Search engines are very difficult to completely understand. There are no complete explanations of how their ranking algorithms work. But the very fact that the average person does not intuitively know how to crack the search engine algorithms leads to all sorts of the same questions, usually variations of: How do I get my website to the top of the search engine results pile
Search engine optimization is not magic or something equally difficult to understand. Instead, it is a step-by-step process and you should look at it that way. It can be summarized in the following points:
* An understanding of how search engines think.
* Knowing what search engines want
* Learning proven optimization techniques
* Applying your knowledge time and time again (experience - commonly known as trial and error!).
Of course, SEO is not completely explained by these four sentences. An automated software solution can give you the knowledge and tools to learn and implement SEO on your website with exceptional results. Success on the internet all boils down knowing how to implement Search Engine Optimization better than your competitors and getting it right the first time. If you do this, you will give your internet business that competitive edge.
However, if you have implemented SEO strategies correctly, and if you are still not seeing your website rank anywhere near where it should be on a particular keyword, then you may have one of the following problems:
* Your website may have been sandboxed (specific only to Google).
* Your website might be penalized or even removed from the index by a search engine for going against a stated guideline.
* A search engine might think that you are spamming them.
In the first case, you will have to wait it out with Google, while consolidating on your positions in the other search engines by continuously building links and adding content. You will not encounter the second case if you use and implement a very good automated SEO tool and understand exactly what the search engines will and wont permit.
However, like I said in the beginning, search engines are notoriously difficult to understand - their algorithms change by the second - and sometimes it is possible to all the right things and still not be ranked correctly. Search engines dont always get this part right. Called over-optimization by the major search engines, there is actually a lot of debate over this issue.
I know that optimizing your website and getting it listed is one of the hardest things to do. Believe me, Ive been there. But now that youre armed with the information to get started, why not look for that automated SEO tool that will make your life easier and start you on the road to getting your site listed and ranked!
Joe Borges makes it easy to get your website optimized and listed in all the major search engines. Learn the essential steps to online business success. Visit to get your free ebook.
Joe Borges is an experienced internet marketer with 10+years experience in website design, development and implementation. He specializes in Search Engine Optimization to help internet businesses increase their web presence, boost website traffic and drive more sales. To learn how to increase your internet business presence, web traffic and boost your income now, visit:
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a complex and diverse topic thats both never constant and constantly changing. There are hundreds of myths about SEO, some were once true but no longer apply (outdated information), while others were simply never true to begin with (disinformation).
The large amount of different opinions and tactics used by both Web Designers and SEO Consultants (which can be completely contrasting) has also helped to create myths. Combine this with the large number of web forums and blogs that allow people to share their views, and you have the perfect environment for not only creating myths but for them to spread like a viral epidemic. Here are some of the most common myths explained.
Myth Name: Build it and they will come
Myth Description: The belief that a website will receive large quantities of targeted traffic as soon as it goes online.
Truth: The biggest myth I still come across most days is the aptly named build it and they will come myth. The cause of the myth is a combination of outdated information, a non realistic, over optimistic site owner or a lack of understanding of the web. Back in the old days of the internet you could build a site and they would come, just by submitting to the main search engines of the day (to a degree). This was largely due to the lack of web sites around at the time, meaning top positions were that much easier to secure.
Nowadays a site must be advertised just like any business. A good analogy is your site is a shop and a search engine is a high-street. The only problem is your shop is not on the high-street, so some kind of sign is required to inform passers by where you are and what you do.
Myth Name: Search Engine Submission Myths
Myth Description: The belief that a website needs to submit every page to the search engines. The belief that regular or monthly submissions will result in better search engine rankings. The belief that a website needs to keep on submitting to search engines or they will forget about the site. The belief that if a website submits to thousands of search engines its traffic levels will go through the roof.
Truth: While some of these myths used to have a bit of truth to them, nowadays search engine submission is not required at all. The myths have been caused mainly by some companies who provide submission services. This is because its financially in their interest for people to believe the myths are true.
It doesnt hurt to submit to the major search engines but indexing can be achieved faster by simply getting links to a site (as long as the page where the link is on is known to the search engines).
There is also no point at all submitting to thousands of search engines. There are only a handful of search engines that people actually use. Many of the other search engines have been created to obtain the submitters email address which is then added to email lists (which spammers will pay money for).
Myth Name: Meta Tag Optimisation
Myth Description: The belief that search engine optimisation is just about Meta tags.
Truth: Meta tags used to be very important to rankings until search engines became more complex. While some Meta tags are still important like the description and title tags which most search engines display on their result pages (so they can influence click through rates drastically). Most tags like the keyword tag are obsolete.
I believe the cause of this myth is twofold. One, because its outdated information (to a degree) and two, because people want to believe theres a secret magic formula that only SEOs know about. That way a lack of rankings is not their fault, plus it keeps the conspiracy theorists happy.
Myth Name: Black Hat & White Hat Search Engine Optimisation
Myth Description: The belief that there are two types of SEO, black hat and white hat (the old good verses evil).
Truth: Quite simple this one but nearly always over looked. Any attempt to alter the search engines results and obtain more traffic is against most search engines guidelines. While there are tactics that may get you banned and others that may not or are not widely known about (yet), they are all trying to influence the results and therefore are against the guidelines.
SEO is neither black nor white, but many shades of grey. Just try to know what youre doing and more importantly the associated risks.
Myth Name: Googles PageRank (PR) is the most important aspect of a sites ability to rank
Myth Description: Self explanatory this one, the belief that PR is a God like entity we must all worship in order to obtain rankings.
Truth: It is widely believed by expert SEOs and even been stated by Google Guy (a Google employee) that the PR we see on the toolbar is out of date as soon as we get to see it. Google update PR constantly but only update the toolbar PR now and then. PR is also only one part of a complex ranking system. How big a percentage it plays in rankings, only Google knows.
One thing for sure, it doesnt matter how good your PR is on the toolbar, its not going to get you anymore traffic from Yahoo or MSN (you heard it here first).
There are many more web design myths about SEO, most of which can be spotted if you read between the lines and think about whether it would make sense from a search engines perspective. One of the most important parts of SEO is finding a reliable source of information. If you want to learn more, a good place to start is one of the numerous SEO Forums on the web.
James Anderson is an SEO Consultant who works for Podium Solution, a Company. You can find more information about search engine optimisation on his blog, the SEO Forum Watch.