[Hot] SEO and Net Neutrality
Tomorrow the commissioners of the F.C.C will vote on regulations about "net neutrality," a principle that has existed since the beginning of the web. In short, net neutrality means Internet service providers (I.S.P.s) can not change data speeds to favor certain websites; nor can I.S.P.s charge variable rates to access to different content.
Without net neutrality, I.S.P.s, like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon could change data speeds to favor their own content. (In 2015, in fact, AT&T and Verizon were found to be favoring their own content, defying net neutrality rules).
Without net neutrality, too, your web experience may look like your cable television experience: You may have to pay more for access to certain websites or content--like, say, your cable company charges more for ESPN or TNT.
Most websites, including Facebook, Google, and Amazon, favor net neutrality. Most consumers favor net neutrality. Yet, a majority of the F.C.C. commissioners are poised to repeal net neutrality. The repeal could bring major changes to all aspects of the world's online community. Today we discuss the possible implications for organic SEO.
Net Neutrality and SEO: "Definite Losers"-- Smaller Websites
In an article published recently about net neutrality, Aaron Pressman, writing for Fortune, named the "winners and losers" of the potential change. Of course, the "huge winners" are the I.S.P.'s, a fact few have attempted to deny.
The losers, on the other hand, include large Internet companies, like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, who may face extra fees from the I.S.P.'s. Also, of course, these large companies depend on traffic. Browsers currently have equal access to websites like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, but some browsers may have limited access in the future.
Without net neutrality will traffic to the large sites diminish? The answer is hard to predict. Much easier to foresee, however, is the effect on our blog's primary readers: small websites.
Smaller websites, or "content providers," as Aaron Pressman calls them, are the "definite losers." Pressman's article focuses on new fees and restrictions, and how smaller sites may not have the money or the clout to protest these new fees and restrictions.
More fundamental to organic SEO, however, is the new potential disadvantages for smaller websites. Without net neutrality smaller websites face greater barriers to entry. Additionally, the web may see decreased competition overall, a factor that will inevitably hurt smaller websites.
Greater Barriers to Entry
On today's web, anyone can register a website, and with the help of digital marketing services like organic SEO, compete against any other website--including big players, like Amazon.
Read: How to Use SEO to Compete Against Online Giants
Currently, all websites have equal access to ISP services--Amazon is not preferred over your local hair salon. In the current paradigm, smaller websites truly can enter the crowded marketplace and distinguish themselves with great digital marketing.
The changes to net neutrality could increase fees and regulations for smaller websites--barriers to entry that could stop an enterprising small websites in its tracks.
Decreased Competition
The nature of organic SEO (and the goal of all search engines) is to connect websites with consumers who are looking for their products. Ideally, a browser's simple search leads to a well-optimized website that offers precisely what the browser is looking for.
Without net neutrality, this paradigm may shift: Depending on how the I.S.P.'s charge for different types of content, or for different "tiers" of websites, smaller websites may lose access to the rewards of organic search.
Simply put, if a smaller website is not included in a browser's I.S.P. package (like ESPN is not provided in many cable packages) the browser will never find the website by organic means.
***
Whatever the F.C.C.'s decision tomorrow, smaller websites need to continue to compete to the best of their abilities--or risk failure. Now more than ever you need the guidance of a reliable SEO or digital marketing firm.
Organic SEO with Stepman's SEO
The Organic SEO Blog is sponsored by Alex Stepman, of Stepman's SEO. If you're serious about website performance we suggest calling Alex: 215-900-9398. We list this number, of course, to promote Alex, but also to offer a resource for any questions you might have about organic SEO and the evolving nature of search.
Without net neutrality, I.S.P.s, like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon could change data speeds to favor their own content. (In 2015, in fact, AT&T and Verizon were found to be favoring their own content, defying net neutrality rules).
Without net neutrality, too, your web experience may look like your cable television experience: You may have to pay more for access to certain websites or content--like, say, your cable company charges more for ESPN or TNT.
Most websites, including Facebook, Google, and Amazon, favor net neutrality. Most consumers favor net neutrality. Yet, a majority of the F.C.C. commissioners are poised to repeal net neutrality. The repeal could bring major changes to all aspects of the world's online community. Today we discuss the possible implications for organic SEO.
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| Without net neutrality consumers may have to pay more for access to certain websites--or risk being locked out. |
Net Neutrality and SEO: "Definite Losers"-- Smaller Websites
In an article published recently about net neutrality, Aaron Pressman, writing for Fortune, named the "winners and losers" of the potential change. Of course, the "huge winners" are the I.S.P.'s, a fact few have attempted to deny.
The losers, on the other hand, include large Internet companies, like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, who may face extra fees from the I.S.P.'s. Also, of course, these large companies depend on traffic. Browsers currently have equal access to websites like Facebook, Google, and Amazon, but some browsers may have limited access in the future.
Without net neutrality will traffic to the large sites diminish? The answer is hard to predict. Much easier to foresee, however, is the effect on our blog's primary readers: small websites.
Smaller websites, or "content providers," as Aaron Pressman calls them, are the "definite losers." Pressman's article focuses on new fees and restrictions, and how smaller sites may not have the money or the clout to protest these new fees and restrictions.
More fundamental to organic SEO, however, is the new potential disadvantages for smaller websites. Without net neutrality smaller websites face greater barriers to entry. Additionally, the web may see decreased competition overall, a factor that will inevitably hurt smaller websites.
Greater Barriers to Entry
On today's web, anyone can register a website, and with the help of digital marketing services like organic SEO, compete against any other website--including big players, like Amazon.
Read: How to Use SEO to Compete Against Online Giants
Currently, all websites have equal access to ISP services--Amazon is not preferred over your local hair salon. In the current paradigm, smaller websites truly can enter the crowded marketplace and distinguish themselves with great digital marketing.
The changes to net neutrality could increase fees and regulations for smaller websites--barriers to entry that could stop an enterprising small websites in its tracks.
Decreased Competition
The nature of organic SEO (and the goal of all search engines) is to connect websites with consumers who are looking for their products. Ideally, a browser's simple search leads to a well-optimized website that offers precisely what the browser is looking for.
Without net neutrality, this paradigm may shift: Depending on how the I.S.P.'s charge for different types of content, or for different "tiers" of websites, smaller websites may lose access to the rewards of organic search.
Simply put, if a smaller website is not included in a browser's I.S.P. package (like ESPN is not provided in many cable packages) the browser will never find the website by organic means.
***
Whatever the F.C.C.'s decision tomorrow, smaller websites need to continue to compete to the best of their abilities--or risk failure. Now more than ever you need the guidance of a reliable SEO or digital marketing firm.
Organic SEO with Stepman's SEO
The Organic SEO Blog is sponsored by Alex Stepman, of Stepman's SEO. If you're serious about website performance we suggest calling Alex: 215-900-9398. We list this number, of course, to promote Alex, but also to offer a resource for any questions you might have about organic SEO and the evolving nature of search.