How do you stay up-to-date with SEO?

[Ron Jones]

I am one of the SEW Expert columnist writing for the SEM.edu column. While fostering some discussion elsewhere already about the columns I have written, I wanted to open up a discussion here to ask the forum members the question: where do you go to develop a foundational knowledge on SEO and what resources you use to stay up-to-date. Please chime in with your thoughts.

[AussieWebmaster]

Well mate I read... forums,articles was part of news groups and mail groups and then when they were available books... online ebooks like seobook were great for grabbing the stuff I had not learned...

and obviously trial and error on sites

[Marcia]

I read certain select forums (mostly) and blogs on current topics of interest, and I also read white papers and patents a lot.

[beu]

Same here, I read and watch (video) everything I can get my hands on that's related to "search", IT, marketing, technology, Google, industry experts and/or other.

Best of luck and please feel free to contact me directly if ever I may be of assistance.

[Ron Jones]

Thanks for the posts. Can you elaborate on which forums, articles, etc. that seemed to help you the most? Also, how much time a day do you spend reading and studying to stay up-to-date?

@ Marcia, are their specific white papers that stand out as being foundational in learning SEO?

@ beu - thanks for the support, I probably will.

[beu]

SearchEngineWatch Forums & Blog, Google's Blogs, Matt Cutts's Blog, Google Blogoscoped Forums & Blog, SearchEngineLand, SEOBook & about 5 hours per day on average (1 or 2 at work & 2 to 4 after hours)

One tip is to use Google Reader or iGoogle with RSS feeds from the above to get the most up-to-date info fast. Hope that helps!

[Marcia]

Originally Posted by Ron Jones

@ Marcia, are their specific white papers that stand out as being foundational in learning SEO?

Ron, I "collect" them and print them out to sift through and mark (pen, marker, whatever), and I've got some them linked to online

http://www.webmasterwoman.com/search-engines/

...with many more to add as I get around to it. The site was originally intended for a different focus, but then my "passion" kind of took over. Some of them go through the very basics of IR and are invaluable, especially one listed that's a PowerPoint presentation.

Surprisingly, my first "rankings" were accidental, and I then set out to find out how it had happened, what I'd done. One thing led to another, I started reading at some forum, and then the bug "bit."

I actually learned bare basics from a tutorial on some Brit website which I can't offhand recall the name of (and a little book I won in an iVillage chat years ago), but frankly right now, once the basics are down, just about every detail there is to know is in some paper or patent someplace - especially Google's patent applications and a couple of papers at MSN Research.

[sem4u]

I spend my time at places like here, Sphinn, SE Roundtable, Matt Cutts' blog and Webmasterworld.

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

SearchEngineWatch Forums & Blog, Google's Blogs, Matt Cutts's Blog, Google Blogoscoped Forums & Blog, SearchEngineLand, SEOBook & about 5 hours per day on average (1 or 2 at work & 2 to 4 after hours)

Wow, that sounds like me a few months ago (though I probably read twice as much lol). It's funny that I say that, though, because I'm the noob and you're the one who's been in that business quite some time! lol

Do you still get a lot of stuff out of reading 5 hours a day? I think reading (almost) everything you can get your hands on is great when you're getting started with SEO, but I think after some time the time you put into reading all of that isn't 'justified' by the few insights you learn.

I like to just read one blog about SEO (that I consider a great hub site) and one-two forums about SEO to keep up with any changes (that being said, I don't focus exclusively on SEO, but am interested in all things online marketing and I'm mostly going to college/studying, so I have to make sure I dont spend too much time on blogs and forums lol). I remember Greg boser and aaron wall (and on seo i know) saying something similar about reading blogs, etc. and how much time it takes out of the week.

What do you guys think of it? Is it really 'necessary' or do you do it as much for the fun part?:-)

[beu]

Originally Posted by NewKidOnTheBlock

What do you guys think of it? Is it really 'necessary' or do you do it as much for the fun part?:-)

Don't get me wrong SEO is one of my passions but I'm also responsible for the technical aspects of SEO for 13 offices world-wide. So, for me it's as much about not being caught off guard by a client or another office calling and asking a "what do you think about Google's new...." kind of question.

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

ah, now that makes sense. I've thought about something similar before. Right now, it doesn't really matter whether I don't know a detail about SEO here or there (just making my own sites), because I know who to ask in case I dont know something, but when it comes to marketing yourself you wanna be perceived as an expert and it definitely helps to know every little thing thats going on instead of saying: 'hold on Ill ask the guys on that forum' LOL

[amitbhalla12]

I spend my mostly time with SEO techniques like blog, directories, articles, forums, I "collect" them and print them out to sift through and mark. That makes us up to date.
Thank you for such type of nice questions.

[Marcia]

Reading what people write on websites (any kind - blogs, forums, articles, etc.) is getting somewhat second-hand information, because it's people's viewpoints based on their own observations and interpretations that they're sharing.

While it does have much value, it is isn't the same as first hand reading of authoritative documents, research, observation, and testing and analysis. There's also a difference between what people might know or observe (or even suspect) and how much of it they might be willing to publicly share with others.

[AussieWebmaster]

You need to read the blogs or read the daily summaries... I have to give it to Barry - he has always been the king of aggregating the daily news.

[Ron Jones]

@ Marcia - great point. Not only is it a challenge to find relevant blogs, forums, etc but also wade through second hand info/opinions to find that gem of knowledge. Thanks for the resources on authoritative documents, etc. I should be able to use this info for upcoming columns?

@ Beu - I am impressed and inspired by your dedication to learning and keeping up with SEO. Wow! 5 hours a day! I think it sends a message to people who are considering a career in SEO that there is a time commitment in keeping up with the SEO industry. You can't just read/learn for a few months or go to a conference and think that is all you need to get by.

Any others who would like to share how much time they spend a day/week studying SEO?

[Ryan L]

I spend about 1.5- 2 hours
make the blog rounds, check out analytics, adwords, webmaster tools, YSM and msn adcenter.

A lot of it seems to be reputation building with the hope of being in the right place where the right information is shared.

Also keeping abreast of the blackhat with Earl at synd8 and Fantomaster, etc...


I'd say 65% is running numbers and testing and 35% reading blogs,forums and social sites.

[jewboy]

try to attend as many conferences as possible - nothing will educate you like sitting through the sessions, browsing the expo halls, talking to people, and well, yes reading is also a must. if you don't have the time to read or travel - nothing beats webmasterradio.fm.

[caily]

for me participating and being active with popular SEO forum would definitely enhance your knowledge regarding SEO.

[AussieWebmaster]

Originally Posted by jewboy

try to attend as many conferences as possible - nothing will educate you like sitting through the sessions, browsing the expo halls, talking to people, and well, yes reading is also a must. if you don't have the time to read or travel - nothing beats webmasterradio.fm.

Daron and Brandy do a great job at webmasterradio.fm and I agree it is a great resource,,, especially for those unable to attend conferences