Arielle | @_ArielleHope

SEO, I’m sure you’ve heard, is an acronym for “search engine optimization”.  It is an important aspect of making your site easy for search engines to understand how your site can be useful to consumers. By understanding the limitations and capabilities of search engines, SEO properly allows you to format and regulate your web content in a way that search engines can grasp.

So what tools can you use to improve your SEO? Try LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social media network with over 175 million users. LinkedIn provides you with a service that enhances your ability to exchange ideas, opportunities, and other information with broad network of professionals.Using LinkedIn provides a credibility that most people look for when Googling, or researching a certain person or topic.

With LinkedIn you can customize your URL with your name. This creates a better chance for your profile to rank with searched because search engines do look at key words in URLs. You should also make sure you complete your LinkedIn profile. It won’t help your search engine rank if your profile is completed with key words your want associated with your name.

Don’t be afraid of adding your entire work history. There may be individuals looking you up by previous jobs you have had. This is especially important if you have a pretty common name like, John Smith.

Joining a group related to your line of work is also very important. Not only does it give you a chance to network with colleagues, but it also allows search engines to associate your name with the group in searches.

Another important tool for improving your SEO with LinkedIn is to customize the links on your profile. Instead of using the generic “My Website” link change it to your company’s name. This can increase your rank if someone looks up your company.

SEO can be tricky if you don’t know how to use all of its benefits. Finding the right tools on the right social media sites can significantly improve your rankings on search engines. You may not be at the very top at first, but continually update your sites and you could see your name rank at number one on Google someday.