Search engine optimization for bioinformatics applications

Question

[Khader Shameer]

We are releasing a bunch of web-apps based on our research in the broad area of drug discovery within next month. I am wondering how we can highlight these in the sea of similar web apps out there. Do you use any SEO strategies for bioinformatics web applications? I want to know how big-bioinformatics resource developers do to optimize search engine access, etc.

Suggestions on tools, strategies and tips on bioinformatics-related SEO are welcome.

Answer 1

[Alex Reynolds]

If you want people to find your tools via keyword searches on Google, use Google's tips for helping their search engine index sites connected to your tools, like links to source code and documentation.

For instance, use meta tags and canonical URLs for your project. Take a look at the "other content considerations" section here for more details: https://support.google.com/webmasters/topic/4598733?hl=en&ref_topic=6001981

Announcing new versions of source code and binaries on informatics forums like this one helps. Answer questions by end users and link to relevant documentation pages. Cross-indexing makes search results more accurate.