Sphinn - 6 Things You Don’t Know (but think you know) about SEO

38
Sphinn It!

6 Things You Don’t Know (but think you know) about SEO

Went Hot: December 3, 2007 - 4:14 am
Posted By: gyutae 583 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.winningtheweb.com)
Category: SEO

In a popular SEO article that received over 50 votes on Sphinn last week, Vinny Goldsmith outlines 6 things that he knows (thinks he knows) about SEO. However, I felt the need to refute every single one of his points. Who do you think is right?

9 Comments

Who Desphunn This (0)

Comments

from seofactor 583 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

Gyutae,
Over the last few years I have been provided the luxury of flying all over this country to meet with other SEO and Internet marketing companies. To me, one of the most alluring aspects of SEO is the variety in which it is implemented by the wide range of professionals. Sure, there are fundamentals, but overall I can attest the the many methods used in the many different ways, and each providing a measure of "success" ("success" is relative).

I Sphunn this, not because I agree with you, as a matter of fact I strongly disagree with your statement of "my way is better, you don't know SEO." However, I don't disagree with your views on SEO, nor do I disagree with Vinny's. I believe you both make very valid points, and have likely fine tuned your process of optimization in your own ways. I Sphunn this soley for the hopeful discussion by others.

from mpilatow 583 days ago #

Votes: 1 | Vote:

+ -

I agree seofactor, I think both articles make good points but the best thing to take away from both is that there are different ways to get results. All that matters is that you actually do get positive results. Sometimes I think as SEO's we get too caught up doing things the same way because that is what we have always done. In fact I began working on an article about this myself. There are obviously some basics that everyone should follow but if we don't experiment and test different techniques and ideas we won't be able to reach the full potential we are striving for.

from gyutae 583 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

I agree with both of you, which is why I wrote this followup article to begin with. There is no set SEO process that everyone should follow to get "results". By countering each of Vinny's points, I'm able to show that there are always different ways of looking at things while still being relevant and valid. This is especially true in SEO.

I really didn't mean to portray an image of "my way is better, you don't know SEO." The title of this article is merely playing off of Vinny's.

from seofactor 583 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

@ gyutae,
Re-reading it with your resonse "By countering each of Vinny's points, I'm able to show that there are always different ways of looking at things while still being relevant and valid. This is especially true in SEO." in mind, I'm able to see that.

@ mpilatow,
Sphinn that article, I love seeing different views in this field. It's always interesting to me.

from SpostareDuro 583 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

OK, I Sphunn the submission in question. Of course, when I did so, I did so under perceptions as I am being taught. But, I differed with it in the same ways you do gyutae. (I am new so if I am off base, disregard)

For example:
1- "over-planning can choke the SEO potential of a site by limiting options and stifling new ideas." The same old same old is not the future. Even little things like the keywords and phrases that people are querying in regards to SEO will soon change as the influx of knowledge about SEO is unavoidable and becomes more of a household name. It may take some time, and you may need long term patience when implementing these terms into your content, but the past becomes the past and the future is already in focus. There are plenty of small businesses for example that are getting tired of being drained of well earned and needed money just to pay for SEO services. These people are also inteligent people that may want to begin their own campaigns, therefore, your risk niche becomes your gain. But, then again, where is Google taking us? What about the algorithm changes that are constantly taking place? We aren't psychics. So, either way...traditional or new ideas (risk), we are vulnerable. So....

2-"it’s the ideas that the text represents that make it worthwhile and valuable" 100% agreed. The SE's matter, but one thing I have learned and believe is that it has to represent valuable fresh consumer appeal. Something that the consumer will refer others to, bypassing the SE's altogether. And, once again...algorithm changes are becoming more advanced, so the word of mouth thing is the SEO's niche.

3-"content comes first and given that the content is of high quality, the links will flow naturally shortly thereafter." Speaks for itself.

4-"In most cases optimizing for Google will also optimize you for Yahoo and MSN." Plus, Yahooers Google too, And I think MSN is crap. Google IS and WILL BE 'The Man' for a long time to come.

5-"If you’re going to sacrifice quality, then don't update regularly." I thought about this too late yesterday myself. I am just a baby yet. I had posted something out of a desire to let others here se that I do have atleast 1 good braincell when it comes to SEO topics. It was a mistake. I haven't had enough to create organized quality content.

And, finally #6-"You have to know how to realistically analyze a situation and cut your losses if need be. You may be a quitter, but you’re a winner for quitting." I agree. My site is a bay site for practice and for the enjoyment of giving back what I have been giving. But, I have not invested what others have for theirs. Gambling can be an addiction. No when to hold em' and when to fold em'.

I'm glad I read this. Thanks.

from Vingold 583 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

Alright - I gave it a Sphinn, and very quickly:

I'm right on #1, you're wrong. Planning matters. You don't have to plan to death every detail, but have an idea which direction you want to steer the ship.

I'll give you #2, when it comes to getting links good ideas count more than just words in a row- although I've seen plenty of words in a row sites outrank absolutely brilliant ideas.

On #3, I don't think Search Engines care about Usability, Site Design, etc. So all those might help in actually converting random traffic to paying customers - sure, I'll give you that. But for search engines - no, I'm right again. :-)

Even though this was picked up just this last week, I wrote this over a year ago and posted it to my blog back in Feb. So I know Google has continued their borg-like dominance of the web since then. But they still aren't everybody - yet (although I may name my next dog Google: "come Google", "fetch Google", "sit Google, stay"). So we'll call #4 too early to be determined.

As for #5, your point is well made and I will actually concede this one to you as well. You shouldn't post just to be fresh or first. Very well done.

As for #6, if you're willing to stop when you reach the top - then please do ;-)

Although I am sure it was done mostly tongue-in-cheek - good article/rebuttal, I'm going to try to remove the no-follow on it later - or give you a link somewhere else if I can't!

from tappingcreativity 582 days ago #

Votes: 1 | Vote:

+ -

I sphunn this article for one primary reason: there has been a SEVERE lack of articles and discussion about SEO here lately, which I find really odd considering the backgrounds here. I'm so tired of blog articles and social media articles! I have nothing against them, it's like you can only hear a great song on the radio before you get tired of it, you know? I blog. I do a ton of social media, but damn! Gimme some SEO discussion already!

Which is what we have here. And I love it. I sphunn the original article and I sphunn this one because both make valid points. SEO, as we know it, is continuing to change and evolve. Discussions like Vinny's that break it down to a "where do we start" type of scenario are gold. And Gyutae's further discussion that challenges those assumption is equally important.

Every client is different and every competitive space is different. And, hell, the Google algorithm could be different every day.

No black or white. Lots of gray. That's what makes discussion so valuable and the job so fun.

from mpilatow 582 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

seofactor, when I finish my article I will Sphinn it. I have a bit of work to do on some client sites and then I will put the finishing touches on it.

from seofactor 580 days ago #

Votes: 0 | Vote:

+ -

@mpilatow,
Send me a message when you do.

@Vingold,
Re: "I'm right on #1, you're wrong. Planning matters. You don't have to plan to death every detail, but have an idea which direction you want to steer the ship."

I think you guys actually agree on this one as well per his "In fact, over-planning can choke the SEO potential of a site by limiting options and stifling new ideas." Obviously there needs to be a plan, but you can only plan for so much. I'm of the "art more than science" crowd.

RE:"As for #6, if you're willing to stop when you reach the top - then please do ;-)" Seriously. And send me an email so I can plan my attack accordingly. lol.

@ tappingcreativity,
I too am happy for this discussion. I argue a lot of these points (and so many more internally), and it's cool to see a back to basics discussion.