20 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
20 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

The 2014 Approach to SEO

by loybond
17 replies
  • SEO
    • |
How has SEO changed in the past few years? Some time back, I was able to build websites with exact match domains (some would even reach page one from this alone) and usually with minimal backlinking, I was able to get quite a few "niche" sites to hit page one.

Fast forward to now. I haven't been in the game for 3.5 years and am looking to set up a couple of larger sites, one being a travel site, and the other a photography site. What do I need to do differently now?

My ideas so far include:

- Solid, engaging content that offers value to readers (top ten lists etc. as well)
- on page SEO
- backlinking from article marketing (is this outdated?)
- some YouTube videos with links
- social bookmarketing on Reddit etc. (does this still work?)
- Tweets about new posts, asking to be retweeted
- Facebook page (this is its own marketing hurdle I suppose)
- Free press release
- Backlink from HubPages etc. (this seems outdated to me)

Down the road:
- iTunes podcast (never done this, would it help?)
- eBooks on the big platforms
- Apps

What else? How can I get these blogs to a decent point of traffic that I can potentially monetize in 3-4 months?
#2014 #approach #seo
  • Profile picture of the author MattBnB
    Not sure about future. I am going with blog and podcast(w/ transcriptions)

    imo SEO is dying fast
    Signature
    FBA ALLSTARS Podcast - Step One to 7 Figures Amazon Adventure
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312106].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author loybond
      Perhaps the traditional methods of SEO are dying. Let me phrase the question differently then. Is there anything I can do these days, apart from publishing good content, to get more organic traffic to my site(s)?

      Originally Posted by MattBnB View Post

      Not sure about future. I am going with blog and podcast(w/ transcriptions)

      imo SEO is dying fast
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312250].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author craighakwins
      Originally Posted by MattBnB View Post

      Not sure about future. I am going with blog and podcast(w/ transcriptions)

      imo SEO is dying fast
      Scary isn't it.

      But I don't think it will go away completely because what most authority sites have done in the past, and what most IM are doing now can be really hard to differentiate. So if you're following a set of rules, you won't ever get caught.
      Signature
      RANK DOCTOR - PREMIUM High Quality, High Authority DA+PA+ Links. 3 Links for $35/m (Currently 20% OFF)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312367].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bryan Harkins
    I am still a big believer that the key to SEO is solid content. I don't really believe "SEO is dying" like a lot of people claim, it's just the algorithms are changing...too bad we can't get the good ole day's of the micro sites back
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312430].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    - backlinking from article marketing (is this outdated?)
    - some YouTube videos with links
    - social bookmarketing on Reddit etc. (does this still work?)
    - Tweets about new posts, asking to be retweeted
    - Facebook page (this is its own marketing hurdle I suppose)
    - Free press release
    - Backlink from HubPages etc. (this seems outdated to me)

    Down the road:
    - iTunes podcast (never done this, would it help?)
    - eBooks on the big platforms
    - Apps
    That list is all social & weak links (most likely nofollow), it's not going to rank a page in the SERPs.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312456].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Icematikx
    After taking a break from affiliate marketing for a year, one of my sites has just hit #1 for an affiliate-related search term which brings 9,000 uniques per month.

    The same ranking factors apply - links. I haven't changed anything from last year except increasing the size of my private network to accommodate for the increased competition.

    "SEO is dying" - this is because everybody has a PBN, or pays for a PBN. SEO isn't dying, it's just that the competition is a lot harder now. You either build a brand and a business, and acquire links through marketing & natural attraction, or you build a PBN and be prepared to take a hit.
    Signature

    Just got back from a #BrightonSEO. I was given room 404 in the hotel I stayed at. Couldn’t find it anywhere!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312461].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bharathipriya
    SEO never die. But only the old processes are dying..SEO analysts need to read and read stuffs, keep themself updated with the new processes to rock the space.
    Signature
    >> The beginners guide to IT help desk software <<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312538].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hirithk
    Hi
    Apart from these is there any new steps please let me know. these all am doing, but still my keywords are not getting rank.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312547].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SEOArbiterJoanne
    A lot has changed and continues to but most of the core concepts are still the same.

    You need high quality links.

    Reverse engineer the backlink profiles are the sites that are currently ranking for keywords you want to rank for and that will show you what types of links you need to get.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312548].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Bharathipriya
    Go for schema markups.

    Markup your website, videos, location, reviews and add ratings. It will bring value for your website in google serps. Try it out.

    Try doing some infographics, comics to get your website and content more viral in social media.
    Signature
    >> The beginners guide to IT help desk software <<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9312554].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author loybond
    So does article marketing still qualify as high quality links? If not, what does?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314193].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author twilightofidols
    Google has taken steps over the past few years to devalue many link sources. Article directories, blog comments, forum profiles, basically any link you can easily place yourself.

    Not to mention the majority of these have gone nofollow, and the ones that aren't are usually the ones you don't want your link on to begin with.

    In theory, it's probably very easy for the algorithms to determine these link types and devalue them. Links are still king, but these sort of links are in content links that aren't identified as a free-for-all platform.

    Basically, the kind of links that are impossible to get if you're a 5 page affiliate site in an embarrassing health niche to which you are not a doctor or well known industry professional.

    The solution?

    1. Actually do what Google wants, create the best damn site affiliate site ever about Yeast Infections, Viagra, Male Enhancement, Weight Loss... (or what ever your niche) and pray that your content is so great people will naturally link to it (LOL yeah right)

    2. Construct a private blog network that is indistinguishable algorithmically from normal editorially placed contextual links

    3. Have a deep pocket and buy links

    4. Compete in verticals that have so little competition Google will rank your site in spite of you

    Off-page SEO as most people know it has become more and more difficult since the black and white animals have come into play. It's only going to be increasingly ever more so.

    Google realizes they can never eliminate people who attempt to artificially boost their site in SERPs. However, they do realize they can make it so difficult and complicated to do so that most people won't even bother any more.

    Then the proclamations begin, "SEO is dead!" + "Link building is dead!"

    More and more people give up on "SEO". It actually creates the perfect situation for those who are left behind.

    Achieving long-term rankings these days has become increasingly more expensive, and increasingly easier to screw up. Your link profile is under deeper scrutiny now more than ever.
    Signature
    Sad Panda
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314301].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author loybond
      Great post!

      So suppose we do what Google wants and just make great sites with awesome content. Done (for the sake of the argument).

      Now, we still need to get people to notice the site, because Google isn't just going to rank it automatically. \For a new site (with a new Facebook page), there won't be many likes, so not many people to market to. Need money for that I suppose, like you said. Twitter wouldn't have a large amount of followers in the beginning either.

      Reddit and similar sites give you a temporary influx of traffic that eventually dies down.

      There has to be some strategy that works!

      Originally Posted by twilightofidols View Post

      Google has taken steps over the past few years to devalue many link sources. Article directories, blog comments, forum profiles, basically any link you can easily place yourself.

      Not to mention the majority of these have gone nofollow, and the ones that aren't are usually the ones you don't want your link on to begin with.

      In theory, it's probably very easy for the algorithms to determine these link types and devalue them. Links are still king, but these sort of links are in content links that aren't identified as a free-for-all platform.

      Basically, the kind of links that are impossible to get if you're a 5 page affiliate site in an embarrassing health niche to which you are not a doctor or well known industry professional.

      The solution?

      1. Actually do what Google wants, create the best damn site affiliate site ever about Yeast Infections, Viagra, Male Enhancement, Weight Loss... (or what ever your niche) and pray that your content is so great people will naturally link to it (LOL yeah right)

      2. Construct a private blog network that is indistinguishable algorithmically from normal editorially placed contextual links

      3. Have a deep pocket and buy links

      4. Compete in verticals that have so little competition Google will rank your site in spite of you

      Off-page SEO as most people know it has become more and more difficult since the black and white animals have come into play. It's only going to be increasingly ever more so.

      Google realizes they can never eliminate people who attempt to artificially boost their site in SERPs. However, they do realize they can make it so difficult and complicated to do so that most people won't even bother any more.

      Then the proclamations begin, "SEO is dead!" + "Link building is dead!"

      More and more people give up on "SEO". It actually creates the perfect situation for those who are left behind.

      Achieving long-term rankings these days has become increasingly more expensive, and increasingly easier to screw up. Your link profile is under deeper scrutiny now more than ever.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314438].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author twilightofidols
        Originally Posted by loybond View Post

        Great post!

        So suppose we do what Google wants and just make great sites with awesome content. Done (for the sake of the argument).

        Now, we still need to get people to notice the site, because Google isn't just going to rank it automatically. For a new site (with a new Facebook page), there won't be many likes, so not many people to market to. Need money for that I suppose, like you said. Twitter wouldn't have a large amount of followers in the beginning either.

        Reddit and similar sites give you a temporary influx of traffic that eventually dies down.

        There has to be some strategy that works!
        Marketing strategies are very niche dependent. If you're doing something groundbreaking people are probably going to share your content and it will result in natural links rapidly.

        If you're just another Joe the plumber, or some guy writing about his hobby. Odds are in spite of your quality content it's going to be a sloooooow climb to the top. In the mean time, the kids need to eat, and those car payments need to be made.

        For the people that rely on search traffic to make a living (a bad model IMO) it's just not feasible to write great content and pray someone notices you. On top of that a lot of great sites rarely link out or nofollow everything as a near-jerk reaction to the latest updates.

        Google wants you to do real marketing and let the links happen naturally. Make real world connections, participate in communities, etc..

        How is the anonymous SEO guy with 20 niche sites ever going to manage something like this and have it be profitable the whitehat way? I just don't see it. He/She won't be an expert in those 20 niches, won't be able to manage engaging in all those communities.

        Enter churn and burn and PBNs. As long as there is an algorithm people will try to game it. The days of spammy article directories, scrapebox mass comments, xrumer forum profiles are over for anything but fly-by-night sites.

        As we sit here, the Webspam team is specifically looking for ways to address these as well. They will plug every hole they can find, it's only a matter of time.
        Signature
        Sad Panda
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314596].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IDoTheLegWork
    I think the difference is that INTERNET marketing used to work but now you
    need to do internet MARKETING. You used to be able to use technical
    tricks to rank in the search engines now you need truly shareable content.

    This is especially true for "Article Marketing". The strategy used to hinge on
    massive backlinks from scores of directories. Now that those links hold
    little to no weight you need to start practicing article syndication, that is use
    an article directory the way it was intended, to entice other webmasters to
    place your high quality content on their high quality site with your bio in tact.

    Here's a great article on the right way to use articles:
    How to write an article - some thoughts for article marketers - What Lexy Talks About ...
    Signature

    ..and you WILL contribute a verse.
    Indifference is the enemy that must be conquered.
    Appeal to the crowd by addressing the person.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314656].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PBScott
    SEO as we knew it, way back then, is very much dead.

    One thing I should add here is RELEVANCE, when your given a visitor by Google, make sure the visitor actually wants to be there, or you just wasted that visitor.... I am pretty sure Google only allots you so many each day, so don't waste them.
    Signature

    If you don't look at this => Really Funny Shirts <= you missed something in life

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9314948].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Melissahoster
    Banned
    SEO is dead no matter what you want to believe. Gone are those days when you could "build links" and "do SEO". SEO can no longer be "done" (mostly) - Google wants it to be a 100%organic process. So just focus on content and social involvement.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9317406].message }}

Trending Topics