Interesting SEO article.

[Paz]

Could there be another industry more inflated by ego, misinformation, and repetition than search engine optimization?

That's how the article starts and it gets harder on the so-called SEO experts. The guy's positive about the SEO industry in general, but he argues that much of the "information" about search engine optimisation is the same old recycled speculation - and I think he has a point.

I'm looking forward to part two anyway...
http://www.market-day.net/article_31010/20061006/Breaking-SEO-Myths-Part-One:-The-SEO-Expert.php

[Blazingpie]

...Wouldnt his complaint about the murkiness of the SEO world be nothing but a "new" article containing "recycled information"? ;)

One point of contention is his statement, "Because if these search engine specialists revealed all that they know to a client, they know that an intelligent client would be unimpressed".

Personally, it's not that at all, its a matter of professionalism. A lawyer firm doesn't tell their clients exactly how they go about doing things, do they? If I ahd to go explain exactly what SEO tactics we did then the client may think that they can save costs by doing it themselves. They'd then go and more than likely make a stuff-up of things, and then immediately think that as it was "our" way of doing things (instead of them 'reading the notes on the music sheet without understanding the music'), we are a bunch of idiots. And thus our name would be dirtied by their ineptitude.

[Koz]

I have'nt read this article just yet, but how many industries don't have the "same old recycled speculation"?

I can't agree with Blazingpie's take on what clients would do with our information. Whether you reveal your methods to your client or not its your choice, but by revealing them you'll build trust with your client. It doesn't matter if they don't understand SEO or not, they need to believe you know what you are talking about. As for clients trying to mimic your methods and failing - any "intelligent client" would know to leave SEO to a proffesional. Other SEOs out there would understand this and your know reputation would not be soiled.

[Paz]

Most of the people I work with don't really understand what a title tag; is never mind the importance of optimising it for search engines.

I tell them 100% of what I know when an issue comes up, they grasp about 50% and they're happy to leave me to it. I think as soon as a client gets the feeling your holding back on something that trust would quickly dissolve.

I don't think the article is attacking the SEO industry, I think he's more into attacking seo forums.... like this one... LOL

[Blazingpie]

As for clients trying to mimic your methods and failing - any "intelligent client" would know to leave SEO to a proffesional. Other SEOs out there would understand this and your know reputation would not be soiled.

Ah, but your assumption is that the client is intelligent, no? And that other SEO's would understand it? ;) But what if they aren't, or don't?

See, that's my point. I've learned the hard way what happens when you arm an 'average' person (eg, Joe Blogs the businessman, the karate parent, the user with a broken PC, etc etc) with 'specialist' knowledge (SEO, karate techniques, PC-repair-related info, etc, etc). Invariably they will try doing it on their own (or in the case of karate, teach their kids the techniques, of which they only have a very superficial knowledge and/or understanding) and give you headaches further on. And if they don't do that, they'll try argue with you about the topic, using their "indepth" knowledge *rolls eyes*

No, my opinion is that too much info on a specialist subject in the hands of an average person is dangerous. If the person asks questions, answer them, just don't give too much info away. Too much info in the hands of the clueless is dangerous.