50 replies to this topic

[jehochman]

Not yet. We need a reporter, like Kim, to publish this, so then we can cite it as fact.

[Jill]

How is Kim any more a reporter than I am?

[jehochman]

She has a press badge.

You can be a reporter too, if you write an article and publish it.

[Jill]

I'll put it on the list for the newsletter this week...

[aaudette]

Jonathan, have you asked Danny at all? I bet he'd remember the conversations with John Audette. Even if he's the source, I don't see how you can get away with any reference for this that doesn't include the source. Especially if it was just John and Danny together when it was coined.

Adam, if your dad has any early references from somewhere, that would be great!

Hey Jill, everyone...

I talked to my dad and older brother (who was also involved). Got some specifics - we found an old laptop and there's a discussion between my dad and Danny. Lots of juicy bits. So far I've narrowed down the "major players" to the following:

- Danny Sullivan (of course)
- John Audette
- JP Audette
- Marshall Simmonds
- Detlev Johnson
- Derrick Wheeler
- Jeremy Sanchez

They were all MMGer's way back in '96-97 when the meeting w/ Danny occured (this is fun. I feel like a real journalist) :-)

I'm planning on talking to each of these folks and then contacting Danny. Actually I spoke w/ Derrick a couple days ago - I'll be talking with him more this week. I'll keep everyone updated on what I find...

[Jill]

Got a date from that laptop, Adam?

[aaudette]

My brother has the laptop and he's out of town - but we're getting together on Thursday to go over it all. I'll let you know then!

[jehochman]

Speaking as a Wikipedia editor, I can't publish original research. Somebody else has to publish it first so I can cite them. Naturally, it's best if the reporter and the reportee are independent of each other.

[Jill]

Well if we can get some confirmation here from Adam, it's published, no?

And if not, I will write about it in HRA as I think it's an interesting little "stuff you might like" topic.

[jehochman]

Yes, if you write about it here, it's published.

[LarrySwanson]

This is a fun trip down Memory Lane, and I've spent way too much time researching it. Didn't find anything older than the already-mentioned stuff, but I did come across one interesting item: Ralph Wilson had a near miss in the www.wilsonweb.com/wmt2/issue34.htm June 25, 1997 Web Marketing Today, when he referred to "search engine manipulation."

Edited by chrishirst, 14 December 2006 - 07:30 AM.
live link removed

[abertawe]

Hi Guys

No one is responsible for the term search engine optimization.

I would suggest that it was search/web/internet evolution.

Several different people at around the same time, placing discussions on the early forums regarding getting a website optimized on the early search engines.

Holy Grail or Wild Goose chase.

I believe that is the truth or the truth is out there.

And Merry Christmas to you all. (Now I wonder who coined that one )

[aaudette]

Jill,

I've had a chance to check out some old emails and docs from MMG and Danny. The earliest date I have w/ the term "search engine optimization" being used is September 26, 1997. Interestingly it was from Danny but referring to MMG's services, not his own. He was calling what he did "search engine tune-ups" at that time (it appears). SEO was being offered with other marketing services thru MMG - my father decided to start this after having Danny come and speak with the company about his search engine knowledge. Looks like MMG was one of the very first agencies to do SEO.

It's still possible that the term was invented during the meeting w/ Danny and MMG. I won't know for sure until I interview some folks though (including Danny). This has been fun. It's actually spurred me on to write an article. I'm in contact w/ most of the people involved. I'll post here with more info when I make progress - eventually it will be published either at the LED Digest site or audettemedia.

Best wishes,
Adam

[jehochman]

What is MMG?

[aaudette]

What is MMG?

Multimedia Marketing Group - one of the first Internet marketing firms. My father, John Audette, founded it and then sold pre-bubble to an international conglomerate.