Beyond Med | Software Engineer | Miami | Hybrid | Full Time | Base $90k – $110k + annual bonus Website: Beyondmedplans.com / mobile application listed under “Beyond Med” Email: Shaun@beyondmedplans.com if interested Beyond Med is a fast-growing healthcare technology company dedicated to providing its members access to highly sought-after medical services, treatments, and procedures … Continue reading New comment by sweiss954 in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (August 2022)"
Month: August 2022
Understanding Monkeypox — And Why The U.S. Failed To Contain It
Diane talks to Washington Post health reporter Dan Diamond about the scope of the monkeypox outbreak, just how dangerous the virus is, and the government’s botched effort to stop the spread.
The post Understanding Monkeypox — And Why The U.S. Failed To Contain It appeared first on Buy It At A Bargain – Deals And Reviews.
SEO Certifications: Are They Worth It?
Want to learn more about SEO? There’s a good chance you’ve seen dozens of SEO certification courses, ranging from offerings from top SEO platforms like Semrush to “experts” you’ve never heard of.
If you’re unsure if an SEO certification is right for you—or are struggling to figure out which course is the right fit—you’re in the right place. With more than two decades of search marketing experience under my belt, I’ve seen dozens of SEO certification courses come and go.
I’ve also spent time researching the top courses to make the decision process easier for you.
Before we dive into whether or not you should (or shouldn’t) get an SEO certification, let’s talk about what they are.
What Is An SEO Certification?
An SEO certification is a verification provided by a company verifying that you’ve completed their SEO course. Unlike a college degree or certificate program through a university, SEO certifications are not regulated.
However, they can help you learn the fundamentals of SEO and show employers or clients that you take your education seriously.
What Are Some of The Best SEO Certifications?
The best SEO certifications come from well-established, trusted brands in the marketing industry. That’s because, as I mentioned above, there is no regulation on SEO certifications. However, being certified by a trusted brand shows employers and clients that you’ve put in the effort—and they are more likely to trust that you know what you’re doing.
To help you decide, I’ve analyzed the top SEO certifications from trusted brands, including the content they cover, cost, and pros and cons.
The reality is there’s no one right SEO certification. Someone wondering “What is SEO?” may choose a course aimed at beginners, while someone wanting to up their technical SEO expertise might choose another.
The right SEO certification is the one that works for your knowledge level, budget, and goals.
Yoast All-Around SEO Training
Cost: $99 per year (includes access to Yoast SEO premium plugin)
Best for: Students who want to learn a little more than the basics of SEO.
Yoast is one of the top WordPress plugins for on-page SEO, so it’s no surprise they offer an SEO certification, and their certification is a top-notch choice.
You’ll learn how to perform keyword research, SEO copywriting, how to improve site structure, and technical SEO strategies like improving site speed and security. The course also covers off-page SEO tactics like link building, UX, email marketing, and social media.
The course includes:
- Three hours of instructional videos.
- Quizzes
- Downloadable checklists
- Certificate
- Badge
- Access to the course and Yoast SEO plugin for one year
Pros:
- Affordable ($99 for a year of access.)
- Covers all the main topics of SEO
Cons:
- Only three hours of videos
- Likely too basic for those with mid-level SEO skills
Clickminded SEO Specialist Qualification
Cost: $997 for lifetime access to one course.
Best for: Students willing to invest time and money for a deep understanding of SEO.
Clickminded offers a fast, in-depth SEO certification designed to get you up to speed as fast as possible. That makes it ideal for students who are willing to invest the time required to learn a new skill.
This course covers a range of SEO strategies, including the basics of organic search, the best SEO tools to use, how to create an SEO strategy, on-page SEO, link building, and technical SEO. The course also offers lifetime access to several mini-courses about SEO for local businesses, Shopify sites, Pinterest, YouTube, and Amazon.
This is a full-featured Google SEO certification course, though it’s definitely a bit pricey. It’s ideal for agencies that can make the most of their team pricing.
Pros:
- They offer team pricing ($4997 for 10 reusable company licenses that let you access many courses.
- Can start for free to see if you like it.
Cons:
- A bit pricey for beginners
- Less brand recognition than other courses (Semrush, Moz, etc.)
Moz’s SEO Fundamentals
Cost: $595
Best for: Beginners or those with limited SEO experience
Moz’s SEO Essentials certification is an on-demand, six-part course that introduces fundamental SEO concepts and helps you understand how to implement those new skills using Moz’s paid SEO tool, Moz Pro. The class takes around six hours to watch and includes a skills test at the end to verify your newfound SEO skills.
The course covers a wide range of SEO topics, including fundamental SEO concepts, how to perform keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and how to track and report SEO metrics. Each section requires you to complete tasks, which provides a bit of hands-on experience.
Pros:
- Includes hands-on practice to solidify skills.
- Additional courses to dig deeper into the strategies that matter for your business.
Cons:
- Teaches how to use Moz Pro and no other tools.
- No technical SEO section.
SEO Fundamentals with Greg Gifford (Via Semrush)
Cost: Free
Best for: Those who are new to SEO or want to make sure they understand the basics.
Semrush offers several certification courses, but this one stands out. Hosted by Greg Gifford, the Vice President of Search at SearchLabs, SEO Fundamentals is short and free but still covers a wide range of topics. If you’re just dipping your toes into SEO or want to ensure you understand the basics, this is an ideal course.
This four-hour course includes 31 lessons covering topics such as how search engines work, link signals, technical SEO, on-page signals, international SEO, and local SEO. Each video also includes a quiz to make sure you’ve absorbed the lesson.
After completing the course, head over to their certification test page to take the test and receive your certification.
Pros:
- Totally free.
- Covers a wide range of topics.
- Taught by an industry-recognized SEO expert.
Cons:
- Not as in-depth as other courses.
Google SEO Fundamentals by UCDavis (Via Coursera)
Cost: Free for the first 30 days; $59 a month after trial period ends.
Best for: Anyone (including agencies) who wants a deep understanding of SEO, not just the fundamentals.
Whether you understand the basics of SEO or are a newbie who wants to learn the ins-and-outs of SEO, this is the course for you. The course takes 29 hours to complete and is structured more like a college course.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of how search engine algorithms work, learn how to create an SEO strategy, and learn strategies for keyword research, consumer psychology, and on-page SEO. The course covers SEO-related topics like social media, marketing, and mathematical optimization.
Pros:
- Offers more in-depth training than other courses.
- Charged monthly, so you can cancel at any time.
- Get access to all of Coursera’s classes.
Cons:
- Longer than other courses (29 hours.)
- Doesn’t appear to cover link building or technical SEO.
Why SEO Certifications May Not Be Worth It
SEO certifications can be useful for people who want to learn about SEO; however, they aren’t always worth it. In fact, most expert SEOs you know probably don’t have a certification.
For example, I don’t have an SEO certification. Crazy, right? As I said before, SEO certifications are not regulated by any one agency, so the quality varies from course to course.
Here are a few other reasons SEO certifications may not be worth it:
- Most employers won’t care if you have a certificate—they care if you can deliver results.
- Classroom learning doesn’t always translate to real-life challenges.
- SEO changes fast, meaning some courses might be outdated before you finish them.
- Not everything you learn will apply to the site you work on. For example, the SEO strategies used for a small, local bakery are very different from those for a large ecommerce company.
Keep in mind, there is no Google SEO certification program, so all courses are taught by people outside of Google.
That said, SEO certification can help you learn SEO faster in a structured format, which is appealing to many students. They can serve as a foundation for building strong SEO skills.
However, to be successful, you need to pair an SEO certification with real-world experience.
SEO Agencies vs. SEO Certifications
If you’re considering getting an SEO certification, you might wonder if you’re better off hiring an agency. Unfortunately, comparing the two is a bit like comparing apples to oranges.
Here’s why:
Hiring an SEO agency gives you access to SEO experts in all areas of SEO, including local, technical, international, and on-page SEO. Depending on the agency’s size, they may also have PPC experts, content marketers, data analysts, and project managers.
An SEO certification will give you a baseline knowledge of all the different types of SEO, but you won’t have the same knowledge as an expert with 10+ years of experience.
That said, it may be worth it to get an SEO certification even if you end up hiring an agency. You’ll be able to better understand the agency’s recommendations and how they might impact your business.
FAQs
What are the best SEO certifications?
The best SEO certifications come from trusted brands in the SEO industry like Moz, NP University, Semrush, Yoast, and Courses.
What will I learn in an SEO certification class?
While the course material varies from class to class, you can expect to learn:
– What SEO is and why it matters
– On-page SEO best practices
– Local SEO
– The basics of technical SEO
– Link building
– Keyword research
Is there a Google SEO certification?
No. Google offers several certification courses through Digital Garage, but none on SEO specifically. Google does recommend the Google SEO Fundamentals course offered through Coursera in partnership with UC Davis.
How do I choose the right SEO certification course?
I recommend choosing a course from a trusted name in the industry. You’ll also want to ensure the course covers the topics you want to learn about, and check customer reviews.
Conclusion
Getting a Google SEO certification can launch your career forward; but it can also be a waste of time and money. If you’re just getting started in SEO, a certificate can help you understand the basics or gain more technical knowledge.
Just remember, there is no replacement for hands-on SEO experience.
Have you taken an SEO certification course? Did you feel like it was worth it?
Zentail (YC S12) Is Hiring a Head of Sales
Article URL: https://jobs.lever.co/zentail/31ca2286-2579-48ef-bccb-2653f9721bda
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32592526
Points: 1
# Comments: 0
Contentedge (YC W17) is hiring engineers to build AI copywriting software
Article URL: https://www.contentedge.com/?pg=jobs
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32596602
Points: 1
# Comments: 0
Diego Maradona's 1986 World Cup final jersey returned to Argentina Embassy by Germany's Lothar Matthaus
The jersey Diego Maradona wore in the 1986 World Cup final was back in Argentine hands Thursday thanks to German great Lothar Matthäus.
Matthäus, who swapped jerseys with Maradona at halftime of the final won by Argentina in México, returned the historic apparel at a ceremony at the Argentina Embassy in Madrid.
The shirt will be displayed at a new soccer museum in the Spanish capital.
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“It was always a great honor to play against him,” Matthäus said of the late Maradona, through a translator. “As a player and a person, he was always someone very important to me. He will always be in our hearts.”
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Matthäus said he also exchanged jerseys with Maradona after the 1990 World Cup final won by the Germans in Italy. He said that shirt was in a museum in Germany.
US SOCCER FEDERATION TO ANNOUNCE WORLD CUP ROSTER ON NOV. 9
The jersey Maradona wore against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, when he scored the controversial “Hand of God” goal, was sold for more than $9 million in an online auction by Sotheby’s in May, the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of sports memorabilia.
Matthäus was given a plaque at the Argentina Embassy in recognition of his soccer career and contribution of sporting values.
Jessica Simpson stuns in a cutout swimsuit as she celebrates 'sexy' Mexican getaway with 'lover' Eric Johnson
Jessica Simpson sizzled in a black cutout swimsuit and strappy platform heels while on vacation in Mexico with her husband Eric Johnson.
On Wednesday, the 42-year-old singer shared a photo to Instagram in which she was seen posing on a beach in Cabo San Lucas as the sun set into the ocean waves behind her.
“The sun is settin’ on the most romantic, sexy and well deserved (if I do day so myself) Mexican getaway with my forever lover @ericjohnson alrighhhht,” the fashion entrepreneur wrote in the caption of her post.
She continued, “Awww I will miss this, but I will be bringin’ home a lot of extra passion for everyone and everything that is for sure.”
JESSICA SIMPSON SPEAKS OUT AFTER RECLAIMING ‘100% OWNERSHIP’ OF HER BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS
“Adios Cabo San Lucas,” the “Employee of the Month” actress concluded, adding emojis of a palm tree, a sun, a wave, a kiss and a white heart.
The “Open Book” author showed off her trim figure in the sexy one-piece, which was embellished with gold hardware.
Simpson accessorized with oversized square-framed black sunglasses, a chunky bracelet, a large gold watch and a gold chain necklace that had a jeweled pendant.
The “Fashion Star” alumna wore her long blonde locks down in loose waves that fell past her waist.
Simpson and Johnson, 42, began dating in 2010 and tied the knot in 2014. The pair share daughters Maxwell Drew, 10, and Birdie Mae, 3, and son Ace Knute, 9.
The “I Wanna Love You Forever” hitmaker was previously married to pop star Nick Lachey, 48, from 2002 to 2006. The two rose to worldwide fame when they co-starred on the hit MTV show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica”.
Johnson finalized his divorce from his first wife, stylist Keri Johnson, in 2010 after five years of marriage.
Simpson shared another sultry snap from her getaway with Johnson on Thursday. The Texas native donned a cowboy hat, huge aviator shades, a sterling silver belted brown bikini and a pair of Dany t-strap heels from her Jessica Simpson Collection.
“Without 3 kids needing me to hurry, I had the time to accessorize the bikini. it is the little things that make me happy (finally, the @jessicasimpsonstyle Dany is in my fave color – LEOPARD),” the “Dukes of Hazzard” star wrote in the caption.
Both of Simpson’s recent posts were flooded with appreciative comments from fans who complimented her on her toned physique.
In April, the songstress shared a bikini photo while opening up about her weight-loss journey.
“I have gained and lost 100lbs 3x so I never thought this moment could or would happen, but I’m finally spring breakin’ wearin’ a BIKINI!!!!!!”, she captioned the image of herself in a pink paisley two-piece.
She continued, “Hard work. Determination. Self Love. I enjoyed a good proud cry today.”
Simpson discussed the milestone moment during an appearance on the talk show “The Real” later that month.
She explained that it took three years to lose the weight the “healthy way,” which she called “determined patience.”
“I believe in setting small goals for yourself because in my life and how I’ve done it, there’s easy ways to throw in the towel and just feel like it’s impossible,” the fashion designer said.
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“So, the small goals for me are what helped me achieve the main goal.”
She continued, “Being in a bikini was never my main goal. I mean, I did that in my 20s.”
Simpson explained that though she had brought bikinis along on her April trip, she had assumed that she would stick to one-piece swimsuits.
She described the moment that she put on the bikini as “super emotional” and said she wanted to share it with her fans.
“I was very proud of myself for doing what at times felt completely impossible,” said Simpson.
The actress went on to say that she tends to gain weight easily when she is pregnant and her pregnancy with her youngest child was particularly challenging.
“I celebrate pregnancy, but this last pregnancy was really hard for me,” she said. “I don’t know if it was because I was older, hormones and all kinds of stuff, but whoa, Birdie gave me a brutal stretch.”
SEO vs. SEM: The Differences Explained
These terms are two of the most important in the digital landscape, but what makes them different?
As you may have guessed, the “SE” portion in SEO and SEM are the same.
Everything pertaining to search engines (SE), such as traffic quality and quantity, falls into that SE category.
Since there are 3.5 billion Google searches made daily worldwide, I think it’s best I explain it this way:
Google search results contain both paid search results and organic search results. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) attracts traffic organically, while Search Engine Marketing (SEM) attracts traffic with various paid search ads.
The back and forth between SEO vs. SEM in the world of digital marketing can be confusing, but you’ll have everything down by the time I’m done.
I’ll even explain how both can work together.
Let’s start with the basics.
What Is SEO?
Optimization puts the O in SEO.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process designed to improve the ranking of a website or online content for high search results on Google.
The key difference between SEO vs. SEM is online content will need optimizing to rank higher on Google organically.
Take a look at it like this: if someone’s search query was ‘glazed donuts,’ they’re likely looking for a donuts shop, ingredients, or a recipe.
If I was a restaurant or food blogger, I’d make sure my website or content was optimized to meet the user’s search intent. Strategizing like this will help you rank above other websites organically without paying for ads.
There are also 3 ways to break down SEO to gain more traffic:
- On-page
- Off-page
- Technical
It’s essential first to understand how search engines function before you can start to get your content to rank higher. This is how you build the foundation of a proper long-term SEO strategy.
My main goal is to give you the ins and outs of how to optimize your content to rank higher on Google and attract more eyes to your blogs and pages.
On-Page, Off-Page, and Technical SEO
The core elements of SEO consist of these 3 main paths:
Building content for on-page SEO works to raise your ranking. This comes down to including keywords in your on-page content, producing high-quality content frequently, making sure that your metadata is written effectively and incorporates rich keywords.
Off-page SEO optimizes spaces outside of your site, such as building backlinks. Building relationships and producing content that others want to share requires this aspect of the SEO formula. Even though it requires a lot of labor, your SEO success depends on it.
As the name suggests, technical SEO is the process of improving aspects of a website that don’t involve content. To name a few examples, this would entail the structured data, crawlability, site speed, and mobile-friendliness of your site.
Now that we answered “What is SEO?,” let’s look at what SEM means.
What Is SEM?
Marketing puts the M in SEM.
To keep it simple, SEM is the paid version of SEO.
SEM refers to a number of different paid search advertising models.
When you use paid search strategies like pay-per-click (PPC) to gain increased visibility in the SERPs, the budget that pays for the ad needs to relate to a user’s search query.
Well, what is PPC? It’s in the name: you, as the advertiser, pay a fee each time someone clicks on your ad. You’re essentially trying to attract users that are searching for your brand as a solution through products, services, or information. From the PPC paid search method, you’ll generate leads, increase your sales, and spread brand awareness.
This is the kind of thing that appears as a Google advertisement and is frequently at the top of a list of pages. It typically has to do with how you place and use your keywords, making it that much more important that you have a concrete plan and strategy in place.
Regardless of the budget size, SEM is effective. Then, in the form of an ad, these keywords are shown next to the searcher’s results.
These ads are available in a variety of formats, including:
• Text-based ads
• Visual ads, such as shopping ads or product listing ads (PDLs)
The primary benefit of SEM is that it allows you to promote your offerings to potential customers looking for you to fulfill their needs.
SEO vs. SEM
Let’s remember to keep it basic: SEO links to organic search and SEM links to paid search.
SEO optimization on your site or web pages lets Google know your content is the best destination for a user’s query. Once your site is SEO-friendly, you have a better chance of getting high-quality traffic and increased conversions.
SEM vs. SEO is a paid strategy to gain this visibility on search engines. PPC ads help reach your target audience to increase conversions and repeat users. If you want to start driving clicks and conversions quickly, SEM is the route for you. Once you test your paid ad, you can make revisions and make sure you’re getting the desired traffic flow.
These terms are not interchangeable.
However, they can work together to target audiences via search engines like Bing or Google.
How Do SEO and SEM Complement Each Other?
They may sound like they function the same, but the two are actually different approaches to gaining visibility on the SERPs.
When we talk about how SEO and SEM complement each other, increased visibility of content is an equal goal for both. Increased and improved visibility on your site will get you shown in the SERPs by optimizing for keywords targeting your audience and niche. Both terms can be tested to see which direction to take to speak to your target audience.
Both SEO and SEM are all about driving relevant traffic to your site. The flow that comes through both strategies can work organically or from paid tactics.
With these methods, you’ll gain better insights into your audience with data feedback. To be a success at SEM or SEO, you’ll need a solid understanding of your target audience to have an effective strategy.
In order to find and target keywords with SEO and SEM, conduct keyword research. Let’s look at keyword research in action using Ubersuggest to show how helpful it can be to your search engine marketing techniques.
This tool can support you if you need more keyword ideas by supplying hundreds of suggestions. You’ll also see results on volume, the competition, and even seasonal trends for each keyword. And to make things a bit easier, it’s all based on what people are typing into Google.
By not only knowing your audience, but your competition’s strategies, it’s easier for you to keep up.
By combining the forces of SEO and SEM, you can take over the SERPs and make sure you’re seen in both paid ads and organic rankings.
When Should You Use SEO vs. SEM?
Knowing when to focus on SEO vs. SEM in your digital marketing efforts will come with knowing what’s best for your search marketing campaign.
If you have a limited budget, SEO will make more sense. You won’t see the results you want in SEM if you can only keep your ad up for a week. You’ll be wasting your money, in fact, when you can be building a strategy with longevity.
If you can wait, SEO will kick in.
If you’re publishing high-quality content, your keywords need to match the quality. This is a key part of ranking on Google. If you get serious about ranking, you can branch off into link-building strategies.
This is how you get SEO to work for you and gain strong page authority.
When Should You Use SEM vs. SEO?
A deep dive into SEM will show you that launching and testing pages will reveal which strategy performs best.
Once you get started, you’ll see why it takes practice and testing.
A monthly budget will keep you organized so you can figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Factors like ad copy, combinations of keywords, and landing pages will have your results varied. Process all the data so you can get the most out of your ad investments.
Since SEM works faster than SEO, it can truly be effective if you have these aspects in order. This way, the paid advantages of SEM can help you with outperforming or outbidding for ads that will convert to potential customers.
Either way, SEO and SEM are not going to work with a set-it-and-forget-it technique.
For each approach to be successful, they need to be regularly examined, tested, and improved.
FAQs
Is SEO or SEM better?
I know you want to hear something definitive, but it really relies on your goals.
If you’re having a sale in a couple of weeks, SEO may be too slow of a game for you to convert your audience in time. In this case, SEM vs. SEO would be the better choice. SEO would be more beneficial for long-term growth.
If your performance in SERPs visibility is low, SEM could be a great way to boost the SEO optimizations you’ve put in place already. Together, these powerful marketing channels create many possibilities for driving growth from an audience looking for companies like yours.
What is the difference between SEO and SEM?
The difference between SEO and SEM is SEO relies on free, organic search techniques and SEM charges for paid advertising. SEM takes effect sooner since it’s a paid effort, whereas SEO takes time but is a strong, long-haul strategy.
This long-haul strategy continues to add value over time. On the other hand, investing in SEM means your visibility stops when you turn your ads off. This is why it’s important to understand the use cases of both and potentially gain a competitive advantage by fusing their powers to drive success.
Conclusion
Now that you know the difference between SEO vs. SEM, which one will you choose to grow?
Your website’s value over time will definitely depend on SEO. However, if you want to raise your ranks in the SERPs and gain quick traffic improvement, SEM is the better route.
But don’t forget, you can use both to your advantage. SEO will be a part of your non-paid tactics within your search marketing strategy, and SEM, including PPC, will be the paid tactics.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of using them both rather than having an SEO vs. SEM mindset.
While they individually have advantages and disadvantages, when combined, they can provide you with a strong competitive edge.
What do you think is the most important factor of SEO? What do you think is the most important factor of SEM? How do you plan to use them together to your advantage?
New comment by devKnight in "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (August 2022)"
We are a software company firm focused on full stack development of web apps based in the US and in Latam with a remote first culture. We have experience building out MVPs, and taking on existing projects that need to be added to or salvaged. We provide a turn key solution as our staff includes Inhouse Creatives, Product Managers, Marketers, and Tech Professionals ready to jump on your existing projects or MVP idea. We are currently looking to take on new projects, please email us for a free consultation
Location: Texas
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: React, Vue, React Native, Laravel, Express.js, AWS
Email: unify at mathisonprojects.com
Web page: mathisonprojectsinc.com
Jitx (YC S18) is hiring a front end engineer
Article URL: https://jobs.lever.co/jitxinc/3d57f731-bf23-4456-9967-441f933a5f2e Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32582337 Points: 1 # Comments: 0