Ask An SEO: Finding Trustworthy Resources & People To Follow In

Hey there, fellow SEO enthusiasts! It’s your friendly neighborhood SEO expert, here to tackle a question that’s been bouncing around the internet like a rogue ping pong ball. Nicolò, you’re not alone in wondering where to find the best resources to learn SEO and who to follow for solid advice. It’s a jungle out there, right?

The internet’s overflowing with SEO info—some good, some… well, let’s just say “questionable.” It’s like trying to sip a delicious SEO smoothie through a straw stuck in a haystack. Sifting through it all can feel like a full-time job (ironic, considering…).

Don’t worry, this guide’s here to be your trusty compass and machete, guiding you through the SEO wilderness. We’ll equip you with the tools to spot those SEO gurus worth their salt and the resources that’ll level up your SEO game.

Identifying Trustworthy SEO Professionals

Instead of just handing you a list (like some kinda SEO peasant!), we’re gonna empower you to become an SEO Sherlock Holmes, sniffing out the real deal. We’re talking about those SEO detectives who walk the walk, talk the talk, and most importantly, have the data to back it all up.

Conferences and Publications

Want to see SEO pros in their natural habitat? Look no further than conferences and publications!

Attend SEO conferences: These are like music festivals for SEO nerds (myself included!). But instead of jamming to our favorite bands, we’re geeking out over the latest SEO trends, tools, and tactics. Keep an eye out for speakers who bring the receipts—those presenting original research, experiments, or juicy case studies. Some conferences worth checking out include BrightonSEO, WTSFest, and MnSearch Summit.

Read reputable SEO publications: Think of these as the Rolling Stone magazine of the SEO world (minus the groupies, sadly). These publications separate the SEO wheat from the chaff, showcasing authors who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo and come armed with data-driven insights. A prime example? Search Engine Journal—a treasure trove of SEO knowledge!

Follow Who They Follow

Ever notice how the coolest kids in school always seem to hang out together? Well, the same goes for the SEO world. Once you’ve identified a few SEO rockstars, take a peek at their social media profiles. Who are they interacting with? Whose tweets are they retweeting? Who’s sparking up those insightful SEO debates in their comment sections? Bingo! You’ve just struck SEO gold—a potential goldmine of even MORE trustworthy SEO peeps to follow.

Ask for Recommendations

Sometimes, the best way to find a trustworthy SEO expert is to tap into your own network. Reach out to those SEO folks you already trust and ask for recommendations, especially for specific areas. Need help with local SEO? Hit up your local SEO guru for their top picks. Ecommerce SEO got you down? Ask your network for recommendations on who’s killing it in that space. It’s like getting a personal referral from your SEO fairy godmother!

Engaging in SEO Discussions

Alright, SEO sleuths, it’s time to ditch the magnifying glass and jump into the thick of it! Engaging in SEO discussions is like attending those exclusive SEO parties—a chance to mingle with the best, swap insights, and maybe even bust out your best SEO dance moves (metaphorically speaking, of course!).

Join the Conversation

The SEO water cooler, my friends, exists online! Twitter chats like #SEOChat are buzzing with real-time SEO banter. Reddit communities like r/TechSEO and r/bigseo? Think of them as giant brainstorming sessions with SEO whizzes from around the globe. And let’s not forget about online forums and communities dedicated to all things SEO. Don’t be shy—jump in, ask questions, share your thoughts, and let the SEO knowledge flow!

Start a Conversation

Feeling bold? Why not be the SEO party starter? Initiate discussions on topics that tickle your SEO fancy in online forums. It’s like hosting your own SEO TED Talk, but with more audience participation (and hopefully less stage fright!). Crowdsource answers, analyze different perspectives, and watch as the SEO sparks fly. Who knows, you might even become the next SEO thought leader, inspiring countless others on their SEO journeys!

Leveraging Conferences and Meet-ups

Remember those SEO music festivals we talked about? Conferences are more than just listening to individual presentations—they’re about soaking up the collective SEO genius that permeates the very air you breathe (okay, maybe not literally, but you get the point!).

Learn Something New

Step outside your SEO comfort zone! Think you’re a technical SEO guru? Challenge yourself by attending a talk on client management. Content SEO your jam? Dive headfirst into a presentation on international SEO. You never know what golden nuggets of knowledge you’ll unearth when you broaden your SEO horizons.

Go to Panels

Panel discussions are like the SEO version of a lively dinner party debate—expect diverse opinions, healthy disagreements, and maybe even a few witty SEO puns thrown in for good measure. Listen to multiple viewpoints, weigh the evidence, and form your own informed opinions. It’s all about expanding your SEO perspective and refining your BS detector.

Participate in Webinar Q&As

Webinars are awesome, but the Q&A sessions? That’s where the real magic happens! It’s your chance to channel your inner journalist and grill the experts directly. Got a burning SEO question that’s been keeping you up at night? Now’s your chance to get personalized answers from the SEO rockstars themselves. Check out Good Signals “SEO Office Hours” or Google’s “SEO Office Hours” for a taste of this interactive SEO goodness.

Utilizing SEO Communities

Think of SEO communities as your trusty band of SEO adventurers, always there to lend a helping hand (or keyword research tool) when you’re lost in the SEO wilderness.

Join Existing Communities

Whether you’re looking for a local SEO group to connect with fellow SEOs in your city or a demographic-specific community that caters to your unique needs (Women in Tech SEO, anyone?), there’s an SEO community out there with your name on it. These communities are goldmines of shared experiences, practical tips, and that warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you’re not alone in your SEO struggles.

Create Your Own Community

Feeling ambitious? Channel your inner SEO entrepreneur and create your own SEO haven! Organize regular meet-ups at your favorite local coffee shop (extra points for SEO-themed latte art!), establish a Slack or WhatsApp group for those quick-fire SEO questions, or even create a dedicated subreddit for a specific aspect of SEO that you’re passionate about. The SEO world is your oyster, my friend!