Common questions and answers about SEO certification from Google
Thinking of taking a Google certification course? Make sure you evaluate the quality of the information being presented.
Shari Thurow is the Founder and SEO Director at Omni Marketing Interactive Omni Marketing Interactive and the author of the books Search Engine Visibility and When Search Meets Web Usability. Shari is currently a contributing editor for the ASLIB Journal of Information Management. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Information Architecture Institute (IAI) and the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA).
How to handle unprofessional SEO treatment: tips and guidelines
Learn how to handle unprofessional treatment at various online and offline SEO events, including conferences, webinars and social media.
How to recognize a lost cause in SEO projects and request for proposals (RFPs)
Without giving away specific details in a proposal, here are some key indicators to assess if a client's team will actually support your recommendations.
Stop the silo madness! Effective site architecture for SEO and findability
Content silos negatively affect both the browsing and searching experience which often results in lost sales.
Opinion: Congress needs to do their homework on search engines
During a Dec. 11 hearing, congressional representatives questioning Google's CEO demonstrated their lack of knowledge about how search engines actually work.
Calculating The Risk Of Search Engine Spam
Contributor Shari Thurow describes what can happen if you don't follow search engine guidelines on SEO.
SEO Smackdown: Download Time – Machine Speed Vs. Human Speed
Perceived download time is more important to searchers than actual download time. So why do SEOs focus on technocentric optimization strategies?
Long-Term SEO: Sustainable Tactics, Strategies & Solutions
Last month, I attended the Long-Term SEO: How To Win For Years, Not Days session at SMX West. I have worked in the search industry since 1995. I have seen search engine optimization (SEO) trends and tactics come and go… and I’ve also seen fundamental, universal concepts get stronger and stronger over time. So what […]
The Right Way To Do Click-To-Call In An Enhanced Campaign World
Earlier this week, I attended the How To Do Click-To-Call In An Enhanced Campaign World session at SMX East. As a search usability professional, my primary interest is to understand not only how searchers locate and discover desired content, but also why searchers make specific choices. For example, when does a searcher prefer to use […]
SEO Smackdown Round 2: Old Vs. New Search Engine Optimization
Has SEO really changed? Search engine algoholics might say "Yes!" Experienced practitioners might say, "Not really." Instead of keywords, site architecture, and link development, maybe we should understand aboutness, information scent, and validation.
How Does Color Usage Affect SEO & Conversions?
Many search engine optimization professionals have different interpretations of the term search-engine friendly website design. Learn how color affects your SEO efforts and conversions.
A Simple Guide To Understanding The Searcher Experience
When search engine optimization (SEO) professionals talk about the searcher experience, they often cast their personal mental models onto the minds of searchers. What is your role in understanding and delivering a successful searcher experience?
Keyword Classification: Understanding The “Why” Of SEO
Keyword classification is often the missing ingredient in SEO plans. Without understanding the reasons why people search, search engine optimizers will often misinterpret or improperly classify keyword phrases. How do we understand the "why" part of the optimization process?
The Ties Between Emotional Design & SEO
Shari, are you crazy? Search engines don’t have emotions! What does emotional design have to do with SEO? A lot more than you might think.
How To Understand Keywords In Searcher Context
Is it possible for SEO professionals to understand searcher context based purely on keyword research data?
QUIZ: Test Your Knowledge Of Searcher Behavior
Think you know the web searcher goals and behaviors that are important for long term search engine visibility? Take this quiz and find out.
Spreading SEO Awareness & Knowledge
Taking that first step to genuine SEO awareness can be difficult for SEO professionals as well as information architects and usability professionals. How can we make crossing that bridge easier?
Website Usability 101 For SEO Professionals
Want to be better at search engine optimization? What all SEO professionals should know about website usability.
What Is Your SEO Archiving Plan?
If the answer to this question is stunned silence, your website could lose long-term search engine visibility. Archiving has always been an important part of the SEO process.
User-Centered Or Usage-Centered Design: Which Is Better For SEO?
When creating a search-engine friendly website, do you follow the principles of user-centered design, usage-centered design, or both?