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SEO Growth on the Rise

Written by: William Atkin

Article Overview: The growth of the search engine optimization industry and the top 5 cities for an SEO firm to be located.

SEO Growth on the Rise

In late 2006, an article by Dave Pasternack titled “Troubled Times for SEO” describes the “staggering” “statistics” of a recent study published by Marketing Sherpa. This article has sparked a great deal of interest and debate on the topic of search engine optimization industry growth and the ultimate viability of the industry as a whole. While there is always room for debate, this article is an absurd oversimplification and an abuse of statistics, leading many to believe the article was written controversially as a source of link bait. Anyone who understands statistics realizes the fallibility inherent in them. The statistics for this 2000 person case study state that there was a growth of out sourced SEO work from 2004-2005 of 124% while in 2006 the growth halted to 6.7%. If this is true these numbers are interesting but indicative of an industry lull, I do not think so. The study methodology and the participants should be questioned (if there ever really was a study at all). However even if you ignore the fact that the study is questionable, they later go on the claim the SEO boats the highest ROI at 67.7%.

If the statistics are true, the way the statistics were used was intentionally manipulated. For instance, they only mention that Outsourced SEO work decreased. This shows that if anything growth and value for SEO is higher than ever before because large corporations are spending too much on outsourcing necessary SEO services and instead opting for an in-house permanent staff.

In reality the opposite appears to be true, SEO firms appear to be growing at a relentless pace taking over even paper media in terms of spending. Markets across the United States have been embracing SEO and new firms and services are springing up all around us. Using only available web data and popular consensus, we have compiled a list of the hottest markets for search engine optimization firms.




Best Cities for SEO Firms

Atlanta, Georgia



Atlanta a.k.a. “Hotlanta” is home to over 4.5 millions people Atlanta is listed as one of the United States fastest growing cities with an array of assets you would expect to find in a major city such as World-class airport, Six Flags and major corporate headquarters like Coca-Cola, CNN, Scientific Atlanta, Equifax, The Weather Channel and Delta Airlines. The cost of living is relatively low and the city and surrounding areas are very diverse. With a leading technology sector, search engine firms and money spent on internet service locally is at an all time high. This city gets our vote as the number one city in the United States for SEO firms. Atlanta SEO is always changing and pioneering new practices and methods for SEO practitioners internationally.

Miami, Florida


With well over 5.5 million people, Miami is the 7th largest metro area in the United States and in 2004 had the second highest growth in the High-tech industry. In addition Chief Executive Magazine lists Miami as the 4th best place for business. Miami’s high population large growth in the tech sectors and high employment make Miami #2 on our list of best cities for an SEO firm. Miami SEO is some of the best in the nation and a leader in SEO technology.

Dallas, Texas



Since the early, 90’s Dallas has become a major technological epicenter following closely behind the Silicon Valley. With a population of about 1.2 million people, Dallas population growth is undoubtedly one of the highest in the nation second only to Atlanta and parts of Utah. Dallas is an inexpensive place to live with great opportunities in the tech sector. Dallas SEO is rivaled by few and is consistently pushing out innovative material.

Salt Lake City



Utah is experiencing growth unlike any other state in the country. With areas growing at 29.6% over twice the nations growth rate, areas like St.George have had the highest growth rates in the country from 2000-2006 and show no signs of slowing down. With the 6th highest rate of new job growth in the U.S. Salt Lake City is one of the fastest growing areas with opportunities in SEO and marketing at an all time high making Salt Lake City #4 on our list of best cities for SEO firms. Utah SEO is unlike any other market because of the high rate of web and tech companies.

Los Angeles, California


LA comes last on the list and it is because population growth and job rate increase are not at all time highs. However with a 3.7 million-person population and an extremely high level of technology, media, and international commerce Los Angeles is a major hub for innovative technologies and practices making it the #5 best place in the United States for SEO firms. LA SEO is excellent right now and constantly changing.

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Article Tags: Atlanta, Atlanta, search engine optimization, search engine optimization, SEO, staggering statistics, statistics



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