Want Google to Love Your Hubs? Give 'em a KISS.
81You know how the most powerful ideas are often the simplest? That describes the realisation that’s finally dawned on me (actually, woke me up in the middle of the night, not that I'm obsessed at all..), about how to improve Google rankings and increase traffic for online articles.
Here it is:
Write for the lowest common denominator, not the smartest.
Which means, instead of the well-known KISS formula (Keep It Simple, Stupid.) the way to get Google to love your Hub Pages articles is to; Keep It Short, for the Simple.
Get in. Get done. Get out. Fast.
I suspect a lot of successful article writers understand this, but they're keeping it to themselves. Probably to avoid giving offence to their readers. You think I'm joking? Wait until the end. All will be revealed, and you too, will see the light.
Meantime, it's also interesting that this revelation does not sit well with either the published HubPages Standards and Parameters, nor their proclaimed ‘Quality equals Success’ formula that are each drummed into every new Hubber arriving bright-eyed and breathless, ready to set the online content writing world on fire – and make a fortune in the process.
Disclaimer: Before we go any further, I have a firm view, expressed and explained in a separate HubPages article, that ‘real money’ and ‘online content’, can’t reasonably appear together in the same sentence. Unless you live in a world where a few cents a day is ‘real money’ enough to provide the comforts and rewards you desire, perhaps even deserve. But there are alternatives for talented writers, where dross and drivel don’t get between you and the dollars, because money changes hands based on the effectiveness of your work itself – not the effectiveness (or non....) of the online environment in which you choose to place it.
No point in labouring that any further here, although if ‘real money' is your motivation, I’d recommend you read it later.
So, why are we here?
The purpose of this piece is to explore the gulf (gaze into the abyss?) between what HubPages tells us Google is looking for in articles; and what (I believe) Google really seeks to find.
Up until now, I've invested huge amounts of time into my Hub Pages articles , researching, writing, crafting, finessing my heart out, aiming for quality, not quantity (would have liked to say quality and quantity, but I haven’t had that many strong and unique ideas..), and I share the frustration of many others at the way we’re constantly told that ‘original, content-rich, well-written, informative, engaging work’ is the key to success as a HubPages author.
When it’s patently not.
I’m sure it is the key to success for HubPages as a site. Pay nothing at all for millions of pages of inventory, less than peanuts for performance; and as well, benefit from an unstoppable flow of unique / original / engaging / informative.....poorly written / spun / replicated (stolen) ‘work’ pouring in every day.
Take (in every sense of the word) everything that's submitted, in the knowledge that statistically, (actuarially?) there must be a profitable level of quality work buried within all that inflow; then get Hubbers who care about quality to help identify it by flagging dud stuff via the HubHopper. Gratis, of course. Given that process, it’s hard to see how the business model can fail – if you’re the site owner. (See my 'more honest' description of the Hub Pages model in the new graphic above...)
But by HubPages’ own admission (coming up), the writing that I, and many other writers here consider fit for purpose, as per HP’s previously mentioned ‘Hub specs’, is not what really works, if your objective is to earn money for yourself, not just to make a contribution to the lifestyle of the proprietors.
"Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Then tell 'em. Then tell 'em what you just told 'em."
Like KISS, that's another time-tested formula for effectively transferring information, that I thought I'd just throw in for the benefit of those who may not have heard it, and also because it leads nicely into the point of the next paragraph. The point of the whole article, in fact.
The simple reality is that it’s information, not entertainment, that lies at the heart of the successful online article formula. I’ve always understood that, but I’ve been trying to prove (to myself, with the work I’ve so far posted) that just because we’re writing online, or on a farm come to that, these should not need to be mutually exclusive elements; especially since in my past ‘real life’ as a copywriter, one without the other was a fast track to failure. David Ogilvy (famous ad guy, probably too old or not cool enough for many younger readers...) once opined that no-one can be bored into buying something. I still cling to that belief.
The problem this highlights though, is that Google isn’t really looking for the specific quality parameters and standards HP tells us it is. Google can’t tell the difference between 'reader quality', and SEO quality, and doesn’t need to, as long as the focus remains on measuring the right keywords, in only the right places, as the ultimate arbiter of relevance and ranking. (Google-ese for ‘quality’). The kind of artful, skilful ‘stop them and reach them’ writing that draws human readers in, and engages them, is not something Google will ever ‘get’ because Google is driven by algorithms, and we humans are attuned to biorhythms. Machine versus Man.
But, who cares, apart from us unpaid suppliers? Something in the order of 200,000 people genuinely interested in writing for its own sake, and therefore visiting regularly, to read the large volume of onsite work that does achieve those human-driven goals, makes for a satisfactory captive side-market for HP to hustle on its own, even if Google doesn’t give a damn. So, where is the real motivation for HP to change? The world according to Google has challenged the HP business model, but it hasn’t broken the business itself.
The reason I say that HubPages isn’t being totally squeaky with us (‘by their own admission’ as mentioned earlier) came to me when I listened to an HP podcast the other day, about How To Find Topics For Successful Articles. In essence? Find out what thousands need to know, and tell them. But don’t get carried away by esoteric stuff. Just take what’s out there, reshuffle it and make it your own. Keep it simple, basic, ‘evergreen’. “How to’s” are “great.” As an example, the most successful piece “by far” that the guru interviewee (I’m not using names here, check the podcast archive and listen for yourself if you like) has ever written, was a short few, well-chosen words on how to direct dial London from the USA. The article's genesis was the discovery by our guru that (I’m paraphrasing) “Many articles popped up in response to the question, many of them very helpful and informative, but none was tightly focused on that one single ‘London’ query; for instance most had one or two other locations in the same article, thus creating confusion.” Confusion? He can only be referring to Google, please God. If more than one international destination in an article otherwise singularly-focused on international dialling can render a real reader dazed and confused, there’s clearly no place for originality, engagement, or entertainment getting in the way of the ‘tightly-focused’ high-ranking success story that those 'few well-chosen words' represent.
I've included a screen shot of the Hub I think is the one under discussion. (No pictures in a podcast to check.) Note the extreme brevity. Consider how little time it may have taken to 'write'. And, be amazed (if you're like me) that this piece has not only garnered many hundreds of dollars for the Hubber, but has also picked up 18 'usefuls', 3 'funnies', 6 'awesomes' and 8 'beautifuls'. Not to mention a slew of appreciative comments, spanning the three years from initial publication, to just five days ago, as I write.
Anyway, it’s certainly opened my eyes – no more expansive, esoteric, emotional, elegant (I try my best) writing from me. Instead, I’ll have to write about ordinary things that thousands need to know, and Keep It Short, for the Simple. To get down to where the dollars really are, here's the formula we should all be following, if "direct-dialling London" is to be our guide: Content; down. Originality; down. Individuality; down. Common reader denominator level (smarts); down. Uniqueness; absent. This feels so counter-intuitive to me, it must be right. I’m excited already.
Keep this to yourself please, because I haven’t captured the keywords yet, but I’m currently exploring the opportunity for a tightly-focused 100 word article on “How To Cross A Room By Putting One Foot In Front Of The Other. A Simple Step By Step Process, Explained In Words Anyone Can Understand”.
Google’s gonna love it.
.
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Comments on Want Google to Love Your Hubs?Loading...
diogenes, Hi again, thanks for reading and commenting as regularly as you do, I appreciate the feedback.
I agree with you Bob, that neither HP nor Google will change their ways to suit anyone but themselves; but (and I'm sure you agree) I wouldn't expect them to. They're running businesses, not meritocracies. And they've been smart enough to capitalise on the fact that we humans love to have ideas and opinions, and love to express them. Whether we get paid or not. C'est la vie...
Thanks for helping us slow-learners out with this hub. I laughed nearly all the way through it. But I learned from it as well. You're a great writer and I like that you don't mind telling-it-like-it-is. Funny and very helpful hub.
Yep, you've pegged it I think.
Someone figured out that making a living off Adsense revenue would require some 100,000 page views a day. For me, that means poverty! :-)
I'll live in poverty, WillStarr. Well, maybe not. I need to eat. That means I need to work. I love to write. I hate to work. But I'll do what I have to do while I have to do it. writeronline, this hub is awesome, and unfortunately as true as north on a compass. Sad, sad, sad. I'd rather my writing be my work, but it seems that Google is here to assure that for those who write quality, that will never be the case. :-(
inspector fidget
jponiato
WillStarr
Mo,
Excuse me lumping you all in the one "thanks for commenting". But we seem to be equally united in our views, so I hope no-one minds.
I don't think I can bring myself to go down as far as Google wants - especially, as WillStarr says, you need 100,000 page views daily to make those measly few cents. I think I'll just keep on plugging with stuff I'm happy to own up to; maybe Google 2.0 will arrive one day?? You know, when some SEO guru has the revelatory thought that real people reading real stuff might be the real future? Thanks again for commenting, guys.
I think you're onto something here.
Your last paragraph and final sentence made me laugh, albeit in a facetious way.
Thanks for sharing this great article about the frustrations of writing quality content that has little chance of making money under the current system.
As you've pointed out, there are many excellent writers on Hub Pages, and when I find one whose writing I admire I follow them and it greatly enhances my Hub Pages experience, and also my life, as there is such a vast amount of interesting content to explore, and an often lively exchange of ideas.
I try to make my own writing as interesting as possible and I enjoy the opportunity to share it with others and receive feedback from authors whose own work I admire.
But as a means of earning money, the Hub Pages model seems to earn pennies a day for most of the authors (myself included). Thanks for explaining in an entertaining way why that's so.
Hey writeronline, great KISS information in this hub on what to write and how to write it if you want to make Google Adsense money. I really appreciate your sharing information like this with your fellow hubbers.
Your "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Then tell 'em. Then tell 'em what you just told 'em" formula for writing content is pretty close to the slightly more involved "ROPES" method I used for 30+ years to design performance-based (i.e., "how-to") training for adults (it stands for review, overview, present, exercise, summarize). Take out the R and E and they're the same.
I'm going to experiment with this approach and see what kind of results I get, but I'm still gonna write "what I want to write about and how I want to write them" articles because that's what I enjoy doing.
graceomalley
Happyboomernurse
PWalker281
Hi all, thanks for reading, and for commenting. I think we're all agreed about continuing to write the best we can, for all the reasons expressed here in the comments.
But, I'm thinking I might also have a go at some that fit the money-making-model, (assuming I've got that formula right...). As a matter of interest, the podcast guru revealed that the 'Direct dial London' hub had to date generated "about $900.00". That's not exactly retirement funding revenue, but it's a long long way ahead of anything I could contemplate from the work I've so far loaded. And, if you assume that this formula were to be replicated over say, 100 hubs, the maths start to become somewhat more compelling.
I realise it's perhaps ego, but one issue I have comes from this idea of attracting followers; I find myself thinking, "These people are saying they like my work. Doesn't that mean I have an obligation to continue to write to the highest standard I can? What will they think if I start loading simplistic lowest common denominator stuff?" But, I guess if we all understand that we're writing different stuff for different purposes, then we'll forgive each other for that low'level work - especially if any of us are able to subsequently report that we've made actual dollars from it. What do you think?
writeronline, I know I'm not any of the above mentioned individuals, but let me tell you what I think. Write what you write the way you know how to write it. And, do it because you know it's good, or because your readers love it. You're not starving, I'd guess, so honestly, do you want to dumb down your work to make some money? Okay, so $900 isn't chump change, but still...at the end of the day, I'd rather lie down with my integrity in tact, and know that I've contributed something worth my time and the time of my readers than to know that I've made some money. Like I said, my job feeds my body, pays my bills, and keeps my internet on. My writing feeds my soul, and hopefully the souls of others on occasion.
I'd rather write for love than for money, I guess. Sigh. Just my two cents.
I agree and I think many of the best writers on Hub Pages are already doing this. I still respect them and appreciate the quality hubs they still write that are full of heart and wisdom.
Hi Mo, I guess you're right. But, when you look at the apparent 'secret' formula, it's almost like money for nothing....(maybe one should set up a parallel HubPages profile, under a different handle, forget about followers, standards etc, and just write for revenue?)
Anyway, I'm just like you in terms of the 'joy of writing'. Happyboomernurse said it above; "I try to make my own writing as interesting as possible and I enjoy the opportunity to share it with others and receive feedback from authors whose own work I admire."
I've actually been thinking about trying my hand at a short story -(hub-sized short), and that has a lot more appeal...
Nice talking with you, Mo.
You know, I just did that. I wrote a short story that I published as four hubs? It put my hub views up 91.9% this week. Now, granted, none of that traffic came from Google, but it certainly satisfied me that I have readers who have enjoyed my work, you know? The second hub profile doesn't sound like such a bad idea actually. Why not make some cash writing for the folks coming in from Google who don't want the awesome stuff we're already writing. ;-)
Why have I not seen this before? OK, I know the hub is new-- but why have I not recognized the concept?
I have living proof that what you say is true, because I have one hub (out of 100+), that attracts more than half of my searched traffic and a lot of outside comments. It is nowhere near my best writing.
I am anxiously anticipating your "walking across the room" hub and hope to get my "getting out of bed" hub started soon.
Just because you publish a simple hub that's written for the lowest common denominator doesn't necessarily mean you're not offering quality content. I think it depends a lot on the subject. Clearly, there are a lot of people out there who want a simple, step-by-step guide on how to dial London from the USA. And people don't necessarily want a literary masterpiece (a little exaggeration there) in this instance; they want solid information that's easy to understand and use (see Pepino's comment beneath the hub).
Mo, that's great about your fiction success!
As to a second profile, I suggest you do start one, for articles based on the 'Real Simple Information = Real Easy Income' formula; thus also removing the fictional element from your expected Hub earnings..lol
If you want to benefit from your existing HP presence, but not sully your 'soul writing , I'd suggest naming your parrallel profile Motown2Chitown2... (they write themselves, Mo..) ;)
Hi, Rochelle, thanks for reading, and taking time to comment. Sounds like, although you say the penny has just dropped, you've already hit upon a succesful style.
Just multiply that one by a hundred and the world will be your irritated mollusc!! (oyster...sorry, couldn't help myself).
Unlike you, I have yet to attract an outside comment of any kind. (Didja read my 'Dear Abby' hub?)
PWalker281, hi again, I agree with your observation, "people don't necessarily want a literary masterpiece......; they want solid information that's easy to understand and use". I think that is the essence of the opportunity. (As hundreds of other article writers have already concluded; like I said, I've just been a bit slow in getting my head around it, - can't speak for you....). And KISS is the formula, whether you're the writer, or the reader.
So, who's gonna go first, you or me, or Mo, or Rochelle, or HBN??
- graceomalley's work is pretty cerebral, not sure if she'll beat us to it...
I'm working on one as we speak. Will publish it soon.
Groovy!! I'm looking at a blank sheet of paper waiting for a short story to pop onto the page...
I'm hanging out to see what you come up with PW281,- or should that be 'what you come down with'..sorry :)
Excellent article. Lol'd at the telephone stuff. Sick of the whole business. However, still enjoying the writing aspect. What to do?
Absolutely no idea. Read more of your hubs probably.
More emotions are in video. If you want to give emotions and spirit to people - then use videos.
Mark, hi, thanks for the compliment, although it seems from the comment below you that we're both missing the point. Apparently the answer lies not in writing, but in videos. So, I guess the answer to your 'What to do?' question is actually to shoot yourself - on video, and post that...? It's a thought I suppose.. Cheers
doitex, thanks for your observation. Call me old-fashioned, but I think for writers the challenge, and measure of success, especially on a site FOR writers, is actually to create and convey "emotions and spirit to people" through words. I've even been known to accomplish it myself on occasion - although from your comment, apparently not on this occasion... note to self: Must try harder.
I write the same and make money from AdSense, I make the same as I've always been making so I think it works. I'll make a video of myself tap dancing, maybe it will go viral?Okay, joking on that one. Me tap dancing, not a pretty sight. Great hub.
Hiya Bobbi, thanks for commenting. Pity about the tap dancing vid, that would've been great. I've got a groovy gif of a guy in a business suit tapdancing - used to add it sometimes to new-biz pitch emails, you now, to show willing..(Got a great lil Betty Boop-ish one too, if you're interested?)
I was thinking I could add a vid to this; the BeeGees song with the lyric "It's only words. But words are all I have to blow your heart away".
But then, words like that don't need pictures. That's kinda the point of them, innit? Wonder if doitex will drop by again and read this...
BTW, didja read my 'Dear Abby'offering? Might give you a small smile....
Love your work, Bobbi.
Hubpages provides possibilities to add videos in articles. HP is not only for texts. You can mix.
yes your first videos will be... how to say... you know :)
you can check my first video here (its from category "call from London to US"): http://jonix.webnode.com/news/how-to-set-word-one-
I am not born english - I had to write all text. Then 30 times record to get 2 min. I spent about 10 hours.
But for you english is not problem - you can make funny PowerPoint presentation, speak in background your story and then convert to video. Add some text - and your video-hub is done. Put in YouTube to get more trafic to hub - and thats it.
hope to put my next comment on your video-hub :) thats joke. you dont have to. just an option.
Thanks doitex, I understand what you're saying. I appreciate (well, I can try to appreciate) the extra difficulties for you having to use English, when for me it's natural. If you want to give your 'second language' sense of humour a test, visit my hub about 'Urban Myths'. There's a video in that hub that you would find very funny, if you were Australian (where I live). But Australians have a unique way of thinking, and speaking, so it might not seem funny to you at all. Do try it and see... let me know if you need anything translated. Cheers.
Informative. thank you. I am brand new to hubpages and enjoy reading the stories that help me along. Your how to walk a room is hilarious. Can't wait to read it just for the fun of it.
H taylorslaw, thanks for reading, thanks for your positive comment, and welcome to HubPages. Don't know whether you clicked through to read "Dear Abby" (below the rating buttons at the end of this piece), but as with everything I write, I like to generate as much comment as possible - and, as you'll see in that one, there's quite a lot of very helpful info, that might set a newbie on the right path a little bit faster than otherwise...? Up to you, of course, and best of luck here at HP.
WOL, I finally made it here. And laughed...several times, I might add. I used to work as a trainer for people who read mostly on a fifth to sixth grade level and found out alot about how to scale back my language and writing to meet the abilities of the masses. It's pretty much stuck with me. Has google found me...in some cases, yes, but I do write alot of articles that are for a niche market. The ones that aren't for that market are the keep me sane, just-because-I-wanna hubs and if they don't get alot of views, well, that's OK by me. I get more enjoyment through the "brushes with greatnesss" here (i.e., writers like you, WOl) than any enjoyment from my HP pennies in the old piggy bank.
Hi DIY, great to hear from you! I'm glad you took the time to read this, and to comment (go easy with the "brushes with greatness" in relation to my work DIY -very flattering, but not very credible.... but thankyou very much all the same.)
I'm especially glad you got a couple of laughs out of this - although, as you've already proven with your niche-focused articles, there's also a real message here.
On the subject of smiles, didja read the 'Dear Abby' one I posted the same day? And you might also like the pic in a question I posted yesterday, "Is it OK for political adversaries to congregate socially?"
Smile as often as you can DIY...
Writeronline, I have a message to give to YOU that will INSTANTLY make YOU feel MUCH MORE PROFITABLE! This secret is available to YOU, Writeronline, for a LIMITED TIME ONLY! Here's the breakthrough secret message I promised, that's sure to send your earnings into the STRATOSPHERE: Write articles that are SHORT, TO THE POINT, and that APPEAL TO THE MASSES! You can't lose! It's the world's biggest NO BRAINER! Now that I've just shared with you my secret breakthrough message, contact ME to get thousands more INCREDIBLE tips to FATTEN YOUR PIGGY BANK! Just click on my affiliate link...
Oh, and by the way: compare Nielsen ratings of, say, American Idol with those for any solid documentary. That should pretty much clarify for you who the majority audiences are. *sigh*
Voted Useful, Funny, Awesome and Up, by the way. (You go, girl!!)
When anyone says "limited time only" and"Click my affiliate" it puts up a couple of red flags...
Rochelle...sarcasm is difficult to read via type sometimes...I'm sure writeronline knows my intent! :)
Sorry, if that was the case.
Aplogies. My sarcasm gene is defective.
Had there been an actual link provided, that might have been more cause for concern. There oughtta be a keystroke to convey Tongue In Cheek Mode! ;->
Now, I'm just waiting to see whether WOL caught that I told her what I was going to say, then said it, and then told her what I just said. Shh, let's see if she notices!!
Miss Mellie, Miss Mellie, Miss Mellie, (notice how I just called you what I was gonna call you, then called you it, and then called you what I just called you?) lol
I LOVED your ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL OFFER to help me ATTAIN RICHES BEYOND MY DREAMS! Unfortunately, if you expect me to fall for that pitch, well, that’d be in YOUR dreams...
Seriously though, I did notice the format; it’s a bit tragic to see how easily (in the hands of a skilled writer such as yourself, of course) it can be used to create a powerful message that would likely cause DUMB people to SEND MONEY, isn’t it? Wonder if any of those Nigerian princes and businessmen emailing the world those long-winded letters requesting help to get their hands on all those Million Dollar inheritances et al would be interested in trialling a new format? Maybe a split revenue deal..?
Re your little exchange with Rochelle, I surely do agree on the ‘Tongue In Cheek’ mode, I could have put it to good use to save embarrassment on that ‘Dear Abby’ hub, where I apparently managed to confuse a few folks as to whether I’m really a 16yr old (not) girl (not) who lives on a farm (not).
But, as you politely pointed out to Rochelle, sometimes the written word can confuse...
Anyway, thankyou again Miss Mellie, for taking the time to write such an entertaining comment, and for your very generous ratings.
Hi Rochelle, < tongue in cheek alert > don’t you go upsetting yourself on my account.
Only yesterday I fell about reading the Save on Gas hub which you said marks the return of your sense of humour (in Hubs), so I think the sarcasm-spotting antennae are probably travelling close behind.
It’s quiet apparent though, to paraphrase the country singer whose name I don’t know, that your “‘Give a damn’ ain’t busted”! :)
Very good advice
Hi gamelover, thanks for taking the time to read, and to comment. Glad you found it worthwhile.
Hi all, where do I sign up for all these pennies people are talking about. I know that the offer is for limited time, but please let me in on the secret - please.
Great Hub and Great Discussion.
I write for fun and work for money.
thanks...
Hi Ron, thanks for reading, for commenting, and especially for acknowledging the discussion, I think that's one of the best parts of Hubbing, getting feedback and sharing views.
As for the secret to those elusive pennies.. it seems to me from your closing line that you've got them perfectly in perspective. :)
Cheers.
Hi :)
Very good!
Well-written, useful and hilarius! (Voted accordingly!)
And you must be right ~ because you provide the proof.
No wonder that I am one of those you mention, who has to be satisfied with a few cents, every now and then.
Light dawns!
:) :) :)
Hi Trish, thanks for reading, and for your kind comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it; as I enjoy your work. Something has to compensate for the lack of actual monetary return, doesn't it?
I have written 28 hubs and still can't figure out what works and what doesn't in terms of Google traffic. I was hoping that I could get some idea over time of what works and what doesn't but it seems really random to me. I'm not sure if there is some formula that you can follow that guarantees success. It's more like throwing mud at a wall and seeing what sticks.
I feel pretty much the same, Learn Things Web :)
If you read some of the success stories on the main HubPages website page, most of the people making over $1,000 a month have been publishing for at least two years (many for 4 years) and have well over 500 hubs published. This was probably before the HP Ad Program which seems to be a little more profitable than earning from Adsense alone, so perhaps it'll only take 1.5 years and 250 hubs. Think I need to write some more.
@Learn Things Web
@Trish_M
@PWalker281
Hi all, thanks for continuing the dialogue. I have no new insights to offer. All (I think) I understand, I've written here.
For myself, I'm struggling to maintain my enthusiasm because, as you all say, it seems that while the effort needs to be sustained, at high volume, over a few years, before any realistic result can be expected to show; only then will we know whether what we've produced has in fact rung enough bells with readers, to make the cash register ring....
The flipside of course,is equally clear. Write too few pieces; earn zip.
Heads down, class. :)
I wonder if there is more than just the number of hubs. Do some topics pay more than others? Are people more likely to click on one type of ad over another? When I check what I am making the most money from ad-wise through Adsense, it's get rich quick, dating and drugs and supplements. I don't write about those things (other than one hub on DHA supplements).
Yes, Learn Things Web, SEO is definitely a factor in earnings. There is a hubber, whose name I can't remember, who is making a lot of money on maybe 30 or so hubs, but I think folk like him are rare. My top earning hubs are health-related (highest CPC), and while some of my top viewed hubs are crochet related, they don't earn much because the CPC is so low.
Pwalker,
How do you know how much you are making per hub?
With Google Analytics, Learn Things Web. If you go to your account and click the earnings tab. You'll see "affiliate settings" in the left hand column. Click that and scroll down to Reporting Settings. If the status isn't "active" then you need to set it up. Here's a hub from the Learning Center that explains how to do this:
http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/affiliate-setti
You'll get all kinds of interesting information on how your hubs are performing. Hope this helps.
Thanks. I haven't used Google Analytics. This should help a lot.
I HAVE to wonder how Dumb is anyone who cannot figure out how to direct dial anywhere? Are we addressing the Darwin Awards segment of the population? You know, the 'too dumb to go on living' segment? HOW dumb down do I Have to go? LOL Loved this hub.
Hiya Bobbi, glad this gave you a grin. Or do I detect more of a grimace...?
Thanks for commenting. :)
Finally, the truth! The reason why some pander to the lowest denominator (the chronically dumb and the terminally lazy) is that, apparently, it pays to do so.
Insightful, helpful, if somewhat sad. Voted up, because those who write their hearts out in the hope of monetary reward should at least know what they're getting into.
visionandfocus, hi, thanks for reading, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Yeah, it is a bit sad, so much so that some people think it's them at fault, and reach out for guidance, eg:
http://writeronline.hubpages.com/hub/DearAbbyIveJu
Hope you have time to take a peek; after all, it's all about sharing and caring down here on HubPages Farm...
Thanks again for dropping by.
I salute your honesty,brevity and intelligence. As one who believes in writing for people,I will gladly follow great writers! Glad to hear the term Man vs machine come up, it is a battle against keywords,SEO and the trappings of terribly written "How-to's" Thanks for a refreshing and thought provoking hub.
PS- I have recently started adding pages to my website and the dividends from adsense are not at all bad, I would encourage others to build their own presence too and not only contribute to other peoples sites-a kind of "one for the money, two for the show" thing-Greta hub!
Alladream74, hi, thanks for such a positive and complimentary response to my theory. I appreciate it very much.
We might figure it out one day. But the fact is Google does not want to pay us decently, nor do the article submission sites.
They want our work, so they make the bucks, get the ratings. I am gradually removing my hubs elsewhere.
Hi Linda. Sadly, the more I learn, (or think I'm learning), the more I agree with you... Too much available 'product' for anyone to leverage their own portfolio within a site like HP. Where are you moving your hubs to?
It depends. For now some will go to Factoidz. Others will go to my blog site. Some, that I really don't care about, and where my blog won't work the way I want it to, I will put here. That is until I get a website built. Problem with Factoidz is that you cannot do any self promotion except for profile.
Great hub. The quality of content argument has been going on for awhile. What's interesting is I myself did come here to HubPages from a spinning site.... but I quickly learned that original content was the way to go and have always done original articles.
festersporling1, hi, thanks for commenting. It's become fashionable to disclaim the truism that "Content is King". That all that matters is seo. But, absent original content that actually delivers what seo finds for a searcher, any 'article' is just cyber-clutter. Waste of time, waste of space.
Great hub.
andrebreynolds, hi, thanks for reading, and taking time to comment. Glad you enjoyed it.
fantastic post, don't think you could have gotten in out in 100 words though. I love the title of your 100 word article but I think the title is too long for google. lol ;O)
eye say, eye say, eye say, (sorry, couldn't help myself.. :) thanks for your positive feedback.
You're right of course about the title for the 100 word article. Do you think "Cross a Room The Google Way" would fly?
I could use a few more hubs that employ your method Tell, Retell, Sumarize. Maybe I'll write one on Techniques for Blinking. Hmmm. I'm with Rochelle F on performing hubs. I have only one surprising one that I never thought would go anywhere. Not viral yet but it would be if I added the YouTube of Bobbi tap dancing. Sort of like a garage sale where things you never thought would sell are going fast. You just never know what will trip the trigger.
Hi peg, yeah it's frustrating isn't it? I've written a few I thought had potential to at least get reasonably high/consistent views. One in fact designed specifically for that purpose. But nothing has achieved what I'd class as success by those parameters - let alone gone viral.
Well done on your 'surprising' one. Let's hope you/we can land a few more.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for this great informative article writeronline. But, Hubpages need to encourage the hubbers who want to publish short informative articles even though Google loves them.
ratnaveera, hi, thanks for commenting. I'm trying to write some short articles....
Hi, Writeronline,
Thank you many times over for risking the wrath of the Big Brother gods out there by giving the rest of us newbies (read dorks) such sterling advice.
I feel particularly stupid after reading your eye-opening hub, mainly because I've just finished writing and submitting a poem, above all useless, non-money-earning things. I shall in future focus more on how-to articles rather than arty, esoteric stuff, though I WILL do this as well, because I do love writing.
Yeah, I know - whoever owns HP is laffing all the way to the bank because of us, and so are all the other Big Brothers who run our lives these days.
Thanx again, and do keep shining a light on the path to actually making a decent living from this.
Euphony101, hi, thanks for taking time to comment, and welcome to Hub Pages.
I'm happy for you to describe yourself as a newbie, but I don't want to see you describing yourself as a dork again, OK? It's not about dorks, nor is it like anyone *really* knows what works, or doesn't. I've written quite a few Hubs on the topic, and as I said in one of them, 'in my opinion, it's ALL opinion'. I'm just offering what seems clear to me..
As to poetry etc, same thing applies; I don't want to see you using 'poetry' and 'stupid' in the same sentence, please. It's horses for courses, and you can write for money, as well as for pleasure here.
Personally, some of the Hubs I'm proudest of, will never make a dollar as long a Google rhymes with....er, anyway, you know what I mean.
As a matter of interest, the very first Hub I wrote, (not that I've been here that long, or written that many) was about the Hub Hopper and its risk to creative expression. It won a Hub Nuggget award, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks creative expression should know no bounds. If you're bored sometime, (bored enough to read it..), you'll find it via my profile page.
Cheers
Well, well, well, why hadnt I ever thought of this. Writeronline you did a very good job of explaining the KISS of google. I know as a reader thats the way I want the information. Please, please give me short version, and give it to me quick lol. Great hub, and I am going to have to give your method a try.
I think you may be correct about writing for Google... You know, you might still be able to write for your audience and appease the Google Gods at the same time.
Try inludingyour keyword/keywords in your first paragraph 3 times and again in the last paragraph. If you can fit it into the title, that would be even better. Then, in your article, you can fill it with all the great content you want, but Google will have a clear cut idea of what it is about.
See if it works.... and let me know. It works for my website content.
Check out keywords before you pick them. Google adwords keywords tool is great for figuring it out. After you put in a bunch of possible keywords and your results come up, click on "competition" twice in the resulting chart and it will divide things up into high to low competition. Look for the lowest competition, with the highes number of searches. This is the sweetspot you are looking for.
"sweetspot". Now that's the kind of talk I like. Thanks Michelle.
I think the other part of my own advice I should take, is to actually write some Hubs that are informational, on topics thousands want to know about, and comply with the KISS principle.
Lately I've been diverted into short stories. Rewarding to write, just not in a monetary sense...
Thanks very much for your advice.
adrienne2, hi, I'm glad that seemed to strike a chord with you. I intentionally held off responding to your comment so you could read the helpful (informed..) input Michelle provided just after you.
I think it's about merging 'common sense' with 'Google sense'...
Writeronline,
I laughed and despaired while reading your article. I have just finished setting up my profile and have not even written any Hubs yet :). I was hoping that by signing on for the "HubRevolution" (or would that be Hubolution?) that I could finally pull my head out of 'the clouds' and pop the cork on all of the words swimming around in my brain. I shall slog forth however and see what happens. Yes, money would be nice but not necessary . . . I like not eating-it keeps me slim LOL.
ssr31, hi, thanks for your comment. Sounds to me like you've arrived at the HP reality slightly faster than many of us. (The reality about fun v money..). That can only be a good thing, potentially saving you hours and hours of torment watching your HubScore oscillate,(see my Ode to theHubscore..) while wishing your income levels would just show some movement of any kind!
But as you'll see, there is still a reward to be found on HubPages. Good writers to read, and 'pretend friends' to be made.
So I wish you welcome, and I wish you luck.
This is so true and written with a sense of humour. Dumb dumb and dumber.
I have a hub to write. 'Turning on the light switch!'
This thing will run and run. lol
molometer, hi, thanks for reading. I'm gratified a bona fide expert such as yourself rates this well. TBH, also surprised - if pageviews is a guide, it's a failed effort. Content v traffic is my achilles heel..
But to make your prediction that "this thing will run and run" come true, I will be attempting to implement the excellent tips in your recent 'Marketing Your Hubs" article.
Thanks again.
While there's a world of truth in your message, there's also a wealth of humor. The last three paragraphs nearly put me on the floor with out-loud laughter!
JAYE
Hi Jaye, sometimes you just gotta laugh, don't you?
Pretty funny. Actually, many gurus DO say that 400-800 words is plenty. They also say "content is king." About the only time they will mention quality is when they talk about building a readership, but that can only happen when you're receiving traffic.
Hi Truth Please, thanks for commenting. Personally, I think Google is at the forefront of a general dumbing down of communications. Instead of enabling a world of new communication, the net's been hijacked into nothing more than another commercial medium.
I agree. In fact, I believe that systematic dumbing down is being done today. Charlotte Iserbyt (former Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for the U.S. Department of Education) has a lot to say about what's going on in our public schools.
She's seen evidence that the DOE has been trying to make public education fail miserably for a while, in favor of promoting expensive corporate charter schools.
Others think the motives may be more dubious. I mean, in the past knowing how all of the branches of government and how they work together was common knowledge. Today, most of us cannot name a single branch of government. Just ask Jay Leno.
diogenes 11 months ago
I may be prepared to write more lightweight articles on HP, with the odd meaningful one every so often. But I am not prepared to waste any more time thinking about the mechanics of Google and HP, etc. They may not change their ways to adjust to me and the feeling is mutual. i see where you're coming from, it isn't going to change, it's a rubbishy world and, indeed, it's the lowest common denominator(s) that get the attention...Bob