How To Find Hidden SEO Opportunities On Twitter

Even though the importance of choosing the best words for every tweet and bio has probably been discussed at length on Search Engine Land and others, paying attention to exactly how these carefully chosen keywords can be used is the second half of the equation. There are many places on Twitter that may be the […]

Chat with SearchBot

Even though the importance of choosing the best words for every tweet and bio has probably been discussed at length on Search Engine Land and others, paying attention to exactly how these carefully chosen keywords can be used is the second half of the equation.

There are many places on Twitter that may be the last thing to think about when it comes to starting a Twitter account. However, because Bing and Google now count tweets, Facebook posts, and other social media activity in their search results, search engine optimization is more important than ever.

The SEO’d Twitter Profile

The profile is the starting point to any successful profile. Incorporate as many keywords as possible, because when a Twitter profile shows up in search results, Google will sometimes use the bio portion of the profile for the description. Utilize the best keywords available by creating a list of specialties or services.

bloomberg twitter bio

As you can see from Mayor Bloomberg’s bio, he lists his main interests and job responsibilities and makes himself easy to find. And even though his most important and obvious title, Mayor of New York City, is what most people know him as, listing his other interests will make his bio show up in other bio search results by users who most likely weren’t searching for him Mayor Bloomberg specifically.

SEO Your Hashtags

Hashtags are an easy way to implement keywords. Marketing campaigns now create customized keywords for events and many people add keywords at the end of their tweet. This is useful when the blog title or content you are sharing doesn’t list any relevant topic keywords.

Including hashtags that are broader and name the industry may make tweets easier to find. Additionally, naming specifics as hashtags in generic titles can also help. A good example would be an article titled, “Search Engine Traffic Metrics for 2011 https://URL.com #google #bing #ask”

google hashtag

Additionally, utilizing the important words that are already in a tweeted blog title or message can save character space.

hashtags in tweets

Try to choose hashtags that are the most important keywords in the tweet and overall content that is being promoted. Hashtags make it easy to search by topic and will increase search result frequency and relevancy to the target audience.

Vanity Links

When it comes to SEO, sometimes simply tweeting the pre-defined blog post and URL may not be enough to get the clicks, traffic, and re-tweets that it deserves. Using custom vanity links from services such as Bit.Ly Pro and Cli.gs that allow for custom endings can help incorporate keywords into shortened URLs, which may hold SEO value.

While there is no concrete proof that these shortened links can lead to being shown in search results, doesn’t https://cli.gs/10-top-seo-blogs look a lot better than https://cli.gs/b453jfwhy?

Twitter Lists

Lists are also another area where it doesn’t hurt to incorporate SEO. When creating lists of Twitter users, use keyword rich list titles, especially since these appear on your profile. Be sure to put dashes between words:

Twitter List Examples

My lists use dashes and are quick to the point. Lists with run-on words, such as “ignitesocialmedia”, are harder to read. Also, avoid slang and shortened words such as “junkies” and “tech”— these words aren’t searched for often.

Bios, hashtags, lists and customized links are all easy ways to incorporate SEO techniques into Twitter. While some have been proven to work, such as keyword-rich bios and keywords in tweets, these other areas could stand to get more attention SEO-wise from Google and Bing and will continue to rise in importance.


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Kelsey Jones
Contributor
Kelsey Jones runs her own social media and search marketing business, The Social Robot, where she helps clients grow their online presence. She was voted one of the top 100 marketers of the year by Invesp in 2009 and has worked for Yelp, Run.com, and Bounty Towels. Check her out at http://thesocialrobot.com and on Twitter: @wonderwall7

Get the must-read newsletter for search marketers.