The State of SEO in 2012 Revisited

Search engine optimization (SEO) has been around for decades, but 2012 marked a significant turning point in the industry. While the fundamentals of SEO remain the same, the way it is implemented has changed. The major search engines have implemented major changes in the way they rank websites, making it impossible for traditional SEO techniques to be effective.

The major search engines have done an excellent job of developing algorithms that identify websites that are using old SEO tactics. These sites are penalized, or blacklisted, by the search engines, causing them to appear lower in the search engine rankings. As a result, the only way to be successful in SEO is to develop a website that is optimized for the major search engines. This means that websites need to provide relevant content, use keyword phrases effectively, and focus on building backlinks to other websites.

One of the biggest changes in SEO in 2012 was the introduction of personalized search. In the past, search engine results were based largely on documents and websites that could be found in a database. With personalized search, search engine results are tailored to the individual user. This means that websites need to be optimized to attract the specific individual who is searching for specific terms.

Another significant change was the integration of social media into SEO. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ have become incredibly popular over the past few years, and the major search engines have responded by developing algorithms that take these sites into account. This means that websites need to be optimized for social media as well as traditional search engine optimization.

Finally, the introduction of mobile search has made SEO even more important. Mobile search engines are becoming increasingly popular, and websites need to be optimized to be mobile-friendly. This means that websites need to be designed to be easily viewed on small screens, with content that is optimized for the particular device.

All of these changes demonstrate the importance of SEO in 2012. The major search engines have become more sophisticated in their algorithms, and websites must stay up-to-date on the latest trends in order to be successful. SEO is no longer just about keyword phrases and backlinks, it is also about providing relevant content for the user and optimizing for mobile devices. As SEO continues to evolve, it is important for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.