How to write a popular article - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:02, 14 February 2021

2021-02-14T08:02:13Z

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	--[[User:Simon_Baxter\|Simon Baxter]] 15:48, 25 Sep 2018 (BST)		--[[User:Simon_Baxter\|Simon Baxter]] 15:48, 25 Sep 2018 (BST)

−	[[Category:Do_not_autolink]] [[Category:Site_Information]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Do_not_autolink]] [[Category:Site_Information]]

Simon Baxter at 16:49, 14 July 2020

2020-07-14T16:49:40Z

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−	~~[[File:DBW site workshop invite now 140720.png\|link=https://www.w7ltd.com/dbw-sp-workshop-live?utm_source=wiki&utm_medium=popular-article]]~~	+
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−	[[File:Shutterstock_91886417.jpg\|link=File:Shutterstock_91886417.jpg]]	+
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Simon Baxter at 09:39, 14 July 2020

2020-07-14T09:39:25Z

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		+	[[File:DBW site workshop invite now 140720.png\|link=https://www.w7ltd.com/dbw-sp-workshop-live?utm_source=wiki&utm_medium=popular-article]]
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		+	[[File:Shutterstock_91886417.jpg\|link=File:Shutterstock_91886417.jpg]]
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Designing Buildings at 15:11, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T15:11:46Z

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	=== The content ===		=== The content ===

−	You need to think like a ~~machine~~.	+	You need to think like a Google does.

	{\|		{\|

Designing Buildings at 13:15, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T13:15:52Z

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	If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.		If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.

−	If you write; '~~There are a number of avenues you can take to make your dream a~~ reality', Google will have no idea what you mean and it will not feature in search results.	+	If you write; 'Frank was really great and helped turn dreams into reality', Google will have no idea what you mean and it will not feature in search results.
	\|}		\|}

−	~~Ways to~~ help Google understand your article ~~include~~:	+	To help Google understand your article:

−	* ~~Using~~ simple, plain language English.	+	* Stick to the facts.
−	* ~~Breaking~~ your article into clear sections.	+	* Use simple, plain language English.
−	* ~~Using~~ plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.	+	* Break your article into clear sections.
−	* ~~Breaking~~ long articles into several shorter articles.	+	* Use plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.
−	* ~~Giving~~ images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.	+	* Break long articles into several shorter articles.
−	* ~~Sticking to the facts.~~	+	* Give images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.
−	* Defining specialist terms and acronyms.	+	* Define specialist terms and acronyms.
−	* ~~Avoiding~~ long, complicated paragraphs.	+	* Avoid long, complicated paragraphs.
−	* ~~Using~~ bullet points to separate distinct facts or information.	+	* Use bullet points to separate distinct facts or information.
−	* ~~Adding~~ links from your article to related information.	+	* Add links from your article to related information.
−	* Adding links to your article from related information, from your website ~~and on~~ social media.	+	* Adding links to your article from related information (such as from your website or social media posts).

	=== Duplicate content ===		=== Duplicate content ===

Designing Buildings at 13:10, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T13:10:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:10, 12 October 2018
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	== It's all about Google ==		== It's all about Google ==

−	90% of our traffic comes from Google searches:	+	90% of our traffic comes from Google searches, so:

	* Your article needs to be about something people are likely to search for.		* Your article needs to be about something people are likely to search for.
−	* It needs to be written in a way that Google can understand what it's about.	+	* It needs to be written in a way that means Google can understand what it's about.

	Otherwise nobody will read it.		Otherwise nobody will read it.
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	To help you understand what sort of things people search for, start typing a range of different phrases to do with your subject into Google and see what it predicts you are typing.		To help you understand what sort of things people search for, start typing a range of different phrases to do with your subject into Google and see what it predicts you are typing.

−	{\|	+	Increasingly, people are asking Google very literal questions, "How do I .......?" and Google is looking for content that it knows has the answers.
−	\| Increasingly, people are asking Google very literal questions, "How do I .......?" and Google is looking for content that ~~obviously~~ has the answers.	+
−	\|}	+

−	== How to help Google understand your article ==	+	How to help Google understand your article

	=== The title ===		=== The title ===
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	If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.		If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.

−	If you write; 'There are a number of avenues you can take to make your dream a reality', Google will have no idea what you mean and will ~~never return that phrase~~ in search results.	+	If you write; 'There are a number of avenues you can take to make your dream a reality', Google will have no idea what you mean and it will not feature in search results.
	\|}		\|}

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	* Breaking your article into clear sections.		* Breaking your article into clear sections.
	* Using plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.		* Using plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.
−	* Breaking long articles into several shorter articles~~. This can help build a critical mass about a subject~~.	+	* Breaking long articles into several shorter articles.
	* Giving images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.		* Giving images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.
	* Sticking to the facts.		* Sticking to the facts.
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	=== Duplicate content ===		=== Duplicate content ===

−	We do allow you to post content on Designing Buildings Wiki that already appears elsewhere on the internet, such as articles that appear on your own website~~. However,~~ Google may categorise this as duplicate content, and may ~~not include~~ it in search results ~~at all~~. This will significantly reduce the amount of traffic it receives.	+	Whilst we do allow you to post content on Designing Buildings Wiki that already appears elsewhere on the internet (such as articles that appear on your own website) Google may categorise this as duplicate content, and may exclude it from search results. This will significantly reduce the amount of traffic it receives.

	You will get much more traffic if you post original articles, or at least variations of existing articles.		You will get much more traffic if you post original articles, or at least variations of existing articles.

Designing Buildings at 13:02, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T13:02:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:02, 12 October 2018
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	== It's all about Google ==		== It's all about Google ==

−	{\|
−	~~\|width="100%"\|~~
	90% of our traffic comes from Google searches:		90% of our traffic comes from Google searches:

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	Otherwise nobody will read it.		Otherwise nobody will read it.
−	\|}

	== What do people search for? ==		== What do people search for? ==

Designing Buildings at 09:26, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T09:26:10Z

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	[[File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg\|link=File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg]]		[[File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg\|link=File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg]]

−	If you are an expert who does not want other people to be able to change your article, you can ~~[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Get_started_-_top_tips_and_help#Protecting_an_article~~ protect it]. Just save your article, then click 'Protect' at the bottom of the page.	+	If you are an expert who does not want other people to be able to change your article, you can protect it. Just save your article, then click 'Protect' at the bottom of the page.
−		+
−	~~If we receive requests from other users wanting to contribute to the article, we may un-protect it, but we will discuss this with you first~~.	+

	= Examples of a high traffic articles =		= Examples of a high traffic articles =

Designing Buildings at 09:24, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T09:24:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:24, 12 October 2018
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	\|}		\|}

−	~~So how do you write~~ a popular article?	+	This article explains what makes a popular article then tells you how to create your article.

−	= It's all about Google =	+	= What makes a popular article? =
		+
		+	== It's all about Google ==

	{\|		{\|
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	* Your article needs to be about something people are likely to search for.		* Your article needs to be about something people are likely to search for.
−	* ~~You need~~ to ~~write about it~~ in a way that Google can understand.	+	* It needs to be written in a way that Google can understand what it's about.

	Otherwise nobody will read it.		Otherwise nobody will read it.
	\|}		\|}

−	= What do people search for? =	+	== What do people search for? ==

	People are looking for practical answers to help them in their daily work.		People are looking for practical answers to help them in their daily work.
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	\|}		\|}

−	To help you understand what sort of things people search for, start typing a range of different phrases to do with your subject into Google and see what it predicts you are ~~trying to write~~.	+	To help you understand what sort of things people search for, start typing a range of different phrases to do with your subject into Google and see what it predicts you are typing.

	{\|		{\|
−	\| Increasingly, people are asking Google very literal questions, "How do I .......?" and Google is looking for ~~the~~ content that obviously has the answers.	+	\| Increasingly, people are asking Google very literal questions, "How do I .......?" and Google is looking for content that obviously has the answers.
	\|}		\|}

−	= How to help Google understand your article =	+	== How to help Google understand your article ==

−	== The title ==	+	=== The title ===

−	The most important thing Google considers when ~~it is~~ trying to understand an article is ~~its~~ title. So make your title a plain language, literal description of the subject the article ~~covers~~. For example, one of our most popular articles is called 'Types of drawings for building design'~~. Don't try to be clever with your title or over-complicated, Google won't understand it~~.	+	The most important thing Google considers when trying to understand an article is the title. So make your title a plain language, literal description of the subject the article is about. For example, one of our most popular articles is called 'Types of drawings for building design'.

−	== The content ==	+	Don't try to be clever with your title or over-complicated, Google won't understand it.
		+
		+	=== The content ===

	You need to think like a machine.		You need to think like a machine.
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	If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.		If you write; 'Frank Lloyd Wright was an architect born in Wisconsin in 1867', Google will understand what you mean and will return those facts in search results.

−	If you write; 'There are a number of avenues you can take to make your dream a reality', Google will have no idea what you ~~are talking about so it~~ will never return ~~your article~~ in search results.	+	If you write; 'There are a number of avenues you can take to make your dream a reality', Google will have no idea what you mean and will never return that phrase in search results.
	\|}		\|}

−	~~Other ways~~ to help Google understand your article include:	+	Ways to help Google understand your article include:

	* Using simple, plain language English.		* Using simple, plain language English.
	* Breaking your article into clear sections.		* Breaking your article into clear sections.
	* Using plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.		* Using plain language headings to give your article clarity and to segment information. For example; 'history', 'definition', 'research findings', 'references' and so on.
−	* Breaking long articles into several shorter articles. This can help build a critical mass about ~~the~~ subject.	+	* Breaking long articles into several shorter articles. This can help build a critical mass about a subject.
−	* Giving ~~your~~ images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.	+	* Giving images plain language, literal titles. If you call them pict2001344.jpg, Google will not understand what they show.
	* Sticking to the facts.		* Sticking to the facts.
	* Defining specialist terms and acronyms.		* Defining specialist terms and acronyms.
	* Avoiding long, complicated paragraphs.		* Avoiding long, complicated paragraphs.
	* Using bullet points to separate distinct facts or information.		* Using bullet points to separate distinct facts or information.
−	* ~~Add~~ links from your article to related information.	+	* Adding links from your article to related information.
−	* ~~Add~~ links to your article from your ~~own~~ website, and ~~post links to it~~ on social media.	+	* Adding links to your article from related information, from your website and on social media.

−	== Duplicate content ==	+	=== Duplicate content ===

−	We do allow you to post content that already appears elsewhere on the internet, such as articles that appear on your own website. However, Google may categorise this as duplicate content, and so may not include it in search results at all. This will significantly reduce the amount of traffic it receives.	+	We do allow you to post content on Designing Buildings Wiki that already appears elsewhere on the internet, such as articles that appear on your own website. However, Google may categorise this as duplicate content, and may not include it in search results at all. This will significantly reduce the amount of traffic it receives.

	You will get much more traffic if you post original articles, or at least variations of existing articles.		You will get much more traffic if you post original articles, or at least variations of existing articles.

	= How to create your article =		= How to create your article =
		+
		+	== Click the orange button ==

	Log in or register, then click the orange '[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateArticle create an article]' button.		Log in or register, then click the orange '[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateArticle create an article]' button.
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	* If an article with your title does not already exist, just click the link next to the search results and your article will open in a text editor ready for you to start writing.		* If an article with your title does not already exist, just click the link next to the search results and your article will open in a text editor ready for you to start writing.
−	* If it does already exist, add to or improve the existing article, don't start a new one. If you significantly improve an existing article, you can [[User_signature\|list yourself as the main author, and add your profile at the top]]~~. Alternatively, revise your subject title to one related to the existing article that adds further value to it~~.	+	* If it does already exist, add to or improve the existing article, don't start a new one. If you significantly improve an existing article, you can [[User_signature\|list yourself as the main author, and add your profile at the top]].

	You can type your article from scratch, or paste it from another application, but keep your formatting as simple as possible; plain text, simple headings, simple bulleted or numbered lists, simple tables, hyperlinks and images. Anything more complicated may cause interoperability problems between our software and the software you are copying and pasting from.		You can type your article from scratch, or paste it from another application, but keep your formatting as simple as possible; plain text, simple headings, simple bulleted or numbered lists, simple tables, hyperlinks and images. Anything more complicated may cause interoperability problems between our software and the software you are copying and pasting from.

−	Our software will automatically insert hyperlinks to other relevant articles when you save your text. It will also insert a table of contents if you use more than three headings. You don't have to do anything.	+	Our software will automatically insert hyperlinks to other relevant articles on Designing Buildings Wiki when you save your text. It will also insert a table of contents if you use more than three headings. You don't have to do anything.

−	= Add your profile =	+	== Add your profile ==

	To make your profile appear at the top of your article, open your article in the text editor, move the cursor to the end of the article, and click the '[[User_signature\|insert signature]]' button.		To make your profile appear at the top of your article, open your article in the text editor, move the cursor to the end of the article, and click the '[[User_signature\|insert signature]]' button.
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	Then save your article and your profile will appear at the top, just like mine does at the top of this one.		Then save your article and your profile will appear at the top, just like mine does at the top of this one.

−	= ~~Protecting~~ your article =	+	== Protect your article ==

	[[File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg\|link=File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg]]		[[File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg\|link=File:Key_and_lock_350.jpg]]

Designing Buildings at 09:11, 12 October 2018

2018-10-12T09:11:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:11, 12 October 2018
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	Our software will automatically insert hyperlinks to other relevant articles when you save your text. It will also insert a table of contents if you use more than three headings. You don't have to do anything.		Our software will automatically insert hyperlinks to other relevant articles when you save your text. It will also insert a table of contents if you use more than three headings. You don't have to do anything.
−
−	~~= Writing style =~~
−
−	~~Think 'enyclopedia' not 'magazine'.~~
−
−	* Adopt a neutral position. Do not express your own opinion.
−	* You don't need to be 'friendly' - this isn't a blog. Our readers just want the facts.
−	* Even if you are writing about your own products or projects, write about them in the third person. You should never need to write 'I' or 'we' in an article.
−	* If you list the pros, also list the cons.
−
−	~~For more general guidance about writing see [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Writing_technique Writing Technique]~~

	= Add your profile =		= Add your profile =