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Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

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Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#61

Post by seanwilson »

I believe it does. If you write quality content people want to read and share, configure your pages so they can be easily understood by search bots and get quality backlinks, you're going to rank well. You should follow what Google actually suggest you do about SEO (https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7451184?hl=en) but I don't think it's a good idea attempting to game Google by trying to figure out what they're measuring behind-the-scenes because their algorithms can changes.

Plugging my own project but based on the above principles I wrote a guide containing on-page SEO rules that authoritative sources say are important (e.g. Google) and created a Chrome extension that tests your site follows these rules:

https://www.checkbot.io

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#62

Post by Reedx »

amelius wrote: post #22
petra wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you do it on the side? Isn't it a very dynamic, very competitive field, so it requires a lot to get good results?

I guess it takes a lot of time. Change a thing, wait for Google to crawl your site, then inspect the results and repeat. Most of it is waiting for Google. So yes, I suppose you can do it on the side.

How long is that cycle for sites that Google crawls daily? Can you determine the results of a change right after the crawl, or is there lag time?

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#63

Post by jeffnappi »

Yes it does! However, now that the algorithms are all grown up it's about FAST sites with high quality content. There are no more games to be played. It is important to do your keyword research to understand the market you are attempting to reach, but that should only inform your content production and outreach plans.

High quality content isn't cheap and you have to be in it for the long game.

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#64

Post by user5994461 »

Reedx wrote: post #62
amelius wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess it takes a lot of time. Change a thing, wait for Google to crawl your site, then inspect the results and repeat. Most of it is waiting for Google. So yes, I suppose you can do it on the side.

How long is that cycle for sites that Google crawls daily? Can you determine the results of a change right after the crawl, or is there lag time?

The google webmaster tools give you the detailed search results for your site on a daily basis. I'd say you can make week to week comparison at best.

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#65

Post by pascalxus »

codingdave wrote: post #40

SEO works, and always will. However, trying to figure out the latest tricks is a losing game. Even if you do figure out how to make something work today, algorithms will change and you'll be punished for having gamed the system. Instead, write 'honest' content. Write it well. Write it for humans. If you find yourself adding content in hopes the search engine will pick it up, that is a short-term gain for long-term pa…

I think the advice should be: write good content that google can recognize.

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#66

Post by user5994461 »

jachee wrote: post #47
brosirmandude wrote: post #34

I'm a little biased because I currently work as an SEO Manager at an agency, but I would say yes. It REALLY depends on the type of business, what stage the business is at, their goals, and probably a few other things. SEO should almost always be a part of a larger overall marketing strategy. If you're an ecommerce shop optimizing product and category pages - SEO will help. If you're a plumber and ranking higher than…

Give us some more counter-examples? Where will SEO definitely not help?

It doesn't work where the results are already cornered by high reputation sites or loads of junk.

High reputation sites: travel, hotels, the popular marketplaces.

Junk: drugs, mattresses, pills to grow your hair back, cooking recipes, SEO.

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#67

Post by chx »

The tricks people used to call SEO stopped working amost 15 years ago with the Florida update. The next big one was also long ago, Panda in 2011. Writing relevant content (especially if there is new content frequently) works. Nothing else works and nothing else have had for a very long time. Most SEO services are selling snake oil. In a sense Google won and if you want to be featured at a high place in the result list you need to be relevant to what's being searched. No tricks.

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#68

Post by petra »

amelius wrote: post #22
petra wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you do it on the side? Isn't it a very dynamic, very competitive field, so it requires a lot to get good results?

I guess it takes a lot of time. Change a thing, wait for Google to crawl your site, then inspect the results and repeat. Most of it is waiting for Google. So yes, I suppose you can do it on the side.

So you just read about seo from time to time, get a few ideas and select one that you think will fit your circumstances, try it , and wait ?

Re: Ask HN: Does SEO still work in 2018?

#70

Post by everdev »

debaserab2 wrote: post #60
everdev wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked in SEO since 2006 and the game has changed. However, it's still a game and not a "losing" one by any means. I've seen many businesses including my own boom with good SEO. Back in the old days I got to #1 for "movers", but the tricks back then don't work anymore (which is a good thing). Today, it's much more legitimate and I find the most success with keyword research. It's about finding what your target m…

Do things like meta description tags and site map submissions still matter? Just curious.

Description tags matter in terms of converting a search to a click. So, while Google says there isn't a body for putting keywords in the description, I still do because it gives the searcher confidence that the content on the page will match their search query.

For site maps, it helps Google find updated content if you have a large site. It's not required, but it won't hurt if you submit one.

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