Search engine optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving websites to increase its visibility in Google, Bing, and other search engines.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving websites to increase its visibility in Google, Bing, and other search engines.

SEO skill sets

See also: Search engine optimization skill sets

Some of the skill sets needed to be proficient at search engine optimization include:

• An understanding of search engine algorithms, search engine ranking factors, technical SEO skills, SEO tools and SEO forecasting

• Content writing/writing skills

• Content marketing skills

• Research skills

• Willingness/ability to learn large amounts of information. See: Accelerated learning

• Critical thinking skills

• Analytic skills

• People skills (Writing to concerns of various audiences; working with team members; working with management/clients and link outreach via phone, emails, etc.)

• Data analysis

• Problem solving skills

• Prioritization skills

• Project management skills

• Cognitive flexibility/adaptability

• Inquisitiveness/intellectual curiosity

• Artificial intelligence related skills

• Web coding skills and server management skills

• Business acumen

Negative SEO

See also: Negative SEO

Negative SEO involves using strategies and/or tactics to harm a web page's or website's search engine ranking(s) for various search terms (A web page often ranks for multiple terms). This is done by causing search engines into penalizing the targeted web pages or website through various methods.

While some negative SEO tactics can be subtle and very difficult or impossible to detect if done by someone with advanced search engine optimization (SEO) knowledge, negative SEO is generally not entirely undetectable. Modern SEO tools and techniques can help identify various forms of negative SEO, though some forms of sophisticated SEO attacks might require more advanced analysis.

Books

• SEO in Practice by Dan Richmond. TOP10WARE Corp. (June 2, 2013)
• The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization (Theory in Practice) by Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, Rand Fishkin, Jessie C. Stricchiola and John Battelle. O'Reilly Media; 1st edition (October 28, 2009)
• The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization by Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer and Jessie Stricchiola. ‎ O'Reilly Media; 4th edition (October 3, 2023)

External links

• SEO in Practice book (archive)