As a copy editor, you may have come across the phrase « take precedence over agreement » when reviewing content for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. This concept can be a bit confusing, so let`s break it down.

In the context of SEO, « take precedence over agreement » means that sometimes, optimizing content for search engines may require sacrificing grammatical correctness or perfect sentence structure in favor of including specific targeted keywords or phrases. While it`s always important to strive for clear, concise, and error-free writing, there are situations where SEO considerations will take priority.

For example, let`s say you`re editing a blog post about the best hiking trails in a certain state. Your client has identified « hiking trails » and « outdoor activities » as important keywords to include in the post for SEO purposes. As you review the post, you notice a sentence that reads: « There are many beautiful trails to hike in this state, and outdoor activities like biking and camping are also popular. » While this sentence is grammatically correct and flows well, it doesn`t include the targeted keywords.

As a copy editor with a focus on SEO, your job in this case would be to suggest a revision that includes the keywords, even if it means adjusting the sentence structure or grammar slightly. A revised version might read: « This state boasts countless hiking trails, as well as popular outdoor activities like biking and camping. » While this sentence is technically incorrect (the subject « trails » doesn`t agree with the singular verb « boasts »), it includes the targeted keywords and is more likely to rank well in search engine results.

It`s important to note that taking precedence over agreement should never mean sacrificing clarity or readability. Your goal as a copy editor is always to ensure that the content makes sense and is easy for readers to understand. However, in certain cases, you may need to prioritize SEO considerations in order to help your client`s content rank higher in search results.

In summary, « take precedence over agreement » is a concept that copy editors experienced in SEO should be familiar with. While grammatical correctness and sentence structure are important, optimizing content for search engines may require sacrificing these elements in favor of including specific keywords or phrases. As a copy editor, it`s your job to strike a balance between SEO and readability, ensuring that the content is clear, error-free, and optimized for search engines.