Just like all marketing methods and business types, there is some form of evolution over time as more people advance and learn how to use a system. In this case, the scenario is the Evolution of SEO.
- 98′ – Discovery of business models based entirely on organic search
- 99′ – First Internet Consultant calls himself an SEO
- 00′ – SEOs convene to examine Google patents
- 01′ – Link farmers create industry-based web directories
- 02′ – SEOs discover keyword ranking advancements through article placement
- 03′ – Theory of “keyword density” discovered
- 04′ – SEO’s discover Google Local search results
- 05′ – Golden age of keyword meta-data ends
- 06′ – SEOs at BMW.de publically flogged for search violations
- 07′ – Web developers and SEOs clash over use of CSS Markup in site optimization
- 08′ – HTML page title optimization a top ranking factor
- 08′ – Existential crisis: SEOs begin to question value of traffic metrics
- 09′ – PageRank sculpting era ends
- 09′ – Local search era begins
- 09′ – Invention of personalization forces SEOs to devalue keyword rankings
- 09′ – First SEOs able to report on revenue from organic search
- 10′ – Widespread acceptance that social media signals are a search ranking factor
- 11′ – Golden Age of revenue based SEO strategies begins!