Do SEOs need lobbyists? And what really is an SEO?

[morestar]

Who is looking out for the interests of search and social marketers on Capitol Hill? As far as I can see, no one yet.

No one is, so what's the future of SEO and Internet marketers? Do we have anything to worry about? From my stand-point we don't - there will always be a client that will find out services useful but if one day the search engines can get around SEO, we're practically doomed - SEOs are doomed that is. There will always be a place for Internet marketers and yes there is a difference.

Source

Sometimes it seems the search engines do want to put SEOs out of businesses. Not Internet marketing specifically, but it does seem that SEO is a field that the search engines would love to be rid of because we 'rig' the system.

I know we've all read articles by SEOs, Google and other search engines about how to "make a site more crawlable" or which "headings" or tags to use in our documents but in my opinion manipulating those tags does not make one an SEO - those articles are purely tutorials on how to build a better web - for coders. Every SEO that knows how to get into code and manipulate it was once a coder and probably still is. That's two job titles!

So now what are you? A "search engine optimization"? Oh, you're a search engine optimizer - yes you optimize search engines. You don't write X/HTML code that help the search engines rank my page in the search results do you? Oh you're an X/HTML coder that's keen to what the search engines like to see [code wise] on a page - yes you're a pretty attentive coder - and in the case of writing code for the search engines, you're also quite rightfully called a (problem solving) hacker.

Or, you can write so well, so 'targeted' because you know that just the right amount of keywords, key-phrases or semantically related terms in your copy can boost your position in the search results. If you can write for your users and the search engines you're worth more than gold. So what's job title called? A search engine writer? You write search engines? This weird title gives a little more justice to the job description of a so-called SEO.

Or, you're very popular. One can code in ways that help search engines crawl their site, one can write copy that the search engines and users like but you're different - you've got a following of people that just love your articles, or love your code snippets or love you application. They comment on your articles, download your media, link to your pages and re-share or share your social-shares. Now what are you? Nothing related to an SEO that's for sure - even if you sell the services.

With that said, I don't see why anyone would be surprised that there are no lobbyists for SEO on Capital Hill. There is no clear job description for the position - can one 'SEO' do half the work and Internet marketer (print, radio, web, air) can do? And don't expect an Internet marketer to tell you they're an SEO - I think that's an insult - they work hard those guys/galls (creative) - they obtain links and do awesome in the search results without even asking.

It seems like the real job description and validity of SEO comes in the form of being an aggressive link-builder/cross poster/sharer combined with acute writing skills and a personality that just draws people to what you have to write about or service you have to offer. Other than that you're an Internet marketer or a slightly advanced coder. Maybe the latter can be classified as an SEO?

Capital Hill here I come!

[mjtaylor]

Or, you can write so well, so 'targeted' because you know that just the right amount of keywords, key-phrases or semantically related terms in your copy can boost your position in the search results. If you can write for your users and the search engines you're worth more than gold. So what's job title called? A search engine writer? You write search engines? This weird title gives a little more justice to the job description of a so-called SEO. [/B]

That's an SEO copywriter.