Following the pace of change relating to search engine optimization — or SEO as it’s often called — can be dizzying. Here are 6 important SEO trends you should know about as we close out 2009.

1.) Increased SEO Awareness

SEO used to be something akin to voodoo; the only people who understood it were the ones doing it. But now it seems everyone knows about SEO. As more small business owners become aware of what SEO is and why you should be doing it, competition should increase and put a premium on smart decision-making when it comes to doing SEO in-house or hiring a consultant.

2.) Moving SEO In-House

In-House SEO has never been more popular than it is now, and that trend should continue into 2009. Companies big and small are recognizing the need for and value of having dedicated staff to recommend and implement SEO strategies.

3.) SEO Consultants and Firms Booked Up

Many of us who don’t work in-house have never been busier than we are now. Because of trend number one above, small business owners are hunting far and wide for SEO help. Purely anecdotal evidence, but something that many fellow SEO friends are experiencing. There’s big demand and a lot of SEOs will be booked up.

4.) It’s Google’s World

Google has dominated the SEO landscape for years, and their lead over Yahoo and Live Search is only getting bigger. There are several companies that try to track market share, and their numbers differ. But they all agree that between 60-70% of searches happen at Google. That doesn’t mean you should put all your SEO eggs in Google’s basket, but it does mean if you’re not being found on Google, you’re not being found.

5.) SEO Tools and Automation

Hoping to take advantage of the growing interest in SEO, and the difficulty in finding the right consultant, more companies and individuals are creating online tools that automate portions of an SEO analysis. While some of these tools offer helpful data at a basic level, what matters most is how you use the data they provide.

6.) SEO Scams

The downside of increased interest in SEO is that many small business owners will continue to spend money making unethical scam artists rich. $99/month for 500 directory links? $200 for search engine submission services? Don’t do it. Read what several search industry leaders had to say about SEO scams, and make sure this is one trend you avoid in 2009.

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