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Is Search Engine Optimization Mainstream? 
By: Solomon Rothman 2007-03-12 I prefer the term search engine marketing to search engine optimization. As Ive written about before, search engine optimization sounds too much like build it and they will come as opposed to actively and aggressively marketing a clients website, brand, and image.
Some SEO industry leaders have written about how they believe search engine optimization as a discipline has crossed into mainstream consciousness. They usually go on to quote that SEO has been mentioned in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, on Googles website and generally all through the online business world and MSM (main stream media). My response is that, generally, marketing tactics and strategies in general are considered mainstream as the internet has matured from being a geek haven to a geek haven mixed with all levels of regular folks and business professionals. Just 5-7 years ago it was extremely difficult to find individuals outside of the tech sectors that even knew what words like blog, link, and sitemap meant. Even though the term SEO itself is definitely becoming more main stream, I personally wouldnt say its main stream as of now. When I talk to most people on the street, random individuals with jobs like insurance sales, customer service, bankers, apartment managers etc, the majority do not associate SEO with the term Search Engine Optimization and, even when presented with the full term, they only have a vague understanding of what that could possibly mean, which they interpreted incorrectly from the words themselves. Common real responses include: is that doing something with search engines? Optimization sounds complicated; are you a programmer? Sounds technical; did you have to go to school for that? What do you mean optimization, are you a spammer? Will SEO ever enter mainstream vocabulary? I think it wont because I believe the term itself will gradually fade out as an all encompassing term for ranking a website and instead be replaced by more accurate sub-terms or marketing terminology. Currently SEO involves a strange mix or web design / development, search engine algorithm chasing (like build as many links as possible that count), content creation (copywriting mostly) and regular online marketing. These tasks will be grouped together under SEO less and less and more often referenced as online marketing (search marketing perhaps) and by their specific functions. However, I dont think this will happen until most of the cross-discipline individuals called SEO consultants specialize and start promoting themselves under different terms Comments Tag: Search Engine Optimization, SEO Add to  Del.icio.us |  Digg |  Reddit |  Furl Have a bookmark! -  About the Author: Solomon Rothman is the CIO for Social Media Systems; an online marketing company that helps its client succeed by providing web development bundled with search marketing. He authors numerous blogs including 3net Search Engine Marketing Blog and loves the ongoing challenges of the online marketing world. Besides technology, Solomon's other passions including filmmaking & screenwriting. |
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