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User-Centered Or Usage-Centered Design: Which Is Better For SEO?
In one of my previous Search Engine Land columns, SEO Smackdown: Information Architecture vs. Technical Architecture, I reviewed some of the differences between IA and technical architecture. When our...
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What Is Your SEO Archiving Plan?
During consultations for search engine optimization services, the topic of blogs and other types of social media inevitably arises. I observe plenty of enthusiasm about blog content and fresh search...
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Website Usability 101 For SEO Professionals
In my opinion, website usability is similar to search engine optimization: the perceived definition. Doing SEO without understanding searcher goals and behaviors is like doing math without knowing how...
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Spreading SEO Awareness & Knowledge
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the inaugural World Information Architecture Day (WIAD) in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the topic of information architecture and search engine optimization...
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Web Searcher Behavior Quiz – Test Your SEO Knowledge
As we all know, search engine optimization is all about optimizing a website for people who use search engines. The human part of SEO is equally (if not more) important than the technical aspects of...
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How To Understand Keywords In Searcher Context
In my last column, I created a Web searcher behavior quiz to demonstrate the complexity of query (keyword) classification. I admit that it was a tough quiz. But I made it tough for a reason. When it...
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The Ties Between Emotional Design & SEO
Recently, one of my SEO colleagues contacted me to learn how website usability and SEO are related — more than what you can get from online reading. “I’m all for expanding my knowledge and agree this...
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Keyword Classification: Understanding The “Why” Of SEO
As search engine optimizers, we want to know as much as possible about our target audience so we can deliver the best search experience. To accomplish this, we address the following questions: Without...
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A Simple Guide To Understanding The Searcher Experience
When search engine optimization (SEO) professionals talk about the searcher experience, they often cast their personal mental models onto the minds of searchers. Believe it or not, I understand why...
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How Does Color Usage Affect SEO & Conversions?
Many search engine optimization professionals have different interpretations of the term search-engine friendly website design. To some, it means crawlability — making sure that Web content is...
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SEO Smackdown Round 2: Old Vs. New Search Engine Optimization
I recently re-read this great quote from a book entitled “Algorithms in a Nutshell.” To summarize, the authors wrote: “… A good way to solve problems is to start with the big picture… [because if you...
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The Right Way To Do Click-To-Call In An Enhanced Campaign World
Earlier this week, I attended the How To Do Click-To-Call In An Enhanced Campaign World session at SMX East. As a search usability professional, my primary interest is to understand not only how...
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The Importance Of User Experience: 4 Things Every Marketer Should Know
The term “user experience” gets tossed around a lot in the online marketing world these days. We use it as a justification for many choices, especially with regards to design, development, site...
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Long-Term SEO: Sustainable Tactics, Strategies & Solutions
Last month, I attended the Long-Term SEO: How To Win For Years, Not Days session at SMX West. I have worked in the search industry since 1995. I have seen search engine optimization (SEO) trends and...
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SEO Smackdown: Download Time – Machine Speed Vs. Human Speed
Download time has been an important part of page/image/video/etc., optimization for a very long time. It was important in the 1990s when connectivity was not as advanced as it is today. It is important...
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Calculating The Risk Of Search Engine Spam
Every year, I donate my time and expertise to a worthy cause. This year, my worthy cause was helping a small company get a Google spam penalty lifted from its website. The reason I wanted to help? The...
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How To Understand Keywords In Searcher Context
In my last column, I created a Web searcher behavior quiz to demonstrate the complexity of query (keyword) classification. I admit that it was a tough quiz. But I made it tough for a reason. When it...
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Opinion: Congress needs to do their homework on search engines
I am watching C-SPAN right now, listening to Google CEO Sundar Pichai respond to questions to various U.S. Representatives. I sincerely believe Pichai is doing a very good job answering the questions...
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Stop the silo madness! Effective site architecture for SEO and findability
The search engine optimization (SEO) industry is full of jargon. Take the word “sitemap” for example. To many SEO pros, a sitemap is an XML sitemap. However, to professionals in different industries...
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How to recognize a lost cause in SEO projects and request for proposals (RFPs)
Like many of my search colleagues, I genuinely enjoy seeing my search engine optimization (SEO) projects succeed. I like seeing client sites in Position Zero. I like seeing client listings in the...
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