Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Flipboard 0 “Want to learn the five most important SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips that allow Wikipedia to dominate Google organic search results“. Its fairly obvious to most people who use search engines that Wikipedia often appears at the top of search results. What’s not obvious is how Wikipedia does it. With over 200 ranking indicators included in Google’s search engine algorithms, it can be hard to determine which aspects of Wikipedia’s SEO outshine everyone else’s. This article will highlight 5 top SEO features that make Wikipedia such a stellar SEO performer. Wikipedia’s Top 5 Search Optimizations Bloggers, and small businesses stand to benefit by learning about SEO and implementing great fundamental SEO basics – as demonstrated by Wikipedia. Please note that I have focused on the SEO tips and techniques that most small businesses and bloggers can implement for themselves – in other words, I’m not going to advice you to suggest you try create millions of individual articles, like Wikipedia. 1. Highly focused Wikipedia offers articles that cover very specific topics. In fact, most Wikipedia article headings consist of only one or very few words. The reality of SEO today is that unless Google knows an article is precisely focused on a specific search term or phrase, it is unlikely it will rank highly for that exact search phrase. The reason is that there is simply so much content being generated that there will always be many tens, hundreds or thousands of articles devoted to each and every niche SEO term. Don’t expect an article focusing on “small business tips” to rank highly for anything other than a search on the phrase “small business tips“. It might, if it becomes popular, but chances are it won’t. 2. Authoritative Wikipedia content is both well written and comprehensive. This means that it is used as a reference source by many people – it is quoted and linked to all over the place. Any good article stands a chance of being referenced and passed around in social media. Look at the quality of Wikipedia articles (they’re by no means perfect) and ensure that your content matches or exceeds that quality. 3. Fresh Wikipedia content is regularly updated. New articles are added and old ones are improved and edited. Google tends to favor content that is fresh. It’s no longer sufficient to build a website, add content, and watch organic search traffic continue to roll in indefinitely. Regularly add new content. Update existing content. Improve or correct outdated or incorrect content. 4. Great linking patterns Wikipedia content is full of internal and external links. Internal links help readers find or research related content. This lowers Wikipedia’s bounce rate and is a good indication that their content is engaging and relevant for readers. In addition, Wikipedia cites information from high quality sources and Google also monitors outbound links. Link naturally to encourage a flow of traffic internally, and link to other high quality websites and blogs where it is appropriate to do so. 5. Great document structure Wikipedia articles are generally well organized and easy to follow. Document structure is important to Google and is a good indicator of quality content. Always ensure that you utilize a single title tag for each article, and break up chunks of content into logical categories headed by H2, H3 and smaller heading tags. In addition, make use of and tags to indicate important SEO terms and phrases. Above all else, ensure that your documents are structured in such a way as to be easy for humans to understand and utilize. That’s my top five list. But, there are plenty of other great reasons why Wikipedia dominates Google organic search rankings. Can you name a few more? Share them in the comments. If you want to learn more about SEO, I recommend reading the following great articles and resources that will teach you everything you need to know: Free eBook: Small business SEO What is SEO? Top 5 weekly SEO tasks for bloggers and small business Top 10 local SEO tips, 2012 Remember to sign up to my free weekly newsletter for more insightful SEO and business information, or follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ to continue the conversation. Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Email This article originally appeared on Site prebuilder - Social. SEO. Marketing. Development. Business. and has been republished with permission.Find out how to syndicate your content with B2C Author: David Mercer Follow @smepals David Mercer is an experienced tech entrepreneur and published author with programming and Web development books translated into over 13 languages worldwide. His books have been used as recommended readers at places like MIT. His software products are relied upon by businesses (big and small) in over 60 countries… View full profile ›More by this author:24 Tips to Better Blogging (With Less Effort)How to Build Powerful Synergy Between Your Content and Email MarketingSEO Lensing: How to Climb the SERPs with Content Consolidation