Changing the SEO Industry from within
Saturday, November 7th, 2009One of the most prolific writers in the field of search engine optimization, Michael Martinez has pioneered and championed many of the fundamental principles of SEO theory, the embryionic science of studying Web systems and the search indexes that people use to find content in those systems. SEO theory has proven to be a fascinating subject that draws upon mathematics, social science, psychology, and artificial intelligence (to name just a few scientific fields) to provide insight into how people and Web search work together to produce desired search results millions of times every day.
The foundation of SEO theory is the Theory of Search Engine Optimization, which (according to Martinez) says that “any member of the Searchable Web Ecosystem can use or apply algorithms to influence the predictable content and quality of search engine results according to the chosen criteria of the optimizer” (Cf. SEO Theory blog, “The Theory of Search Engine Optimization”). From this principle follows everything else that can said (in a scientific way) about search engine optimization, including the Theorem of Search Engine Optimization, which says that “as optimization increases within a query space, the natural randomness of search results relevance diminishes” (Ibid., “The Economics of Managing Relevance”).
Search engine optimization theory explains why certain practices within the Web marketing community have detrimental effects on Web sites and Web marketing. In essence, SEO theory holds that the more popular an idea becomes, the more people who adopt it, the less benefit that anyone obtains from implementing the idea. The reason is simple: popularity levels the playing field. If everyone is optimizing for search the same way, then their efforts will have the same effect as if none of them are optimizing for search.
This is why it is so important for search optimizers to pursue diversity in resources and techniques. Although most techniques and resources are well known, no one can use them all. By choosing to NOT do what most other people seem to be doing, a search optimizer improves his chances of success. This philosophy flies in the face of what most people in the SEO industry tell their audiences: that it is best to follow in the footsteps of their competitors and do what their competitors do.
It is precisely the contrarian style and presentation of SEO theory that has won Martinez and the SEO Theory blog many admirers and advocates. By using the principles expounded on the SEO Theory blog many people have improved their search optimization performance without having to overinvest their time and money in resources that most of the SEO community is devaluing.