Why Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Such A Popular Discussion Topic

Search engine optimization is one of the most discussed and controversial topics on the internet today. Also, it is one of the most misunderstood topics.

In its basic form, search engine optimization (SEO) is act of altering an internet site so that it does well in the organic, crawler-based listings of search engines.

Now even this quick to the stage definition of search engine optimization (SEO) can lead to spirited debates about the meaning and intent behind SEO.

Therefore the question maybe asked, exactly why is SEO such a popular and controversial topic that causes so much debate within the SEO community and the overall internet population particularly website owners? Within my humble opinion there are 6 reasons why Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has the popularity so it currently enjoys.

1. Targeted Website Traffic - If you ask the vast majority of website owners and people within the SEO industry what is the most crucial factor to a successful website business and/or operation. A large percentage of the people will say website traffic and even more specifically targeted website traffic.

Currently on the internet, the greatest resource for targeted website traffic on a continuous bases are search engines. On an annually bases stats show that around 75% - 80% of most purchases produced by individuals on the internet originally started as a result of a research at a research engine and the vast majority of men and women who visit websites usually come via method of a research engine. Numbers so dominate cannot be ignored even by the greatest opponents of search engine optimization. Moreover, because SEO is centered on optimizing websites for ranking success related to locate engines, it is only natural that folks would be thinking about the field and practice of search engine optimization (SEO).

2. SEO Controversy - Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most controversial topics concerning internet website operations. The proponents of SEO can say so it provides a feasible method for websites to be viewed searching engines which is essential for any website desiring traffic on the internet today.

However, opponents disgusted with SEO may also say that lots of websites achieve high search engine visibility without the utilization of SEO work and that SEO professionals only provide guess work high cost services that offer no assurances for search engine ranking success.

This example, which includes some merit regarding the arguments on both sides, generates heated debates between proponents of SEO and SEO opponents on a continuous bases which is fought on a daily bases on forums, blogs, websites and newsletters across the internet along with exposure in magazines and on TV.

Simply put controversy produces attention and whether you want it or hate it, SEO really does give a lot of controversy. Moreover, so long as search engines play a dominant role in generating targeted website traffic, SEO will remain a favorite topic.

3. Money - Search engine optimization is a multi million-dollar business. Search engines generate billions of dollars each year through advertising. Websites earn billions of dollars for his or her owners each year via using search engines either through paid advertisements or organic (free) listings searching results.

It is no wonder with billions of dollars on the table on an annually bases that anything that will offer an individual or company a competitive edge in the ultra high pace internet world is a hot topic for discussion and debate.

Moreover, through a mix of perception and reality that highlights search engine optimization as a key to increasing internet sales, search engine optimization is really a very popular topic for decision makers within many companies which provides additional awareness of SEO in the business world and beyond.

4. No Standard SEO Rules or Regulations - Search engine optimization (SEO) may be described as a modern version of the wild wild west. Basically almost anything may be said or done since there are no formal set standards for the industry as a whole.

Therefore, in a real sense, nobody is truly right or wrong concerning any thoughts, comments or decisions concerning SEO techniques and/or methods. Right or wrong is replaced by what is considered ethical by individuals and everyone includes a unique pair of ethics. What one individual might consider unethical someone else might consider completely honest, well intended assistance. This is the reason you have labels such as white hat and black hat SEO within the SEO industry.

5. Search Engines - Search engine optimization was created as a by-product resulting from the development, utilization and popularity of search engines. Without search engines, there is no SEO industry in its current form and format.

As statistics on an annually bases confirm, nearly all the targeted website traffic on the internet is generated directly or indirectly via search engines and a high percentage of internet sales are directly linked to visitors via search engines looking for products and/or services source link.

With the dominant role that search engines play on the internet and the fact that the success of search engines depend on the capability to provide accurate and reliable search brings about its visitors, successful search engines tend to develop an informal relationship with the SEO industry.

Whereby a quantity of SEO work on websites tends to simply help search engines provide what its visitors are searching for which is top-notch search results.

For this reason, sometimes search engines will provide SEO information and SEO recommendations to its visitors on the search engines. It will help the SEO industry tremendously by placing the industry in the forefront of the main people that are thinking about organic (free) search results which are the search engine users looking for something specific and the website owners who would like can be found in the search engine results.

6. SEO Mystery - Very little SEO professionals will explain what they do regarding SEO work in detail. Some will provide only a little SEO information, which is mainly done as marketing efforts for the SEO professionals in forums, blogs and newsletters. Even the e-books and books that are sold only explain SEO in a broad nature. Search engine optimization (SEO) is really a secret to the average website owner and/or people thinking about organic search engine rankings.

This mystery produces a high level of interest concerning the SEO industry and helps feed the popularity of search engine optimization (SEO).