What Is
Semantic Web Optimization
Everyone
wants to be number one. With the advent of search engines this need has
multiplied and become a veritable science. So then what on earth are 'semantic
searches' or even 'semantic optimization'?
It's All
About Semantics
Semantics
is basically the study of meaning. It focuses on words-- the signifiers-- and
their relation to whatever they stand for-- their denotation. To learn more, visit
When it
comes to search engines, this makes sense. The engine needs to be able to
interpret the intent and context behind whatever the searcher wants to see,
based on the words that were used to search for it. This means that the search
engine tries to think logically as to what it is that you want.
The
Semantic Search Problem
As an
example, if you were to search for information on how to create pamphlets and
only use the word and spelling 'flyer', Google does something interesting. On
the first position you might get the most recent results for the Philadelphia
Flyers hockey team, albeit this has nothing to do with what you were actually
searching for.
This is due
to semantics: Google had to guess what you wanted, and since 'flyer' is not
such a common spelling when it comes to pamphlets, it assumed based on a
probability calculation that you were looking for the hockey team instead.
The above
example demonstrates the problem a lot of sites face: your site may offer flier
designs, but due to semantics, you did not even show up in the search results.
Semantic
Site Optimization
This means
a site needs to be optimized as much as possible to handle this issue and help
the search engines deliver the semantic results.
Try to
consider all the variables and possible search terms and use them in your site.
Using the above example, this may mean that you have to include the word and
spelling 'flyer' on your pages, along with 'flier', 'pamphlet', 'design
services', and what have you. Do a few test searches yourself using varying
synonyms, modifiers, supporting terms, even misspellings, etc, and see what kind
of results you get.
Once you
know exactly what kind of signifiers or keywords your site represents, use them
in the content, and titles. Don't forget to place them in h1/h2/h3 tags.
Optimizing
your site to SEO semantics doesn't guarantee your site will always come out on
top. There are a wide range of SEO methods and semantic optimization is just
one of them.
Ranking
high is the best way for your site to stay on top. Everything else is just
semantics.
Then what
on earth are 'semantic searches' or even 'semantic optimization'?
The engine
needs to be able to interpret the intent and context behind whatever the
searcher wants to see, based on the words that were used to search for it. Try
to consider all the variables and possible search terms and use them in your
site. Do a few test searches yourself using varying synonyms, modifiers,
supporting terms, even misspellings, etc, and see what kind of results you get.
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