, such as those appearing on the front page, reach 80% within 20 hours. Pieces generating views through social media sources attain this benchmark after 26 hours, while articles propelled by search-based traffic stretch the duration to 36 hours.

These observations align with logical expectations. Breaking news items tend to swiftly gain attention when showcased on a media outlet’s front page. Conversely, search-driven content requires time for indexing and discovery.

Chartbeat’s analysis also explored variables like topic and time of day to discern any noticeable variations. Spoiler alert: No substantial disparities were detected in these aspects.

So, what does Chartbeat’s insight into an article’s lifespan signify for those engaged in content creation? Robert maintains that the primary lesson lies in acknowledging that this research centers around news-related content. Irrespective of whether your brand positions these articles as news, if your audience perceives them as such, the content’s longevity will be remarkably brief.

Consider the example of a weekly news package provided by CMI. This package covers current news and topical concepts, presenting them in a format that can be considered somewhat “breaking” through articles and videos. While the content could be seen as evergreen due to its intention of conveying takeaways beyond the week, it exhibits engagement and traffic patterns similar to what Chartbeat’s study uncovered. Most of the traffic is garnered within the initial 24 hours.

“This design is intentional, aiming to convey that we are attuned to the latest trends, thereby building trust over time,” explains Robert.

But why does this matter so much?

This phenomenon has been recognized for quite some time. People inherently value older content less, particularly content incorporating thoughtful insights and research. This understanding led to the practice of removing dates from content to extend its relevance.

Regarding evergreen content, Robert stated last year, “A timeless piece of content doesn’t automatically ensure its enduring relevance. Not all content that stands the test of time is inherently timeless.”

While this is an insightful piece of advice, it might require a bit more space on a bumper sticker.

What’s the bottom line? Your strategy should encompass a blend of news-focused content that triggers immediate attention and clicks, alongside evergreen content that consistently draws the audience back.

So, how should you navigate this mixture? Should you include publication dates or not? What’s the lifespan of your news-oriented content? Share your reflections in the comments section.

Cognitive Fluency and Decision-Making in Sales

When it comes to crafting an effective website or a compelling shopping experience, simplicity reigns supreme. Instinctively, a clean layout coupled with straightforward instructions eliminates much of the resistance that customers might otherwise encounter while engaging with an online store or any digital platform. This streamlined approach not only enhances usability but also contributes to the rising preference for minimalist website design.

Consumer psychologists and behavioral economists have delved deeper into the potential of Cognitive Fluency. The rule holds true: the simpler a tool, whether in the analog or online realm, the more effortlessly individuals grasp its functioning. This cognitive ease, often termed Processing Fluency, significantly influences customers’ actions.

Cognitive Fluency and Processing fluency can be understood through a familiar scenario. Just as you comprehend a conversation better when it’s in a language you’re fluent in, information also becomes more comprehensible when it’s presented in a manner that feels easy to absorb. This difference in ease, known as “Fluency,” distinguishes one piece of information from another. Given that straightforward presentations are inherently more understandable, conveying information in a straightforward manner, as opposed to a convoluted one, enhances its fluency.

This concept of simplicity versus complexity extends beyond website design. Text that’s legible or memorable tends to be more fluent. For instance, while using italics effectively draws attention to specific words, it also makes reading more challenging. Consequently, composing an entire blog post in italics would diminish its fluency. Similarly, rhetorical devices like rhyming render information more memorable, thus boosting its fluency.

Fluency’s Implications for Sales

Why should fluency of information matter to you? To put it simply, it profoundly impacts customers’ choices and their confidence in those choices, often influencing whether they trust you or not. Extensive research has systematically explored the effects of fluency, yielding significant insights.

The most robust finding underscores that people tend to accord greater credibility to fluent information compared to information that is less fluent or harder to comprehend. A case in point: a study by Rolf Reber and Norbert Schwarz in 1999 revealed that individuals are more likely to believe a false statement (e.g., “Lima is in Chile”) when it’s presented in an easily readable format (such as dark blue text on a white background), compared to a more challenging format (like light blue text on a white background).

The fact that consumers perceive fluent information as more accurate is of paramount importance. This suggests that they are more inclined to trust advertisements and product descriptions that they can readily grasp. However, while fluency heightens consumers’ certainty about the truth of the information, it also bolsters their confidence in their ability to comprehend and retain that information. For instance, a study in 2003 found that people were more confident in their ability to remember words when those words were presented fluently.

Certainly, in 2007, a noteworthy study conducted by Adam Alter, Daniel Oppenheimer, Nicholas Epley, and Rebecca Eyre brought to light a fascinating discovery. They delved into how people’s perception of comprehending information about an mp3 player was influenced by its presentation – whether it was delivered in a Fluent or Disfluent manner. This investigation led to some intriguing insights:

First and foremost, individuals exposed to information presented in a Fluent manner often exhibited a misplaced sense of understanding compared to those who encountered the Disfluent version. Surprisingly, while the simplicity of the Fluent presentation seemed to aid comprehension, it paradoxically led these individuals to overestimate their grasp of the information. In essence, while clarity is conducive to understanding, it can also foster a tendency to believe one comprehends more than one actually does.

This realization gave rise to a second vital observation: those who were exposed to the Fluent information proved more susceptible to subtle influences in their surroundings. Factors like the Foot-in-the-Door technique or the Decoy Effect had a stronger impact on their decision-making process because their attention wasn’t as engaged. Put differently, their unwarranted confidence hindered their capacity to critically assess their immediate choices.

Lastly, the participants’ increased confidence in their understanding of the product details not only led them to perceive the information as more accurate but also resulted in higher ratings for the products themselves. This showcases the direct correlation between perceived comprehension and product appraisal.

In summary, the study illuminated how the ease of information processing, while boosting the illusion of understanding, can inadvertently hinder critical thinking and decision-making, thus influencing how products are evaluated.

Fluency wields a profound influence, extending its impact even more significantly to consumer attraction. A study conducted in 2005 by Petia Petrova and Robert Cialdini illuminated how consumers tended to assign higher value to products, particularly vacation packages, that could be readily envisaged. To put it differently, when the notions of a vacation flowed effortlessly within their minds, they developed a stronger fondness for that particular vacation. The researchers also uncovered an intriguing facet: augmenting the description of these vacation experiences with vivid details or merely encouraging consumers to visualize the encounters resulted in an increased valuation of the vacations.

Remarkably, delving deeper into this realm, a 2006 research paper authored by Adam Alter and Daniel Oppenheimer revealed that stocks bearing easily pronounceable ticker symbols exhibited superior short-term performance. This phenomenon stemmed from investors’ inherent preference for these fluently named stocks over their less easily spoken counterparts. In a comprehensive analysis, the researchers examined the stock performance of various companies over different timeframes after their induction into the NYSE.

To underline the potential gains of investing in stocks with fluently crafted names, we computed the returns on a $1,000 investment in both a collection of the 10 most fluently named shares and a counterpart of the 10 most disfluently named shares. Strikingly, the portfolio comprising fluently named shares consistently outperformed the disfluent one across all four time periods: after 1 day, the gain was $112; after 1 week, it rose to $118; after 6 months, it amounted to $277 (all Ps < 0.05); and after 1 year, it reached $333 (P < 0.10).

In essence, the symbiotic relationship between fluency and stock prices favors newly established companies by endowing them with more accessible ticker symbols, yielding tangible gains, although this effect wanes in the long-term perspective.

Enhance Your Marketing Communication

Drawing from the insights I’ve outlined earlier, optimizing the clarity of information for your customers fosters stronger belief, higher valuation, and increased utilization. But how do you achieve this heightened clarity?

As mentioned at the outset, a pivotal and evident step involves ensuring your customers’ environment, such as your website, boasts an uncomplicated design, user-friendly interface, and minimal hurdles during all purchasing phases. On a more granular level, meticulously present the essential information for customer attention with crisp and unambiguous formatting. Conversely, you might deliberately lessen the clarity of less important information—perhaps by employing italics or muted colors—to divert focus. It’s crucial to remember that although less clear data might recede when faced with more lucid information, it can sometimes induce customer confusion, denting their confidence.

On a semantic plane, manipulation of the ease with which customers comprehend advertisements or product descriptions can be quite effective. Poetic and rhetorical elements contribute to fluency, as does the use of simpler vocabulary. For instance, technical specifications found in various electronic products might elude the comprehension of the average consumer, rendering them less fluent. Rephrasing these specifications in a manner that seems and feels more approachable can bolster customer confidence in understanding, subsequently kindling greater interest in the product.

Fluency wields significant influence, molding our initial perceptions of acquired information—a factor of paramount importance. Yet, fluency exerts more far-reaching impacts on consumers’ decision-making. It influences how products are perceived in terms of familiarity, reputation, typicality, and reliability. Lastly, when presented with easily digestible text, readers tend to attribute greater intelligence to the writer. Hopefully, this discourse comes across as fluently composed, reinforcing this very concept.

Key Points

The smooth flow of information holds significant importance. It instills a sense of authenticity into the information, boosts customer confidence, and enhances their appreciation for products.

The enhancement of fluency can be achieved by simplifying the information, improving readability, fostering better comprehension, and aiding memorability.
In summary, the crucial approach is to keep things straightforward and easy to remember, particularly when presenting information that you intend to motivate customers to take action upon.

Redirect — What is a 301 Redirect or 302 Redirect

In summary:
Permanent Redirect = 301,
Temporary Redirect = 302.

What does a 301 redirect do?

A 301 redirect serves as a status code informing both search engines and users that a page has undergone a permanent move, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate new page. This permanent move signifies that the content of the original page has been relocated indefinitely. Users are redirected to a new page, which has now replaced the old one.

The primary purpose of a 301 redirect is to modify the URL of a page as it appears in search engine results. If you have invested time and effort in creating a website or establishing an online store, it is crucial to pay close attention to its impact on your site.

You can think of a 301 redirect as analogous to a Change of Address form that one would fill out with the Postal Service when moving to a new physical address. In a similar fashion, web traffic is rerouted from the old URL to the new URL.

The advantage of using a 301 redirect is that you retain all the hard-earned SEO value and link equity that your old URL had garnered, as it gets transferred to the new URL.

Now, what about a 302 redirect?

In contrast to the permanent nature of a 301 redirect, a 302 redirect represents a temporary change that redirects users and search engines to the desired new location for a limited period. The 302 redirects will be in effect until it is removed. It may appear as a “302 found” (HTTP 1.1) or “moved temporarily” (HTTP 1.0) status.

Unlike the process of implementing a 301 redirect, setting up a 302 redirect is relatively simpler and can be achieved using a meta tag or in JavaScript, without the need to access server files or spend additional time to create a 301 redirect.

However, choosing a 302 redirect when a 301 redirect is more appropriate can lead to issues when search engines attempt to determine which page holds a higher value. The search engine may list only one version of the page in its search results, potentially leading to the wrong page being displayed. This problem can escalate over time as a chain of redirects accumulates on older sites.

What is the significance of the numbers 301 and 302?

These numbers correspond to HTTP status codes, which fall into five classes in the official registry. The initial digit of each status code indicates its response class. When a code starts with the digit three, it indicates that it belongs to the redirect class.

Why are status codes important?

These codes play a crucial role in preserving your “link juice,” a term used to describe the search engine equity accumulated for a specific URL. When you need to inform search engine crawlers about a site or page relocation, proper redirection is essential to retain the link juice and maintain search engine rankings and link power. Failing to do so risks losing the link juice and starting anew, potentially competing against your old page.

A properly executed URL redirect ensures the maintenance of link juice and domain authority during the transition to a new page, preventing users from encountering broken links, 404 not found pages or errors. On the other hand, a 302 redirect does not pass the link juice or retain domain authority for the new location. It merely redirects users to the new location to avoid displaying an error page.

Although a 302 redirect can enhance user experience, it is seldom a better choice than a 301 redirect. The decision on which redirect to use depends on specific circumstances.

When is a 301 redirect appropriate?

Using a 302 redirect instead of a 301 redirect can lead to issues for a website. Search engines react differently to each type of redirect, so it’s crucial to ensure the correct one is set up. Otherwise, search engines might consider it a mistake and stop directing traffic to the correct page.

Understanding the disparities between 301 and 302 redirects allows you to prevent such issues and optimize your website’s search engine performance. It also ensures you retain the SEO benefits accumulated on your previous page.

There are several instances when using a 301 redirect, which is a permanent redirect, is a preferable option.

In various situations, using 301 redirects can be beneficial:

When you need to transfer a domain to a new destination.
When you want to redirect links from outdated URLs to a new page, such as during website mergers.
If you have multiple URLs for your site, select a preferred URL and employ 301 redirects to steer traffic to your new website.
Transitioning seamlessly from an old website to a new one after permanently changing the domain name.
When you launch your site in a new CMS and the URL structure changes.
When converting your site from HTTP to HTTPS.
Implementing a 301 redirect informs search engines about the permanent move, directing traffic from the old content to the new page. This enables search engines to adjust rankings and value signals for the new URL, recognizing it as the new permanent location.

However, while the 301 redirect is generally the recommended choice, there may be certain instances where opting for a 302 redirect would be more suitable.

When to implement a 302 redirect?

Utilizing a 302 redirect may be suitable in specific cases, despite its non-SEO-friendly nature, where a temporary webpage relocation is warranted. While such scenarios are less frequent, there are instances where it is appropriate to apply this type of redirect, as seen in e-commerce settings.

For example, if you have a product that is temporarily unavailable for sale, such as a seasonal or out-of-stock item, employing a 302 redirect can direct users to the category page of your web store. This approach ensures that users are presented with alternative products currently available for purchase while indicating to search engines that the website is only temporarily offline. Consequently, the value of the original page remains intact, without being passed on to another URL.

Another reason for opting for a 302 redirect over a 301 is to bypass the Google aging delay, a delay that arises when implementing a 301 redirect. Nonetheless, this choice can create confusion for Google, which must determine the webmaster’s intentions in using the specific type of redirect.

Google endeavors to make these distinctions to enhance the search engine experience, recognizing that webmasters have occasionally employed a 302 redirect instead of a more appropriate 301 redirect. This strategy can result in issues, affecting not only search engine rankings but also the continued indexing of the old URL, as well as the splitting of link popularity between the old and new URLs.

Another appropriate scenario for utilizing a 302 redirect is during A/B testing of a web page’s functionality or design. Employing a 302 redirect allows for soliciting feedback from clients and users on the new page without impacting the site’s ranking.

The Google Aging Delay

When relocating a web page or an entire website, it is essential to ensure users can still find the site. To achieve this, redirects are employed to automatically forward users from the old location to the new one. However, this process may not be instantaneous, and search engines, including Google, might not immediately follow the redirects.

In some cases, moving a website triggers a phenomenon known as the Google aging delay, during which the site’s search rankings drop for several months, and sometimes up to a year. This delay can be particularly detrimental for certain companies.

Guidelines for Correct Redirects

Thankfully, Google does not penalize webmasters for unintentionally using a 302 redirect when a 301 was intended. Google assesses the redirect and treats it as a 301 if it determines that was the intended choice.

Nonetheless, it is preferable to make the correct designation upfront, rather than relying on Google to correct it. There is no guarantee that Google will always make the correct judgment, so it is advisable to carefully consider the appropriate redirect type from the start, typically opting for a 301 redirect for permanent moves and a 302 redirect for temporary ones.

10+ Important image SEO tips that are essential for your knowledge.

Consider the moment you last added a captivating image to your website. It’s highly likely that you sought out an incredible picture from a vast repository of visual wonders, before gracefully incorporating it into the very essence of your page. Yet, hold your applause for image optimization just yet; there’s more to the story.

In this digital dance of pixels, a heavy bowling ball seems to have found its way onto your site, surreptitiously impeding the graceful flow of page speed. A true conundrum, indeed! And to add to the mystery, search engines are left in the dark, unable to decipher the meaning of your images without a guiding light – the illustrious alt text.

Fear not, intrepid website creators, for there are secrets to unlock! Let us embark on an enchanting journey to discover the art of image optimization, where speed and accessibility intertwine like magic, bringing joy to both visitors and search engines alike. Embrace the wonders of creativity, and let your visuals traverse the digital realm unhindered!

Let’s embark on a journey of transformation.

In the vast realm of the internet, a significant chunk, more than 20% to be precise, of all U.S. web searches find their way to the enchanting world of Google Images. This fascinating tidbit of information hails from the magical vault of 2018 data presented by Jumpshot. Both seasoned SEO wizards and aspiring apprentices are well aware of the magical secret that lies within the art of optimizing images for one’s website, a practice that holds immense value and rewards.

Picture this: In the realm of real estate, a virtuoso known as Tom Philipenko, an aficionado of all things property, wielded his skills to conjure an astonishing feat. By cleverly employing image alt tags, compressing images, and employing a few other enchanting SEO tricks, he summoned forth an astounding 250,872 visits to his realm. It was as though he had discovered a hidden treasure, a cache of golden SEO power. For you see, without proper image optimization, the potential of these magical assets goes untapped and wasted.

It’s akin to a whimsical encounter with the mystical search engine spirits, who offer you a delightful treat, like a mouthwatering Oreo. Yet, the true magic happens when you seize the opportunity to dip that Oreo into a river of milk, transforming it into a sublime delicacy that transcends the ordinary. Similarly, image optimization is the key that unlocks the full potential of your digital kingdom, enhancing its allure and making it irresistible to all who wander the digital realms.

So, let us embark on this enchanting journey together, where we shall uncover the secrets of image optimization and sprinkle our digital endeavors with stardust, creating an engaging and captivating experience for all who dare to venture into our realm. As we embrace the spirit of creativity and innovation, our digital domain shall become a treasure trove, a realm of wonder and delight, free from the clutches of copyright claims and open to all who seek to partake in its magic.

Enhancing your images for the web unlocks a world of benefits, akin to savoring a delectable feast that leaves everyone wanting more. Picture this: a seamless user experience, where pages load in a flash, captivating visitors from the get-go. As if that’s not enticing enough, your search engine rankings soar to new heights, offering you a delectable slice of online success. Image optimization, once a supporting act, now claims the spotlight as a crucial protagonist in the grand play of web dynamics. Embrace its power, for it’s a tale that’s only just begun!

01. The Right Image Format

Understanding the myriad image formats can be as perplexing as navigating a menu at an enigmatic cafe. But, before you indulge in adding images to your digital canvas, you want to ensure you’ve handpicked the finest file type.

Amidst the diverse gallery of image formats, the esteemed PNG and JPEG proudly hold their place as the most favored choices for the web.

PNG: Embodies the essence of pristine image quality, albeit accompanied by a larger file size.
JPEG: Offers a symphony of adjustable image quality, allowing you to fine-tune the balance between size and visual allure.
WebP: This enigmatic gem grants you the freedom to choose between lossless or lossy compression, and it stands as the sole image format celebrated by both Chrome and Firefox.

For me, PNG stands as the unsung hero of image formatting. However, in my everyday encounters, I turn to PNG as the preferred candidate, only to metamorphose them into the brilliant WebP format.

Just a word of caution: when incorporating .jpg images within an inline SVG format, tread carefully, as certain indexing challenges may arise within certain systems as Google can’t index these.

So, let your website’s visuals captivate the audience by embracing the perfect image format that complements your artistic vision. Each format has its own unique charm, much like the diverse offerings of a fascinating cafe menu, ready to elevate your digital creations to extraordinary heights!

02. Size Matters — Compress the Image

Oh, behold! Web page woes are akin to an inflated balloon when an uncompressed image finds its way into the mix. Imagine this: search engines staring at your web page, shaking their digital heads like aghast onlookers eyeing a colossal vat of Crisco. Surely, you wouldn’t want that to grace your precious website, would you?

Did you know, as per the HTTP Archive, images devour a staggering 21% of a webpage’s total weight on average?

Fret not, for I offer thee a solution! Before uploading images to your site, I wholeheartedly advise compressing them. An art you can master in Photoshop, or harness the power of TinyPNG, a nifty tool that works wonders. Speaking of WordPress, while TingPNG boasts its own plugin, following two real-world optimization tests, ShortPixel emerges as the definitive victor for both JPG and PNG optimization. Among the contenders for JPG compression on WordPress, notable options include EWWW, TinyPNG, and Smush. For PNG optimization, other viable tools encompass Smush, Imagify, and EWWW.

Suggestion: Mind you, the key lies in finding a plugin that performs image compression externally on their servers, lightening the burden on your own site’s shoulders.

CDN (Content Delivery Network): But wait, there’s more! Take the leap and embrace the marvels of an image CDN (Content Delivery Network) that discerns the device and optimizes the image for seamless delivery. Cloudinary and Imgix, the dynamic duo, beckon your curiosity.

Dare to believe, for Increasingly.com witnessed a phenomenal 33% speed boost, shedding off 2 precious seconds from their load time, all thanks to image compression.

Believe me, the allure of faster page speed is nothing short of irresistible when your images are artfully compressed.

Feeling uncertain about your images’ impact on page speed? Leave it to Google’s enchanting tool, PageSpeed Insights, to enlighten you with its wisdom. Embrace the magic of image compression, and let your web pages soar to new heights of performance and delight!

03. Alt Text — The Game Changer (SEO Advantage)

Alt text, also known as alternative text, serves to describe an image’s appearance or purpose on a webpage. This descriptive text is utilized by screen readers, catering to visually impaired users, and is shown in place of the image if it fails to load. Additionally, search engine bots index alt text to enhance their understanding of your page’s content. These alternatives are sometimes referred to as “alt attributes,” “alt descriptions,” or inaccurately as “alt tags.” Alt text can be incorporated into the HTML code or the relevant field within your CMS (Content Management System).

Practical applications of alt text:

Incorporating alternative text for images on your website promotes web accessibility.
Alt attributes enable screen readers to convey image information to those who are completely blind, visually impaired, or unable to view the images.
If an image file cannot be loaded, alt text takes its place to provide relevant context.
Alt text enhances image indexing and ranking in image search results for search engine crawlers, as well as provides contextual information about the page’s content.

Alt tags serve as textual alternatives for images in situations where the browser cannot display them correctly. Like the title attribute, the alt attribute provides a description of the image content. When an image fails to load, the alt tag appears in the top left corner of the image box. It is essential to ensure that the alt tags complement the images and maintain their relevance.

Giving due attention to alt tags also plays a vital role in enhancing on-page SEO strategy. When all other optimization aspects are in place, having appropriate alt tags becomes crucial because they allow users to understand the intended content even if the image does not load.

Moreover, incorporating suitable alt tags for your website’s images can significantly improve your website’s search engine rankings by associating relevant keywords with the visuals. Even Google acknowledges the significance of alt text for images.

Furthermore, alt text is mandated under the American Disabilities Act to cater to individuals who cannot view images directly. A descriptive alt text serves as a valuable tool to precisely inform users about the content of the photos, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. For instance, imagine having a picture of chocolate on your website; a descriptive alt text will enable users to comprehend the image’s subject matter.

04. Add Images to Your SiteMap

When it comes to incorporating images into your sitemap, whether by adding them or generating a new sitemap dedicated to images, it is crucial to ensure their presence for improved search engine crawling and indexing. Consequently, this will lead to heightened site traffic. For WordPress users, plugins like Yoast and RankMath provide suitable sitemap solutions.

05. Take Advantage of Structured Data

Optimize your content by implementing structured data markup for various content types, enabling Google and other search engines to enhance visual outcomes. Through this approach, Google may present your images as enriched results, given the inclusion of structured data.

For instance, by utilizing schema markup on a product page and tagging the image as a product, Google might associate it with a price tag. Search engines bypass the regular algorithm and rely on structured data information to display the most relevant image.

06. Legal — Beware of Copyright Infringements

Recently, the Postal Service faced a $3.5 million lawsuit concerning image copyrights, while Skechers encountered a $2.5 million lawsuit. Using images from providers like Getty, Shutterstock, DepositFiles, or any stock photo source without the appropriate license puts you at risk of costly legal actions.

Be cautious of potential copyright violations as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) may issue notices for any infringements. If a content owner finds their material on your website, they can demand a DMCA Takedown, which must be complied with.

07. The Image File Structure

Google recently made revisions to its Image Guidelines, and one notable revelation from these updates is their utilization of the file path and file name as determinants for image ranking.

To illustrate, consider an e-commerce brand with various products. Rather than storing all product images in a standard /media/ folder, a more effective approach would involve organizing subfolders based on relevant categories such as /hotpants/ or /underwear/.

3 Great methods to Export WordPress Database like a pro

The WordPress database serves as the foundation for countless websites today. It is widely acclaimed as the most user-friendly website builder platform, making it a preferred choice for inexperienced website owners. Despite lacking coding knowledge, WordPress enables users to achieve remarkable results.

If you have been utilizing WordPress for a considerable period, it is highly advisable to acquire proficiency in utilizing the WordPress database. This will enable you to maximize the potential of your website.

In this article, we will delve into the definition and functionality of the WordPress database, while also examining the process of exporting it. Let’s commence our exploration!

What Is a WordPress Database?

The WordPress database utilizes the MySQL open-source system to store all data related to your website. It encompasses a comprehensive range of information, such as pages, user data, plugins, themes, settings, and more. This data is organized into tables, rows, and columns. As an administrator, you possess the authority to add, modify, and delete any information within your website’s database.

To ensure a successful installation of WordPress, it is necessary to possess a MySQL database on your web server beforehand. Many contemporary WordPress hosting providers already include MySQL in their offerings for convenience.

During the process of installing WordPress, you will be prompted to provide a database name, host, username, and password. This crucial information, alongside other essential files, is stored in a configuration file called wp-config.php within the database. When performing actions such as creating, altering, reading, or deleting data from the database, WordPress sends a MySQL query to the database.

Consequently, when a user visits your site, their browser initiates a request to your web server. The server then transmits the data to the visitor’s IP address and presents the requested information. Reference Link

What is the need for exporting the WordPress Database?

Exporting the WordPress database offers several important benefits. Here are three key reasons:

Create Offsite Backups: It is crucial to create offsite backups of the database as it contains all the essential data for your site’s functioning. By having backups stored in a different location, you can prevent unexpected data loss caused by server crashes or security breaches. With offsite backups readily available, you can easily restore your site’s data whenever necessary.
Download Specific Website Information: Extracting specific information from your site’s database, such as posts, pages, and user data, can be valuable for business purposes. The WordPress database enables you to download only the selected information you require, avoiding the hassle of dealing with unnecessary data. To achieve this, it is recommended to export specific tables from the database to obtain the necessary information.
Migrate Website Data: Instead of starting a new website from scratch, you have the option to export your old website’s database and import it into the new site. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that no data is lost when launching a fresh WordPress website.

Now, let’s explore an effective method for exporting the WordPress database.

01. How to Export MySQL Database Using phpMyAdmin

To access phpMyAdmin, utilize your hosting control panel and follow these steps:
On the left side of the phpMyAdmin dashboard, click on the MySQL database you intend to export.
Proceed to the top menu bar and select the “Export” tab.
phpMyAdmin offers two export options: “Quick” and “Custom.” If you desire the simplest method or lack familiarity with SQL tables, choose the “Quick” option.
In the subsequent section, opt for “SQL” as the desired format for the backup file from the dropdown menu. The “SQL” format is commonly supported by various systems for importing and exporting MySQL databases.
Upon completing the above steps, press the “Go” button.

To exert greater control over the backup process, opt for the Custom method. With this method, you possess the ability to modify three sets of configurations:

Tables: Select specific tables for exportation.
Output: Administer table names, and file name templates, and enable compression for the MySQL backup file.
Format-specific options: Access compatibility settings tailored to the chosen backup file format. For instance, adjust the column separator while exporting the database as a CSV file.

02. How to Export MySQL Database Using WP-CLI

WP-CLI simplifies actions on your WordPress site through its command line tool. If you are familiar with SSH commands, you will observe the streamlined commands designed specifically for WordPress sites. Utilize the available WP-CLI commands for database export and import operations by following these steps.

To complete these steps, you must have the following:

An SSH app. We recommend PuTTY for Windows or Terminal for macOS.
Your FTP details. If you haven’t recorded them yet, please obtain your FTP host, username, and password using the instructions below:

For your FTP host, you can use either your domain name or your IP address.
To find your FTP username and password, follow steps 1 to 7 in your hosting account for Linux Hosting with cPanel or Managed WordPress Hosting.

To utilize WP-CLI on your VPS or DED Server, it is necessary to install it beforehand. Please note that WP-CLI is not supported on Windows Hosting plans.

Please follow these steps to backup or export the database through WP-CLI

Use WP-CLI to export the database.
Establish an SSH connection to your hosting account.
Employ the bash command ‘ls’ to display files and folders, and navigate through directories using ‘cd’ and ‘../’ until you reach the directory containing your WordPress files.
Execute the command:
wp db export filename.sql
In the given command, replace 'filename.sql' it with the desired name for the backup file.

03. How to Export WordPress database using SSH

The above-mentioned methods for exporting the WordPress database are excellent, but they are not effective for exporting large database files. When dealing with large databases, it is recommended to use SSH. However, this method requires considerable technical expertise and experience to handle the export properly.

Additionally, you must be proficient in using SQL and familiar with the mysqldump command to achieve the desired results. By running the mysqldump command, you can generate an SQL file containing a list of SQL commands that will create an exact copy of the database.

Before starting the process, make sure you have the following essential details:

Database username.
Database name.
Database password.

To export a database over SSH, follow these assertive and simplified steps:

Log in using SSH.
By default, you will be in the home directory of your hosting account. If you wish to export the database to a specific folder, navigate to the desired directory using SSH commands.
In the folder where you want to export the database, execute the following command: mysqldump -uMYSQL_USERNAME -p DATABASE_NAME > FILE.SQL You can choose any name for the SQL file. For example: mysqldump -uarmada_user -p armada_database > backup.sql
Enter the database password when prompted. The export process will start and may take a few seconds to minutes depending on the database size. Once the command finishes, your terminal will return to its default position, displaying something similar to: [user@host ~]$ This indicates that the export is complete.

What are WordPress excerpts?

A WordPress excerpt serves as a concise overview of an extended article, frequently employed as a substitute on the blog index and archives pages, mitigating the necessity of presenting the complete content of each individual post.

To illustrate, exhibiting the complete content of ten posts, each comprising 1,000 words, would culminate in a staggering aggregate of approximately 10,000 words on your blog listing pages, forming an insurmountable textual barrier for the majority of users.

Excerpts enable you to streamline this process by featuring succinct summaries rather than the unabridged text of each post.

What is the mechanism behind the generation of WordPress Excerpts

There exist two viable approaches through which WordPress can generate excerpts for your posts:

Automated Approach: By default, WordPress procures excerpts by extracting the initial 55 words from a post.
Manual Approach: By making a minor adjustment, you have the ability to manually modify the text to be employed as the excerpt for each post.

The distinct advantage of the manual method lies in its liberating nature, as it permits you to surpass the confines of solely utilizing the introductory text of a post. You gain the freedom to craft a comprehensive summary, should you so desire.

WordPress vs Blogger

According to Envisage Digital, a remarkable 37% of all websites on the internet harness the power of WordPress. WordPress transcends the realm of a mere blogging platform, offering immense suitability for individuals seeking more than a mere digital diary. It proves exceptionally advantageous for those desiring absolute command over their website’s aesthetics or seeking formidable add-ons that can be seamlessly integrated throughout the site.

It is crucial to acknowledge the existence of two distinct “versions” of WordPress: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.com serves as the hosted variant, enabling effortless registration and immediate utilization. Opting for the free rendition grants a WordPress subdomain, accompanied by an ostentatious banner endorsing WordPress at the apex, and severely limited customization options. This configuration might prove ideal for individuals seeking a simple blog, albeit necessitating the quest for a likable template and its subsequent customization. Alternatively, one can opt for a personalized domain name and the eradication of the banner, yet it remains vital to recognize that this remains a hosted solution, effectively denying access to the backend files of one’s blog.

Conversely, WordPress.org serves as the repository from which one can freely download the files necessary for independent website construction within their chosen hosting provider. Embracing WordPress entails a potential time investment for setup, as well as a rudimentary understanding of CSS, HTML, and file management. Although WordPress can be acquired without cost, securing a suitable hosting provider becomes imperative, granting the ability to administer files, establish databases, and so forth. Even with the most rudimentary configuration, a few hours are likely to be devoted to establishing a fully functional environment. While undeniably potent, I would not readily endorse WordPress for the sole purpose of blogging.

Blogger

Blogger, an offering from the esteemed house of Google, represents an outstandingly free blogging tool. Familiarity may also arise with the name Blogspot, given that the provision of a blog imparts a Blogspot subdomain. Despite any negative perception it may encounter, this tool proves exemplary for the realm of blogging. For those well-versed in CSS and HTML, the creation of visually captivating and professionally rendered websites becomes an attainable feat. Alternatively, one may choose from a selection of basic templates and commence blogging with ease.

A highly cherished attribute of Blogger lies in its unwavering commitment to bestow upon users the privilege of employing a custom domain, entirely free of charge. While a yoursite.blogspot.com domain may exude an element of informality, individuals in possession of their own domain name will discover Blogger to be an exceptional conduit for sharing their creations in the digital sphere. Personally, I abstained from selecting Blogger due to the scarcity of available subdomains and my desire to align myself with a more professional environment. However, if your objective primarily revolves around establishing a blog, Blogger emerges as a faultless choice worthy of consideration!

Conclusion

In summary, the choice between Medium, WordPress, and Blogger hinges upon your specific requirements. Opting for Blogger would be ideal if you simply seek a casual, cost-free blogging experience. Conversely, if you aspire to engage in a writers’ community while presenting a formal aesthetic, Medium should be your preferred option. Should you desire a more intricate platform resembling a website rather than a mere blog, WordPress shall undoubtedly prove to be an invaluable companion.

It is my sincere hope that this article provides valuable guidance to those contemplating the initiation of a blog, yet remain uncertain regarding the appropriate platform selection. Regardless of the chosen avenue, the paramount objective should always revolve around deriving pleasure from the endeavor.

Nurture the content lifecycle, and watch your outcomes flourish.

As marketers, our paramount duty lies in ensuring the optimal vitality of our content.

Although words and graphics lack the ability to respire like plants, content still demands its own form of nourishment and refinement to yield the outcomes that sustain and invigorate brands. The apprehension of disappointing and inadvertently extinguishing this vitality resonates deeply, as I cannot fathom a single marketer who aspires to bear the responsibility of a flawed content strategy.

This concern becomes even more personal when we contemplate the countless hours and resources invested in crafting top-notch content. We aspire for more than mere moments in the limelight before embarking on the arduous process anew.

Do not despair: possessing a green thumb is not a prerequisite for content marketing. By adeptly managing the lifecycles of our content, we can ensure the maximal realization of its potential and savor all the accompanying rewards.

What precisely is signified by the content lifecycle?

In the realm of digital content, traversing the stages of ideation, creation, and distribution is an undeniable imperative. These stages collectively constitute the vibrant content lifecycle, embodying its inception, progression, and culmination. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the intricacies of this narrative diverge across various content types. Although the archival and deletion of content may occasionally prove essential, it remains an everlasting cycle, driven by the ceaseless urge to forge novel creations and the immense value inherent in revitalizing existing content.

Consider this blog as an example. It emerged as a mere notion and gradually transformed into a more concrete concept through meticulous content planning and meticulous keyword research. Subsequently, it assumed the form of a blog and underwent publication on our website, followed by strategic promotion across multiple platforms. Over time, we may introduce fresh ideas and incorporate high-performing keywords to revitalize its appeal and recapture your attention. In fact, it may even extend its reach to encompass social media posts and compelling graphics, thereby encompassing the entire content lifecycle topic. Should our readers harbor a vehement distaste for it, we might entertain the possibility of removing it from our site in due course—though naturally, we sincerely hope such a decision won’t come to pass in the foreseeable future.

How does this factor into our content management strategy?

Content lifecycle management can be likened to tending to a garden in your professional domain. It involves overseeing and guiding the progression of every piece of content through its various stages. Achieving this entails meticulous coordination to determine the path to content realization, including setting timelines and identifying the key stakeholders involved at each step.

For organizations that produce content at a large scale, establishing a repeatable and centralized process becomes paramount. In fact, this is where enterprise content management comes into play. It enables sizable enterprises to establish a unified business workflow for content lifecycle management that aligns with strategic objectives, brand guidelines, as well as regulatory requirements, and security concerns.

Irrespective of a company’s size, a robust content management strategy emerges from collaborating with teams well-versed in strategic marketing approaches and leveraging appropriate technology to automate a significant portion of the process.

The Stages of the Content Lifecycle

Irrespective of the excellence of your content management strategy, the absence of a clearly delineated content creation process would render it futile. This process is not only indispensable for attaining your marketing objectives, such as enhancing website traffic, establishing brand recognition, fostering engagement, and garnering audience confidence, but it is also a vital aspect of your content management endeavors.

Undoubtedly, you will customize the processes to align with your unique requirements and brand identity; however, your content workflow is likely to encompass the following stages:

Stage 1: Cultivate the Potential

Familiarize yourself with the established procedure: Conduct thorough research, ascertain your objectives, formulate a comprehensive content strategy, and engage in ideation once a clear direction has been established. Prioritize the needs and preferences of your target audience from the outset, allowing you to craft content that effectively addresses their inquiries and arouses their curiosity.

Stage 2: Create

Summon the writers, designers, and videographers forthwith, for the hour has arrived to nourish the seeds and commence the implementation of your strategy. The phase of content creation serves to breathe life into your website, incorporating a captivating amalgamation of diverse content formats, impeccably infused with the distinctive brand essence and aesthetic that elicit both user recognition and unwavering confidence.

Stage 3: Publish

Once the content attains its state of preparedness, promptly allocate it a domicile within the confines of your esteemed website. Prudently note that certain digital assets possess the capacity to reside concurrently on multiple platforms, exemplified by a graphic tastefully integrated within a blog post and subsequently disseminated across various social channels. Upon accomplishing the laudable act of publication, your content shall, with any luck, burgeon magnificently and duly stimulate the coveted levels of interaction.

Stage 4: Promote

The presence of your digital content on your website notwithstanding, it is imperative that your esteemed audience is duly cognizant of its existence. At this juncture, deploying your promotion strategies shall undoubtedly yield prodigious results, including but not limited to the dissemination of email newsletters and the propagation of social media posts, both of which shall elevate the visibility and recognition of your novel content.

P.S. We would be remiss not to mention that our esteemed blog boasts an entire section exclusively dedicated to the intricacies of content distribution, wherein an abundance of knowledge awaits your perusal.

Stage 5: Analyze

Leverage sophisticated analytical tools such as Google Analytics to assess the efficacy of your content. Evaluate vital metrics encompassing page views, web traffic, conversion rates, and newsletter subscriptions to discern effective strategies and identify areas that require fortification. Moreover, this pivotal stride within the content management procedure can enlighten subsequent courses of action to be pursued in the ensuing phase.

Stage 6: Repurpose, refresh, repromote

It is now imperative to adopt a “Lion King” approach to your content strategy. This pivotal stage demands that you unfurl the full potential of your content, enabling it to inspire a subsequent surge of exemplary blogs, captivating graphics, and other esteemed content marketing luminaries. Content marketing is not a mere set-it-and-forget-it endeavor. To extract the utmost value from your dedicated time and exertion in content creation, a paramount content repurposing workflow assumes primacy. Allow me to elucidate a few illustrative instances:

Imbue blogs with rejuvenated keywords to bolster their search ranking.
Transform esteemed blog posts into captivating videos, enlightening podcasts, captivating social media entries, informative infographics, and other forms of distinguished content.
Artfully infuse statistical data and impactful assertions from extensive content pieces into concise social media entries, duly linking to their original source, as a matter of course.
Refresh and disseminate updated content across multiple platforms.
Aggregate content into comprehensive compendiums.

By embracing the practices of refreshing, repurposing, and repromoting, you will unlock the potential for continued impact and relevance, thus fostering a lasting resonance within your target audience.

Stage 7: Prune

Imbue blogs with rejuvenated keywords to bolster their search ranking. Transform esteemed blog posts into captivating videos, enlightening podcasts, captivating social media entries, informative infographics, and other forms of distinguished content. Artfully infuse statistical data and impactful assertions from extensive content pieces into concise social media entries, duly linking to their original source, as a matter of course. Refresh and disseminate updated content across multiple platforms. Aggregate content into a comprehensive compendium. By embracing the practices of refreshing, repurposing, and repromoting, you will unlock the potential for continued impact and relevance, thus fostering a lasting resonance within your target audience.

Let your content live on

The key imperative at hand is to acknowledge the profound impact your content can yield throughout its existence. Refrain from permitting the content’s life cycle to languish once it has been disseminated. Rather, cultivate a meticulously devised content management strategy that incessantly scrutinizes, revitalizes, and reintroduces your content. By doing so, both yourself and your esteemed audience shall extract the utmost value from its untapped potential.

What are Canonical URLs?

SEO holds great significance for every website, including online stores. Canonical URLs play a vital role in safeguarding your client’s website against penalties from search engines and ensuring robust SEO. They serve the purpose of preventing confusion among search engines when multiple URLs lead to the same content or webpage, and assist in identifying URLs with identical or closely related content.

Whether you possess prior knowledge of canonical URLs or are encountering the term “rel=canonical” for the first time, this article will provide you with comprehensive information. By understanding these details, you will be able to optimize your client’s online store effectively for search engines. Let’s delve into the subject.

What is a canonical URL? A canonical URL, commonly known as a canonical tag, refers to an HTML link element present in the <head> section of your client’s webpage. It includes the attribute rel=”canonical” and serves the purpose of specifying the preferred URL to search engines.

In essence, the canonical URL element provides instructions to Google and other search engines regarding website crawling and indexing of a particular page’s content. This is crucial due to the potential existence of various URL variations that may deliver identical or similar content. The specification for canonical URLs was introduced in April 2012 and is extensively covered in RFC 6596.

Consider the following URLs as examples:

Although these URLs may point to the same homepage content of the website, they possess slight variations. This situation can pose challenges for search engines since they cannot determine with certainty which page should be regarded as the primary source of information.

Put simply, if you have a webpage that is accessible through multiple URLs or if you have different pages with similar content (e.g., separate versions for mobile and desktop), it is important to explicitly specify to the search engine which URL should be considered as the authoritative or canonical version of that page.

The consequence:

Canonical URLs serve as a safeguard against the pitfalls of “duplicate content” on your website. However, they can often become a source of SEO nightmares if Google mistakenly identifies the wrong canonical URL.

If you have observed the disappearance of certain pages from Google’s search results, despite fulfilling all of Google’s requirements, it is likely because Google has erroneously associated an irrelevant canonical URL with your content. This situation can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when you are actively attempting to drive traffic to a specific page on your site.

If you find yourself in this predicament, wondering why Google fails to select the correct dominant URL for your page, this article offers comprehensive solutions to address these concerns. Continue reading to discover the most effective remedies for this issue.

2. Historical dot

The revelation initially surfaced through a webmaster’s account in the Google Webmaster Help forums. The webmaster detected the disappearance of numerous pages from Google listings and attributed it to Google’s misselection of an inaccurate canonical URL for certain pages, suspecting it to be the fundamental cause of the issue. The specific error observed in the Google Search Console was denoted as “Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical.”

In his explanation, the webmaster elucidated, “The predicament lies in the fact that the two pages are dissimilar, and the canonical URL chosen by Google does not align with the user’s preferred canonical URL.”

John Mueller of Google acknowledged the issue in the forum, affirming that it is a recognized problem that the team is actively addressing. In the interim, he advised webmasters to employ the rel=”canonical” link element to explicitly designate the appropriate canonical version of each page to Google.

Should you encounter this issue, it is imperative to inspect your Google Search Console account for any occurrences of “Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical” errors. Subsequently, you can utilize the rel=”canonical” link element on your pages to ensure Google’s accurate selection of the canonical URL. However, if the same error persists, an elusive factor may be at fault.

Optimized SEO content writing yields tangible outcomes.

In the realm of effective SEO, practices such as keyword stuffing, insufficient keyword research, superficial content, and other ineffective tactics should firmly be relegated to the annals of history. Leading search engines such as Google and Bing employ intricate algorithms meticulously designed to distinguish pertinent and captivating content from blatant endeavors to “trick” search engine rankings, devoid of any consideration for reader requirements. Consequently, employing outdated SEO techniques can inflict harm upon your brand’s search visibility, tarnishing your reputation in the eyes of potential customers.

Present-day, top-notch SEO copywriting demands a skillful approach and necessitates a purposeful execution. To secure a favorable position in your targeted search engine results pages (SERPs), your writing must fulfill the following criteria:

Thoroughly and comprehensively address the topic at hand. Provide answers to a myriad of reader inquiries. Effectively communicate with the intended audience, employing industry-specific terminology where applicable, and maintaining an appropriate reading level. Be structured in a manner that can be readily understood by search engines, encompassing the use of meta descriptions, suitable headings (H1, H2, etc.), and other subheadings.

Each woracious.com content writer undergoes comprehensive training in the latest SEO best practices. They adeptly incorporate cutting-edge SEO content writing techniques tailored to augment your online presence within the United Kingdom, while catering to the preferences and needs of your readers. Blending the realms of journalism, creative writing, and digital marketing expertise, our writers work in close collaboration with strategists and consultants to ensure every piece of online content strikes the right chord.

Nonetheless, even the most accomplished content writer does not toil in isolation. Your dedicated SEO team provides unwavering support throughout the process, from keyword research and content strategy to asset creation. They craft engaging material that resonates with target audiences and secures favorable rankings on SERPs. Your brand deserves meticulously crafted high-quality web content that thrives in the UK search market and captivates readers, with SEO services acting as the secret ingredient to bring this possibility to life.