Search Engine Optimization Resources

Tutorials and Tip Sheets

1. Search engine ranking factors by Rand Fishkin at SEOMoz. Rand Fishkin invited twelve of the most well-known people in the search engine optimization industry to complete a survey to rank approximately 100 factors. The collective weight of these experts' opinions is generally regarded as representative of the industry's expectations.



2. Beginner's Guide to SEO, another article by Rand Fishkin of SEOMoz. This is considered to be one of the best starter guides on the Internet.



3. Building Visibility: A Three-Point Plan For Any Business by Michael Martinez. Article at eZineArticles.com.



4. High Quality Links: What's In Your Link Quality? discusses three types of very hard to get but very valuable links.



5. High Quality Content: Three Types of Quick, Indexable, Useful Content outlines three Web pages nearly any business site should be able to include and benefit from.



6. The Martinez Dictionary of SEO and Spam Terminology, 2006 Edition and SEO Terms That Make You Go 'Huh'? are two great articles from SEOMoz that explain common terminology from the SEO industry.



7. Crafting Content: Using Elite Directories On Business Sites explains how outbound linkage can be enhanced with accompanying content and organized into 'expert' (aka 'hub') pages. Followup comments include specific working examples and suggestions for types of business sites that can easily implement Elite Directories.

Technical Papers

1. Google Ranking Strategies paper by Michael Martinez. He says some of the ideas are no longer valid, but the paper includes a section near the end explaining one method for evaluating the competitiveness of a search query. Worth the read just for that section alone.



2. Trust & Inheritance - Testing Hypotheticals and Google. A followup at Threadwatch to the Google Ranking Strategies paper where Michael provides a list of bullet points explaining what the paper is all about.

Other Resources

1. Talmir's SEO and Web Dev Directory. Highly selective resource. They don't just link to anyone. Good editorial review.



2. SEOMoz Blog. One of the most popular and infuential team blogs in the SEO industry. Several of the contributors are major names in search engine optimization, and many comments are posted by other so-called "A List" and "B List" SEO experts.
   
   
3. Bill Slawski's SEO By the Sea blog, where he reviews and analyzes the latest search engine-related patent applications. Slawski is considered to be the most knowledgable SEO regarding patent applications.



4. Google Says ... blog by Michael Martinez analyzes announcements and statements by Google and Google employees.



5. BarCamp Wiki. BarCamps are "unconferences" where anyone can present on any topic of interest to the audience. Many SEOs have begun taking an active interest in the BarCamp movement.



6. LED Digest. Originally a discussion list for the old Link Exchange free banner network, now a general Web marketing and business promotion discussion list with an active subscriber base of around 45,000. A broad, diverse selection of opinions and experience are represented on LED Digest.



7. Keyword Suggestion Tool by Digital Point. One of the very best free resources available for keyword research.



8. WordTracker Keyword Reporting is one of the most thorough, professional keyword reporting services online.

Michael Martinez is a leader in today's field of search engine optimization theory. He has been active in search engine optimization since 1998. Michael's Web sites (including Xenite.Org, SF-FANDOM, and Michael-Martinez.com) are widely recognized for dominating their search categories.

Michael Martinez has advised and assisted hundreds of business Web site operators optimize their sites, strategize their promotion campaigns, and achieve consistently high search engine rankings. Michael's articles, research, and advice are considered "must read" content by many of today's leading search engine consultants. SEO Consulting provides concise, valuable information and optimization tips, as well as screen captures of top rankings Michael has achieved a selection of Web sites.