Quality Or Quantity: Which is Better for SEO?

In the heyday of search engine optimization (SEO), it was easy for sites to rank well through black hat practices like keyword stuffing and gaming a backlink portfolio. 

Algorithm shifts from Panda, Penguin, and other updates upheaved past practices. Now, quality over quantity is one of the biggest arguments surrounding success.

Quality versus quantity is an age-old SEO argument we’re putting to rest. Let’s dig into some differences between quality and quantity in SEO.

Arguing Quality or Quantity for Different SEO Essentials

Quality and quantity both matter in the spectrum of SEO. However, knowing when to seek one over the other is essential.

Here’s a closer look at quality vs. quantity in several SEO examples.

Content

High-quality, original content is one of your strategy’s most significant SEO essentials. While some may argue that short posts in rapid succession equal quantity-driven content that ranks, this isn’t always the case.

Whether you write 20 blog posts a month or 2, the quantity of your content means nothing if the quality Google expects is absent.

Current content standards require your pieces to answer relevant questions and be a fountain of knowledge on a particular topic. As long as your content meets these standards and proves itself pertinent to your audience, you have quality content that is:

• Engaging 
• Shared across social media platforms
• Ranked higher than lower-quality content

Our suggestions for any approach to content are:

• Do all necessary research on your subject
• Answer as many questions as possible real users have
• Display how your content solves a problem
• Give unique insight that lets your content stand out

Often, hitting these points results in a high-quality piece that can help your site rank well on search engines.

Keywords

Ranking for “all of the keywords” may seem like a great strategy but will backfire once you unknowingly start keyword stuffing throughout your content.

Trying to rank for too many keywords deems your content irrelevant. When matching it to a search, search engines will have difficulty finding the right spot on the search engine results page (SERP).

When it comes to keywords, quality outweighs quantity. Your goal should be to rank for long-tail keywords specific to your target audience. Yes, you may get fewer clicks in the long term, but the people who click on your links because of quality keywords are likely to engage and make a sale.

Backlinks

Much like with keywords, littering your content with low-quality backlinks is a black hat practice that Google frowns upon. However, it’s here where quality and quantity can co-exist.

Yes, you want to accept as many high-quality links as possible. Yet, we highly recommend that you vet them for toxic sources like link farms or sites that will negatively reflect on your brand.

The road can be difficult when trying to gain quality backlinks beyond directories and into .edu and .gov territory. However, it’s always best to continue producing valuable content, jump at guest blogging opportunities, and continue to network with the experts in your industry. 

Social Followers

Having a vast amount of social media followers is excellent for your SEO, right? Well, the truth is that follower numbers are just bragging rights. 

Buying new followers is a great way to start building the facade of a successful brand. Yet relying solely on these random numbers won’t help you in the SERPs.

For example, if you have thousands of followers, but only a handful of them engage with your content, you haven’t gained much towards your SEO.

Your goal should be creating social media content targeting a specific audience. Once your content reaches its desired viewers (and they find it useful), they will eventually spread the word and help you add more organic followers ready to engage with your brand.

Quality engagement leads to site clicks, sales, and long-term customer loyalty. Only then will your authority and search engine rank elevate.

Can You Succeed With Both?

Quality and quantity can go hand-in-hand but can be a tricky goal for a novice SEO. However, with the proper focus on your SEO strategy, it’s possible to create quality content and build up quality keywords in higher quantities that succeed.

Quality SEO alone requires a time commitment of between 3 and 10 hours a week. Combine those hours into a monthly dedication, and you could easily have a second full-time job.

It’s easy to see why sites in the past tried to eke out a quick win with a sole focus on quantity. Yet, with the spotlight now on the user experience, quality in search is king. Finding the right balance is the true testament to optimizing a winning website.

Focus on Quality SEO Efforts With Dallas SEO Dogs

If you’re ready to put quality behind your SEO efforts but don’t have the time to dedicate to quality optimization, it’s time to call in the experts. The digital marketing team at Dallas SEO Dogs has experience creating quality SEO strategies for businesses from all industries. 

Whether you need content that covers all search queries or need help cultivating quality backlinks, our team can help you meet your SEO goals.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a member of our team.