Are Famous SEOs also Experts?

[Webnauts]

I just found this article and thought of sharing it with the community here. You will find 8 tips for avoiding an SEO Fraudster: 8 Tips for Avoiding an SEO Fraudster

[LobsterWebDesign]

I am always astounded at the amount of spin SEO's put on their work. The secret to SEO is to keep it simple, create good quality content and clear "call to actions".

[ctabuk]

I have added my say -they may not like it That's life

[Doug Heil]

Hi all, the title of this thread asks a very interesting question:

"Are Famous SEO's also Experts?"

Well, are they? Are they experts because they are good at promoting themselves? Where is the proof of expertise? Or; is the fact that the "elites" of this industry promote and praise just the names make these people experts?

[ArthurKay]

From the article...

2. It goes without saying that some of the most visible people in the SEO industry are not visible because they really understand SEO but because they are good at marketing themselves. Be wary of any information you read.

SEO is (in its most basic sense) a marketing technique. As such, wouldn't that qualify the most visible SEO companies as understanding SEO the best?

SEO is primarily viewed as manipulating code to rank high in the search engines... but focusing on SEM (search engine MARKETING, of which SEO is a part) often results in better ROI, brand recognition, etc.

So... I do see the author's point (that the most visible companies may not provide the highest rankings), BUT I think he's missing the larger picture. Higher rankings don't always translate into improved ROI, although they do help. Brand recognition (be it through online PR, advertising, etc) will almost always trump SEO "techniques" because consumers need to trust a site.

That being said... I can't comment on whether the most visible companies are the best to outsource your SEO (or SEM). I would say that they have done a great job on their own websites.

[mjtaylor]

Thanks, John. I was sure I was going to find an article I had seen before, but it was newly rewritten, and we can't reinvent the wheel every time ...

I did notice it was missing the warning to steer clear of SEOs who offer guaranteed placement ...

Cheers, MJ

[Dubbya]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

steer clear of SEOs who offer guaranteed placement ...

Sage advice, MJ!

Seeing that type of thing elicits a chuckle every time.

I wonder if they use disclaimers:
"Guaranteed Placement for 10 minutes" or "Guaranteed placements until Google banishes you with a resounding whack to the back of the head".

[thegypsy]

Man, I don’t even know what to say…. Why do so many folks care? What one person thinks about Bad SEO Providers …. Means nada to me. Reading through the comments on that post was a freakin hooooot!!

I rant about crappy SEO all the time, but understand it is MY point of view. This ‘thing of ours’ – SEO – is rife with opinions as there is no real set standardization. So opinions on it, or the providers is just more of the same.

We can’t always even agree about specifics of SEO, so why in world are we worried about defining what/who is a quality SEO? Does everyone in this Biz simply like to argue about things? Bah… humbug…

I have been in the game since 1998 ( web development, hosing, marketing) and could care less about who is ‘famous’ nor whom is an ‘expert’ or whatever. I care about doing my job, making $$$, happy clients and a lifestyle that suits my humble needs. Am I famous? … naw..sort of ‘infamous’ … am I an expert? By most common definitions of the word..certainly. What’s it matter though? I don’t go running off to SEO conventions to kiss ass and pander to the people of the SEO world… but that doesn’t preclude me from being good at what I do…

Anyway, I went off about this post from the Pilgrim and the Guru’s follow up last week with – SEO ranting or Link Nepotism. If you haven’t seen the fallout from this Pilgrim article…. Have a read.

[mjtaylor]

I don't think we care so much about what anyone else thinks; I think we like an excuse to talk ...

[thegypsy]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

I don't think we care so much about what anyone else thinks; I think we like an excuse to talk ...

I was more remarking at the comments on the article than here.. in case ya thought I was ranting yer way.... I wouldn't do that after all we have been though sweeeeeetie ....

[mjtaylor]

Oh, no, I didn't think you were ranting at me at all ... I know how you feel about me ...
And I don't disagree with you ... I think on here and there, we mostly love to express ourselves ...

Of course, it's all a mirror, so perhaps I project ...

Your Angel, as ever, MJ

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

I did notice it was missing the warning to steer clear of SEOs who offer guaranteed placement ...

Cheers, MJ

Great point MJ. I have that message on my homepage though! Check it out.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Re: Are Famous SEOs also Experts?

Two naive questions:

• Experts at what?
• Why are they famous?

[4arizona]

I am sure they are because their websites say they are!

What is even funnier to me at least is when the main stream media uses them as experts. There is a company here in AZ that works with a local news station. I would say their skills are just above nubie.

But hey they are on TV or in the paper and I am not big on being a hater.
So I say good for them. The only thing I question is How the heck is the news station is quailified to know that they are experts?!?

If the general public in general really understood what SEO is all about. I would be seeing more hits from keyword phrase like.

first page results natural search
first page results
first page results organic search
first page in natural search
first page in organic search
etc...


Wasn't that a big topic at the last SEO party URG .. I mean conference?

But alas I digress


If you have the money there is nothing I can't do on the net

[mjtaylor]

Originally Posted by 4arizona

If the general public in general really understood what SEO is all about. I would be seeing more hits from keyword phrase like.

first page results natural search
first page results
first page results organic search
first page in natural search
first page in organic search
etc...

Oh, sure ... many of my closer, smarter friends who do, indeed, know what I do still tend to explain what I do as "she does search engine something ..." and half of them *eat* organic ...

Plus the general public is still just beginning to understand that search queries (what's that?) are more likely to yield relevant results if they contain more than 2 terms ...

Organic? Hmm, now it's making *me* hungry ... lunch time!

MJ

[mit]

Experts has also need to show their work...

And this is SEO, nothing is for granted...

Basically, clients always wants leads, not rankings actually - that's the cruel truth. So, if anybody gives a good online leads to a client in a shorter period. From my view, he is only the Expert. SEO doesn't mean just rankings....

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by mit

Experts has also need to show their work...

And this is SEO, nothing is for granted...

Basically, clients always wants leads, not rankings actually - that's the cruel truth. So, if anybody gives a good online leads to a client in a shorter period. From my view, he is only the Expert. SEO doesn't mean just rankings....

Don't rankings generate leads? Is it so hard to get clients online leads with PPC? And what is SEO anyway?

[kgun]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Don't rankings generate leads?

Who came first, the chicken or the egg?

Originally Posted by Webnauts

And what is SEO anyway?

Search Engine Optimization.