Author Score : Relevant or Irrelevant?
@Lissie - I sorta missed the point on purpose. I had in mind to write an article, as a follow on, about just what you report. You are right that 99% of all effort should be put into ensuring that each article, page, blog or whatever, has the best chance to rank well within search engines. That said, most traffic within Wizzley is not from search engines. There are many here that may not ever receive high rankings, or profit-making visitors from search engines. So, what is their alternative? Social media may give an immediate boost to traffic, but it disappears just as quickly. Being in the face of those attracted here by others, is another way that they can see some success. Getting high 'scores' places them in a position where they may be seen.
You and I know the importance of SEO, SEM, backlink strategies, social media campaigns, e-mail marketing, etc etc. Others do not, and will not, even though they may read your SEO 101.
My article was not aimed at them specifically, but now I think about it a little further, I see that it could be an important factor for less experienced on-line writers.
I agree entirely with your observation about posting in forums, unless part of a back-linking strategy. Similarly, but not as forthright on 'commenting'. In that period of time, the 1% left over, when you need time-out - then is the time to read and comment elsewhere.
I am not advocating, and did not advocate, that any time, effort or thought-process, should be wasted on 'author score' or 'article score'. My point was that some benefit does accrue from having a higher score than not.
As you mentioned originally, article score has it's impact. Doing what you suggest, to increase traffic from search engines, has an effect on both page and author scores, as you note. The best way to get the most back from any writing is to take an holistic approach. Each and every item has an impact. Perhaps 'scores' are merely 'supplements', but by definition they supplement.
Never are they going to have a great impact for those that know - but may have an impact where the diet is lacking.
humagaia, Feb 12, 2012
