« Nattering Nabobs of Hacker News| Main | Understanding Flowcharts »
The 3-Letter Hacker Dirty Word: SEO
It's interesting that whenever you mention "SEO" in the context of startups many folks get very bothered.
I think it's because, as hackers, we view everything in the world as some sort of computer program. We program the computer, we program the car, we program the DVR. And when somebody talks about programming people's behavior through SEO, it makes them feel like they are not in control anymore.
What did the Google CEO say a while back? "People just want us to tell them what to do"
I think he's probably right. And whenever we talk about purposely doing things to change the way Google works? That hits just too close to a raw nerve. No matter how you slice it -- even if you say that the current system of site ranking is perfect -- there's still something disturbing about watching the popularity contest operate.
Last night I had a great interview with Rand Fishkin, CEO and founder of SEOMoz. Rand had a lot good things to say, and I'm still chewing on them. SEO is something that's intrigued me for a while. Because it happens at that boundary layer between the irrationality of people and the rigorous logic of machine code, I imagine it will continue to intrigue me for a long time to come.
If you're interested, the review is over on hn-books. There also might be some discussion over on HackerNews.
1 Comment
Leave a comment
Comment Policy: I really, really, really enjoy comments, but if all you have to offer is general platitudes like how happy you are to have found my site and what a wonderful place it is, I will delete your comment and report your comment as spam. Please try to either tell me I am wrong, sympathize with my point, expand on what I'm saying, or offer your own experiences or opinions. If you just want a link your best bet is to just ask for one. Probably won't work, but at least be honest about it. No name-calling and please keep the profanity as low as possible. If your grandma can't read it or you wouldn't say it in person, don't write it here. Thanks.
thanks about this information :)