Mediaboss Marketing

Its easy to forget sometimes, when you hang around the cool SEO blogs, that there are those of us who are just starting out learning for the first time the ways your website code and inbound links effect the likelihood that your pages will rank.

Like most of us, I stumbled into SEO. I was working at a web development company, and the president asked me to look into this SEO stuff.

Its been a long and exciting (though sometimes painful) learning experience since then.

One of the most important things I learned: dont believe everything you read.

But there are a few resources Ive found over the years to be deep wells of actionable knowledge.

The 12 resources below are, I feel, the best places to learn about SEO.

1.Moz (previously SEOMoz)

This was one of the first websites I frequented when I started learning SEO. The open spirit of the community combined with the consistent publication of thorough educational content makes this one of the first places I send those looking to learn more about SEO.

To get the real meat and potatoes you need a PRO Membership, but via the blog and the free SEM guides there is a ton of free information for most SEOs, beginner or otherwise.

2. Webmaster World

Most SEO bloggers are guilty of writing too much theory and too little in the way of concrete examples. As a result were often left thinking, sounds good, but how do I know this really works?

Webmaster World is one of the oldest and most trusted forums on topics related to web development and marketing online as a whole. These are real webmasters sharing their thoughts and issues in an environment conducive to open discussion. As a result the threads often involve specific issues, a variety of voices and, most importantly, no-holds-barred discussion of the issue at hand.

Of course, you have to subscribe to Webmaster World to participate but thats not free.

Two other forums worth checking out:

3. SEO by the Sea

Bill Slawskis blog is the #1 place to learn about search engine patents. Period.

Kudos to Bill for being insane determined enough to read through every search engine patent he can get his hands on and then translate them for the rest of us.

Keeping up with patented search technology helps you keep abreast of what search engines are capable of and where they may be going in the near future.

4. SEO Book

Aaron Wall is widely considered one of the true papas of search. Hes been at it a long time.

Aaron is one of the few bloggers online whose posts I never miss. Not only does he share actionable insights on SEO, but Aarons writing often highlights the transcendental issues that link SEO to other aspects of the online world and understanding the big picture is crucial to surviving online competition.

5. The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Search Engine

This the legendary paper submitted by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin during their Ph D work at Stanford. It is a blueprint of sorts of the original working model for Google.

While in its current form Google in many ways dwarfs the original concept, the original Google concept was truly an engineering work of art and reading the paper above will take you a long way in understanding the processes that are at the core of the search engines we know today.

6. Search Engine Land

Search Engine Land was founded by Danny Sullivan who is perhaps the most recognized face and name in SEO. Danny is frequently on the cusp of the latest developments in search with unprecedented contacts at the search engines and a huge network of experienced SEOs and developers.

There is a constant stream of relevant and well-written posts at SearchEngineLand.com from some of the best SEOs in the business. Subscribing to this one is a no-brainer.

7. Googles SEO Guidelines

While I wouldnt tell anyone to do whatever Google says to do to get your website to rank, its important to know what Googles public position is on a variety of tactics/techniques you might employ.

8. Search Engine Guide

This self-billed small business guide to search marketing is not just for small businesses the posts here are written by a community of experienced SEOs who have experience getting websites to rank when there isnt a wealth of resources at your disposal.

9. Search Engine Journal

The blog youre reading now has been around for some time. Loren Baker, who started it, is one of those other papas of SEO.

Maybe I dont need to tell you about this one since youre already reading it but in case you were thinking you need to look elsewhere, weve got years worth of tremendously helpful blog posts right here.

10. SEO Black Hat

Theres power in the dark side.

QuadsZilla doesnt mince words when it comes to where he stands on the White Hat vs Black Hat issue. Hes black hat all the way and proud.

I dont necessarily condone some of the tactics black hat SEOs employ to boost their rankings, but there is plenty to learn about automation and how ranking algorithms can be exploited. Even if you plan to be an angel its worth knowing what the dark side is up to.

11.Marketing Land(previously Sphinn)

Started by Danny Sullivan, Marketing Land is great for keeping up with all the top online marketing news. They also offer tons ofdaily articles and how to guides on a wide variety of internet marketing topics. This is a really great place to get all your news, as they bring you all the top stories of the day.

12. SEO Fast Start

This eBook from Dan Thies, a veteran of SEO, has been around for quite a few years now. That doesnt mean its outdated Dan updates every edition with the latest in search engine updates and tactics. Dans writing style is straightforward, and he offers plenty of great SEO advice for beginners as well as some tips seasoned folks might not have thought of (or just need a refresher on).

Bonus. Your experience.

The best way to learn SEO is through hands-on experience and experimentation. There are a lot of smart people out there sharing killer content, but the best education you can get comes from seeing for yourself. Get your feet wet.

This guest post written by Mike Tekula of Unstuck Digital an Internet Marketing agency that provides SEO Consulting and other custom-tailored services.

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12 Best Free Online Resources for Learning SEO - Search ...