You brought up one of my questions about experts, Experience or Results? Which really constitutes an expert…I think you go more with results but I think we can all agree both would really constitute an expert.

I think many of the “experts” would even find it hard to rank for top rankings in very very competitive markets…not cause they aren’t good at what they do or aren’t experts, its just the nature of the beast. The time factor plays big in SEO.

According to me, if you could rank for highly competitive terms, organically, then you’re an SEO EXPERT! As simple as that!

There are so many new things being added in the armor for an SEO. Initially it was all about spamming the search engines, then came the link based algo, which is there to stay. Now, with the advent of web 2.0, SEO has craved into SEO2.0 (Tad).

Everybody has something special with them. Aaron has specialized knowledge in link building, Andy is a master link baiter, Danny is a search marketing brand, and so on and so forth…

The key concept still is, how do you get those top rankings. You get it by building links or baiting them. If you manage to do by any means you’re still an expert! Well that’s what I feel…

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you on probably everything you said but I have to disagree with you. I do believe there are experts in this field, but I base those experts on their experience with SEO moreso then their results.

Because of the changing variables and again, the fact that there is no absolute certainty to how the algos work with each engine, no one person can have the know-it-all facts on SEO but being in the industry, speaking out, analyzing strategies, results, etc does make you an expert.

Aaron Wall, I consider him an SEO expert. He does just give his insights and thoughts but at the end of the day, there aren’t that many people out there that know much more about SEO then he does…but…thats just my opinion.

The industry has been growing fast…new players…we’ll see how the industry moves in 2008.

Well, I think I’m to blame for heated discussion. Looking back I’m glad it ticked me off so much because I got a lot of feedback on how we SEOs need to handle a blog (“Stop complaining and do something about it” kind of thing).

As for “expert,” The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as:
A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.

So, if what you say is true, and you’ve had some success (at least more so than the failures), then you are an expert.

Not only are there differences in the algorithms between the search engines, but there is always the fact that nobody KNOWS for certainty how those algorithms treat aspects of the SEO process. There’s always talk about certifications and then there’s SEMPO, but how do you certify in an industry that changes so frequently, and is indeed so open to debate. (do title tags matter? yes. I mean no, but yes. I mean…)

Hell, according to that definition, because of the use of “or,” one could learn the “basics,” be able to convey them to someone, and be considered an expert.

I’m of a different camp all together. I don’t think there can be an “expert” in this industry. Too many undefined variables.

P.S.
You know, I found your blog a while ago, because of Sphinn I think, and had forgotten about it for a while. I really like it. Consider me a new RSS subscriber. Won’t lose you this time.