If you’ve been producing written content for a while, you’ve probably come across the term “transition words” before.
In this article, you will learn what transition words are, and how to use them in your writing, we’ll also share examples of each of the 10 types of SEO transition words that you can use in your written content.
What are Transition Words?
Transition words connect words, phrases, ideas, and concepts with one another. You can think of a transition word as the glue or a bridge, that holds your text together.
SEO transition words don’t only consist of singular words such as “because” or “so”, they can also be a combination of words that form a phrase such as “for instance” or “as a result”.
Additionally, transition words can be used either at the start of a sentence or phrase, at the end, or in the middle.
For example:
- The dog barked because it saw a bird.
- As a result of the dog’s barking, the bird flew away.
- She’s a pleasant sales assistant. She greeted us with a friendly smile and answered all our questions, for instance.
Why are Transition Words Important for SEO?
Search engines favor pages containing high-quality content.
High-quality SEO content is clear and understandable, contains visual elements, contains links, uses the right keywords, and is easy to read.
Using transition words and phrases in your writing improves the readability of your content. SEO transition words add a natural flow and rhythm to your content, making your sentences sound like everyday language.
Example of Transition Words in Action
Here’s a comparison of two paragraphs that are exactly the same, except text B has got a few transition words/phrases, whereas text A doesn’t.
Text A
You will learn how to create your own study schedule. Creating and following a study schedule plays a big role in your success as a college student. Get a clear idea of what material you need to study before the examination. Take a look at your calendar and make a note of the number of days and hours you’re able to set aside for the task at hand. Divide the number of pages you need to study by the number of days you’ve got available. It’s important that you stay committed to your study schedule, remember to be realistic and make some time to do something you enjoy.
Text B
In this paragraph, you will learn how to create your own study schedule. Creating and following a study schedule plays a big role in your success as a college student. Firstly, get a clear idea of what material you need to study before the examination. Secondly, take a look at your calendar and make a note of the number of days and hours you’re able to set aside for the task at hand. Lastly, divide the number of pages you need to study by the number of days you’ve got available. It’s important that you stay committed to your study schedule, however, remember to be realistic and make some time to do something you enjoy.
Types of Transition Words
There are 10 main types of SEO transition words, let’s review each one of them with examples.
Cause and Effect
Cause and effect transition words are used when 2 statements or events are directly related to one another. We use cause and effect transition words when one statement is a result of another.
Cause and effect transition words: therefore, thus, so, as a result, because, consequently, in light of, in the event of, given that, and hence.
Example: I ran 2 miles this afternoon, hence I’ve decided to take a nap.
Addition
As the name suggests, addition transition words join two or more phrases together and show the relationship between the phrases or words.
These transition words are also known as enumeration words/phrases.
Addition transition words: and, in addition, furthermore, what’s more, also, and then, firstly/secondly, and next.
Example: You’ve won yourself a free meal at your favorite restaurant. And what’s more, you’ve also won 2 free movie tickets.
Compare and Contrast
Compare and contrast SEO transition words compare or contrast 2 things or ideas with one another. This can be based on their similarities or differences.
Compare and contrast transition words: but, although, however, on the other hand, conversely, in contrast, similarly, compared to, likewise, and seeing that.
Example: I’m a fan of warm weather. However, I do enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day.
Clarification
Clarification transition words are used to simply clarify or simplify a complicated phrase. These transition words can also be used to provide emphasis on an intended statement.
Clarification transition words: to clarify, in other words, and that is to say.
Example: I think I’m done with this task. In other words, I’m going home now.
Emphasis
Emphatic transition words are used to establish authority and to place certainty on a specific thought, idea, or statement. These words can help express an opinion in an assertive way.
Emphasis transition words: absolutely, above all, certainly, definitely, in fact, indeed, most importantly, and without a doubt.
Example: I think you should go to the doctor. In fact, I’m making you an appointment now.
Contradiction
Contradictory transition words are used when the writer wants to tell the reader to expect an unexpected outcome. These transition words tell us that the outcome was different than anticipated.
Contradiction transition words: however, despite, nonetheless, and in spite of.
Example: Despite his ability to dominate the last 40 meters of the race, he didn’t finish in one of the top 3 positions today.
Repetition
When a statement is of vital importance, then you can use this type of transition word to ensure that the reader understands its importance.
Repetition transition words: as noted earlier, again, and I repeat.
Example: You should exercise each day. As noted earlier, exercise boosts your body’s immune system and promotes good health.
Conclusion/Summary
Concluding or summarizing transition words tell the reader that he or she is near the end of the paragraph or article. These transition words summarize the most important ideas or discussion points that the writer conveyed in the entire text.
Conclusion/summary transition words: in conclusion, in summary, to summarize, to sum up, in short, thus, and therefore.
Example: In conclusion, it’s important to add alt text to all your images for accessibility purposes.
Sequence
Sequential transition words, also known as time transition words, tell the reader the chronological order in which certain events take place. These words can be used to explain in-depth processes on how things work or the steps required to complete a specific task.
Sequence/time transition words: next, previously, after, first, second, third, finally, during, meanwhile, and soon.
Example: I’m going to add all the text to the article. Next, I’ll add the imagery.
Illustration
The last transition word is the illustration transition. These words are used to illustrate or give an example of the first statement to the reader.
Illustration transition words: for instance, for example, to demonstrate, to illustrate, and on this occasion.
Example: I love cooking Asian dishes. For example, last night I prepared Lo Mein for my entire family and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
How to Use Transition Words for Your SEO
Now that you have a better understanding of what transition words are, how do you use them to improve your SEO and content writing?
Know the Transition Words
The first thing you need to do to improve your SEO with transition words is to actually know all of them. Luckily, most native English-speaking individuals have basic knowledge of transition words and use them in their everyday language.
However, you can still benefit from creating a list of all the transition words, even the less frequently used ones.
Understand the Connection Between Your Thoughts, Sentences, and Paragraphs
To utilize transition words, you have to have an idea of how your sentences fit together. How are the statements related to one another?
Use the Right Transition Words for Each Situation
Having a good understanding of how and when to use each transition word is vital to creating content that flows naturally.
If you’re struggling to determine if a transition word fits, simply read it out loud. You’ll instantly know whether you can leave it or remove it from the sentence.
Conclusion
Transition words and phrases should be used to spice up your writing. Not only that, these words improve an article or page’s readability, and as a result, improve the quality of the page.
The next time you’re producing content, be sure to include some of these transition words or phrases in your writing.
