The Brief History & Origins of SEO

THE BRIEF
HISTORY &
ORIGINS OF SEO
simplemachinedesigns.com

As you’ve searched on the Internet, you’ve probably noticed that some websites rank higher on
Google than others. The main reason is because of search engine optimization (SEO) as well as the
use of strategic keywords. SEO history revolves around Google, and it’s the driving force in
websites.
It’s believed that SEO is a millennial trend and may have started in 1991. But nobody knows for sure
how it started. The search engine optimization is more like a handshake that nobody knows how it
began, but everyone knows that it’s essential, and they use it daily.
It can be argued that search engine optimization may have begun when the ﬁrst website was
launched. This is only logical since SEO is needed to drive traffic to a website. Also, some may argue
that it could have begun when the ﬁrst search engine was launched. This was around 1997. Continue
on to learn about SEO history.
2

1. THE TIMELINE
OF SEO
3

“With the introduction of search engine optimization, the way people conduct
their research has changed. It controls how people ﬁnd the needed information
on the Internet and how they shop for services and products. Additionally, it
inﬂuences how people entertain themselves and connect with others.
When you decide to create an online destination, whether it’s a blog, an app, a
social network, or a website, there is search engine optimization. SEO has
become a connecting force and a guide to online life and everyday life.
4

2. BEGINNING OF SEARCH
ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
5

“In the early 1990s, according to SEO history, the search engine scope was very
competitive. Both humans and the directories powered search engine optimization. This
meant that you had to be aggressive for your website to rank higher. The directories and
crawler-based listing included Yahoo, Lycos, Excite, Ask Jeeves, and AltaVista.
When you wanted to perform any form of SEO, it was through the on-page activities.
Additionally, you had to make sure that your content was relevant and enjoyable.
Moreover, you had to make sure that you had external and internal links.
To ensure that you ranked higher on Google, you had to repeat your keyword more than
200 times. This isn’t recommended today as it leads to the creation of spam content.
6

3. SEO USE IN 1997
7

“In 1997, the use of search engine optimization “o cially” began. The Je erson Starship, rock band
manager, may have inﬂuenced this. According to him, the o cial website for Je erson Starship was
ranking low on page 4.
He felt that it should be ranking on the ﬁrst page since it contained more accurate details about the
band than other websites. He may have been responsible for the birth of what has become to be
known as search engine optimization.
Ranking higher on Google in 1997 was still a new thing, and people didn’t understand the concept.
Additionally, ranking on Google was directory driven, and people didn’t know how to break in the
Internet scene.
Further research seems to indicate that John Audette, who is in the multimedia marketing group,
was using this term in early 1997.
8

4. THE EARLY
2000S
9

“In the early 2000s, Google had gained some followers. The Internet was a huge deal, and people embraced
its use. This led to Google focusing on the improvement of search engine optimization to ensure that
users were provided with the best results.
Google implemented guidelines that could make your website rank higher. The use of AdWords, strategic
keywords, and improving your SEO contributed to your website ranking higher. This meant that a lot of
people could see your site, and this resulted in higher tra c.
If your website was a business site, this means that you could get more customers and clients. During the
2000s, people ignored some of the guidelines set by Google since the link quality wasn’t measured. Google
decided to start the algorithm update, which ensured that you follow their directions to rank higher.
10

5. GOOGLE
REVOLUTION
11

“Google became a household name back in the 2000s. Yahoo played a signiﬁcant role in introducing Google to
the world. This can be seen as a lousy business strategic move since Google is one of its biggest competitors.
When Google partnered with Yahoo, every search result said, “powered by Google,” which gave Google a
jumpstart. Google made it big in search engine optimization since it concentrated on both on-page and
o -page factors. It used the quality and quantity of external links that point back to your website to improve
search engine optimization.
Their slogan was if people are talking about you, then you must be important. This made their search engine
optimization a household topic and led to a race between websites to get as many links as they could to rank
higher. This became an abused tactic in Google.
The Google toolbar became available in 2000 on Internet Explorer. This allowed SEO practitioners to see how
their page was ranking on Google. This led to them gaining link exchange requests via email to help improve
the visibility of their websites.
12

6. LOCAL SEO AND
PERSONALIZATION
13

“Around 2000, most of the top search engines started the use of
geographical intent to improve search results. They used this geographic
intent on most businesses like plumbers, restaurants, and cosmetic shops
and introduced the use of maps to show your location.
Additionally, they began the use of end-user data to get a personalized
search result. They employed the method of your search history and
interests to show you most of the results. This means that your results are
probably di erent from what someone else may ﬁnd on the same question.
14

7. RISE OF
SOCIAL MEDIA
15

“In the early 2000s, almost everyone was into social media, especially Facebook, where
people all over the world would connect over one social media page. This improved the links
between websites and the social media page.
At first, there was no proof that social media pages could influence your SEO. However, after
some research, it was proven that social media played a significant role in driving tra c to
your website. As SEO history continued to unfold it was also discovered that social media
played a considerable part in your website ranking higher.
Today people have employed the use of social media to improve their websites’ tra c.
Especially if your website is for a business, this creates tra c and increases your business’
customers.
16

Conclusion
Search engine optimization is used to show the
ranking of your website on Google, and it has been
changing and developing since it began. The
Simplemachine team would love to tell you more
about SEO history & origins.
17

Thanks! Any questions?
Contact Simplemachine, a family-owned and operated marketing company, for
help with web creation and design, content marketing, and SEO marketing.
Find us online through our website or social media;
@simplemachinedesigns · simplemachinedesigns.com
18

The Brief History & Origins of SEO

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (19)

Similar to The Brief History & Origins of SEO

Similar to The Brief History & Origins of SEO (20)

More from Sean Morrison

More from Sean Morrison (12)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

The Brief History & Origins of SEO