A prominent web designer’s diatribe against the practice of search engine optimization (SEO) has caused a firestorm of criticism from the industry, with many saying that the designer grossly mischaracterized the profession.
Peter Da Vanzo, writing at SEObook, dissects Derek Powazek’s article, correcting numerous errors and pointing out some fundamental misunderstandings about search engine optimization (SEO). "SEO is mostly about the publishing and marketing strategy that comes out of keyword research. Most designers don’t understand this concept and therefore misinterpret how SEO works," says Da Vanzo.
Both Da Vanzo and Danny Sullivan – writing for Search Engine Land – responded to Powazek’s profanity-laced rant with reasoned arguments that search engine optimization (SEO) professionals are simply experts paid for their knowledge of Google and other search engines, like a personal trainer or therapist. Sullivan points out that SEO professionals are frequently hired to "pick up the messes that web developers make."
While the search engine optimization (SEO) industry does have a poor reputation, it continues to thrive, suggesting that many firms are overcoming initial doubts about the profession.
