Getting High Rankings in MSN Search - Keywords Hold the Keys to MSN
(Page 3 of 4 )
With keywords being so vastly important to MSN, it’s essential to explore the many ways that you can use judicious keyword placement techniques. The MSN algorithm rewards a heavier level of keyword density than does the Google search engine. Not only are keywords in the on page copy important but also in the page titles and even the website URL.
In your written on page copy, you can make use of more frequent keyword placement than in Google. It is quite likely that MSN will reward up to triple the keyword density preferred by Google. You have to be careful here, however, as you want to strike a balance between MSN and Yahoo!, which elevate higher keyword density pages and with the lower density levels preferred by Google. Fortunately, there are other ways to do well in MSN without packing your page copy full of your most important keyword phrases.
A proven technique that will offer benefits across all search engines is the wise use of keywords in your page title tags. As with Google and Yahoo!, MSN prefers a separate and unique title for every web page on your site. Include one or two of that page’s most important keywords in the page title. Don’t simply list strings of keywords, however, or the search engines will discount your pages for spam tactics.
The last thing you want for your site is to trigger any sort of filter or be assessed a penalty of any kind. Careful usage of keywords in your title tags will provide benefit in all search engines, not just MSN.
When you create your website URL, it’s important to MSN Search that your Internet address contain your important keywords. While changes are probably impossible for most websites, it is something to consider for the creation of new sites. MSN likes keywords in your URL, but be careful not to overwork them. Judicious use of the most important search phrase within your URL could find real rewards from MSN’s algorithm.
It’s well known in the search engine community that Google’s algorithm gives only very minimal weight to meta tags. On the other hand, the Yahoo! search engine seems to value them fairly well. As with Yahoo!, the MSN algorithm appears to place some solid weight on the use of meta tags. To take full advantage of meta tag use, be sure to have some unique meta tags for every page. Do not use the same meta tags for all of your web pages.
Use only the three to five most important meta tags for that web page. Make certain that those meta tags actually appear as keywords on that page as well. Any use of meta tag keywords that have no connection to the web page will probably be counterproductive and result in lower search rankings.
Be certain to have an accurate site description in place. MSN appears to place importance on that factor. Be sure the meta description tags accurately reflect the content and are not simply keyword stuffing in disguise. If all of your on page content, including copy, alt tags, descriptions, titles, and page headers match, your page will do well in MSN’s rankings. In other words, giving each page individual attention will pay off for you.
Next: Off Page Optimization Factors for MSN >>
More MSN Optimization Articles
More By Wayne Hurlbert
/ 31 
