User Power
Value/Post Ratio
205%
- Jun 6, 2013
- 75
- 154
I'm not an SEO expert by any means.
Which means I'm not an expert at 'gaming the system'... which is what SEO is.
Google's intent is to give the user what they want... and eliminate spam.
It turns out that what "worked" pre-panda was considered spam post-panda.
Now google's released hummingbird.. not just an update but an enirely new algorithm focused on interpreting intentions of the search, rather than just the words.
Your best case since the dawn of the search engine, and your best case NOW is to focus on what google's focused on: Give users what they want and eliminate spam.
Focus on white-hat SEO. Focus on providing better content. Focus on getting reputable links. If you don't, after the next update you'll just be destroyed again.
I have to make a point here - I agree that it should be all about providing value (Valuable content, service, product, whatever it may be). However to be competitive in a lot of niches it's simply not realistic to assume that valuable content alone or chasing reputable links (Think industrial equipment, "boring" niches, who is going to link to those? Who is going to share on social networks?) is enough or attainable.
There's risk associated with SEO, of course, but there's risk in everything. When you do Media Buys or test PPC there's always a risk that you're going to lose money or not get results. All I'm saying is that effective SEO can be utilized with risks minimized. Examples:
- Build your own High PR Network. Buy High PR domains or authority domains with strong backlinks. Add relevant content, make these "real", informative sites related to your niche. LINK back to your product/service site from your network, SCALE. You're obtaining HIGH Pr, credible, powerful links (the links that increase ranking) and your risk is minimized because:
a) It's your own network, it's not a public or shared gig
b) It's not spam if you use content that's informative/answers questions/provides value
Simple. "Game the system" with minimal risk. If you're doing everything else right (you actually have a good product/service/site that people enjoy & share) than the positive effects of low-risk SEO efforts (like stated above) are amplified significantly.