The History of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
According to data from hubspot.com, about two million people on the professional networking site LinkedIn have included the term SEO in their job titles. Read on to learn more about the history of search engine optimization up to the present day.
Early SEO days
In 1997, Google registered its domain name and launched its search engine. Dmoz followed suit in 1998 by launching its directory and it became the foundation of SEO campaigns for years to come. By 1998, early search engines such as AltaVista and Excite started to lose ground to Google and Yahoo. In November 1999, the first Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference took place in San Francisco, California. The following year (2000), Google Launched the Google Tool Bar and tweaked its Page Rank algorithm to take into account SEO strategies. A notable event in 2000 was the launch of the Yahoo Directory that lead to an increase in the popularity of directory submissions as a SEO strategy. In 2001, dynamic URL webpage indexing became more refined as web technology and search algorithms improved.
2002 to 2012
The year 2002 heralded a watershed moment in the nascent SEO industry as Google started penalizing sites that engaged in link farming. Although this effort did work to some extent, it did not solve the web spam problem prompting Google to release the Florida Page Rank algorithm update in 2003. Blogging Platforms Blogger and WordPress were launched in the same year. By 2004, most SEO and Internet marketing experts relied on paid links, text link ads, and 301 redirects to generate traffic and ad revenues. However, Google moved to stamp out such activities with the 2005 "Jagger" and "Big Daddy" search algorithm updates and permanently banned text link ads in 2007. By 2008, SEO experts shifted their focus to social media to exploit the growing popularity of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. In 2009, SEO experts wizened up to the power of guest blogging. Nevertheless, this led to creation of "cookie cutter" sites that Google penalized with the 2010 "May Day" search algorithm update.
2010 To Present Date
Since 2010, social media has become a key SEO element. In addition, Google has continued to roll out search algorithm updates that rank highly sites with quality, unique, and useful content. On the SEO front, local search and mobile device optimization/accessibility are the leading determinants of a site's visibility.
Conclusion
Search engine optimization has come a long way from the early days when search engines like AltaVista and Excite were dominant. Moreover, Google has largely instilled order in the SEO industry by penalizing unsavory tactics like link farming via regular search engine updates.
Early SEO days
In 1997, Google registered its domain name and launched its search engine. Dmoz followed suit in 1998 by launching its directory and it became the foundation of SEO campaigns for years to come. By 1998, early search engines such as AltaVista and Excite started to lose ground to Google and Yahoo. In November 1999, the first Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference took place in San Francisco, California. The following year (2000), Google Launched the Google Tool Bar and tweaked its Page Rank algorithm to take into account SEO strategies. A notable event in 2000 was the launch of the Yahoo Directory that lead to an increase in the popularity of directory submissions as a SEO strategy. In 2001, dynamic URL webpage indexing became more refined as web technology and search algorithms improved.
2002 to 2012
The year 2002 heralded a watershed moment in the nascent SEO industry as Google started penalizing sites that engaged in link farming. Although this effort did work to some extent, it did not solve the web spam problem prompting Google to release the Florida Page Rank algorithm update in 2003. Blogging Platforms Blogger and WordPress were launched in the same year. By 2004, most SEO and Internet marketing experts relied on paid links, text link ads, and 301 redirects to generate traffic and ad revenues. However, Google moved to stamp out such activities with the 2005 "Jagger" and "Big Daddy" search algorithm updates and permanently banned text link ads in 2007. By 2008, SEO experts shifted their focus to social media to exploit the growing popularity of sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. In 2009, SEO experts wizened up to the power of guest blogging. Nevertheless, this led to creation of "cookie cutter" sites that Google penalized with the 2010 "May Day" search algorithm update.
2010 To Present Date
Since 2010, social media has become a key SEO element. In addition, Google has continued to roll out search algorithm updates that rank highly sites with quality, unique, and useful content. On the SEO front, local search and mobile device optimization/accessibility are the leading determinants of a site's visibility.
Conclusion
Search engine optimization has come a long way from the early days when search engines like AltaVista and Excite were dominant. Moreover, Google has largely instilled order in the SEO industry by penalizing unsavory tactics like link farming via regular search engine updates.