I’ve been writing this blog for over two years. In that time SEO Theory has built up a large, fairly loyal readership. Your comments and questions have been thoughtful and provocative.
Many times people have asked me how long can I go with this, writing five articles a week, analyzing how the Searchable Web Ecosystem works. I guess we’ll never know, but we can say I’m at least good for two years’ analysis of SEO trends, methodologies, and principles.
But now Visible Technologies has other plans for me. I’ve enjoyed writing this blog and interacting with my peers but we have several new projects in development that are taking up more and more of my time. This week we decided that I need to move on from SEO Theory.
I will continue to post occasional tips and techniques to Best SEO Blog. And we plan to launch another blog in the near future in which I will have a lead role.
And what’s to become of SEO Theory? No decision has yet been made. We’re discussing options, including inviting one or two other staff members to take over writing responsibility here. I’m not sure what decision will be made.
Since I’ve been struggling with a bad sinus infection for the past couple of weeks I’ve had less time and energy to write new articles for SEO Theory. They take a lot of research and thought, and it seems like now is a good time to put it to rest (for me).
I need some down time to rest and start moving into the new roles I’ll be taking on (in addition to my regular duties as Director of Search Strategies). Rather than keep writing for SEO Theory up until it’s time to launch the new blog I think I’ll just take a break.
Thank you all for your support, your encouragement, and your interest.
We’ll post an announcement here when the new site and blog are ready to roll out.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
justindavy 03.27.09 at 8:21 am
I wish you the best Michael. I love your take on search and your non-traditional approach and mindset vs a lot of others in the industry.
BMON 03.27.09 at 9:06 am
I will really miss your regular articles, Michael. Thanks for all you’ve written, it’s often been fascinating.
Mike Papageorge 03.27.09 at 9:08 am
Wow, and I just found this blog! Best of luck with the new projects… (off I go to the archives…)
mugile 03.27.09 at 9:37 am
Hi Michael,
I’m so sorry to hear that. This is (was) by far the most inspiring blog about SEO.
You have to post one last post about addiction…and how to overcome it
Good luck
Guy
Carlos 03.27.09 at 10:28 am
Good luck with your new projects and curmudgeon-ing up the Best SEO Blog. And on the lighter-side I’ll totally take over SEO-Theory for you
Olivian BREDA 03.27.09 at 11:51 am
I’m happy you chose a good way in life.
I support you in your decision.
I’ve been reading your blog alot, I don’t recommend a blog easily, but yours was fine.
Good luck with all!
jamesw 03.27.09 at 3:23 pm
Michael
i will sincerely miss what you write on this blog. i really believe that this is by far the best set of documents written about seo in a long time. this is coming from a 7+ year seo with a thriving business and plenty of money in the bank – no seo-wannabe.
the small core of people that truly understand what you write (rather than the uneducated masses that may scoff and/or believe 100% what ‘rand’ etc has to say) are truly enhanced by the writings that you have made and will be head and shoulders apart from the general seo community in terms of insight, mannerisms, asking questions to themselves, repetition
and most of all, guided passion.
You can get passion elsewhere, but this blog helps those with passion and their own minds to exceed to a level the ’seo sheep’ could only dream of.
the thing that you should be most proud of is that those seo celebrities who are coveted by the masses would give anything to do what you have done with this blog and in the way that you do it, but will never be able to admit to it.
be proud, michael. you have done some excellent work here.
Birdlegs 03.28.09 at 3:26 am
I ran across your writings about 14 months ago and found myself mesmerized by the fresh, reasonable approach of offering my guest information. You are by far heads above the usual drivel that flows…link, link and did I mention, more links. I tried to find a replacement for my addition last night on alltop but discovered everyone using the same template. You’ll be truly missed.
Thank you for your time…
Marion N.
Gids 03.28.09 at 4:12 am
Hi Michael
Only four things to say really:
Thank you for being something of a lone voice at the thoughtful and innovative end of SEO, and sharing your insights.
Sorry to see SEO Theory change, but mindful that change is the only constant.
Good luck with the new blog/venture, please, keep in touch.
I hope you get well soon.
Kind regards
Gideon
tinkerbellchime 03.28.09 at 9:59 pm
Thanks for everything, Michael. I’ve learned a lot about SEO by reading your posts, and I’ll miss them. I’m amazed that you were able to keep up with the daily demands of writing as much as you do. I love your writing style. You’re very gifted.
Good luck and let us know when the new blog is up and running.
Many blessings,
Christina
Bill 03.29.09 at 6:25 am
Hi Michael,
I want to thank you for the very many thoughtful posts that you’ve written here, and I do hope to see more from you.
I’ve enjoyed reading your experiences and opinions on SEO Theory, and I’m sorry to see your involvement with it come to an end. Your articulate, unique, and engaging voice on this blog has presented a very much welcomed counterpoint to much of what else I’ve seen on the Web about SEO and marketing.
Your voice here has been a boon to Visible Technologies, and I hope that your new projects find success with your increased participation. Again, looking forward to seeing more from you about SEO at Best SEO Blog and the new blog that you’ve mentioned in your post.
Bill
stephane 03.29.09 at 11:23 pm
I will also really miss your writings, as far as i am concerned (noname SEO grunt from France…) your blog was the only “SEO blog” worth reading and one i have recommended to all the people i know in this field. Many thanks for all the extremely valuable insights you have provided over those past two years and i’ll be sure to keep reading you wherever you move on to.
All the best
Stéphane
drnedflanders 03.30.09 at 1:31 am
Hi Michael,
It is a great shame that you will not be writing this blog any longer. It has been truly inspirational. I always felt that you were one of the few people that really knew what they were writing about. In your many posts you frequently challenged the accepted dogma of SEO and brought a clinical objectiveness into the field of search engine optimisation, a profession which is more often associated with speculation, gut feeling and magic.
Best of luck with your new role. I am sure you will excel in that also.
Ned
Unknown Webmaster 03.30.09 at 3:40 am
Aww, I’m going to miss your daily posts.
Will be looking forward to the new blog.
ericward 03.30.09 at 6:05 am
I hope you know just how much you have meant to so many of us. No other person comes close to producing the intelligent, rationale, though-provoking essays (to call them blog posts does them an injustice) that you have. I have a folder on my desktop called “Must-reads” where I drag urls throughout the day. I’ve used this “old school” approach forever for gathering URLs I didn’t want to forget.
Over half of the URLs in that folder are yours
I thank you look forward to following you in your new role.
Eric
Michael Martinez 03.30.09 at 6:54 am
Thank you all.
See you in the SERPs.
mugile 03.30.09 at 9:02 am
I just find it hard to believe that I haven’t found a new post this morning….
incrediblehelp 03.31.09 at 3:34 pm
Besides all the “ranting” SEO Theory/Michael has been incredibly insightful. Hopefully you feel better Michael.
Ben McKay 04.01.09 at 7:38 am
That’s a real shame, but at the same time, you’ve just gained a RSS subscriber on Best SEO Blogs – I didn’t know you wrote over there too!
Cheers Michael, really apreciated reading your posts, and am pleased that there’s 2 years worth of archives to look back on!
Ben
Ian 04.01.09 at 8:30 am
Michael, your in-depth exploration of SEO issues is a praiseworthy contribution to an industry sometimes characterized by superficial or self-serving content. Reading your posts has caused me to challenge many assumptions and SEO axioms. I don’t always agree 100% with your opinions, but with every post, you challenged me to think harder about the issues at hand and push myself to achieve a greater understanding of SEO, the WWW, and related technology. SEO Theory is easily one of the best sources for SEO content, and I predict that the archived posts will continue to blow SEO-newbies’ minds for years to come (this is why I recommend SEO Theory to more advanced SEOs as the concepts presented tend to demolish convenient paradigms and lead to heated conversations with one’s boss
) Anyway, I look forward to subscribing to Best SEO Blogs, and wish you success in 2009 and beyond.
Thanks!
Ian
SEO2g 04.01.09 at 11:50 am
The importance of your writing in establishing what SEO can and should be, cannot be overstated. Over the last several years your informative and insightful posts here have commanded my attention and interest (no small feat). Thank you for your contributions to scientific SEO.
Jason
Optimator 04.03.09 at 2:12 pm
All Good Things (Come To An End)
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and thoughts. You’ve helped me a lot in researching and understanding complex problems.
I really hope this blog will be kept online for future reference and investigation.
colstrom 04.08.09 at 3:30 pm
It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the adventure. SEO Theory remains one of the most enjoyable sites I read regularly (in both quality of content, and quality of writing), and I feel better for having had the opportunity.
Thank you for the insight and the inspiration.
richardball 04.09.09 at 7:54 am
Please continue to post the occasional top tip and techniques to Best SEO Blog. And as I’m a little dim in finding new blogs could you make it clear where you to plan to launch the another blog in the near future in which I will have to follow. Many thanks
Michael Martinez 04.10.09 at 2:45 pm
Richard, we’ll post an announcement here about the new blog when it’s up and ready. I think that is still a few weeks away.
Kimmy Sia 04.13.09 at 10:33 pm
Thank you for your advices throughout these few years. I’ve personally benefited a lot, although I didn’t comment much.
Looking forward for the new blog and new insights.
olmei 04.14.09 at 8:22 pm
Michael
Have the effects from your sinus medication sufficiently mellowed by now so you can get back to regular SEO-THEORY.COM posting? I thought I read something about you deciding to cease participation in seo-theory. That had to have been a REALLY disorientating drug -What was that by the way?
So.
When’s the next post?
Michael Martinez 04.16.09 at 7:04 am
Sorry. We have no plans for me to revive the SEO Theory blog. We’ll keep it here and when things settle down in our production schedule we’ll figure out whether we’ll put another writer on this blog.
Lasse Heindorff 05.20.09 at 9:16 am
Good things often have a downside, atleast to some. I have been a frequent visitor for quite some time, but have never left a comment before. Quite rude actually considering the amount of valuable information I have attained here. Probably because I often have had an urge to turn the newly acquired knowledge into action.
The fact that you have been sharing your takes and knowledge on all matters “SEO” has been much appreciated. Thanks a bunch and then some!
Congratulations on your new job (slash venture), Michael!
Michael Martinez 05.22.09 at 9:02 am
Thanks. SEO Theory still gets a lot of traffic. I’m glad people still find it useful.
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