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My Perspective on the Great ActiveRain Content Debate of 2008

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

DISCLAIMER: I apologize in advance for the sheer length of this post, but I had a lot to say apparently.  I didn't want to include images this time, as I thought they might detract from the message I am trying to get across.

I have seen a bunch of posts with regard to what is "proper" content on ActiveRain lately.  Unless you live under a rock, you have probably also seen these around lately. 

I left the longest comment of my entire blogging career last night on Jessica Horton's featured post (Working the Net or Networking? Which has value? ).  She gave me some good-natured grief about this on Twitter, calling the comment "Lord of the Rings".  Despite the fact that I had mentioned there that I wouldn't write my own post on this topic, I was encouraged today by a good friend to do so, so here we go:

In a nutshell, some people seem to be concerned about the balance of real estate related material written here vs. the "fluff", which is sort of a catch-all term for jokes, recipes, family stories, and other "non industry" posts.  They feel that if too many of these types of posts are made public (instead of Members Only), it could harm the Google juice/power that AR has notoriously harnessed, because Google might somehow devalue the site and see it differently. 

As with the other posts, the stuff I am about to say is my opinion, since I am not on staff at Google, or Yahoo, or any other search engine, so I am not privy to their algorithms.  However, I have been doing my own SEO for my sites since early 1998, before Google was even being used.  Back then, we optimized for search engines like Altavista, Lycos and Excite.  Yes, really.  I feel old now.

At any rate, to make it really easy to understand, Google LOVES new content.  With 85,613 members as of this writing, ActiveRain is generating new pages of content just about every minute of the day.  Every post marked "Public" is a separate page of content. 

With that in mind, AR is viewed by Google's spiders as highly valuable and as an "authority site" for real estate.  You have probably read anecdotes of members who have had pages indexed onto the first page of Google within a few minutes of posting.  This is because Google is constantly spidering this site looking for new pages. 

Does it spider "Members Only" posts?  Not really.  There are tags called "nofollow" tags that will disallow those posts from being indexed in the search engines, and they are automatically generated when we post to Members Only. 

Google cares about the page's structure, along with its content.  The skeletal structure of EVERY SINGLE page/post on AR is built and optimized in exactly the same fashion.  If you look at the bottom of this page (which is the same basic look across the board here on AR), you will see the following keywords and links:

Find TX real estate agents and Austin real estate here on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles,
blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2007 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved 

Also, every single post is titled with "REAL ESTATE BLOG", followed by the author-assigned part of the title.  Clearly, this is adequate to make Google understand that the hundreds of thousands of pages generated here are real-estate related, even if the body of the post itself is about the weather, or a chocolate pie, or an unfunny joke.

I don't want to make this overly technical for those of you who are not into SEO at all, but I think I can make this even more clear, even for newbies.  I did a bit of research just now by viewing the source code for my blog in particular, and I found the following meta tags there:


The only part of this italicized part that I wrote myself was "Austin Texas Real Estate Blog (and other stuff)", as that is the title I originally chose.  The rest of that is automatically generated for me by the AR code.  Keep in mind that THIS is what Google looks at first.  I counted four real estate terms there.  There are a couple of other things in the inherent structure that I could point out if you are really interested, but I think the point is made for my purposes here.

So, what does this mean to you and me anyway?  Well, for one thing, ActiveRain has done things right and has garnered a lot of Google juice by setting up the structure of this site correctly from day one.

Basically, it would be very difficult to derail this by writing about whatever the heck you want to write about.  In fact, I think we could all stop writing real estate posts and concentrate on jokes and recipes for several months without affecting the "balance" to the extent that it would ever be detrimental to our Localism posts.  They will continue to be indexed by Google and Yahoo.  Don't sweat it.

Personally, I enjoy sharing many facets of my personality along with stories of my family.  I would guess that 4 or 5 out of 10 of my posts are truly about real estate.  I want the consumers who find me to feel like they know me already.  These are the easiest buyers and sellers in the world to convert to sales.

Considering the fact that a good number of members have already referred business to me over the past few months, why would I want to stop writing this way?  I write for consumers sometimes, for my friends sometimes, for my family, and even for myself.  

The first AR closing that I had found me on a post that I had written about my CHURCH.  I made about $12,000 on that post, so it had some very tangible value to me.  Obviously, it was not Members Only (thank God!). 

In essence, Google is a fickle mistress sometimes and they want it to be hard to "game" their system.  They are constantly tweaking their algorithm and dialing variables in and out with regard to importance.  If there is ever a temporary effect on the indexing of our posts on ActiveRain, it is something they have done in the Googleplex, not anything that you or I can do here at AR.  It would simply be really hard to ever have much effect on how Google views this site, as it is already well-established as a real estate authority site.  Yes, that is just my opinion, but it is not an uninformed one.

On a separate note, I use StatCounter to track my AR blog visits (which are just over 100,000 now), and I see where the consumers enter my blog initially.  Currently, they are coming directly from Google and Yahoo.  I don't think any serious buyers or sellers are merely surfing around AR randomly like we do, studying the mix of content.  They come to specific posts, then they choose to stay or go.  With that in mind, why not have something interesting for them to look at while they are on your blog?  You got them that far - is it time to show them more market data, or do you think they might enjoy a funny story?

As a further illustration, when I have buyers in the car with me, I could probably talk all day about real estate and nothing else.  Do you think they would be looking forward to our next meeting?  Doubtful.  Wow - I just managed to relate SEO to real estate.  Cool!

I don't claim to be an SEO expert myself, but I have done a lot of my own optimizing over the years, and I can recognize what works and what doesn't.  Obviously, this is a somewhat complex subject, and I hope I haven't oversimplified matters.

Overall, my opinion on this subject is: Write whatever and whenever you want to, just make sure you are writing something!  If you are not taking advantage of this FREE opportunity to market yourself, you are missing the boat. 

I choose not to hide my light under a bushel very often, making the majority of my posts Public.  If you aren't comfortable doing that, by all means, don't.  However, don't be scared to share personal stuff at the risk of harming this enormously powerful (real estate) network. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my exhaustive treatise on this topic!  If you have any questions about what I have covered here, let me know.

 

Posted by

 

If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary website at www.austintexashomes.com.  Thanks!

Comments (136)

Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer
A Large Bank in America - Lafayette, CA
Jason, I guess I got in at the tail end of your conversation.  I had been following several discussions including Lenn's. I think you are right on when you said "If you are not taking advantage of this FREE opportunity to market yourself, you are missing the boat."  Nothing is permenant. Take advanatage of the opportunity.  AJ
May 02, 2008 06:42 AM
Kay Perry
Kay Perry, Broker - College Station, TX
Hi Jason, I think most consumers and realtors enjoy reading about other topics in addition to real estate.   Variety is the spice of life.
May 02, 2008 02:31 PM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Jason my friend, I guess I've been under a bridge!  Fist I heard of this was this AM on Melissa Grants post, which I flagged as a goo post since it reflects my point of view also :), and was well written, here is what I commented there with;

Melissa, I flagged your post, here is what I said to AR,

 "All I can say is, "Amen Melissa".  Stop all this crazy she did, he did, she said, he said, and go to work.  Either selling real estate, blogging, spending time with your family or whatever floats your boat.  Liz Carter"

I wrote a post on my groups (Texas Real Estate group) mascot a longhorn cow named Tex getting married, yes I did.  I did it for fun (don't tell Miss Molly Blogger or Mr. Tex Ran, since they think they're real:).  I did it for fun, the comments are a hoot, if you can't laugh at this, you have NO sense of humor, which is a sad thing!  it has also been a big stress reliever.  And I don't really care if anyone thinks this should or should not be on AR.  DON'T READ IT if you think it's silly and has no place here, so read a serious blog about SEO, or whatever floats your boat.

I've been selling Real Estate for 33 years, and most of those years I was so busy I did not have time for anything but work.  Now I have more free time, and have loved finding AR as a place to help others be a better Realtor, tell my stories, learn from others, help my SEO, post my listings, etc.  I'm coaching several agents, for free on AR, while I pay $20,000 a year for my Real Estate coaching because I want to help, and it makes me feel good.  So if I want to have fun with a blog about two cows getting married, that's my business and whoever else wants to share in the fun.  Mr. Tex Rain and Miss Molly Blogger are getting married on June 1st for anyone that would like to come to the wedding by the way.

 Life is short and very sweet, so lighten up, and laugh more, you'll live longer!  Liz

sing, It's all good, by tree at lake house

Surely this did not start over my wedding of Tex Rain & Molly Blogger LOL?  Liz

PS, I'm on page 1 of Goggle on most searches, so something is working + I'm having fun, and love to write, although I have not leaned the art of brevity :).  If I want a ton of buyers & sellers I'll get back on the phones and get them...I know that works.  Good old fashioned hard work, don't set around waiting for someone to call you, call them.  L

May 02, 2008 07:02 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

All I can say is that in my 43 years on this earth I have found time and time again that EVERYTHING seems to work better with balance and in moderation.  That's what I love best about AR... it's balanced, it's diverse and it doesn't take itself so seriously that it doesn't have a place on it for two good looking cows who are so clearly in love to hold a wedding so they don't have to live in sin!

Thanks for sharing your insight Jason!  As always, it's greatly appreciated.

May 02, 2008 07:43 PM
The Bartley Group SouthEast MN Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN

Jason, I think AR would loose some its appeal and members if everything was real estate 24/7/365.  Talking real estate is fun but not all the time.

Brian Bartley

May 02, 2008 11:50 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX
Well said!!  Everyone needs the option to post whatever they want and read whatever they want, with decency in mind... I enjoy all types of posts, those about your family .. the shortsale guys,  the jokes that blrguy posts, the daily uplifting stuff of Danny Thorntons and Sally from Hawaii..and the adventures of Ms Jessica,.  I would hate to see this site become RE only.  How dull that could be?  Keep up the good stuff all ya'll bloggers.  Smiling here in Austin,
May 04, 2008 07:04 AM
Jerry Murphy, CRS, SRES
Long Realty West Valley - Anthem, AZ
Anthem, Phoenix, and Scottsdale AZ Real Estate

Hey Jason,

Thanks for explaining this in a manner that even I, and admittedly techo-idiot can understand.  We just took our first listing from an Active Rain consumer.  The blog that grabbed his attention was about Short Sales.  But I agree with you about mixing in some personality once in a while.  I think as a society we've become to antiseptic and people want to see the human side of someone before they do business with them.

Keep up the good work.

May 05, 2008 11:18 AM
June Lewis
Northwood Realty Services - New Castle, PA
Realtor Northwood Realty - New Castle,Pa Lawrence Co 7247304571

Thanks Jason for the valuable content.  I have a question...How could AR possibly police the fluff, you refer to, that could change the way google values AR? or can it even be policed?

Jul 12, 2008 09:57 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

June - As I mentioned in the post, I don't think it needs to be policed in the first place, and it would be a Herculean task to do so.  Good question, but I don't really have the answer on that one, nor do I think it is necessary.

Jul 12, 2008 10:01 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Jason somehow I had missed this excellent post way back when it was written. Great job explaining how AR is viewed by the search engines.

Jul 12, 2008 10:12 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Bill - Coming from you, that means a lot.  I am glad you liked it.  I did my best to explain this in a way that wasn't overly "techy".  Actually, I am not overly techy, either.  At any rate, thanks for your supportive comments.

Jul 12, 2008 10:20 AM
David M. Childress
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Akron, OH
I would love to be your Realtor® in Akron Ohio!

My gosh, thank you for an excellent post. I know I am not an expert, but I continually show up on page one of both Yahoo and Google. (Yahoo loves me for some reason, you know why?) This explains why I can do it with minimal training. I operate in the parameters of your explanation. Thank you as I will continue to do so.....

Jul 12, 2008 11:13 AM
Andrew Kyle
Royal LePage Foothills - Calgary, AB
Calgary Condo Realtor

I have no problem with AR content.  Actually I think there is less fluff than I continue to expect to see.  The Groups make the difference i think - I subscribe just to the groups that have the info I am interested in, and so I don't see the fluff and don't need to sort through it.

Jul 12, 2008 12:28 PM
Anonymous
Not Yet Licensed

Thanks for taking the time to read my exhaustive treatise on this topic!

Hi Jason,

Thanks for taking the time to write a summary in a way that I can understand!  This is very helpful.

Jul 12, 2008 12:58 PM
#130
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Jason,

WOW!  Great post!  (like it would be anything but a great one)...  ;-)

Thank you for the link.  I must have missed this one while I was lurking in the shadows...trying to figure out what the heck to write about. 

You are an inspiration.  Thanks for sharing your stories. 

Ann Hayden in lovely Wildwood, Missouri

Dec 16, 2008 02:57 PM
Dona Reynolds
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stein Summers - Saint Joseph, MO
St. Joseph MO

Jason: As always very impressive post.  I am fairly new at A/R but I do enjoy reading most of the posts about Real Estate, Life, Family, etc., this is what is important to me and I firmly believe that customers want to know their realtor.  You would know more about SEO that I would in a life time, but I do enjoy all your posts.  Keep blogging away.

Dec 16, 2008 03:35 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I have the problem of having really content rich posts relative to the market and the posts that get a lot of comments and are not exactly real estate related.  This was a very enjoyable post to read.

Dec 17, 2008 12:45 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I gotta ask is this post in the last ActiveRain newsletter?

Dec 17, 2008 12:48 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Maureen - No.  I referred Ann Hayden to this post because she mentioned hearing people talk about what should or should not appear on our AR blogs, and that she was told to "stick to business".

Dec 17, 2008 02:28 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

JAson,

Thanks again for the post!  And the link.

Ann

Dec 17, 2008 12:49 PM