SEO Contest

John Scott · 12-20-2005, 01:53 AM

A while back Chris Ridings at SearchGuild announced an SEO contest wherein the target phrase was "nigritude ultramarine". It was an interesting concept which didn't really reveal anything new - the winner was the guy with the most links. A pretty much foregone conclusion, but one that finally put an end to the "optimized copy" / "seo copywriting" school of thought.

Participants in the competition, including this site, benefited by being in the SERPs and receiving tens of thousands of visitors who found the particpant after Googling "nigritude ultramarine".

But that was 2003, and this is a different age with a different Google. Some people are saying that SEO is dead. That Google killed it. It's impossible to SEO any more.

I disagree. I think that SEO is more of a professional practice now than any time in the past. In the past, SEO was nothing more than simple Google bombing. Nowadays you have to pay attention and spend more than a couple hours reading SEO forums to understand search engine optimization.

So it has occured to me to host an SEO contest, in the hopes that we may all learn from the results. I'm certain that we can learn from both the winners and the losers.

So, I'm announcing an SEO contest. Here are the Specifics:

Goal: To win, you must place 1st in Google (organic SERPs) for the keywords

Start Date: Jan 15, 2006

Finish Date: May 15, 2006

First Prize: $4,000 ($1,000 from v7n, $1,000 from Skaffe and Sporge Directory, and $2,000 from ShoeMoney = Total $4,000)

Second Prize: $500

Third ~ Fifth Places: $100 Each

Now I may be a nice, generous person, but I'm not giving away money for free. In order to qualify, the page must have a link back to the v7n home page. Participants who don't maintain a link to the v7n home page will be disqualified. (We are not specifying the type of link - that's entirely at your discretion.)

The target keywords will be two words a la nigritude ultramarine. The target keywords will be announced on Jan 15, 2006, 12 noon, Pacific time.

UPDATE: Please see Private SEO Forum Thread (must register to view) for updates to rules.

sitetutor · 12-20-2005, 06:42 AM

I think it's a great idea. It'll be interesting to learn by watching the others try to accomplish the same as you. Not looking for more competition, but I will definitely help get the word out

John Scott · 12-20-2005, 07:00 AM

Thank you, Mike, and good luck in the competition. I hope it's a learning experience for all of the SEO community.

kwvarga · 12-20-2005, 07:52 AM

Interesting, I might make a site

Sabeur · 12-20-2005, 09:40 AM

making a site on a ck-h.co.uk, going for $1000 and then the world.

lol.

John Scott · 12-20-2005, 09:42 AM

Good luck

Michael Allison · 12-20-2005, 11:14 AM

Fascinating...

I'll sit and watch this one. SEO - the NEW spectator sport! Being an utter and complete neophyte in this area, I'll learn more with my mouth closed and my ears open.

-Michael

sitetutor · 12-20-2005, 11:32 AM

I will definitely participate. But doing it the passive aggressive way. Sitting back and waiting for my chance to mark my spot

I don't expect to win though, just want to give the winner a few extra struggles here and there

sarahk · 12-20-2005, 12:07 PM

Bring it on!

sitetutor · 12-20-2005, 12:10 PM

lol I knew you'd show up!

Brian · 12-20-2005, 12:49 PM

Sounds good.

John Scott · 12-20-2005, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahk

Bring it on!

Welcome to v7n, Sarah

theChronic · 12-21-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Goal: To win, you must place 1st in Google (organic SERPs) for the keywords

Does getting first in Yahoo or MSN count?

Peace
John

sitetutor · 12-21-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theChronic

Does getting first in Yahoo or MSN count?

Peace
John

I sure hope that Yahoo! won't. In that case we might as well change it from an seo competition to meeting up in Vegas for roulette.

theChronic · 12-21-2005, 04:06 PM

haha *agrees*
I'm liking MSN more and more though these days. They have been crawling my site about 1.5 times as much as google.

Looks like they're racing to catch up

John Scott · 12-21-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theChronic

Does getting first in Yahoo or MSN count?

Nope. Just Google this time around.

I personally prefer Yahoo these days. Their results are dependable.

sitetutor · 12-24-2005, 12:57 AM

Dang, msn already has me at number 3 for seo contest while this thread is #4

John Scott · 12-24-2005, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitetutor

Dang, msn already has me at number 3 for seo contest while this thread is #4

Cool. But that doesn't get you the cool grand

MadKad · 12-24-2005, 06:29 AM

just google

well that counts me out google hates me they have never ranked me

now if it was yahoo and msn i am ranked 1 for some mass keywords so i would have won haha lol but with google narr i will have to give it a miss i am sure they no my name and aim

Ferre · 12-24-2005, 07:50 AM

How are you getting the news out on this contest John? Did you send out any press releases out yet?

Banners + page about the contest on v7n.com?