Grammar, Readability and SEO

Grammar and readability are not mutually exclusive to good SEO. I've recently read a few articles whose authors claim grammar is not a factor in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). However, I've read just as many articles which cite readability as a major factor for increasing SEO levels.

You can't have one without the other. You can't have good readability and bad grammar. Good grammar is what makes readability exist....it's what causes your content to be easy to read.

According to the Bedford Group, readability is defined as, "the practice of making your writing understandable and easy to digest for your target audience." (First of all, I would correct this to say, "the practice of making your writing understandable and easy for your target audience to digest," but I digress.)

How do you make your writing understandable?

How do you make your writing easy for your target audience to digest?

Step one in answering these questions is good grammar.

Don't think for a minute that good grammar is dispensable to SEO. It is not. It is vital. If I find myself having to read a sentence or paragraph several times to comprehend its meaning, it is most likely due to poor grammar.

Proper grammar allows the reader to think about your content without the frustration of trying to figure out what you're talking about. If your reader pauses while reading your content, they are much more likely to move on to the next. Anything that causes your reader to pause should be edited for better flow. There is no shortage of online content, but yours can stand out with good grammar.

No one has time for bad grammar.

Do not underestimate the value of proper grammar for your SEO. It is vital. Proper grammar will increase your SEO levels. Proper grammar is the key to readability. (Also, with good grammar must be good sentence structure and other major factors of good writing, but for this post I wanted to focus on grammar.)

Write well.
Write often.
Just write.
~Tricia

Comments

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My #2 most common edit is "toward." The vast majority of my clients use "towards" instead of "toward," as in, "Walking towards the entrance..." I correct this every time because in the US, where we use what is commonly called American English, the preferred choice is "toward," as in single. "Towards" is more commonly used in UK English and Australian English, as noted on Grammarly . In the USA, it's best to say, "Walking toward the entrance...." So, while "towards" is acceptable in other countries, for the US and Canada, "toward" is a much better choice. Keep moving toward good grammar! Write well. Write often. Just write. ~Tricia

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