You may have noticed a new trend that challenges conventional SEO norms: the practice of hyperlinking single words. Digging deeper into the logic behind this indicates a strategic pivot towards boosting online reader engagement and optimising information processing. This article explores the phenomenon, examining its implications for Digitising Events where audience engagement and effective dissemination of information are crucial.
Understanding the Trend
Traditionally, SEO strategies emphasised linking contextual phrases rather than single words. Recent trends, however, show a shift towards hyperlinking single words like 'data' or 'analysis'. Online reading habits and web engagement strategies influence this evolution. Studies suggest that web readers often engage in skim reading, focusing on keywords or visually distinct elements such as hyperlinks. These hyperlinked words, made prominent through colouring or underlining, are likely to attract more attention, aiding in retention and comprehension. This effect aligns with the Von Restorff phenomenon, where distinctive items are more memorable. The impact of hyperlinks on reading text | PLOS ONE
The Business Perspective
From a business viewpoint, single-word hyperlinks boost user engagement. Personalised links, tailored to individual browsing behaviours, can increase visitors' time on a site. This strategy helps maintain reader interest and promotes exploring additional content. Interestingly, research has shown that the popularity of specific articles or links does not always align with editorial priorities. Still, popular content garners more views, suggesting a potential mismatch between the priorities of online editors and site visitors.
Impact on Learning and Information Processing
Hyperlinked content also impacts how users process information. Experienced web users demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of interconnected concepts when navigating through hyperlinked content. This 'knowledge structure density' indicates that hyperlinks facilitate a more profound exploration of related topics (Center for Media Engagement). Moreover, online reading behaviour, characterised by more browsing and scanning, aligns with the trend of hyperlinking single words, as these links can act as cues for important information in a context where in-depth reading is less common. The impact of skim reading and navigation when reading hyperlinks on the web | PLOS ONE
Relevance to Digitizing Events
The transition to single-word hyperlinks aligns well with the objectives of Digitising Events. This approach can be instrumental for Digitised Evetns, where audience engagement and knowledge transfer are paramount. By strategically hyperlinking key concepts, event organisers can guide participants towards a more in-depth understanding of topics, like the agenda or dynamic lists of relevant exhibitors. Fostering enhanced engagement, learning and actions such as registering.
Application of Single-Word Hyperlinking for Engagement
Understanding how to measure its effectiveness is crucial for B2B event owners considering single-word hyperlinking as part of their digital content strategy. Here's a synthesis of the research on both the application and measurement of this strategy:
Develop Multiple Levels of Conversion: By design, not all content marketing assets drive immediate, registration-ready action. It's essential to track the awareness of content assets across a range of participant behaviours and search objectives. Acquisition teams should track conversions based on their registration readiness level, such as webinar attendance, content downloads, or views on content assets.
Measuring Marketing Effectiveness: Find Out if Your Content Converts (contentmarketinginstitute.com)
Engagement and Conversion Rates: These are key metrics in understanding the success of a content marketing campaign. Engagement rates measure the number of engaged visits (we can now define these to our needs using the GA4 export), while conversion rates focus on conversion events. Low engagement rates might indicate that content quality needs improvement.
Navigational Performance and Time on Page: Analysing how visitors navigate the site and the amount of time spent on specific pages will be a key CVI that can provide insights into the effectiveness of the content and its hyperlinking strategy.
Measuring Marketing Effectiveness: Find Out if Your Content Converts (contentmarketinginstitute.com)
Upper and Lower Funnel Marketing Content Metrics: For upper funnel marketing (like blog articles and webinars), metrics CVIs like inbound visits, click-through rates, and time on page are important. For lower funnel marketing (like registration generating content), metrics such as the number of qualified registrants and predicted attendees are relevant.
Single-Word Hyperlinks And Registration Impact
While SEO remains a consideration in hyperlinking strategies, the primary focus of this trend and its functional outcome is to enhance user engagement in online content. We know there is a direct correlation between engaged visitors and registration events, so this makes sense. It is more subtle and less jarring than the practice of bold text.
The credibility and willingness to seek information are influenced by hyperlinks, with the story's content playing a crucial role in how these links might affect credibility. Making single-word hyperlinks a stylistic choice and a strategic tool in digital media engagement.