SEO Hype. The world of Search Engine Optimization has been especially rife with hyped up nonsense for years.
In fact, the majority of the folks in the world claiming to know SEO, to offer services, etc. are absolutely clueless about what SEO really is and isn’t.
Penguin! Panda! Oh No! What do I do now?
This work-around and that one.
In short – NO!
I constantly hear people freaking out about Google algorithm changes; oh many “innocent” sites are getting caught up in the wide net and suffering penalties…yadda yadda…
In short – NO.
Oh – you have the words “SEO” and “Search Engine Optimization” on your website – that must make you the ideal candidate for my super-duper SEO services – you know, where I claim first position in Google and will slam links to your site all over the internet or some other such crap.
In short – NO.
We need a great PPC person – Now hiring for SEO.
In short, NO.
SEO is dead. It’s about Content Marketing. No it’s about Article Marketing. Actually, it’s about Guest Posting. No it’s about Links. Ultimately, it’s about PageRank. Hey why won’t my Alexa ranking go up? Forum signatures is the way to go. No it’s all about social now. You’ve all gotten it wrong, it’s paid SEO that really delivers.
In short, No NO NO!!!
SEO is about what it has ALWAYS been about!
Sure, there are some things that algorithm changes force even the most “innocent” of us to change – for example variety in anchor text, etc.
I love SEO. I can’t stand SEO Hype.
However “innocent” and White Hat, ethics, conversion optimization, smart marketing, etc. are not all synonymous.
SEO Hype and Innocence
Paying somebody for any type of social networking followers etc. is NOT innocent.
Buying loads of links is NOT innocent.
Crap content just for “fresh” content is NOT innocent.
Drive-by link spam on Social Media is NOT innocent.
Implementing Bait-and-Switch techniques is NOT innocent.
In short – ANY attempt to trick, fool, beat, win, reroute etc. “the system” IS NOT INNOCENT!
Stop the Hype. Proper SEO takes time, is sure as hell not a one-off, not a project, not a technique, etc.
Unique, relevant and fresh content. And all the tons of extra stuff. But it’s to HELP the visitors get the information or take the action they want – NOT what you want.
Oh noes! Don’t worry – there are people out there who want and need your product, service, information, etc.. And if there’s not, then you need to completely re-think what you’re doing.
Okay. I think I am finished with my rant for now.