5 Responses to “The Truth About Search Engine Optimization”

1. 

   Alfa Guy said on February 24th, 2010 at 4:26 am

   I seem to be at odds with the majority of reviews of this book. The book is practically useless with little to no specific information presented. Yes, the author does mention that the META tag keywords is not necessary, and that titles should be no longer than 60 chars to match Google, but for the most part the book is a litany of vague generalities that could be better summarized on a two page White Paper. An index may have helped, but there is none.

   The book’s Appendix A sounds very helpful, but is available only online. In the book the appendix advertises a “number of free tools” but it doesn’t exist. Entering the URL redirects you to a page where you can buy another copy, register, etc. Thinking the Appendix may be avaiable to registered users I tried that. But after filling in all the required fields and clicking the “Just Register” button the site insisted that all 14 marketing questions such as “What is your Gender? be completed” There seems to be no way to simply Register so I simply left.

   I recommend avoiding this book if you’re serious about SEO.

   Rating: 1 / 5

2. 

   John Gaffney said on February 24th, 2010 at 5:58 am

   This book is a needed guide for any company from $100 in annual revenue to $1 billion in annual revenue to search engine marketing. The search companies want marketers to believe that this is the simplest of marketing science. It’s not. Rebecca Lieb shows that the more a company knows about search, the greater the opportunity in using it properly. Knowledge is power. For Search Engine Optimization knowledge is profit. Ignore at your own risk.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. 

   Lamont's mom said on February 24th, 2010 at 7:27 am

   Didn’t know what to expect, but was thoroughly impressed. This book is highly informative and covers just about everything you need to know to get started with SEO. I’m just getting my blog together and found it very helpful.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. 

   S. Dollar said on February 24th, 2010 at 7:48 am

   Now more than ever, mastery of the myriad manifestations of search is essential for a thriving existence online, whether you’re a marketing wizard with a six-figure paycheck (happy you) or a lowly, over-caffeinated blogger trying to crack the secret formula to glorious triumph on the Interwebs (hello neighbor). For the past decade, Rebecca Lieb has been one of the savviest journalists tracking every tremor of the Googlesphere, and here she shares her seasoned expertise in a step-by-step guide to effective SEO. Clear, straightforward, thorough and witty, Lieb reveals everything you ever needed to know about search, and then some, with extensive practical examples and informal Web history lessons. It’s a can-do classic that belongs beside every laptop.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. 

   Moe Rubenzahl said on February 24th, 2010 at 9:46 am

   Because I have been doing Internet Marketing for a Fortune 1000 company for over a decade, friends often ask for recommendations they can use for their businesses. They know they need to pay attention to search engines but don’t know what to do. It’s always been a difficult question because there are so many bad sources of information on search engine marketing. It’s a business that is full of charlatans and well-meaning but poorly informed “experts.” The same bad ideas are passed around so often that they start to sound valid.

   I’ve always wished for a book that was practical, understandable, and most of all, true. For years, I thought I should write the book. Now, I don’t have to — because Rebecca Lieb has done it!

   I recommend this book to business owners because it tells you what you really need to know. It doesn’t dig too deeply into the nuts and bolts. It tells you what the business owner, manager, and strategizer must know. It’s well written and a very easy read. I was amazed again and again at how she explained each concept in just a page or two. But the best thing about it is that it’s all true — she tells you what you need and what to avoid and talks about the myths so you will know if someone is feeding you questionable ideas.

   This is the perfect book to read before you hire someone to do your search engine marketing. And if you want to do it yourself, there is enough here that you’ll know what to do next.
   Rating: 5 / 5