Content still reigns as the king in the world of Search Engine Optimization. Some websites get on top of SERPs because of high-powered link building campaigns, but when you talk about visitor loyalty and traffic retention (and yes, public consumption), it will always require that good ol' optimized content.

How does one manufacture a SEO-friendly (optimized) Content?

1. Readers first, then keywords.

In the previous years, SEOs follow this trend: “keywords first, then content”. Now that Google has integrated Latent Semantic Indexing in its algorithm, webmasters found out that it ain't just the keywords that matter, but the related terms that revolve around your content. That means you can't just repeat the word, “cheap cars for sale” twenty times in your paragraphs. It needs more substance (and related words) than that. It's almost like writing for your readers alone, and not the search engines. But of course, it'll be Google and the others who will determine your rankings.

2. Diversify Anchor Text Links

As Aaron Wall pointed out, there has to be some variations in the text when one creates those blue-highlighted anchor text links. The links on a page are what the search engine spiders follow in determining your website structure. Most likely, the text used in the links are being considered in figuring out what a page is all about. You may also set some keyphrases in bold letters. That tells the spiders which terms you're trying to emphasize, just don't overdo it.

3. Take note of word count

Although it's been a classic rule that “readers online do not read”, it simply doesn't mean that one has to deprive the online users of good, meaty content. Stick to at least 250 words a page. SEOs know that writing down for an appropriate length of text means being more able to include more related terms for the target keywords.

And now, how do you offer your optimized content for consumption?

1. Social Bookmarking

If the content is real good (i.e. controversial, substantial, significant to a great part of the crowd), then it's best to digg it, make people reddit, and tag people at delicious. News items are great at Netscape.com. How to's and tips are perfect in Wikihow

2. Social Networking

Share your blog announcements, latest promos, or any significant tidbit of a fact at your bulletin and Group posts at MySpace, and any other social networks you find helpful in bringing traffic to your site. Just a tip: Make it short and sweet in your bulletin posts since a bulletin is supposed to be quick.

3. Content Submissions

Good quality traffic from reputable websites like ezinearticles, goarticles, and isnare will help out in traffic and visibility. It might hurt your rankings though, because these sites are deemed “authorities” or of great value by Google.

Blogging does a good job at sharing and syndicating content. If you have a website, and a separate blog (checkout: Link Building with your Blog), it'll ease out the load in gaining visitors.

A SEO-friendly content is no longer the restrictive, robotical-sounding content it used to be. Search engines, in their aim to continuously refine search are catering more to the online readers, the social aspect of the World Wide Web. Content comes out to be more human-centered, and ready for consumption.