I want you to think about this for a minute and give me your opinions.
Back in the days, only geeks had pcs. You didn't really have the average kid spend a lot of time on a pc. So until lately, it was the nerdy crowd (please, don't be offended) that has been controlling the web.
Of course, you can check a Microsoft 1978 picture
and see I am onto something here.
So anyways:
When I go to certain unnamed networks, I feel such a lame vibe, I cannot stand it, and can't wait to post and run. I am talking about the old timers. The ones who have a strong hold on the seo community, but are losing control to the next generation little by little.
So what will that next generation look like?
IMHO that next generation will kick some major ass.
Let me break this down:
1) The next generation of SEOs will be a lot more creative. A lot more fun to read and watch and a lot more adveturous.
2) The next generation will make sure the term "White Hat" disappears. There will no longer be the "do as Google wants" attitude. The next generation will say "wtf have you ever done for me Google" and do whatever they can do to outrank each others while trying to be within the box of high bannability of G.
3) The next generation of SEOs will have a lot more skills. They will have web development classes in elementary school and kids will be able to program stuff that will enable them to trick Google to the point where Google will stop trying to catch it ... or rather there will be more spokespersons trying to tell us "we should all do this and that or else" and nobody will listen anymore.
4) Google will lose it's core values and become more commercial, have corrupt editors within its team and the results are going to be based on whoever knows how to get attention or whoever finds a way to make the money work for him, and no, I am not just talking about adwords.
5) Visuality will be more and more important.
Tell me honestly. When you look at
Search Me, do you seriously believe that Google's user number will remain as high as it is?
We are people of habit. Why is Mc Donald's so popular? Partially because of childhood memories. The playground. The toys. We feel "at home" no matter how shitty the food is.
You have kids use the web, they will love Search Me. The results may not be the same quality of Google's BUT I can guarantee you that they won't give a shit, and when they grow up, they will give a little more of an S but not much. Yes, at work and for research they may hit Google, but a lot less. Unless Google itself changes it's algorithm and layout. Who knows, Google may wind up buying Search Me. Greg Swann from
www.bloodhoundblog.com has suggested that to Google right after I introduced Search Me to the general webmaster audience.
I also believe that internet security will become even more important. I know some young dudes who have skills how you wouldn't believe. They will destroy their competitors' sites in order to be in front of them or "teach them a lesson".
All in all, the web will become more commercial, the law of the land will be more involved and the hackers/BH/SEOs and developers in general will become slicker and more skilled and it will all come down to who has the most dedication and talent and not as much who has the time to be inside messing around with boring programs all day.
So what am I trying to say? I am saying you cannot be a sucker. You need to network with the right people, you need to either acquire some serious skills or work harder.
I am 38 years old, but I know I am not going to be one of those 55 year old losers missing the good old days. The good old days will be there until the day I die, I'm not Al bundy.
I just want you guys to think about this and not let the train leave. Get whatever you can get out of your website business, invest in making more money and THINK BUSINESS.
Things will get a lot more competitive. Surround yourself with talented people and focus on what YOU are good at.
This next generation will not read Matt's blog, they will not hang out at search engine watch unless there is something interesting. They will create their own networks, figure things out within their own clique and they will blog unexpected old timers away.
What say you???
Mike Dammann
