Search Engine Optimization with Social Networking Websites

Oh no - another article written about search engine optimization you might think. But, anything written about SEO is pretty much outdated after 3-6 months when it comes to something other than link building and its overall value for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). A newer trend is to use social networking sites as a big part of Search Engine Optimization. There is so much hype about Slashdot, Digg, and MySpace - it's almost impossible to get a) all the facts about it and b) to see what the long-term impact might be. The first thing an Internet Marketeer has to realize - they main benefit of websites like Digg.com, Myspace.com, or slashdot is short-term spikes in traffic.

Marketing against these websites for traffic reason should consider that traffic comes and goes with 12-36 hours. However - being listed on those websites might gain some long-term SEO value. Other sites are picking up news from Digg or Slashdot as an example and publish them on their own pages. Depending on how this is done a website might gain some more or less valuable backlinks. And backlinks are still the rocket fuel of search engine marketing. What press releases were 12 months ago, has been replaced by getting news or reports about a website onto social networking sites like Slashdot or Digg. They key is to not only publish the news, but to get others to promote the news or report.

The single webmaster with no support from peers will have a very hard time to get his website properly promoted via Slashdot, Myspace, or Digg. It takes a little more than just to post a news message as an example. No matter how exciting a report is or the site it links to, with a) no support and b) not using the right (important) keywords, it will just not work. Now you might think joining a "Digg Club" or buying some "Myspace bulletins" will do the trick, but again this will be short-term only. If you like your online business and website and want to make it something you will enjoy and live off for years, you need to let go of the temptation to use short-term tools for long-term search engine success. Network with friends, family, and a small group of webmasters you trust. Trust is critical, because you want to make sure keep enough control over your own destiny.

If a "recommended" SEO tool or procedure does not give you a warm, fuzzy feeling and just does not sound right, I would stay away from it. If you do not like SPAM, email marketing as an example is just not the right tool for you. There are enough people who hate SPAM as much as you do. A MySpace bulletin to so-called "friends" you don't even know - I would consider that SPAM.

Conclusion: This article can only scratch the surface of Search Engine Marketing via Social Networking websites. As with everything when it comes to SEO, you have to keep in mind that short-term success might not benefit you in the long run.