How often do you consider keywords when tweeting?
Starting this week, you'll want to include many more keywords in tweets than you did before. Google and Twitter are teaming up. Now, tweets and Twitter accounts will be featured on Google search results. They're rolling the feature out exclusively on mobile browsers and through the Google app. The desktop version will be debuting soon.
If you play your cards right, this new feature has the potential to boost your organic search traffic dramatically.
Check out what it looks like. Tweets — and Twitter accounts — related to Google search terms are featured front and center. Since they're much more visually appealing than the block of texts that follow, they're guaranteed to grab your audience's short attention span.
Images: Google
This means keyword optimization needs to be a part of your Twitter strategy.
The importance of search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) varies for every business and industry. Hop onto Google Analytics and see what keywords are driving your organic traffic. Then, check how many of those customers are converting.
Often, customers from search traffic convert at a higher rate than other sources. Customers finding you through searches are actively looking for what you have to offer. So go ahead and note the most popular keywords customers are currently using to find your site.
And take this opportunity to discover new keywords using Google's Keyword Planner. Map out the new keywords you should integrate on Twitter. Finally, if you have your eye on a couple big competitors, use a site like Keyword Spy to see what terms and keywords they're using. You should definitely be focusing on those, too.
Moving forward, incorporate these keywords, phrases and search terms into your tweets. I like to keep the list in a Google doc and consult it when I write and schedule tweets for the week. This way, it all stays top of mind.
While you're at it, revamp your Twitter bio. Include the top three keywords in your bio.
Alright! You're well on your way to being found easier on Google through a couple, well-planned tweets. How cool is that?
You can take it a step further, though.
When hashtags are searched on Google, tweets will also be highlighted. This works out magically for you. You should include hashtags in tweets whenever possible since tweets with hashtags are 55 percent more likely to be retweeted.
To make the most of this, watch those trending hashtags each day. Tweeting about current, trending topics is an effective way to get your audience's attention — and appear in Google search results. But before you write that tweet about David Letterman's last show, answer these three questions first.
Finally, see what other popular hashtags are out there in your industry. I've found Hashtags.org works like a dream. Here, you can browse categories, search any hashtag, see the number of tweets per hour and even see what time of the day gets the most traffic.
Google integrating tweets can be a huge boost in organic traffic and even conversions. Go forth and optimize your tweets.
