Among the many evolving technologies and tools for web professionals that is also the most neglected is search engine optimization. Popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! are constantly changing the algorithms that bring consumers the most relevant search results because the technology is still fairly new and evolving. Consumers have been relying on search engines for only a few years, so it makes sense that the technology behind it will only get better and more advanced, unlike like the soon-to-be-extict phonebook. The phonebooks that are still in existence evolved into what they are today…over a period of many years. Each year, the phonebook companies made changes based on advertising trends, advancements in graphic design, and the ever expanding business and housing market(s).

However, with search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing (Microsoft’s horrible attempt at gaining market share), the rate of search engine evolution is much, much faster. Since there is nothing to print, they are able to make changes and restructure every aspect of the search engine’s experience with consumers whenever they want. And believe me, that’s what they do. (more…)