New: SEO tools for your forum

by **Luzz** December 7th 2021, 4:03 pm

Dear Forumotion users,

A new feature is now available on your forums: our new SEO Tools will help you to improve the forum's appearance and positioning in search engines like Google. These tools also allow you to define a personalized image specific to each topic, which will be displayed when sharing a link on Facebook or Twitter. thumleft

We wanted to make these tools as simple and intuitive as possible, so that each administrator can make good use of them regardless of their knowledge of search engine optimization.

Note that the use of SEO Tools is 100% optional. If you do not use them, the current mode of operation will simply continue (Forumotion is already taking care of Search Engine Optimization of your forum). These tools are therefore intended for users with knowledge of SEO and wishing to improve these aspects.

Setting permissions

You can configure who can use the forum's SEO tools:

Administration panel  General  Messages and Emails - Configuration

There are two possibilities:

Administrators
Administrators and Moderators

SEE ILLUSTRATION:

	Note: Members do not have access to SEO tools, the feature is only available to admins (and possibly moderators, depending on your permissions).

How to use the new SEO tools?

If you are determined to improve your SEO, there are two typical places you can now take action on your forum. You will find the new SEO tools:

In the admin panel: on the creation / modification page of each forum or blog
On the forum: on the creation / edition page of the first post of a topic

These 3 types of page (forum / section in blog / topic mode) are those, along with the home page, which generate the most traffic from search engines. These are therefore the most interesting pages to optimize.

SEO tools for a forum, sub-forum or blog

When creating a (sub)forum, or a blog, you have the possibility to provide additional information in order to enrich your natural referencing.

SEE ILLUSTRATION:

You'll find soon more information on these fields, in our upcoming tutorial.

SEO tools for a topic

When creating a topic (or editing the first message of a topic which hat at least two messages), you have the possibility of providing additional information in order to enrich your natural referencing. The "SEO Tools" module is at the bottom of the page.

SEE ILLUSTRATION:

Even if you are new to SEO, you will easily see the benefits of this tool for sharing your topics on social media. This is because it allows you to choose the image that appears when the topic's page link is shared on Twitter or Facebook. By entering the URL of the image, you can associate your topic with a unique image that is perfectly suited to its content.



Note:

1. If no image URL is entered in the SEO tools for a given topic, we will then use in order of priority: the first image of the topic, then the default Facebook image entered in the "Facebook" module in the Administration Pannel or, finally, the logo of the forum.

2. The tool will not display any image that is below the minimum size accepted by Facebook or Twitter. This operation can only improve your shares, even if you don’t provide a specific image for the topic.

You'll find more information on this new feature in our tutorial which we will publish soon.

	Note: 1. SEO tools are available on all forums. There is no obligation to use them, but their use can significantly improve your SEO. 2. If you don't want to use them, just leave the fields empty, everything will work as before this update.

Hoping that this update will help you in your work on SEO-optimization and improve your visibility on social networks,
we wish you ... a good SEO time! Hello

Forumotion team king

	Administrators who have customized the posting_body template should consider the changes below. (Administrators who have not customized this template are not affected by these changes included natively in the basic template of the forum)

by **Luzz** December 7th 2021, 4:27 pm

	Administrators who have customized the posting_body template should consider the changes below. (Administrators who have not customized this template are not affected by these changes included natively in the basic template of the forum)

Display > Templates > Post & Private messages > posting_body

PHPBB2:

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Code::  <div id="seotools" style="display:block"> <table class="forumline" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <th class="thHead"> <table width="100%"> <tr> <td width="10"></td> <td align="center"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</b></span></td> <td width="10"><a href="javascript:ShowHideLayernew('seotools')"><img src="{TABS_MORE_IMG}" alt="+" align="middle" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> </table> </th> </tr> </table> </div> <div id="seotools_show" style="display:none"> <table class="forumline" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <th class="thHead" colspan="2"> <table width="100%"> <tr> <td width="10"></td> <td align="center"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</b></span></td> <td width="10"><a href="javascript:ShowHideLayernew('seotools')"><img src="{TABS_LESS_IMG}" alt="-" align="middle" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> </table> </th> </tr> <tr> <td class="row1" width="22%"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE}</b></span></td> <td class="row2" width="78%"> <span class="genmed"> <input name="topic_seo_title" type="text" maxlength="75" size="70" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}" class="post" /><br> <span class="info">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</span> </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="row1" width="22%"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION}</b></span></td> <td class="row2" width="78%"> <span class="genmed"> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" type="url" maxlength="170" cols="40" rows="3" style="width: 99%" class="post">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea><br> <span class="info">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</span> </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="row1" width="22%"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL}</b></span></td> <td class="row2" width="78%"> <span class="genmed"> <input name="topic_og_img_twitter" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}" class="post" /><br> <span class="info">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</span> </span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="row1" width="22%"><span class="gen"><b>{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL}</b></span></td> <td class="row2" width="78%"> <span class="genmed"> <input name="topic_og_img_facebook" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}" class="post" /><br> <span class="info">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</span> </span> </td> </tr> </table> </div>

AFTER

Code:: {POLLBOX}

PHPBB3:

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Code::  <div class="h3">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</div> <div class="panel row3"> <div class="inner"> <span class="corners-top"><span></span></span> <fieldset> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_title">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="text" maxlength="75" name="topic_seo_title" id="topic_seo_title" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION} :</label></dt> <dd> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" id="topic_seo_description" maxlength="170" rows="3" class="inputbox">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_twitter">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_twitter" id="topic_og_img_twitter" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_facebook">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_facebook" id="topic_og_img_facebook" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> </fieldset> <span class="corners-bottom"><span></span></span> </div> </div>

AFTER

Code:: {POLLBOX}

PUNBB:

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Code::  <div class="main-head clearfix"> <p class="h2">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</p> </div> <div class="main-content frm"> <fieldset class="frm-set"> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_title">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_seo_title" id="topic_seo_title" class="inputbox" type="text" maxlength="75" size="70" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION} :</label></dt> <dd> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" id="topic_seo_description" type="text" maxlength="170" rows="3" cols="40" class="inputbox">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_twitter">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_og_img_twitter" id="topic_og_img_twitter" class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_facebook">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_og_img_facebook" id="topic_og_img_facebook" class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> </fieldset> </div>

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by **Luzz** December 7th 2021, 4:28 pm

Display > Templates > Post & Private messages > posting_body

INVISION:

ADD

Code::  <h3 class="subtitle">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</h3> <fieldset> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_title">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_seo_title" id="topic_seo_title" class="inputbox" type="text" maxlength="75" size="70" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION} :</label></dt> <dd> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" id="topic_seo_description" type="text" maxlength="170" rows="3" cols="40" style="width: 99%">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_twitter">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_og_img_twitter" id="topic_og_img_twitter" class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_facebook">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input name="topic_og_img_facebook" id="topic_og_img_facebook" class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" size="70" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}" /> <p class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</p> </dd> </dl> </fieldset>

AFTER

Code:: </fieldset>

MODERNBB:

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Code::  <div class="h3">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO}</div> <div class="panel row3"> <div class="inner"> <fieldset> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_title">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="text" maxlength="75" name="topic_seo_title" id="topic_seo_title" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_seo_description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION} :</label></dt> <dd> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" id="topic_seo_description" maxlength="170" rows="3" class="inputbox">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_twitter">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_twitter" id="topic_og_img_twitter" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> <dl> <dt><label for="topic_og_img_facebook">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL} :</label></dt> <dd> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_facebook" id="topic_og_img_facebook" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}"> <br> <span class="italic">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</span> </dd> </dl> </fieldset> </div> </div>

AFTER

Code:: {POLLBOX}

AWESOMEBB:

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Code::  <div id="seo-block" class="block"> <div class="block-header"> {switch_type_seo.L_SEO} </div> <div class="block-content"> <dl> <dt> <label for="topic_seo_title">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE} :</label> <input class="inputbox" type="text" maxlength="75" name="topic_seo_title" id="topic_seo_title" value="{switch_type_seo.SEO_TITLE}"> </dt> <span class="label-description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_TITLE_EXPLAIN}</span> </dl> <dl> <dt> <label for="topic_seo_description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION} :</label> <textarea name="topic_seo_description" id="topic_seo_description" maxlength="170" rows="3" class="inputbox" style="max-width: 700px;">{switch_type_seo.SEO_DESCRIPTION}</textarea> </dt> <span class="label-description">{switch_type_seo.L_SEO_DESCRIPTION_EXPLAIN}</span> </dl> <dl> <dt> <label for="topic_og_img_twitter">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_URL} :</label> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_twitter" id="topic_og_img_twitter" style="max-width: 700px;" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_TWITTER}"> </dt> <span class="label-description">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_TWITTER_EXPLAIN}</span> </dl> <dl> <dt> <label for="topic_og_img_facebook">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_URL} :</label> <input class="inputbox" type="url" maxlength="255" name="topic_og_img_facebook" id="topic_og_img_facebook" style="max-width: 700px;" placeholder="https://..." value="{switch_type_seo.OG_IMG_FACEBOOK}"> </dt> <span class="label-description">{switch_type_seo.L_OG_IMG_FACEBOOK_EXPLAIN}</span> </dl> </div> </div>

AFTER

Code:: {POLLBOX}

New: SEO tools for your forum