Google's search algorithms (post Panda and Penguin updates) have created havoc for millions website owners by skewing the search results for over a year now. Pre-update, websites were ranked on content and authority; of which Elsmar has in abundance. It seems that Google's search returns these days depend on how much websites owners pay to use Google 'Adwords'. <snip>
The internet is just evolving and it has reached the "Walmart" stage where it kills off the "Mom & Pop" sites.
I took a "nostalgia tour" the other night - I have a copy of the 3 part series Cringley did for PBS which aired in 1996 - "Triumph of the Nerds".
I really can't say much that I haven't already said about SEO here. I will say that one has to remember this is a forum which has gone from being a somewhat focused niche to a very broad scoped site. And, it's a forum. So - It's not easy doing SEO for, and anyone who isn't really into SEO but reads articles about it should remember that doing SEO for a forum like this is much different than doing SEO for, as an example, a site which focuses on toys (or what ever).
As to Google - It is now a Goliath just as Walmart is in "bricks and mortar" stores.
We are also at a point where everyone has a computer and the movement is to tablets and phones. In short, as the number of users increases so does the focus on basics which people use a computer for. Most people only want to browse the web, do email and such, add in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+, all which can easily be done on tablets these days (and on phones for people with good eye sight). Remember, computers were for years something people did work on. These days, taken as a whole, much fewer people use computers for work as opposed to the basics and entertainment which tablets are very good for.
I wonder where the internet will be 5 years from now...
