Ian Lurie in WSA Search Engine Optimization Panel Discussion

Ian Lurie took part in the WSA's dinner meeting panel discussion, "Key Words, Key Strategies and Key Technologies". With shifting focus towards semantic matching, old-style keyword-stuffed SEO is starting to lose ground.

(PRWEB) February 20, 2005 -- Semantic space and topical marketing were the words of the day last night, as Ian Lurie participated in the WSA's Dinner Meeting Panel Discussion, "Search: Key Words, Key Strategies, Key Technologies."

The panel covered a broad range of topics, from localization to increased competition between the major search engines.

Ian's remarks focused on the rise of semantic search tools, and the need for search marketers to avoid keyword stuffing and other questionable tactics. With search engines slowly improving their ability to find synonyms and similar meanings, and tightening their filters that detect search engine 'spam', a more topical focus is a better avenue to stable search rankings, Ian said.

Ian went on to say that, while keywords are still the crux of a search engine optimization campaign, it's best to emphasize good optimization practices - a sound site architecture, good, quality content, standards-compliant code and relevant linking - and spend less time worrying about keyword density. This more strategic focus renders better results in the long term, and is more stable in a changing SEO environment.

Ian Lurie is an Internet marketing consultant with 10 years' experience helping organizations communicate via the World Wide Web. His firm, Portent Interactive (http://www.portentinteractive.com), offers comprehensive interactive marketing, including search engine optimization (http://www.portentinteractive.com/services_seo.htm), ppc management (http://www.portentinteractive.com/services_ppc.htm) and semantic analysis. Ian's left and right-brained geekdom combines the technical and creative aspects of online marketing into common-sense strategies for organizations of all types, from labor unions to fashion designers.

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