Talk:Search engine optimization

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Search engine optimization is a former featured article. Please see the links under Article milestones below for its original nomination page (for older articles, check the nomination archive) and why it was removed.

This article appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page as Today's featured article on July 2, 2007.

Article milestones
Date	Process	Result
April 7, 2007	Peer review	Reviewed
April 9, 2007	Good article nominee	Listed
June 1, 2007	Featured article candidate	Promoted
June 23, 2008	Featured article review	Kept
October 14, 2012	Featured article review	Demoted
Current status: Former featured article

Search engine optimization copywritingSearch engine optimization copywriting was merged into this article. The discussion was closed on 23 October 2012 with a consensus to merge. The original page is now a redirect to this article. Its history now serves to provide attribution for the content in this article, and it must not be deleted as long as this article exists.

Image search optimizationImage search optimization was merged into this article. The discussion was closed on 14 September 2011 with a consensus to merge. The original page is now a redirect to this article. Its history now serves to provide attribution for the content in this article, and it must not be deleted as long as this article exists.

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The content of SEO specialist was merged into Search engine optimization on 21 August 2024. The former page's history now serves to provide attribution for that content in the latter page, and it must not be deleted as long as the latter page exists.

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Semi-protected edit request on 1 April 2026 (2)

Latest comment: 4 months ago3 comments3 people in discussion

The "SEO Optimization" section needs a citation, explains what "GEO" is twice and generally reads like an advertisement for it. I'd love to take another crack at it: reduce it to one paragraph, neutralize the term, add a citation, only mention GEO once, etc. Breakageanonymous (talk) 19:47, 1 April 2026 (UTC)Reply

You can make an WP:EDITREQUEST. OhNoitsJamie ^Talk 20:49, 1 April 2026 (UTC)Reply

I don't see an "SEO Optimization" section. What are you referring to? Dflovett (talk) 02:45, 4 June 2026 (UTC)Reply

Suggested update: Image search optimization and image metadata

Latest comment: 4 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion

The article currently mentions that SEO applies to image search, but the Methods section does not explain image search optimization in detail. I suggest adding a short neutral paragraph to the "Methods" section, preferably under "Increasing prominence".

Proposed paragraph:

"Image search optimization involves improving the discoverability of images in search engines through descriptive filenames, alt text, captions, surrounding page context, structured data, and image sitemaps. Search engines may also use image license metadata, including structured data and IPTC photo metadata, to display rights and licensing information in image search results. Unlike page-level structured data, IPTC photo metadata is embedded in the image file itself and can remain with the image as it is reused across pages."

Suggested sources:

Google Search Central — Image SEO best practices:

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/google-images

Google Search Central — Image license metadata:

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/image-license-metadata

IPTC — Quick guide to IPTC Photo Metadata and Google Images:

https://www.iptc.org/standards/photo-metadata/quick-guide-to-iptc-photo-metadata-and-google-images/

IPTC — Google Images and IPTC photo metadata FAQ:

https://www.iptc.org/standards/photo-metadata/iptc-and-google-images-frequently-asked-questions/

Disclosure: I have a commercial interest in image metadata tools, so I am not editing the article directly. I am requesting review from independent editors. John Wickler (talk) 17:11, 4 June 2026 (UTC)Reply

Proposal to update "White hat versus black hat" section

Latest comment: 4 months ago2 comments2 people in discussion

Hello, I've noticed that the "White hat versus black hat" section is currently tagged as needing an update to reflect recent industry developments.

As the search landscape has shifted significantly in recent months, I suggest we refine the definitions to better align with current industry standards, particularly regarding how search engines now treat AI-integrated search and evolving content quality guidelines.

I have access to reliable industry reports that provide updated context on these methods. Before I propose specific changes, I would appreciate input from other editors on whether we should focus on updating the definitions or expanding the section to include more contemporary examples of search engine enforcement. Thanks. Syedsheraz052 (talk) 08:00, 17 June 2026 (UTC)Reply

It would be best to propose specific material here on the talk page first, using reliable sources, and to steer away from any "examples" that may be interpreted as promotional. Sources would need to be verifiable and accessable. Sam Kuru (talk) 10:52, 17 June 2026 (UTC)Reply