What Is Seo?
Simplistically, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can defined as optimizing websites to make them more search engine friendly in hopes of achieving higher rankings (easy, right!). While this definition can be quite broad from some in the industry, a more narrow definition might go something like the following. I do need to careful in where this definition might take me, but SEO is the practice of helping website owners bring highly relevant traffic to their sites through professional copywriting, on-page optimization and link building. There are several other factors that have an impact on SERPS, but personally I feel these three are the most important. This might not always be the case do to the nature of this rapidly changing industry. I am sure I will end up changing this post a few more times.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is not the same thing as SEO and typically deals with paid inclusion. In some form or fashion, these fields will over lap as they both are important to the success of any online business.
Just like Star Wars (sorry for the non geeks) there happens to be a dark and light side. While I do not necessarily disapprove of black hat SEO techniques, I will not partake in any form of unethical (maybe more of a gray area) SEO. The industry has created two phrases to distinguish between certain SEO practices. The terms are black hat SEO and white hat SEO. While I could send quite some time on these two phrases I have decided to shy away from white hat SEO (if you want some good tips check out Google Webmaster Guidelines) and mainly write on black hat SEO (Seriously though, who am I to make you toe a certain line?). I will, however, suggest a few things to NOT do in regards to SEO. In no particular order some black hat techniques include link spamming, copyright infringement (duplicate content), hidden text/links or basically anything that purposely deceives a user.
Please feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts. You never know, you might actually change my mind.
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few days I will review my favorite apps or plugins. The reviews will apply to the web industry.
Marc is currently obtaining a Masters Of Arts in Religion. Although not considered well read by a friends wife and a conversation hog by another friends wife, Marc spends hours wasting time on political/news websites, blogging, and reading religious books. Lastly, he quintessentially defines football fanatic. 
One Comment
Thanks for the simple SEO/SEM differentiation…I’ve seen so many use both incorrectly or in tandem when they are very different!!