3.6 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

  • Search Engine Optimization is about trying to make a site or page appear high on a list of search results by providing accurate and appropriate information to search engines about the webpage.
  • Search engines crawl a website and index all the content they find, then companies like Google or Bing use complex algorithms to determine order in which a webpage is displayed on a search engine results page (SERP).

What are Search Engines Looking For?

  • Content: the text on the page, the titles, and the descriptions.
  • Performance: How fast is the website and is it functioning properly?
  • Authority: Is site content good enough to link to by other sites, do other websites reference the content?
  • User Experience: How does the site look, is navigation easy, is it safe, do folks come to one page and then leave?
  • Mobile: Is the page viewable on mobile devices?

Want to Learn More?

There are hundreds, if not thousands of resources for writing on the web; some are good and some are not so good. If you want to learn more, search the web for Search Engine Optimization and discover a multitude of ways to improve and enhance web content.

Some great resources are:

What a Web Content Coordinator Can Do

  • Title: Provide unique title tags that accurately describe the content on the webpage.

    • Optimal format: Primary keyword – Secondary keyword | UNG

    • Optimal Length: 55 characters, try not to exceed 75

    • The "-" and "|" are okay from an accessibility standpoint. Screen readers will read "-" as dash, and "|" as vertical bar.

    • For more details visit the Moz Title Tag web page

  • Description: Provide a unique short, but informative description of the content on the webpage. Think of this as advertising for a webpage on search engine result pages. Keep the description between 150-160 characters, if it is too long the search engines won't include all of it on the results page.
  • Header: The header gets the heading 1 tag and is heavily weighted by search engines. Headings should accurately describe the content on the webpage.
  • Ensure that the content is accurate and unique. Write original content, check sources to make sure the content is accurate. 
  • Review your content at least twice a semester. Websites that retain their audiences require fresh content. Your unit should develop a schedule for updating content, including photographs.

At the University of North Georgia, we deeply value and uphold the cherished right of every American to freely express themselves. It is a hallmark of our history, our tradition, and permeates our culture. As a distinguished Senior Military College, with a legacy spanning over 150 years, we take great pride in our role of cultivating leaders who tirelessly defend these fundamental freedoms for all citizens.  The legacy of our graduates in this regard is second to none.

As campus leaders, our primary responsibility is to cultivate an academic environment that ensures this exchange of ideas and the safety of our community. Across all five campuses, we are committed to fostering a welcoming atmosphere where individuals feel empowered to freely express themselves and engage in exploration and learning. However, it is essential that these rights are exercised in a manner that upholds our academic mission, preserves the safety of all, and is in accordance with our institutional policies, without unlawful behavior. This means breaking the law, harassment, intimidation, trespassing, violence, and other criminal acts will not be tolerated at the University of North Georgia.

Together, let's uphold the principles of respect, understanding, and civility as we equip our students to walk toward their purpose.

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