SEO for magazines: optimizing content for digital publication

This report discusses the challenges of, and provides strategies for, optimizing magazine content for the Web — including, but not limited to, search engine optimization (SEO). As technology, market conditions, and reading habits shift publishing models online, magazine publishers require new editorial and production workflows to streamline this transition and maximize the value of existing content without undermining traditional revenue streams. This report discusses methods and best practices for incorporating online publishing considerations such as SEO, tagging, metadata, web analytics, and web content management into the conventional print production process in a practical, efficient, cost-effective manner using available technology. Research and case studies are based primarily on existing workflows at Canada Wide Media, its Digital Media Department, and its the magazines and respective websites, including BCBusiness, Granville, TVWeek, YouthInk, and GardenWise. Alternative and suggested practices are the author’s own. All figures and statistics are accurate as of October 2009.