[Process Post 10] Feedback Updates & Analytics

In the process post, I will be focusing on two components. The first is a follow up on the feedback a couple posts ago and where it stands now. The second will be discussing the prompted topic of SEO and Analytics from this week.

Feedback Progress

Whether it is from our wonderful TA who checks so many sites or my peer reviewers who made such reviews, I thank you for the comments from the audience’s view.

References:

At this point, most of the posts should have been updated with course related references at the bottom of relevant posts across my site. After getting the feedback, I immediately implemented the references list even if I have made in-text citations or links to the source. This serves two functions: to let my TA have an easier time identifying the content and note relevant sources from this class.

URL Links:

There were some minor changes made, but I have some edits to make the links look more intentional than an error. This only applied to a post or two, so that is the extent of this feedback result.

One other feedback that was for everyone is that links were not opening up as a new page. As far as I know, most of my links should have been toggled for open a new tab within my posts.

About Page:

I have updated the About page to have a landing page. Originally, the design is for users to hover the dropdown menu and head to the relevant pages. However, this does not account for all actions an user can take. They can also visit the general about page I had. Thus, I included a landing page that directs the users to either page.

• About – Slice of Jim

SEO – Analytics

With our sites being linked to Google Analytics, some data can be collected and observed. In the previous weeks, we talked about our own digital footprints and the data we leave online. I discussed how we may have certain choices, learning and being intentional with our actions in order to ‘counter’ or navigate such environment. This was from the user perspective.

This week, the topic seems to be focusing from the other side of the table. What is that data? How do we build upon that data to grow our audience?

In Hollingsworth’s article in 2018, they list 12 reasons why SEO is important for businesses. Quite a few of these reasons are about growth, benefits, audience, profits and advantages that SEO offers. While I find value in all of the reasons, I will point out a few to speak to. I want to point out 2 of these reasons that hints a bigger picture.

Reason 8: Understanding SEO Helps You Understand the Environment of the Web

While I find value in all of the reasons, I will point out a few to speak to.

Hollingsworth addresses this reason in terms of understanding competitors on the web. Clearly, they take on the lenses of a business owner. However, I want to expand upon this reason.

I think this is one of the most interesting and important reasons of the existence of SEO. Not only within your site or business, but as a digital citizen using the internet. Here’s my question: If we use our senses to observe our surroundings, then what senses can we use to observe the digital web environment? Reason 8 essentially implies is that SEO is one of the best tools to observe the online environment. We often use the internet. If we think of it as a digital space as we do with digital platforms and social circles, then ways to observe our environment is important too.

I think this just speaks to a deeper topic that could be expanded upon with regards to Reason 8.

The second reason I wanted to address is:

Reason 15: SEO is Always Going to Be Here.

Hollingsworth did not fully explain (as with the rest of these reasons) their rationale in a comprehensive manner. However, there is two areas of focus for number 15. The first is that there is merit. Despite the lack of deep explanation, the value and existence of SEO would be something I can see persisting in the years to come because “consumers will always want products and services online, and brands will always look for the most cost-effective way to do that.”

In data.ai’s report on the State of Mobile in 2022, they have a clear example of this phenomenon. Words, key words and search engine optimization is relevant in App Store searches to find trends.

That being said, I will contradict myself with my critique that it is completely possible SEO ceases to exist as well. Once a system or way of categorizing that is efficient, better, and more suitable to observe and sample the web environment, SEO could be rendered useless or obsolete. After all, the internet is still relatively new. We have seen progress and advancements with how technology is used. SEO may be the main driver of search engines and appearing on the search. I will leave two questions below for you as insights to my critique.

1. What if the way we search is no longer the same as we know it? (The form changed: Not by page, not by search bar, not by lists etc.)
2. What if there is a new way to categorize, to identify content, a new way to measure?

References:

• data.ai. 2022. State of Mobile 2022
• Hollingsworth, Sam. April 13, 2018. “12 Reasons Why You Business Absolutely Needs SEO.” https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-seo-is-important-for-business/248101/#close