I've seen a couple of posts from Tess condemning--and rightly so--those who claim to be SEO experts when they are not. So my question is this: How does one become an SEO expert?

Right now I would say I'm in the knows-just-enough-to-be-dangerous camp. I know about title and heading tags, keyword research and keyword density, link building, page rank, and permalink structure. So what's next? Are there classes, or maybe top secret Google training videos available on the black-hat market? Someone clue me in please.

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~Cindy
www.FiveToNineOfficeSolutions.com

Hey Cindy,

I wish I knew half of what you know. I am trying to learn. I would love any info that can help me, too!

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Eileen Richard
http://ERVirtualAssistant.SynthaSite.com

Hi Cindy, you have a good start but you'll want keep current on HTML standards and start doing as much digging as you can online to find as much valid information you can about the way Google functions. It's also good to learn a bit about how people interact with web pages and search results. Honestly, I would say just read, read, read as much as you can.

Remember that SEO is comprised of 100+ factors - some on-site, some off - and Google is constantly updating the way it calculates search returns. So if you're really serious about becoming an expert in SEO you'll want to devote plenty of time each day to getting current and keeping up.

I would recommend starting with Matt Cutts' blog [run a Google search for him - he's also on Twitter and well worth following] and branching out from there as you encounter new information!

Good luck and feel free to post back to this section for discussion on what you've learned! After all, I have to stay current too, LOL

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Cindy,
I have learned so many things about SEO on this website, I think I am dangerous now... lol. The forum has saved me countless hours of research, but I know I still have a long way to go.

Thanks everyone.

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

ERVA: Everything I know I learned from spending all my time on the internet reading blogs about SEO and Internet marketing. PM me if you want a specific list.

Bernice: Thanks, I'll spend some time reading older posts here. I probably should have started there, but I'm impatient.

Tess: Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. There are so many people out there claiming to be experts, it can be difficult to know who to believe.

I did find this site: http://www.seomoz.org, and they have some free materials available here, for those of us who are just starting out. Looks to be helpful information.

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~Cindy
www.FiveToNineOfficeSolutions.com

Yes, SEOMoz is a GREAT site. Matt Cutts is part of the Google team - lots of good insight on his blog.

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Here's a great class I took a couple of years ago, geez I should take it again to keep up with any of the lastest info. Anyway, it's a great self-paced, FREE class.

http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/seo-optimization.htm

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Edna

Thank you - this is a great resource.

Thanks Edna, will definitely check that out!

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~Cindy
www.FiveToNineOfficeSolutions.com

i am learning from
brad callens searchenginemarketing.com & seo mindset
seo faststart- their free book is priceless.
also stompernet is really great.

IN a year, i want to a serchmarketing expert