Getting your company’s Facebook page or blog to rank well on Google’s search engine is no easy task. The Facebook social network will hardly improve your SEO. However, it’s an excellent way of generating traffic. And Google will take that into account. Here’s how it works.
Optimize the content of your Facebook page
First and foremost, you need to optimize your Facebook page if you want it to appear in a Google search. Here’s our advice.
Fill in all the fields on your page
Don’t leave any field empty and remember to integrate your keywords, in priority, on :
- Your page title
- Your page URL
- A description of your blog or company in the “About” section
- Put a cover photo
Don’t forget the other fields. Remember to fill in as much information as possible:
Tutorial: How to create a Facebook page
- Contact details
- Company information (date founded, mission, etc.)
- The rewards
- Legal information
- Etc.
Did you know?
You can create a personalized URL for your Facebook page. To do so, go to http://www.facebook.com/username. Select the page you wish to modify, then enter the new name you’ve chosen.
Use keyword variants
The “History” field is an interesting way of integrating your keyword(s), as well as variants. By broadening the lexical field used, you cover more of the queries associated with your field of activity. This gives your page a better chance of appearing on the results page of the Facebook search engine, and therefore getting more traffic. Any words that relate to the lexical field of your service or product are good to use. Integrate them subtly into the “Story” area of your Facebook page. For example, if your company offers an electric bike rental service, consider using the keyword “VAE” (electrically-assisted bicycle) in this descriptive space too.
How do I find the right keywords?
To find out more about this question, discover how to build a good keyword strategy.
So much for the on-page optimization of your Facebook page.
Long-term links and likes
The second step is to create an active community around your Facebook page.
Links and backlinks
The reputation of a web page or site in Google’s eyes depends in part on backlinks. The more links you integrate into your site, the more seriously Google will take you, and the more likely you are to appear on the first page of search results. Provided, of course, that your site or Facebook page offers interesting content.
It’s what can make the difference with your competitors, who are certainly using the same keywords as you.
Here are a few tips for integrating backlinks:
- Create a Facebook icon on your website “Find us on Facebook”.
- If you’re used to interacting on forums, always sign your posts and replies with a signature that includes a link to your Facebook page.
- Ask other friendly blogs to include your link (via an interview, for example).
- Create a Twitter, Instagram, FlickR account and integrate your Facebook link.
- Post tutorials and create your own Youtube channel in your company’s name, with your Facebook link of course.
- Create infographics that add real value to your community (statistics, tutorials, etc.)
- Always include your Facebook page and website links in all your web interactions!
- Optimize your website publications for social networks by integrating the OpenGraph tag. This tag, originally designed for social networks and Facebook in particular, has gained such importance that search engines can no longer ignore it.
Build community and engagement on your Facebook page
Focus on creating an active community interested in the content you offer. By earning as many “Likes” as possible and creating engagement on your page, Google and Facebook see that what you’re proposing is serious and interesting.
Indeed, the page’s engagement rate is a quality criterion for Facebook(number of subscribers, “likes”, comments, shares on your publications, etc.). To interest your readers, you need to :
- Make your publications “public”, so that they’re also accessible to those who don’t follow you.
- Use your keywords in your publications, as well as hashtags.
- Publish regularly and at the right times. On average, your posts will get more views between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Don’t post before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on this social network.
- Find angles of attack that invite comments. Be punchy, surprise your visitor. To do this, use short sentences and play on emotion (shock, astonishment, etc.).
- Use only quality images and error-free text. Don’t forget that your content reflects your company’s image!
Good to know
Posting is no longer enough to be seen on the social media that is Facebook! For some years now, only the most relevant posts have been displayed on users’ News Feed. To have a chance of your post being included, it needs to create a buzz, and above all you need to post regularly.
In conclusion
In Google’s algorithm, the number of likes or engagement on a Facebook page is not directly taken into account. As you know, pleasing Google isn’t easy! The most effective way to increase your ranking in the search results is to optimize your website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
On this subject, discover
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However, working on your Facebook page and its content is an asset. It helps build traffic to your page, and in turn to your website. If you follow these tips, your Facebook page will gradually rise in Google’s search results:
- Optimize the content of your Facebook page, leaving no stone unturned.
- Use your keywords again and again (and their variants!)
- Don’t miss any opportunity toinsert the link to your page on your publications and interactions all over the internet and on other social networks.
- Create a lively community around your page (likes, shares, comments), by regularly posting interesting content.