One of my longtime passions is SEO, Search Engine Optimization, and I have done numerous articles on the process since I started practicing it in 1996.

I will be adding posts to this thread on the various aspects and some hands on solutions for applying it's methodology to a variety of sites.

SEO is both a methodology and an art.
If Google did not keep "interfering" with the process it would be an exact science.

However, Google does NOT want it to become an exact science as it would make their job of ranking websites much harder.
Imagine endless amounts of sites with identical SEO'd components.
Imagine deciding between them?
Despite Google's continual tinkering with the works, including numerous major "attitude adjustments" in regards to tolerance to obvious SEO techniques, it is still possible to get top results if one is logical.

It has been of said that SEO is the writing of copy and developing of sites for people and not the robot or spider.
I would say it is, with the supplement of when doing the copy, consider the visual/code formatting is to tell both people and search engines the importance of the written word and should convey the same meaning to both.

Semantics are important, both in the code's clarity of importance and progression, and the written copy's conveyance of the message.
If the semantically correct visual content is at odds with a semantically incorrect code progression , consider that you are writing for people and not machines. The visual content always rules.

SEO, proper SEO, does not work by rote.
(X amount of words on page) / (X number of Y keywords) = KW density
does not apply.
How many times the person reading the content needs to see it does.

SEO begins a long time before the first word is put to page.

• First you have to pick your keywords,
• Compose and purchase your domain name for the longest period you can afford.
• Get hosting that provides top quality admin for your website's server.
• You have to pick search engine friendly software to display your content,
• You have to have the content displayed correctly for maximum effect.

Remember, write for people.

Private Reply to Reg Charie (new win)