The deadline for applying for our studies is approaching. Our aim is that the most motivated students apply for studies at the University of Oslo. We know that our webpages are important when searching for relevant studies and that Google is the most used tool to find that information. Our webpages can to a greater extent be optimized for search engines in order to reach more potential students.
Why is this important?
Google is the most important source of web traffic in the world, and over 90 percent of hits on Google comes from listings that Google doesn't charge for. Good ranking on Google is quite simply that the application pages use the words and concepts that applicants prefer to use.
Each year, the University sends a survey to all applicants who have registered the University of Oslo as their top five choices in the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (Samordna opptak). Read more about the survey for 2018 (only in Norwegian).
The most important observation in this survey is, not surprisingly, that most applicants choose studies based on their own interests. Furthermore, they want information about what they learn in a given study program, how the teaching is organized and job opportunities after completing their education.
We are working with search engine optimization
Since Google has a huge impact on what information potential students find online, we are working with search engine optimization on the study program webpages. Based on an analysis, we have found the most used keywords, also known as trigger words, applicants use. We update the study program web pages with the same keywords without changing the content. That way, our webpages get better listing on Google, which means that we reach more people.
We have started to work with search engine optimization on the study program webpages where we have the fewest first-choice applicants. The experience and findings from this work will eventually be applied to all our study programmes.
Trigger words and concepts
Since most people "google" to find our study programs, the websites must answer their questions; "What is it like studying chemistry?", "What can I do with a Bachelor of Geology?" "What does a biologist work with?" etc. The goal of the ongoing work is to further develop the content on the study program webpages and to work systematically with the texts to increase visibility on Google.
Tests have shown that search engine optimization works. Do you have a good idea on how to make “your" study more visible on Google? We would like to have your input! Please contact the Program Coordinator at your Department or send an e-mail to Hilde Omberg, Web Editor for Studies at the Faculty.