The Evolution of SEO Part 1
The practice of SEO has developed and changed since its beginning, which can be traced back to around the start of the internet. It has adapted to Google updates and changed its focus many times in order to become the best of the best in internet marketing. Here at Internet Marketing Questions, we’re going to take you on a brief evolution of SEO and some predictions for the future in part one of our two part blog series…
The First Signs of SEO Life, 1991-2002
In 1991, the world’s first ever website was launched by a man called Tim Berners-Lee. In fact, it is still live today. Over the course of several years, many websites came into existence and as websites started to crowd the internet, search engines were formed in order to offer structure. These platforms changed how information was stored in 1993 and results were found based on keywords and content. In these early stage of SEO, anything was possible so marketers would use keyword stuffing, tagging and spammy backlink to gain higher ranks.
Early Days, 2003-2005
These unethical tactics lead Google to take a stand. They developed many updates in order to level out the playing field and penalised bad practices. With this, the birth of local SEO enabled users to connect with people and information close to them. Marketing during this era was focused on inbound links and this period of SEO created the foundation for a user focused web.
Middle Ages, 2006-2009
Trends meant that search engines were optimised for a reactive searching experience with features in results offering news, images and videos- additionally, real time updates from social media platforms and news articles. In 2008, Google Suggest offered relevant content based on the content and historical data from sites. This user-focused SEO approach aided in a more personalised online web and, as such, marketers optimised content media, focusing on user intent and the need for instant fulfilment in finding what you are searching for.
SEO is a component of internet marketing which has been adapting and developing for many years. It has gone from having a major focus on unethical practices such as keyword stuffing and black hat tactics to more responsive and content friendly solutions. Make sure to check back for part two of our two part series on the evolution of SEO!