Site is a blog and changes content all the time: should I create static content?

[mertero]

Hi guys.

I have a rather popular blog, on a topic that has 2 major keywords. On both of these keywords, my pages are made out of blog stories with that tag. This means that most of my content on those pages change all time - it's a list of the last 7 blog entries.

I notice in the search results that the sites that are ranked high for those keywords are all 'static' and do not change so often. My own sites rank well (#3 at one, #7 at the other) but I feel that I should be ranking higher based on link backs and content.

I'm thinking about writing a 'static' page for each kewyord, with just a link to the 'latest stories' (or maybe just a short list of the titles only). Any thoughts before I do that?

Thanks!

Ron

[tedster]

It sounds like a worthwhile experiment. My only caution would be make sure these new static pages are linked into your site properly and offer compelling content. You don't want to create a thin "doorway" page or an orphan.

[aristotle]

I've wondered about this too. Occasionally I read that Google likes "fresh content", which would suggest that pages with frequent changes would tend to rank higher (other factors being equal).

On the other hand, I have a four year old site that I've neglected for several years, making no changes at all to most of the pages, yet several of these unchanged pages have held the number one Google ranking for their main keyword for at least the last two years. This would indicate that a "static" page can do very well, at least in some cases.

Maybe the answer depends on the keyword, such as whether it is frequently "in the news", or whether new pages focused on it are frequently created.

[tedster]

I've always read "fresh content" as meaning new urls on established domains. I've seen some websites struggle when their established urls show rapidly changing content, but that's not always the case. It seems to be a complex scenario.

[aristotle]

For the special case of blogs, isn't it considered "normal" for new content to be added to the front page on a regular basis? In any case, Google must have developed some way of handling frequently-updated pages when they are mixed with static pages in the rankings. But no doubt you are right in calling it a "complex scenario".

[tedster]

For blogs, isn't it common to see the permalink for specific keyword SERPs, rather than the home page? I never studied it for closely, but that's been my impression.

[aristotle]

Tedster, I'm sure your right. I don't know much about blogs, and was looking at the OP's statement about the last seven blog entries always being on the page and apparently misunderstood.

[mertero]

Thanks guys...

I got the confidence I needed (to know that I'm trying to do a totally senseless thing). I'll try on one of the keywords, will see how it effects.

The only problem - if I'm guessing right, than google will start to give me better results only after the page has been static for a while... so it'll probably take a few weeks / months till this gives an effect. I'll try and remember to come back and update when I have news ;-)

Thanks!

Ron

[LaRecoletta]

about two months before you'll see a rezult, i think. Don't forget to tell us if it worked :)

[mertero]

Hi guys.

I thought I'd give a short update. I made the changes, and now my page is static. I'm afraid I can't say yet whether it made any difference.

I'm always seeing my site 'fluctuate' between #10 and #4 position... maybe it just needs more time - but since my change my position is still 'dancing' around ;-)

Ron