User Generated Content and SEO (Part 1)

Whether you love or hate the phrase “Web 2.0″ you have to admit one thing…  The move toward more participatory websites has really changed the Internet’s landscape.  Interactivity was once a novelty.   The rise of comment opportunities, user pages and other opportunities has made it pretty commonplace.

And, on balance, that’s good news.  All of those tools and mechanisms designed to allow and encourage site visitors to add their two cents to the conversation has created an opening both for better user experiences and superior SEO.

Yes, SEO.  User generated content can be a real asset to the smart webmaster.  It can increase search traffic substantially and in ways that don’t contradict or overlap with your primary SEO objectives.  

The story starts with an old adage.  Content is king.  Admittedly, arguments still rate over whether content trumps linking and good on-page design, but the core of the position is sound.  If you want to experience the best possible SEO, you better have content.  And the more you have (assuming it’s the right stuff), the better off you are.

Historically, you built your content base by doing one of two things.  You either wrote a lot of material or you paid someone to write for you.  Both of those core techniques are still important and they still work very well.  But now there’s a third option–UGC.

While you build a site that provides value to users, your users can interact with the site in a way that builds value for you.  How’s that for a great symbiotic relationship?

Over the next few posts here at SEM Scoop, we’ll be examining UGC and how you can make it a functioning part of your search engine optimization.  We’re also going to take the time to discuss the risks (where there’s a reward, there’s a risk) associated with UGC.  Stay tuned!