The search evolution

Guest post by Robert Nyberg, @robsearch blogger at www.searchmanager.se (Swedish blog). He works as a consultant at his own SEO marketing firm.

You might think that Google, Yahoo and Bing are the only search engines that has existed , Then you need to think again.

Gerard Salton is considered as the father of modern search technology. His teams at Harvard and Cornell developed the first technologies for indexing and relevance back in the 1960s. His book A Theory of Indexing (a must read) which does a great job explaining many of his tests, which search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo is largely based upon. SEO started its ”journey” as Google became the most powerful search engine in the world.

SEO is not dead, SEO has just found a new best friend.

”SEO is the combination of tactics and strategies, including, but not limited to, optimization of information architecture, usability, content focus, audience targeting, design, development, keyword research, keyword placement, link building, social media marketing and any other online or offline branding/marketing elements that support the goal of receiving more traffic from search engines.” – Rand Fishkin -Seomoz.

SEO is evolving thanks to social media and Google understands the power of social search. Google knows that the users online today choose to visit websites and buy products based on their friends recommendations (Facebook, Twitter). That’s why they have developed the +1 button, and also integrated Twitter, Facebook, Gowalla, Friendfeed, Myspace in their search results. This will probably be a important ranking factor for SEO and your website.

SEO´s long term potential

Is it any wonder I´m not bullish over search engine optimizations (SEO ) long term potential – Gary Vaynerchuck

Do i believe it will have a positive affect for your brand, if your are in the top of the search engines? Yes, then you are considered as a big player.

Do i believe social media is more powerful for your brand? Yes, it probably is, in the long term. Recommendations and word-of-mouth is a very powerful tool.

SEO has found a new best friend in social media. And the combination between these friends, can be very powerful for your website and brand.

Do you have any specific question about SEO? Leave a comment here and I will help you out.

Thank you!

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