The simple explanation of the term is that there are ways to develop your site and construct the content of that site coupled with post development activities that will optimize that site’s ability to be searched through major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. SEO is a process used to improve any sites search page rankings.
Over the years SEO has evolved and as major search engines change their algorithms and criteria to minimize manipulation of their systems, SEO tactics and practices are evolving as well,
One of the latest methodologies that is considered cutting edge is RDFa (Resource Description Framework).
RDF is a general framework that establishes how to describe certain internet resources such as a website and its content. RDF can be quite descriptive, including resource authors, date of creation, page organization (also known as a site maps), as well as keywords that are used for the collection of search engine data.
Some of the benefits of RDF is that is produces a consistent framework that promotes and encourages developers to provide metadata about certain internet resources. RDF includes standard syntax for the purpose of describing and query data, this means that the exploitation of metadata by software will be faster and easier to generate.
The standardized syntax and query capability will also allow for the exchange of information between applications more easily. This will allow searchers to get more precise results from their search queries.
 |
| [Image Source: talis-systems.com] |
The use of intelligent software agents will be more effective as they will have more precise data to work with. RDF is classified as a formal W3C Recommendation which simply means that it is now available for general use. You can expect to see it become more common as the weeks move along
The question of whether RDF is the future of SEO can best be answered by the endorsement it received from industry giant Google. When Google jumps on your band wagon, you are definitely carry a powerful punch in the SEO world.
What those who have been in the industry have learned is that the SEO machine is continuously evolving to provide searchers with more specified search capability and more accurate results. With this being considered, what is in today will more than likely be out at some point tomorrow.
At this point RDF is definitely a part of the SEO landscape for the future, at some point the role may be diminished as new concepts, frameworks and applications are introduced. The basic structure is solid and should provide the foundation for numerous improvements to the SEO process. This alone will lend to its overall survival as we move forward.
The best way for RDF to solidify its position in the universal SEO infrastructure is to present the platform for expansion to its foundational capabilities. When new solutions can be developed from current platforms it allows for easier and smoother transitions.
Chad McComseyAbout the Guest Author:
Chad McComsey is lead designer and co-founder of MIND Development and Design in Lancaster, PA and enjoys time with his wife Maria and dogs Buddy Winston and Mazzy when he's not creating waycool graphics and web design.