MetaTags. Are they becoming obsolete?

[MistahTaylor]

Ok so Im trying to bring my professional questions and cards to the table. This is another question I dont know if it is should be posted here or in another webmaster area. But if Lee or Idol feels it should be moved then by all means please do. This is my other question of the day as Im working my ass off right getting stuff done and this is an important question of mine.

First Question?
I need my webpages to show up on the first page of yahoo and google search who can I pay to do that for me?

Second Question?
I was talking with a friend today and they where telling me METATAGGING is becoming obsolete and there is a better way to optimize your search engine results now..

THE PROBLEM HERE WAS. The person signed off before they really explained.

So what Im wondering if there is a better way to optimize my results and if so what are they

Also is there any other resources that can help you other than metatags. I reeally wanna get my sites entered into webspace and get some sort of free flowing traffic going on that has nothing to do with affiliate traffic

You know what I mean.. I mean I look up stuff all the time and I FIND some cool pages and resources that I never click on a banners to find. Plus not all of my sites are paysites.
I have a podcast/tv website - blog review site and so on ..

If I have confused you.. Dont worry if you saw the look on my face right now I think I have confused myself

[gaystoryman]

The 'meta tag' keywords is depreciated, as are most of them. Best bet though is to use the 'title tag' in your 'head' section, make each one different for each page. Try to use the 'selected keyword or keyword phrase' in the 'title tag'.

Use the 'meta tag' description as well. Two sentences or so, again using a variation of your keyword or keyword phrase. Do NOT use exactly what you use in your 'title tag' either.

The 'meta tag' keyword should not be stuffed. Use only those 'relevant' keywords that actually appear on the page itself. Using other words won't help. Keep the list short to the one or two you are targetting.

The 'selected keywords/keyword phrase' should also be actually in the 'body' of your page. This should include a 'variation' in an H1 tag as well. Keep your 'h1, h2, h3' tags in order. Don't toss an h3 tag first off, but let it work in a natural progression through the 'body text'. Use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to set color, font sizes, etc, rather than inline codes.

If using a ton of images, try to add TEXT because that is what the SE read. Use the 'alt' tag on the image code but again, make them relevant and not for keyword stuffing.

(just a quick synopsis, cuz there is a lot more to it.)

HTH
Ian

[IdolKnights]

I agree, META is no longer the ACE card but combined with your site text and image titles, it still helps with image search to some extent.

[MistahTaylor]

I agree, META is no longer the ACE card but combined with your site text and image titles, it still helps with image search to some extent.

This may sound really stupid but image titles I never thought of that. I had all my sets listed by some numeric system so I could keep track of them well and maybe that is not the best way! wow thanks you guys.

[IdolKnights]

Just remember, an Image title isn't just "image_title.jpg" but also in your code:

<img src="http://www.image_title.jpg" alt="image" title="jacking off">

[MistahTaylor]

Just remember, an Image title isn't just "image_title.jpg" but also in your code:

Thanks so much Idol I mean I knew my images tags where in my code and you know the silly thing is if I would have stopped for a second common sense would have dished that out to me LOL. I just will have to come up with a new numeric/lettering system cause Im such a neat freak I like all of my content to be very organzied )

[Fister]

...First Question?
I need my webpages to show up on the first page of yahoo and google search who can I pay to do that for me?...

IMHO, it's not worth the cost to pay for SEO to get page ranking. If you're shooting common search keywords, you've got lots of competition and the SEO companies won't be able to force a top listing anyhow. If you're shooting for niche and subniche keywords, you'll have way less competition and should be able to get a good ranking yourself. I see from another thread that you've got a passion for a niche, so if you design your pages with SEO in mind, you'll likely get search engine placement on those niche keywords after your pages have been around for a while.