Comments on: What the “SEO” Label Misses

By: Mike Tekula

Mike Tekula — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:59:43 +0000

The Robot Whisperer™ – I like it.

Search Agent Compatibility (SAC) does make literal sense, and it’s probably better than the “technical SEO issues” label this stuff normally gets. Whether it’ll gain traction, though, is another question entirely. Maybe if you keep pushing it’ll start to catch on.

By: gavin

gavin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:51:09 +0000

This is precisely why I’ve been pushing (subtly, mostly by comment-spamming the audettemedia blog) for a shift in terminology — by recasting the technical aspects of “SEO” as SAC — Search Agent Compatibility.

Search Agent rather than Engine because I act as a people-robot liaison — I provide for and enhance the compatibility of an inter-web site with the various user agents sent to evaluate its content and context.

But I digress and ramble about moot points that have already been discussed, and really I just wanted to join in on a discussion/thread with the likes of John Andrews and Adam Audette — and to further promote the use of the term SAC. Long story short, I’ve decided that, to cut confusion with those outside the industry, I’m going to start referring to myself as:

The Robot Whisperer™

By: Mike Tekula

Mike Tekula — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:38:36 +0000

I can admit that’s probably the central difficulty I’ve had with this blog since I started writing here – a lack of perspective on who, exactly, I’m writing for, because it can’t be everyone. Something to think over.

By: john andrews

john andrews — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:26:51 +0000

I liked your post, but couldn’t help notice how meaningful it was only within the industry.. which led me to your about page. I don’t see how anyone in this industry today can publish one site to both participate in the industry & market.. for the exact reasons you noted. For one client I “get pages to rank #1 in Search Engines” and for another I “help their website get in Google” and for yet another I “show the dev team how to make sure the site achieves the business goals” yet for another I “tell them the right keywords to use in their web page copy” etc etc etc.

Perspective is everything.

By: Mike Tekula

Mike Tekula — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:22:13 +0000

John you’re spot on – situations determine the mutual understanding of such terminology. Always will.

I always liked your Competitive Webmastering term. But I consider it your trademark in a sense. Still, it’s arguably more accurate, in its broad scope, than any of the other labels we toss around.

My hope in writing a post like this is to get at least one person who otherwise didn’t know better to appreciate the nuance and depth of the SEO world and those who engage in it. Failing that, just getting something nagging off my chest.

I appreciate the reference to my own “About” page – if I have a problem with how I’m generally labeled I might do a better job of labeling myself.