SEO Basics

[chrison600]

Hi all,

Please be patient with me. I looked over this site for some links to basic SEO information and couldn't really find a link to a page or tutorial, etc. I trust the members of this site more than a simple web search because so much garbage comes back in a basic search.

Where do I go to read up on SEO basics and to learn how to test my site? From what I can read in the traffic on this site, SEO is very dynamic. Is there a resource that adapts to the changes in ranking strategies as they change?

Thanks,

Chris

[cbp]

Basically, hypothetically and conceptually:

ranking = importance x relevance +/- quality signals

Importance
Search engines try to rank the more important sites first:
*importance is largely based on link popularity (Google calls it PR) - the more links, especially from higher PR sites, the better --> seen as more important a site --> rank higher
* links from authority/expert sites (ie Hilltop theory) may also be an 'importance' factor
* lots of good content makes sites want to link to you as you are a good resource

Relevance
Search engines try to rank the most relevant sites higher. To be more relevant to a particular keyword(s) you need:
* Keyword(s) in the title, description, H1 tags and have the highest density on the page, but still keep low as possible and flow natural with the text
* Keywords in the anchor text of incoming links - this is currently the most important relevance factor
* links from other sites on the same theme/topic (ie TopicSensitive Page Rank theory)
* good content (so you get the relevant links)

Quality signals
Search engine try to rank the better quality sites first, so look for "signals":
eg
* do nothing that gives any hints that you are participating in link exchanges for the purposes of ranking better (ie link for the benefit of the user)
* don't link to a viagra or casino site unless you are a viagra or casino site
* duplicate content issues
* etc

CBP

[flood6]

As you mentioned, SEO tactics change quickly. It's a matter of keeping up with the news. Some sites that I use to keep up with current SEO trends are:

This one
WebProNews
WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Watch The also have a great newsletter
Axandra has a surprisingly good newsletter
SiteProNews has an OK newsletter, sometimes the articles are awful and sometimes they're great; they are also a little "heavy handed" with the spam sometimes

If there is something new on the horizon of SEO you'll see it discussed on one or more of the above mentioned sites/newsletters.

As far as testing your site goes, it's all about trial and error. If you hear about a new technique or rumor, try to devise an experiment on one of your minor sites. I suggest you use a site where you won't be hurting if something backfires.

Proving or disproving a new SEO theory or technique is hard because so many variables are involved; many of those variables are unknowns like SE algorithms. Don't believe everything you read, a lot of the dogma surrounding SEO is speculation or old information.