Comments on: Value of SEO Associations & SEO Certification?

By: Arthur Cooper

Arthur Cooper — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:38:57 +0000

I believe the industry needs to have an association, not at all necessarily for any industry certification. That may be desirable by some but I think those who are successful at SEO can certainly provide good references and good examples of their work. The ones that can’t won’t and they will have to suffer the consequences of that.

However, we are increasingly involved in an industry that is dominated by one major player, Google. The recent completion of the DoubleClick acquisition requires careful monitoring as it has sent a chill down the spines of many SEO folks that are fearful that Google will be competing in our industry with unfair, anti-competitive advantages. It is feared that Google will provide “access” to the SEO side of their business within DoubleClick. Google has already said they were going to sell off the SEO company but the fear and growing mistrust of Google exists.

This is precisely where an association is well suited. Google needs to be watched closely for all kinds of reasons important to our businesses. Through a well-funded association we can effectively keep a careful eye on Google’s activities and to take action where necessary to defend the principles of fair competition.

I have a great deal of experience in this sort of thing as I continue to have a presence in the telecommunications industry. The battles involving AT&T, Verizon, etc are well documented.

My point: It was industry associations that brought much more fairness and free competition. With recent developments leading to a great deal of angst and concern from SEO professionals, we should consider an association as a valid and important consideration moving forward.

By: SEO Freelancer

SEO Freelancer — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:43:59 +0000

To become a successful SEO Freelancer, I think SEO Certifications are a must.

By: Elmer W. Cagape

Elmer W. Cagape — Wed, 10 May 2006 01:16:30 +0000

Pros: It will give a better idea to clients when picking up people to provide services, not just depend on sales talk. Assuming a reputable organization will be in place to supervise “certified” providers.

Cons: SEO is an ever evolving field that’s more art than science. Therefore, unless a certification board constantly changes the qualifications, seo certification will never serve its purpose.

By: David Saunders

David Saunders — Tue, 09 May 2006 23:50:58 +0000

Personally I think there will never be anything of worth as the seo world we live in constantly changes and whatever vertification would be out of date a day or two later.

I’m a member of SEMPO and would like to see them to do something

David

By: TSK

TSK — Tue, 09 May 2006 17:13:10 +0000

I’m kind of divided.

It could be a step in the right direction, a “proof of quality”. It also gives the certificate holder a marketing advantage :)

On the other hand, that kind of certificate does not tell much. Like Lotus Domino or Microsoft development certifications, people can take them and still not be a good software developer.

Then again, if the certification cost sufficient, that alone will do some sorting in the SEO community. Not neccesarily a healthy sorting, but never the less excluding most 3. rank SEO practisioners.

By: Melt du Plooy

Melt du Plooy — Tue, 09 May 2006 13:28:43 +0000

I agree that one’s certification should come via trial by fire, experience, keeping client site rankings intact and years of established search rankings, but I can see the benefit, specifically for smaller companies, who have not had the chance to prove themselves.

For them it will be something to boast with – I am a certified SEO by so an so…

However, I am just wondering how it will work though, simply because SEO is ever-evolving.