Thanks for asking!
Keyword phrase length isn't limited to two or three words phrases.
Longer, well-targeted phrases are what many a niche is built upon. The
major pay-per-click search engines allow keyword phrase of five and
six words.
Let's look at how most people search. The phrase: business humor
cartoons with classic art contains a "stop word" -- with -- that is
generally omitted from the search. "business humor cartoons classic
art" would be just as effective. Three and four word phrases are
considered optimal.
The difficulty is, however, that there are so few searches for such
terms that you won't benefit from being the only entry in the
category. When I checked just a few moments ago, the going rate at
Overture for "business cartoons" is only $.10 per click, the minimum
price. You'd receive much greater exposure for the same price per
click. Likewise, business humor, cartoon illustration, business
artwork are all priced at the minimum bid of $.10. "Cartoon book" is
$.16 for top placement.
Google's cost-per-click advertising works somewhat differently. AdWord
pricing is determined by a number of factors, in addition to the
maximum price you set per click.
Google AdWords - Pricing and Billing
https://adwords.google.com/select/pricing.html
Overture offers two tools to assist in selecting keywords. The Search
Term Suggestion Tool will show you how many times a keyword or phrase
has been searched during the previous calendar month. The View
Advertiser's Maximum Bids link at the top right of every results page
allows you to see advertisers bids for Premium listings.
Overture - Search Term Suggestion Tool
http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/
WordTracker also offers a keyword selection helper. This is a
subscription service, but subscriptions can be as short as one day
($6.83). A limited version is available free of charge.
WordTracker Free Trial
http://www.wordtracker.com/trial/index.php3
According to reviews, the Overture tool is easier to use, the
WordTracker is more accurate. I find both tools easy to understand and
use.
You might wonder why I've chosen to use Overture as my main example.
Though not necessarily the largest pay-per-click engine, Overture's
influence extends beyond its own listings. Take a look at Bruce Clay's
Search Engine Relation Chart(TM) to learn how Overture listings
propagate to other search engines.
Search Engine Relation Chart(TM) - Adobe .PDF Format - 290K
http://www.bruceclay.com/searchenginechart.pdf
Bruce Clay Search Engine Optimization
http://www.bruceclay.com/web_rank.htm
Finally, I have a discussion of keyword phrase length at
WebmasterWorld forum to show you. This discussion includes an
excellent illustrative chart, and advice from some of the best in the
business, with examples of effective keyword phrase building.
WebmasterWorld - Number of Words in a Keyword Phrase
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum8/246.htm
Additional Resources
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Overture - Select the Right Search Terms
http://www.content.overture.com/d/USm/ac/st/search_select.jhtml
Overture - Write More Effective Search Listings
http://www.content.overture.com/d/USm/ac/st/search_write.jhtml
Search Strategy
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Google Search Terms:
"choosing keyword phrases"
"selecting keyword phrases"
I hope this information sets you on your way to excellent CPC and
clickthrough rates. If anything I've said is unclear, or if (egads!)
you find a broken link, please let me know. I'll be happy to make it
right.
---larre |
