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Marty, for whatever it's worth, I don't think that YOU are a jerk. I think the Fools Gold Link Exchange technique you discussed is somewhat jerky and I have a hard time swallowing it. I think it is our job to educate clients and people about the industry. If you're a car dealer, I don't think you're justified in selling someone a lemon just because they're dumb enough to buy it. It's just a difference of opinion on how things should be done. Or maybe my age is showing again.
But all that aside, I do apologize if you were offended by the "jerk" comment. I wasn't calling you a jerk, I was calling the technique a jerk thing to do.
Story: Google Knows Where I Live
C'mon, if you were Google, you'd make sure you knew where Michael Gray lived too. They're probably just keeping an eye on that gold Highlander to make sure it stays put.
I completely give up on Ask. Ask City and their mapping technology was perhaps the only really useful service they've ever offered, and now they've killed it? They need to just go away quietly.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that widgetco.com is a real Web site. Who would have thought that wasn't just an SEO'd example? Crazy times.
Well done, Julie, but not quite. She waited until she heard everyone else's thoughts and then rehashed them for pats on the head. I'd rather not relive an old argument.
[exits stages]
Story: Must Read WordPress SEO
Sphunn because Joost provides an absolutely awesome guide that is worth both a read and a bookmark.
Mentally desphunn because jameskm03 openly admits to having sphunn something he hasn't even read. Trust in the community FAIL.
Funny, Rand, I thought I DID mention a lot of the great stuff that came out of the show. I didn't frame the story to be sensational, I framed it to be honest and representative of my feelings and what I took away from the event.
How can you say the amount of black hat content was small when you attended a total of three panels (if your blog post on the subject is accurate)? If there's anyone being irresponsible, it's certainly not me.
Easy there, Matt. I had the luxury of being two places at once during the show thanks to us having two livebloggers in town and it was more than just a handful of sessions and a handful of speakers. There were a good number of speakers whose presentations simly amazed me. If you don't agree that the content was a bit darker than normal, than we drawn the line differently But I'd say Advaned was a bit of a departure from the norm, for better or worse.
Danny's left a few comments on the BC blog about this. I'll post a snippet here.
The conference had content that was far more blackhat that I would have liked to have seen. It had content I was embarrassed to see presented, because it is not about the type of SEO I'd like people to learn or know about. I felt sorry that I oversaw a show that may have pushed things backwards rather than forwards.
Matt, I really wasn't trying to "nuke" anything. I'd like to think you know me a bit better than that. I was surprised very much by the content and opened a discussion.
I was using "a bit darker than normal" to be generous. I think the conference went pretty dark. I stand by the headline AND the content. :)
Heh. By "consequences" and "suffering" I wasn't referring to the exposure Lyndon received. I was more talking about any loss of crediblity sites may receive if they become known for promoting/creating "false" news stories.
Key Takeaway: If you want to succeed in social media, date Rebecca Kelley. :)
I want to know how an intelligent discussion became a cat fight? Because we're both female? Lame.
Story: We Do Need SEO Standards
Kim, I should point out that I have no problem with people "breaking" the rules, I just think some sort of standards should exist. It's really more for the learning and teaching of beginners than trying to "enforce" anything. Run your SEO campaign the way you want, but know that certain tactics are considered acceptable by the engines and others aren't. Pick which way you want to go, but be clear of the differences.
Like I mentioned in the post, I'm not trying to bring anyone over to the "good" side. It's about documenting the basics and making it available as a resource.
Story: We Do Need SEO Standards
Jill -- I don't think ANYONE wants that. It's not about creating MANDATORY SEO classes. It's about defining WHAT we do, HOW we do it and WHY we do it so that others can use that as a resource to find the best practices and decide whether or not they want to follow them. It's not about policing anything. It's about creating an educational standard. If people want to disregard that standard, that's their choice.
How many businesses get scammed each year because they trust bad SEOs simply because they didn't know any better? Published standards leave them better informed and able to protect themselves. It's also the first step in rebuilding the industry's reputation.
Wouldn't it be nice for upcoming search marketers to have someone trusted they could learn from instead of having to pick apart blogs and forums and try and decide what's true. Wouldn't it be nice to have a set of clear definitions to go to your execs or clients with? The industry is maturing and it needs to start taking itself more professionally. Think of all the money being thrown into search.
I think Ian McAnerin said it best at SMX. SEO is a form of advertising. Standards HAVE to be set. Who do you want setting them -- Your community or people in suits?
Face it, Jill. Your baby is growing up. :)
Story: We Do Need SEO Standards
@Jill. I really do hear your argument and you know I don't try to fight with you. :)
Just to be play devil's advocate: You don't know think part of the reason sites get scammed and aren't informed is because there is SO much information out there in blogs and forums that they don't know what's right and what's "wrong"?
@SEOhack I think the "slope" we're hitting is the one where SEO becomes at least partially standardized, allowing it to be seen as a credible occupation and taught in college. I'd disagree that there aren't any "codes" of conduct for journalists. There are all sorts of guidelines about how stories are written, how sources are dealth with, etc. Rules are meant to be broken, but the rules do have a purpose.
Oh please don't advocate this advice. I heart Loren, but is there anything more annoying than an automated Twitter account that does nothing but spit links at you? I think not.
@DoshDosh It's really the automation that gets to me. I have no problem with people pushing a few posts in with their regular feed, that's natural, but when you can't even be bothered to personalize it, your feed starts looking far too marketing-like. That's just my feeling. I'm sure others are totally fine with it.
I know Jason is notorious for saying things to get a reaction and push people's buttons, but it sounds like we're purposely setting him up to fail here. Why do we need to "gather" questions beforehand? Isn't that the whole point of the keynote -- he talks and then people respond? Why purposely turn this keynote into a spectable and put Jason into attack mode? That seems like a good way to ENSURE he says something horrible, which just feeds the whole us vs him mentality.
For whatever reason, Jason was invited back to speak at SES. Let him speak. And if he says something stupid, use the Q and A to respond and politely "correct" him. There's no reason to set up a firing squad BEFORE he puts his foot in his mouth. Just my two cents. Feel free to attack now. :)
@Nick I think coming prepared with questions is a good idea. People should be doing that for every keynote and for every session. That's the whole point of attending in the first place -- for knowledge transfer.
It just puts a bad taste in my mouth when it seems like someone is getting ganged up on, even if it is only Jason. :) If we're really interested in knowledge and getting information from him, why are we being asked to keep the questions a secret? Wouldn't making them public allow Jason to research them and then provide audience members with solid answers? It's the trying to catch him "unprepared" that makes the whole thing sound less than on the level, like we're trying to embarrass him or hurt his reputation. In the end, it just makes us look silly. I'd rather we create an open environment for everyone.
Is this really Web analtytics or just a souped up version of Technorati?
Story: SEOs Fight Fat For Charity
1. I'm a bit bummed there wasn't an open cattle call (heh) for people to enter, I totally would have wanted to get involved. Sounds like some great fun for multiple good causes.
2. Are we allowed to sabotage the contestants during conferences by ordering them free desserts and drinks? Not that I would do that to poor Simon. I'm just curious. :)
Story: SEO Secrets of SMX Advanced: Give It Up