educational

Search for Quality Traffic

While much has been made about the number of people using social networks today, with traffic hungry mainstream and adult website operators sitting up to take close notice, research is showing that most visitors from social media sources tend to be “low quality,” from a traffic monetization perspective — at least when compared to the visitors referred by content-centric websites, such as news sites.

For example, a recent report by Outbrain on Content Discovery and Engagement, underscores the traffic-building value of original, high quality content, as opposed to the more socially oriented traffic building strategies.

Link building, while it may be less important for SERP ranking as the years go by, is still a core element in building the volume and type of traffic you want.

Looking at 160 million user sessions across 150 of its client’s websites with the intent of studying behavioral differences among visitors from various referral sources, Outbrain discovered that although search engines continue to account for a significant volume of visitors to content pages (representing more than 40 per cent of external referrers); social media referrals are gaining ground, providing more than 14 percent of external referrers.

These sources lag behind the 46 percent of referrals gained from other content sites.

When examining specific social media sites, Facebook comes on top; referring more traffic and providing a more diverse audience to content pages than Twitter. However, it was also discovered that traffic from social media sites have the highest bounce rates — as if the social referral led to a brief “check it out,” rather than “explore this more fully.”

This is where the value of content site referrals comes in, as these visitors tend to be more engaged; demonstrating lower bounce rates — and importantly, more page views. This “stickiness” allows a publisher to better monetize ad space and advertisers to enjoy more opportunities to make a sale.

“This certainly doesn’t mean social efforts should be abandoned. It does mean, however, that webmasters should focus on building valuable links on reputable sites,” Rob D. Young wrote for Search Engine Watch. “Link building, while it may be less important for SERP ranking as the years go by, is still a core element in building the volume and type of traffic you want.”

As for the best traffic source, it should come as no surprise that Google ranks number one for content pages, despite its ongoing decline: down more than five percent this year.

“It’s an exciting time in the content discovery space as larger trends in web usage play out in the ways which readers access and engage with content,” Kelly Reeves of Outbrain stated. “Though traditional methods like search still reign supreme, we’re keeping a close eye on new trends such as social sharing and the increasing openness of content sites to link freely to one another.”

‘From a publisher standpoint, it’s particularly important to recognize and understand these shifts in order to identify the best way to get your content in front of readers,” Reeves added.

Other findings note that North American users are least likely to rely on search, preferring content site links; while European and South American users are most likely to be referred by social media.

Savvy adult marketers will look at this data and tailor their landing pages accordingly.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

To Cloud or Not to Cloud, That Is the Question

Let’s be honest. It just sounds way cooler to say your business is “in the cloud,” right? Buzzwords make everything sound chic and relevant. In fact, someone uninformed might even assume that any hosting that is not in the cloud is inferior. So what’s the truth?

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Upcoming Visa Price Changes to Registration, Transaction Fees

Visa is updating its fee structure. Effective April 1, both the card brand’s initial nonrefundable application fee and annual renewal fee will increase from $500 to $950. Visa is also introducing a fee of 10 cents for each transaction, and 10 basis points — 0.1% — on the payment volume of certain merchant accounts.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Unpacking the New Digital Services Act

Do you hear the word “regulation” and get nervous? When it comes to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), you shouldn’t worry. If you’re complying with the most up-to-date card brand regulations, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Perils of Relying on ChatGPT for Legal Advice

It surprised me how many people admitted that they had used ChatGPT or similar services either to draft legal documents or to provide legal advice. “Surprised” is probably an understatement of my reaction to learning about this, as “horrified” more accurately describes my emotional response.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

WIA Profile: Holly Randall

If you’re one of the many regular listeners to Holly Randall’s celebrated podcast, you are already familiar with her charming intro spiel: “Hi, I’m Holly Randall and welcome to my podcast, ‘Holly Randall Unfiltered.’ This is the show about sex, the adult industry and the people in it.

Women In Adult ·
trends

What's Hot Now: Leading Content Players on Trending Genres, Monetization Strategies

The juggernaut creator economy hurtles along, fueled by ever-ascendant demand for personality-based authenticity and intimacy — yet any reports of the demise of the traditional paysite are greatly exaggerated.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

An Ethical Approach to Global Tech Staffing

One thing my 24-year career as a technologist working to support the online adult entertainment industry has taught me about is the power of global staffing. Without a doubt, I have achieved significantly more business success as a direct result of hiring abroad.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Finding the Right Payment Partner

Whenever I am talking with businesses that are just getting started, one particular question comes up a lot: “How do I get a merchant account?” It’s a simple question, but it has a complicated answer.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

The Taxman Cometh for Every Business

February may be the month of romance, but it is also a time when we need to think about something that inspires very little love: taxes. April is not far away, and the taxman is always waiting. This year, federal and most state income taxes are due Monday, April 15.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Continuous Journey of Legal Compliance in Adult

The adult entertainment industry is teeming with opportunity but is also fraught with challenges, from anticipating consumer behavior to keeping up with technological innovation. The most labyrinthine of all challenges, however, is the world of legal compliance.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More