One of the methods of analysing your Long Tail for SEO applications (or any other function) is to use the online tool 'HitTail'. We are pleased to present a guest write GaryTheScubaGuy, who will offer his thoughts in rebuttal to my article on Long-Tail Criticims. Gary offers a slant to marketing and pay-per-click uses of Long Tail that I'm sure you'll find useful and insightful. Without further delay, here's Gary....

Being asked to write an article describing the Long Tail software called HitTail, I immediately started making a list of what I wanted to say that I haven't already said on a dozen forums. That being fairly difficult, I decided for the first time, I will actually show snapshots of the results that have excited me over the last few months.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is the final article of three that discusses the use of meta tags and their impact on SEO. We've learned how meta keywords and description tags remain viable, however, less important when it comes to ranking web sites today compared to the past. The leaves all the rest of the meta tags to discuss, and quite frankly, one doesn't need to mention anymore.

A number of web page builders will automatically implement a slew of meta tags, the majority, if not all, are unnecessary. Here is a list of meta items that should remain on your website.

The title tag remains the most important and should be placed before the opening 'body' tag and right after the meta tags. The maximum character length of the title tag should be 63. If you question the character maximums just do a quick search and count yourself.

Of all the garbage metas that web builders pump out only three are needed (apart from the title tag). Here is a list of what should be included between your 'head' tags.

1) Declare a doc type. Not really for SEO purposes exclusively but a part of the current W3C web standards. It's good to create web pages that validate. If you don't know if your page validates submit it here: HTML Validator.

2) meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" <-- declare a character set, this helps the browser display your page, especially important if you're using funny characters (other languages.)

3) Meta description tag 156 characters, it sounds small but again, count for yourself in Google if you don't believe it. Put power words and keywords in your description tag. Remember, include this tag when your content can't reflect (or ODP description) your web page well. Don't stuff with keywords, spam with unrelated content, or fatten with too many words.

4) Meta keyword tag, max 3-5 keyword phrases and 256 characters. I would keep this tag under 200.

If you consider these elements, remembering again that the title tag remains the most important of all, then you're off to a good start when building optimzied web pages.

When the top SEO blogs around the globe post breaking news at the same time you know  something big went down. Today Danny Sullivan, guru and pinoneer of the search engine strategies  (and more) world has withdrawn from all future SES conferences and his old job with Search Engine Watch. For Danny's complmete thoughts visit his blog for more.

No word yet how this will impact future SES conferences and the search engine optimization (to name one) field respectively. Some big names are already implicitly suggesting they will go with the man rather than sticking with the name (that is going where Danny goes and not sticking with names like SES....)

The old search engine optimization adage read, "content reigns king." For those of you wondering what this means here's a quick explanation. When creating web sites SEOs, marketers, webmasters, etc., have been told by major search engines to focus on content. The better the content, the more unique, the value to the industry, how it is written, are all crucial factors of providing the internet community with quality additions. For some time, SEOs have specifically said the primary focus to any SEO strategy is to write and provide quality and relevant content on web sites.

The belief was/is that quality content not only gave legitimacy to your site in the eyes of the visitor, but was/is a major factor in ranking high in search engines (it's a large determinant in your search engine placements.)

The early 2000's rolled in and quality/responsible SEOs held onto the quality content argument, however, it appeared at times that other methods were yielding better results. Spammy techniques and web sites that used copied content were starting to creep higher in the search engines.

Top search engines have made great strides in stamping out web sites that do not offer real value to their users and also use copyright material. Today, there are varying levels of 'copying' that have varying levels of penalties/delays in search engine like Google. Copyright is a topic for another article; let's return to the original question.

Should the SEO adopt a focus primarily on link building and other aspects of SEO, or does content remain number one in importance? The latest Google patent application sheds some light on the situation that will please some old school SEOs. Google appears to be poised to introduce a greater degree of human editing in their SERPS.

The movement to stamp out web sites that spam, used black hat SEO techniques, had stolen content, etc., was largely driven by human editors. The same process was undoubtedly used, and now is being used, to impact obedient web sites and consequently the SERPS (in a positive way).

An excerpt in the latest application for Google:

"In a second way, the editors may establish categories/topics from a directory that may be compared to the search query to determine if the query satisfies a particular query theme. For example, a set of topics could be the topics in an online hierarchical directory (e.g., a Web Directory), such as Open Directory, Yahoo!, or Google (www.google.com)."

This suggests two things: 1. greater human involvement in ranking web sites, and 2. the continued value of some leading directories.

How does this affect the content you place on your website? Since Google is doing more to reward web sites who follow, "provide quality and unique content for your users," and not, "web sites with the greatest number of back links, (or other SEO items,)" it is a clear indication that a re-emphasis on the already relevant content theme is being firmly established. The added incentive for webmaster to provide content that is unique and relevant is given a boost with the human editorial aspects Google appears to be implementing.

Consider the following reasons why this suggestion remains the popular understanding, other than recent Google moves.

A) The value in the eyes of the search engines for great content fully optimized for keywords cannot be reproduced/replaced with any other tactic.

B) Differentiating your website from the competition lies within the quality of your content.

C) 'Link-bait' is usually created through quality and profitable content that other web owners feel are useful to their users. It also encourages social linking from del.icio.us, Technorati, and others.

D) Quality content and content that is routinely added expands your website's market reach (more topics, more keywords, etc.)

There are more reasons why webmasters who have focussed on providing quality and unique content will be rewarded greatly for their product (if they haven't already). DistinctSEO will still support the notion that the single item that separates good web sites from those that excel with users and search engines is great content. Yes links and other SEO aspects remain important components, however, it is content that generates and retains king status.

Take a quick browse through leading SEO forums, SEOChat, SitePoint, and look in their ‘professionals’ or ‘for hire’ threads. You’ll notice that just about everyone, cousins, aunts, dogs, know how to provide SEO services at a ‘professional level’. In fact, SEO must be the most qualified industry in the world given the number of roaming professionals in the general population.

All jokes aside, how is it possible that 16 year old kids or SEOs without credentials win jobs? The answer is pretty simple, there is a market for low cost SEO. Let’s take a look at some issues that show how anybody can get a job in search engine optimization and what is to be done about the issue.

1. The training. There is no standard or 'test' required to be labelled an SEO. A handful of universities are starting to take notice of the phenomena, however, marketing and business majors have yet to realise the potential. This being the case, credentialing is difficult and non-existant. Existing methods to become ‘certified’ in SEO are generally from online institutions and lack the prestige, proper curriculum, and knowledge to providing top ‘grandaunts’.

As it currently stands, anybody who reads English is at an advantage over the remainder of the world. I’m not being biased here, merely suggesting that the majority of information and methods of learning some SEO traits are provided in English. This would account for the heavy influx of third-world SEOs popping up throughout the online land.

Because of the lack of credentialling SEO provides interesting dillemas (although not unique to the industry). Quality of life factors influence consultation prices. An SEO from India may be able to acquire large contracts because they have the ability to price their services lower given this factor. I’m not going to dwell on a quality of life argument, but rather, would support a more sound argument based on experience overall experience and integrity.

Hypothetically (and actually this is the case for the majority) someone can learn the current trends and the ‘ins and outs’ of SEO with enough accuracy to start ranking web sites successfully. Today, this is the primary method in joining the SEO foray. In fact, a couple of the major components of the real SEO ‘pro’ is staying current with the field and experience—what they have accomplished in the past. This brings me to my second point.

2. Successful SEO is largely based on following acceptable practices and methods. These methods/factors are numerous (innumerable by some measures), and constantly under debate. What we do know is lower competitive markets (your name, brown purple pony widgets, etc.) are easier to rank high, take less time, and are more ‘forgiven’ when it comes to leaving out certain SEO factors (either by ignorance or method), than a competitive market.

As a result, less astute SEOs can successfully rank these small websites. Furthermore, small websites are not interested in paying top dollar for the seasoned ‘pro’ and will gladly shell out a tenth of the cost for someone who claims the same results (the 'low-level' SEO). Herein lies a reason why the SEO industry requires differentiation (it’s starting) and how anybody can lay claim as a qualified SEO and profit from it.

3. If we're talking about what you can do to help your stay in the industry as an SEO, differentiation is key. Since there is no governing body for SEO the skill set of individuals will vary greatly. Many useful skills to posses as part of the SEO trade include marketing backgrounds, statistical backgrounds, understanding of coding languages like CSS, SQL, HTML, ASP, .net, etc. DistinctSEO posses these skills in addition to business strategy, CMS, content writing, the list could go on.

Matt Cutts recently posted a worthy blog encouraging SEOs to branch out and differentiate themselves in suitable niche markets. This is an excellent idea for new SEOs trying to capitalise in a market they have a suitable foundation in.

There is plenty of demand for SEOs; many markets, many consumers, many SEOs. A good movement would be for small/uncompetitive webmasters to learn SEO themselves and save themselves the trouble of hiring a 'low-level' SEO pro. This would weed out unqualified SEOs and leave those with substantial industry experience coupled with their unique skill sets to lay claim.

This unfairly assumes that quality SEOs can only be found in highly competitive markets, this is not the case. However, follow the old adage, "if you pay peanuts, you'll get monkeys." This is especially true in the SEO industry. A worthy investment is your online business, and some of the first indicators of the quality of service you're going to receive as a client may be in the consultation price. (Others include online portfolio and experience.)

Nonetheless, nothing can defeat creating suitable and lasting impressions in the SEO industry by maintaining a degree of integrity and results that no under qualified SEO can replicate. So differentiate yourself, continue learning, and hope nobody catches you falsely calling yourself 'pro'.

Since 2004 Distinct SEO have been integral partners with the owners of DiscussWireless.com, a cell phone forum and shop and compare web site. DiscussWireless' features including providing cellular consumers with both comparison shopping between online competitors, and an informative and comprehensive cell phone forum.

Much of the past and continued success of DiscussWireless.com has been a result of the expertise of Distinct SEO who have been involved since day one.

"We're pleased with the results Distinct SEO have provided for us in what are competitive industries," said the owner of DiscussWireless. Many of the search terms include leading cell phone manufacturers and service providers of North America.

"Just do a search for your favorite cell phone provider; we're competing with big names like Amazon, Telus, Verizon, Motorola, etc. We rank top ten in Google for terms like, 'cell phone reviews', 'unlocked cell phones', 'cell phone forum', 'free cell phones', and many, many more."

In response to the success of DiscussWireless, Distinct SEO owner Barry Nagassar gave his thoughts on the continued partnership.

"We are pleased with the results thus far given our time investment. DiscussWireless even permitted us leeway to try new ways of ranking web sites. For example, we didn't put a penny into link building, but we still managed to produce acceptable results. I still feel, however, DiscussWireless has a way to go to meet their full potential."

Asked how this might occur Barry continued, "The most important aspects for web site rankings today involves continued focus on quality link building and the creation of valuable content. These are two major factors that when combined could make DiscussWireless an even more competitive player with bigger search terms like 'cell phones'. Also, better/unique content means ranking for words you haven't even explicitly optimized for."

DiscussWireless ranks for over thousands of keywords and their uniquely optimized forum helps put quality content on the web for users around the globe. Over 300,000 users visited the site in 2005, and that figure grows daily. With a continued partnership and focus on current SEO trends, DiscussWireless will be turn into an online leader in the cell phone industry--with the help of Distinct SEO of course.

Notes: This site has since been sold (Nov 2006).

Hello SEO webmasters and web site owners alike, welcome to the Distinct SEO Blog where you receive great SEO tips and business strategy advice.

This site has been a long time coming but it's finally here. Half of it is dedicated to providing quality and qualified search engine optimization and business strategy consultation for online web sites/firms. Visit our services pages to learn more about what we offer.

The other half of the web site is dedicated to SEO webmasters, those who knows, or are learning the tools of the SEO trade. We will consistently post interesting and useful articles here that are fresh and unique, helping you get ahead in ranking web sites. Make sure you check out our previous entries in the SEO section so you don't miss an issue!
So be sure to drop us a line and say hi, post your comments in the blog, and contact us to open discussion pertaining to your online business and web site. Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Barry & The Distinct SEO.com Team

Look around you, the SEO industry is routinely at least 6-12 months behind search engine trends be it good or bad. There is always considerable discussion, in an effort to stay one step ahead of the competition, regarding the importance of the various linking schemes available today compared to the past and the subsequent impact on a web site tomorrow. This article will provide a brief discussion on the various linking schemes and what SEOs should think about them today.

A) Reciprocal Linking:

The idea is simple: Site A links to Site B, Site B links to site A in return. Currently, there is sufficient evidence to suggest the major search engines are starting to devalue reciprocal linking and are distinguishing between unrelated and related backlinks, labelling and grading them accordingly. There is a general consensus that reciprocal linking has a reduced impact when it comes to influencing your SERPs, however, they still remain a viable method of increasing your ‘search engine position’. High quality reciprocal links, and by high quality I mean links that are from worthy sites with relevant and rich content for your users, remain important components of the SEO puzzle and any linking strategy.

‘Low quality’ but relevant reciprocal linking remain an acceptable practice, if not for anything but community building. The largest community building sites on the internet, MySpace, Blogspot, all rely on community members linking to each other and vice-versa in some fashion. Although SERP positions may not increase dramatically the traffic through ‘word of mouth’ is worthy of the link. (Always be mindful you’re not linking in ‘bad neighbourhoods, stay away from large linking pages and web sites where the sole purpose is apparently to be a glorified link farm.)

While we’re on the subject of community, take into consideration linking strategies that incorporate the latest community ‘devices’. I’m talking primary about blog tools that link users through various networks and elements such as ‘tagging’. Technorati and del.icio.us are worth investigating and promoting your web sites on (assuming you run a blog). This is an excellent source of traffic, awareness, and in some cases one-way links.

B) One-Way Links:

These continue to be the greatest assets in terms of building and increasing online search engine presence and position. There is little indication that one-way links will be replaced as major variables in SERP positions. However, it does get tricky. While some ‘spammy’ techniques still remain viable options for acquiring the ever elusive one-way link, (getting your friends from their blogs/myspace/webpage to link to your site, getting Wikipedia links, mass emailing) acquiring relevant and reputable one-way links, with high page rank, is a challenge.

Relevant means relevant to your content and users; one-way links are usually harder to come by then the indiscriminate one way links from the unrelated web site. This process becomes even harder as you seek pages with higher PR and ‘stature’. Despite this, the number one method and strategy for acquiring one-way links from any source lies within the distinct nature of your content.

Unique and useful content (a little advertising and popularity always speeds things up) is a magnet for one way links. Seek to create what SEO pundits call ‘link bait’, content that is worthy of recognition, unique, and useful enough for other sites to readily link to because it benefits their users.

C) The Site Wide Link:

An excellent method of getting a boost in the SERPs, that is if the year was 2003. Today site wide links or ‘sitewides’ should be avoided as they tend to trigger spamming penalties, or in the very least, delay filters because major search engines see 10,000 links displayed overnight. There are better, more efficient, less expensive, and more ‘white hat’ techniques available. Google will sniff sitewides out and devalue them regardless of any delay or penalty that may or may not occur.

(Also be mindful of not acquiring too many links too fast regardless of method. There is no set value of ‘too many’ so be a good judge between size of your site and overdoing daily links. 10 page web sites with 1000 daily links is way too much. 1000 pages with 50 daily links may be sustainable.)

D) 3-Way Linking Schemes:

The scheme works like this: Site A links to B, B links to C, C links to A. Many SEO webmasters provide a service for their clients where they’ll have their own sites (usually directories) link to e link to webmasters who in tern link to the client of the SEO. The webmaster gets a link on a devalued web directory or some other type of inadequate online resource and the client gets a worthy link from a competitor. The fact of the matter is, not only are 3-way links usually counterproductive for building quality backlinks, but the top search engines today have the ability to discover 3-way links with haste and the verdict is they don’t favour them. Steer clear of these schemes.

So what exactly does that leave? Established web owners should consider components of all of the following (some are likely left out):

1.) Relevant one way links

2.) Directory Submission (Dmoz, yahoo, to start)

3.) Writing Article's

4.) Blogging

5.) Forums

6.) Email Marketing

7.) Guestbooks

8.) Press Releases

9.) Reciprocal Linking

10.) Posting Advertisements

Of course, all of these options can be abused, however, it does provide lots of options for the webmasters seeking to expand their backlink repertoire; most of these elements can be completed without cost as well.

So put together a proper linking strategy taking the advice listed above into consideration. Always be wary of quick fixes and old schemes that are perpetually changing as the dynamic industry of SEO carries on.