SEO — search engine optimization — is the process of getting traffic from the “free,” “organic,” “editorial” or “natural” listings on search engines. All major search engines have such listings, where web pages, web sites and other content such as videos or local listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers most relevant to users. Payment isn’t involved, as it is with paid search ads.

For those new to SEO, an excellent starting place is Google’s “Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide.” This is a free, PDF download that covers basic tips that Google provides to its own employees on how to get listed. You’ll find it here.

Of course, there’s much more to SEO than what’s just covered in Google’s guide. Further below are stories that cover all aspects of SEO from Search Engine Land. You can also drill down into specific areas such as Redirects & Moving Sites, Blocking Spiders, Titles & Descriptions and much more. To see the full range of SEO categories like these, visit the Search Engine Land Library home page and scroll down to the SEO area.

In addition, Search Engine Land has search engine optimization areas specifically for each of the major search engines: Google SEO, Microsoft’s Bing SEO and Yahoo SEO.

Still need more? Search Engine Land also has a How To SEO section devoted to practical tips and tactics plus offers our 100% Organic column that covers search engine optimization issues each week.

Searching for the Superbowl Start Time: How Are The Engines, the NFL, and CBS Doing?

Last year, I took a look at the spiking searches leading up to the Superbowl to see how the search engines, and those who want to be found in them, satisfied those queries. This morning, I took another look, and while things are a bit better from a searcher satisfaction perspective (primarily due to increased blended results pulling in news content), the primary organizations that likely want to connect with Superbowl viewers (such as the NFL and CBS) are still, well fumbling the ball a bit. If only they'd read last year's article, in which I provided a clear game plan for a touch down. (You [...]

Filed in: Features: Analysis, SEO - Search Engine Optimization, Search & Society: General, Search Marketing: Search Term Research, Top News


Bruce Clay’s Advanced SEO SMX West Dream Agenda

Experienced SEOs understand the need for keeping up on changes in the constantly evolving search space. That's why I'm so passionate about continuing SEO education and training. The upcoming SMX West conference taking place March 2-5 in Santa Clara, CA, is one such opportunity I recommend to fellow advanced-level SEOs. The advanced-level content that will be shared at SMX West is set to span a variety of fields and specialties, so check out the full agenda for all the offerings. Meanwhile I've gone over the agenda with an SEO-focused gaze and I've drafted an "Advanced SEO's Dream Agenda" to [...]

Filed in: SEM Industry: Conferences, SEM Industry: Search Marketing Expo - SMX, SEO - Search Engine Optimization, SMX & SMN Alerts


Google May Be Crawling AJAX Now – How To Best Take Advantage Of It

In October 2009, Google proposed a new standard for implementing AJAX on web sites that would help search engines extract the content. Now, there's evidence this proposal is either live or is about to be. Read on for more details on the proposal, how it works, and why it might be past the proposal stage. The Trouble With AJAX Historically, search engines have had trouble accessing AJAX-based content and this proposal would enable Google (and presumably other search engines that adopted the standard) to index more of the web. The standard SEO advice for AJAX implementations has traditiona [...]

Filed in: Features: General, Google: SEO, How To: SEO, SEO: General, Top News


Another Person No One’s Heard Of Tries To Trademark SEO

HuoMah Blog discovered that yet another person is trying to claim a trademark on the term SEO, search engine optimization. Clinton Cimring of a company called "Search Engine Partner" filed a trademark application with United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 5, 2009. The filing claims first use SEO as a trademark was on September 23, 1996 and first use in commerce was on September 24, 1999. This is the second time in about two years that someone with no general stature, reputation or well-known and documented history has tried to claim a trademark on SEO. In 2008, Jason Gambert [...]

Filed in: Legal: Trademarks, SEM Industry: Community, SEM Industry: General, SEO: General, Top News


Amazon Slaps UK Affiliates Using Search Marketing Techniques

Like Amazon did several months ago to U.S. affiliates, Amazon sent an email to their UK affiliates basically preventing them from using certain paid search techniques and free search techniques to drive sales to Amazon. The message sent to their UK affiliates yesterday read: After careful review of our Associates programme, we have made the decision that as of February 1, 2010, we will no longer pay referral fees to Associates who send users to www.amazon.co.uk, http://astore.amazon.co.uk or www.javari.co.uk through keyword bidding or other paid search on Google, Bing, Yahoo!, or any other [...]

Filed in: SEM Industry: General, SEO: General, Search Marketing: General


Become a Premium Member and see all articles in our SEO - Search Engine Optimization archives!

Premium Members get unrestricted access to all archives - and more! Premium membership details below...

Become A Search Engine Land Premium Member

Gain insider access to the industry's leading online publication, covering the latest search engine news, in-depth features and analysis of products, technologies and search trends.

Subscribe as a premium member today and you'll get:

  • Unlimited access to news & How To articles.
  • Exclusive videos & webinars with search experts.
  • Expanded community profile & posting privileges.
  • Discounts to SMX Conferences & Events.
  • 30 Day money back guarantee.

Learn More

FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

RSS Feeds

The Search Engine Land feed keeps you informed as news happens. SEE ALL FEEDS »

Upcoming Search Engine Land Conferences

Advertise With Us »

Search Marketing Expo

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.


SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »


Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

Search Marketing Now Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:


See more webcast topics »

TRACK US SOCIALLY
Add to GoogleAdd to My Yahoo!Add to BloglinesAdd to NetvibesAdd to Windows Live