No matter what happens in the marketing world, one of the most popular questions I get is: How can I boost my SEO?

Well, Google introduced so many massive changes in 2012 that it’s been a lot easier to tell people what NOT to do…

Recently, we’ve stumbled on a few difference-makers that I want to share with you. A few weeks ago, I shared “Two Simple Image SEO Tricks.”

In this Quick Tip, I’m focusing on the old fashioned written word; and how most of us are shooting ourselves in the foot — all because of what we’re not doing!

AuthorRank and YOU

Over the past year, you may have noticed that Google has been making noise about something called Google Authorship (read more about it here on Driving Traffic). Authorship is how Google wants to track your specific content — how many people read it, engage with it, etc.

It’s one piece of a massive push to rank each author in terms of quality, just like Google ranks sites. That is, soon you may have an “author score.”

SEO gurus are referring to this as “AuthorRank,” although you don’t need to be Dostoyevsky to get one. In fact, all you need to do is write and publish words on the internet (as I’m assuming that a lot of you do) and Google will now rank you as an “author.”

Kinda intimidating, right? Don’t worry, it’s not designed to penalize you if you write boring articles.

Here’s how Google chief Eric Schmidt describes the goal of this ranking system: “It would be useful if we had strong identity so we could weed (spammers) out.” Makes sense, no?

Own Your Authorship

If you’ve read a lot of my articles and newsletters, you know that I’m a big fan of giving Google exactly what it wants whenever possible. This is big for two reasons:

First, as a marketer that wants to grab tons of organic search traffic, you’re going to need to get on board with Google. Second, you don’t want to get on Google’s bad side, believe me.

The best way to do this is to own your content. Do this by verifying your Google Authorship. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Here’s how:

• You need an email address on your site’s domain (i.e. “Javier@flyingmonkey.com” if you post on FlyingMonkey.com).
• Verify your email address on the Google Authorship page.
• Make sure your Google Plus profile name matches your byline.
• Add the sites you write for to the “Contributor To” section of your Google Plus profile.
• Add this piece of code to the bio on your website: <a href=”[Your G+ Profile URL]?rel=author”>Google</a>

Don’t worry if your author thumbnail doesn’t appear on Google search results immediately. Like any other form of SEO, it takes time to work.

Focus on Quality

Now that Google is ranking YOU as an author, it’s time to up your game.

Post the best, most helpful content you possibly can on high quality sites. Write first drafts, then improve. Here’s a great article all about the quest to improve yourself as a writer.

At all times, keep in mind that Google is trying to promote high-quality content. Distinguish yourself as an influential, high-quality author… one whose content gets shares, Likes, and +1s.

Find the best blogs in your niche/industry and seek out guest posting opportunities. Guest blogging is a great way to build your Author Rank, just make sure and stick to high quality sites.

Got something to add? Share your experiences with Google Authorship… Leave me a comment!

Talk soon,

Ryan