SEO is the go

Search Engine Optimisation is a key to any successful news site. There's no room for snappy headline writing here, it's all about keyword searching and page hits. To test the most successful sites I decided to conduct a quick experiment to see whether any news sites were perennial winners online.

The conditions of the experiment are:
1. New news via the AAP wire on October 6. (3 stories only)
2. My interpretation of the three key words people would use to search.
3. Top 3 results on Internet Explorer search engine.
4. No additional parameters will be added to the search  field except "pages from Australia"

Search 1: The death of Apple founder Steve Jobs

Search words used: Steve, Jobs, dead (simple enough)

And the results are:
1. The Herald Sun - Steve Jobs dead at 56: his lifetime of impact on the world of technology
2. News.com.au - As it happened: Apple announces founder Steve Jobs dead

3. The Camden Advertiser - Steve Jobs dead: Apple confirms former CEO loses fight (go Camden)

Search 2: Campbell Newman referred to the CMC for not declaring financial interests.

Search words used: Campbell, Newman, CMC

And the results are:
1. Sydney Morning Herald - 'Desperate' Labor turns to CMC: Newman
2. Brisbane Times - Newman vows to co-operate with CMC
3. The Australian - Campbell Newman has 'nothing to hide', the LNP says

Search 3: Qantas baggage handlers call off strike action

Search words used: Qantas, strike, baggage

And the results are:
1. Trading Room - Qantas baggage strikes called off

2. International Business Times - Another Round of Qantas Baggage Handler, Ground Crew Strike on Friday
3. Herald Sun - Qantas workers call off nationwide strike planned for tomorrow


Results:
 
Eight separate news organisations filled the nine possible positions with only the Herald Sun achieving more than one entry. While there is more to SEO than just the headline it is noteworthy that almost all of the headlines listed contained either two or all of the key words of the story (IMHO).
 
So what can we draw from these results?
 
Not much really except "Get the headline right or Pay the Price"