Many of the difference you identified are become less imporrtant as the engines start to use more usability stats in there ranking algorythms.

I don’t think that I, at any point, indicated the search engine ‘friendliness’ and search engine optimization are separate. I stated, very clearly, that they are different. If you are attempting to argue that these are in fact the same thing, then I heartily disagree with you. That’s a gross simplification of how the web works and how projects are developed.

Being search engine friendly is an aspect of search engine optimization, but it is not inclusive of all aspects of optimization.

Search-engine friendly design follows the principles of search engine optimization (text, links, popularity/validation, searcher behavior). To separate the two? Ridiculous.

Search engine optimization is optimizing (which includes writing, coding, scripting, programming, designing, etc.) documents for people who use search engines, both the commercial web search engines and site search engines. Search engine optimization accommodates the wide variety of searcher behaviors, not only querying behavior.

IMHO, it requires knowledge of searchers and search engines.

Most SEOs, I believe, have a somewhat reasonable understanding of search engines. However, I think the general knowledge of searcher behaviors in the SEO arena, overall, is abysmal.

That is my first impression of the article. It may seem like a somewhat arrogant response, but it is an honest one.

It is definitely true that a lot of people out there don’t really understand what search engine optimization is all about. There are a lot of details that go into keyword research and such, but everything has to flow naturally.

Greg

Best,
 Joe

I don’t think a lot of people realise how comprehensive and specific SEO can be and it’s difficult to make designers understand. Great stuff though and spot on!