UPDATED: 09.18.08
I’m no longer “actively active” in the effort for an SEO Code of Ethics (other than with the team I work to provide services). Ethics is a personal matter and cannot be legislated. (Standards or regulation was not the point in the first place.) My hope was that a team could develop and accept a common SEO Code of Ethics that consumers could reference to understand when they are being snake-oiled. Unfortunately, anyone could simply use such a code as a marketing ploy. It, too, could be misused.
Discussion about a Code of Ethics turns into a heated discussion, it has before and still is. It feels too much like politics and religion. I vote as an independent and see both sides to many issues and find many of the issues are not issues for me. I’m a Christian but don’t push or advertise such as part of my offering. Actually, I’m embarrassed by how some operate. I read a comment about how some use Christianity as part of their marketing. ugh… Others would use a Code of Ethics as part of their marketing. This, too, is snake oil, not SEO. Politics and religion are not SEO either!
Bottom line, I’m going quiet on this topic. I respect those who are following their own SEO Code of Ethics and walking their talk. Comments closed.
ORIGINAL: August 29, 2008
SEOs unite! The SEO Code of Ethics Effort is underway!
Do you provide SEO services and serve clients or represent a company that does Search Engine Optimization and/or Social Marketing? Are you interested in being part of an effort to discuss best practices and ways to implement a voluntary SEO Code of Ethics?
If so, join our SEO Code of Ethics Google Discussion Group.
The effort needs participation and GENUINE collaboration of many members of the SEO and Social Marketing Industry.
Written while listening to Huey Lewis, Heart of Rock & Roll. Is he giving us insight into SEO?
Songwriters understand the value of good lyrics. Where ever there is real, live music, there is good content. Musicians, for centuries, have been writing and singing songs that speak of their heart and soul. Their lyrics can have far-reaching influence.
- A popular song can put a town on the map. I recently moved to Folsom, California. People immediate connect Folsom with Johnny Cash. His At Folsom Prison song created an association that outlives him.
- A catchy tune can result in memorizing a phone number you never plan to call. Tommy Tutone’s song, 867-5309 Jenny, embedded that phone number in our brains.
Good copy is the core of a memorable song! It’s all about the content…and the jingle. Read the rest of this entry »
This is written to SEOs and Social Media marketers, myself included.
Are we using our skills and talents to make a positive impact? Are we helping optimize society? How are we giving back and making a difference?
Is SEO “all about me?”
SEO, the process of getting websites to rank high in the search engines, is a critical component of online marketing efforts.
- We need to develop a lot of content.
- We optimize various forms of content (text, pdfs, podcasts, video) and our website(s) for universal search.
- We work to improve PageRank (authority) with Google while building up “social trust” by getting more links from other sites.
- We Blog, Sphinn, Digg, Thumb, Tweet, Snip, Share, Bookmark, Comment…
Focusing on SEO can result in tunnel vision, since a lot of this effort is “all about me!”… My website. My clients. My reputation. My content. My opinion. My pocketbook. Me. Me. Me. Remember, I’m talking to “myself” as well. Read the rest of this entry »
Today, 08.08.08, is the first unofficial National Search Engine Optimizers Day! National SEO Day celebrates the power of SEO, viral marketing and our love of social search. Learn more about the vision at the site: NationalSEODay.com
No fanfare? No hoopla? Sadly, no. Actually, Dana Larson of Top Rank Marketing made up the day on Twitter. I thought, “we could really do something with this to build awareness about SEO around the world.” We collaborated, and I purchased the domain and setup a site. However, we’ve been too busy doing SEO to develop the site and the idea any further. Read the rest of this entry »
SMX Advanced generated a lot of controversy and conversation.
Did the conference go to the “Dark Side” with Black Hat SEO?
Should there have been more advanced topics?
Was there enough White Hat SEO discussed?
The 2008 Advanced Search Marketing Expo also delivered a fast-paced, action-packed venue of topics and opportunities for networking with top-notch performers who specialize in organic Search Engine Optimization, Paid Search and Web Development. Read the rest of this entry »
