Search engine optimization and .tel

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a domain or website from search engines via "natural" ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results. As a result, search engines return links to that domain or website higher up the search rankings, thus enabling those searching for relevant resources to discover it more easily.

All .tel domains are "search engine optimized" insofar as the data you publish to your .tel is structured in such a way that it is of great relevance to search engines.

.Tel is not about presentation like a traditional website, but about data - which machines love. Here are a few simple yet unique SEO features that a .tel domain provides over other types of top level domains:

• No website coding knowledge required.
• Machine-readable structured content.
• Increased relevance and authoritative data source.
• Standard source of contact information for directory listings.
• Continuous re-indexing.
• Structured layout for multi-faceted hierarchy of info.
• Localization for geo-based searches.

With these assets, a .tel domain owner can create a SEO strategy and develop a .tel domain into a highly-ranked, useful resource which complements traditional websites. Here are a few recommendations on how to improve your .tel and other complimented website rankings:

• Determine the type of query that people will use to find you.
• Populate your .tel with relevant, query related information.
• Do not try to cheat, work out a strategy instead.
• Make your .tel interesting for visitors to generate inbound links.
• Update and add information often.
• Use your .tel and make it your contact hub.

To re-iterate, you have fantastic instruments at your disposal, but you also need to work on your .tel to optimize it for search engines. As .tel domains grow in popularity and become widely adopted, search engines will become more aware of this new extension, and will provide more sophisticated ways of indexing these domains.