Everybody is an SEO expert nowadays...

20 replies
  • SEO
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Hello, Warriors!

Thought I'd share one of my personal struggles for a while now, which is how easily marketers end up calling themselves "SEO experts". I've seen and read about too many people who are knowing things (because some aren't even working in the industry) related to online marketing and seo, and they call themselves "experts". And if you're asking them about their latest campaign or achievement, they freeze out.

If you're searching online for "seo expert", Google teaches you how to be one, how to detect one, their practices and so on... and when you start reading the articles, "experts" are no-name marketers who try to convince you on their best practices.

So, my question is:
How do you detect the real experts and how can you tell which are the fake noobs? What experience allows a marketer to claim a particular level of expertise?
#expert #nowadays #seo
  • Profile picture of the author automationhero
    Look for guys that have REAL testimonials on their sites from REAL companies. not just 'real' people. anyone can make a solid testimonial for their friend if they even know a little more than the next guy. It's true that everyone is claiming to be the expert now days because it is a strategy they can use to make easier money.

    Look for the established warrior forum members and hear what they have to say and I have also found tremendous value in hxxp://www.quicksprout.com - On this site there is a blog as well as video tutorials of real stuff. This guy works with several Fortune 500 companies and really knows his stuff. When big names are vouching for him you know he is real.

    Hope that helped
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  • Profile picture of the author altechjohn
    Hi Adam,

    My real personal advice to you,
    DON'T learn from anyone.
    Just learn your self all this bible that calls "SEO" and "Affiliate Marketing"
    it won't be easy, and it will take some time and money for ebooks and experiments.
    But as long no one from you family or good friends (that REALLY cares about you) earning money online, NO ONE will teach you ANYTHING. they just try to sell you things. even who you think is reliable.
    I'm not saying that you don't need to spend money for ebooks or anything else because you do need, untill you get the idea.
    But don't belive in Guru's and stuff, remember you on your own, people that don't care about you will always search how to sell you stuff in order to "help" you.
    So look carefully what ebook you buying and what service.

    If you see EBook that have great reviews and a lot of people succeeding to sell it and earn commissions, it says that this book worth something.

    Good luck my friend.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianMI
      My experience is that all roads lead back to certain sites. You'll hear them come up over and over again. SEOMoz and a few others get linked to a lot. I bet that you already have some that come to mind. Pay attention to them and ignore the rest.
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      • Totally depends. The experts are those that can back up their hypothesis will data and studies. SEO experts are really scientists experimenting and reporting their results.

        Anyone can build back links or buy good content with keywords in them, but to know what works (and when it works) is the trick.

        Most of what is told publicly is just parroted information anyways (i.e., the people spreading the noise, just heard it from some other spammer).
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  • Profile picture of the author johnbrown12
    I learned by myself , Learned and Testing and I believe anyone can learn by himself so just learn from Google and do some effective research by yourself as everything is available on internet...hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author beasty513
    It seems like there are a lot of "experts" in the SEO space.


    If you want to see if they are an authority or not

    just ask if any other companies can vouch for them.


    I agree that a lot of information relating to IM & SEO

    is just rehashed with just a personal touch to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author GGpaul
    I'll try to get close to someone and be super observant. Questions I'll ask, do they know what they're talking about, how technical are they? Resume? What have they done in the past year(s).

    It's hard to find that in the WF, people are so secretive and even if they have a signature link to their site it's still not as trustworthy. Or the fact that you just can't judge someone by the cover.

    I think the best approach is to just get a feel out of someone.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sweersz
      Never trust someone who wants your money in exchange for their SEO expertise (or lack thereof).
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Maguire
      Originally Posted by GGpaul View Post

      I think the best approach is to just get a feel out of someone.
      Yes and I'm still thinking about pressing charges. Not sure though, you did have soft hands.

      OP@
      We still have
      SEO Ninja's
      SEO Moffo's
      SEO Quan's
      SEO Baus's
      and
      SEO Rockstar's

      We all good in da hood. "SEO Expert" has also become a very popular child's name in India, and it could be why your feeling the world is filling up with them.
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      • Profile picture of the author jinx1221
        Originally Posted by Kevin Maguire View Post

        "SEO Expert" has also become a very popular child's name in India
        So is the name Jeff :p

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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    Its like investing in the stock market.

    You do tons of research before you spend money.

    If you are smart, and have done enough research early on, certain investments will pay off, others won't. Like some websites rank, others don't.

    So you learn from research, action, and failed investments.

    Overtime some guys will keep you on page 1 for a few months, some for a few years. So the more you research, the more calculated investments you make, the more calculated action you take, the more you "win" overall.

    Its not as complicated as it sounds.... but at the same time it is quite complicated.
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  • Profile picture of the author Laubster
    Testimonials from clients and case studies showing how they rank sites. There are lots of fake experts, but lots of great ones too. Also depends if you're looking at white hat client services or black hat affiliate marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author GyuMan82
    There are more or less generally accepted "good seo practices"

    These are easy to find.

    After that the best way to learn is to actually go out and do it. There is no substitute for experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Established SEO consultants will have many real people and companies vouching for them AND they will be able to show you REAL results on their past campaigns.

    Chances are, if someone does not have a professional website and/or testimonials, they are just starting out in the SEO world.
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  • Profile picture of the author 10kaday
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexzeto
      You should learn SEO by yourself, them after you understand what work and don't work you can start outsource someone to do the the most hard and tedious work for you.

      Don't think that someone will charge you $100 a month, to create and rank a $10,000 website...

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  • Profile picture of the author veekay31
    I agree that Everybody is an SEO expert nowadays, especially when Google is making all those changes to prevent manipulation of search rankings. And hardly any of the old tricks to rank on Google work anymore.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Monroe
    Great insights, guys!
    Glad I'm not the only one concerned about the amount of "experts" in the SEO industry.

    Thank your very much for your replies.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathan Wilson
    Originally Posted by Adam Monroe View Post

    Hello, Warriors!

    Thought I'd share one of my personal struggles for a while now, which is how easily marketers end up calling themselves "SEO experts". I've seen and read about too many people who are knowing things (because some aren't even working in the industry) related to online marketing and seo, and they call themselves "experts". And if you're asking them about their latest campaign or achievement, they freeze out.

    If you're searching online for "seo expert", Google teaches you how to be one, how to detect one, their practices and so on... and when you start reading the articles, "experts" are no-name marketers who try to convince you on their best practices.

    So, my question is:
    How do you detect the real experts and how can you tell which are the fake noobs? What experience allows a marketer to claim a particular level of expertise?
    The problem with SEO is 99% of people do it wrong and this includes those that offer SEO services. You see so many people asking "what's the best way to build links" "how do i build a link wheel" "does blog commenting still work" "where can I buy facebook likes and twitter followers" etc...

    ...And there is an enormous community built around shitty spammy services because it's EASY to do.

    * Anybody offering a one-time package/price and applies that to any client is a JOKE, SEO is more than just building links. You want somebody who's going to get in contact with other site owners, somebody who's going to promote your brand, somebody who's going to engage with communitys, somebodys whos going to completely redo your on-page SEO. Check your sites coding and make sure it's bot/crawler friendly. Somebody who will take charge of your twitter and facebook and begin to build a REAL community. Somebody you can call/skype and discuss your plans with. Somebody who will provide you with ideas of promotion that are geared towards your niche.


    Basically just don't buy anything that's a set price, companies that ask for your information in order to get back to you with a quote is a good start.

    Also ask to have a video chat with them on skype, any real business/service provider has no problem in doing so.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Faber
    As you imply, people believe that there is effective SEO information directly from the people that do not support SEO.
    Don't get into that trap their end goal is to derail from successfully positively manipulating your way to the top.

    As has always been vacationing can call themselves whatever they like, and one must develop the skill of weeding the truth out

    See same old same old

    Look at the contribution that individuals or companies give to their proclaimed niche
    Develop a sense of character by their past result
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  • Profile picture of the author Intrepreneur
    I know of an SEO who builds only 4 backlinks per site.

    Is he an expert?
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