Please Use Descriptive Thread Titles

[jeff]

One of the things on my IAP to-do list for 2012 is to make our Google, Bing, and other search engine results more relevant. That helps people find us when they search for all things related to penturning. For forums, search engine optimization depends on descriptive thread titles.

I've noticed a few threads here lately with pretty non-descriptive thread titles; Things like "Question", and "HELP!!!", and "Why does this happen?" Descriptive thread titles help people at the site find stuff they're looking for, and it helps people using search engines find all our great stuff.

So, please try to use descriptive thread titles! :biggrin:

This isn't too important in the casual conversation forum, but in the specific penturning topic forums, it really would be helpful. Occasionally, moderators may edit thread titles to be more descriptive of the thread content, especially when a lot of great discussion develops in a thread with a very non-descriptive title.

THANKS!

 

[ed4copies]

From a "user" point of view, a good headline is a good way to get good answers.

When I visit, if the headline includes "acrylics or plastics or skew" I will open it, thinking I can probably contribute some knowledge that may help.

The same thread with a less descriptive heading may get opened the second or third time I view it---if there have been previous answers.

"Help" can be made much more descriptive with one or two more words.

Help-lathe broke
Help-blank exploded
Help-drill straight

etc.

 

[GoatRider]

Good luck with that.

I heartily agree with you, but it's an uphill battle. This happens on forums everywhere.

 

[jeff]

On a related note... I'm tweaking our visitor announcements so you might see some message banners over the next week that are not directed at you until I get things configured properly. These are the messages shown to visitors (non-members or members who are not logged on) suggesting they join when they arrive at a thread from a search engine and bypass the index pages.