We’ve reached the point where just about anything can be done at the touch of a button. SEO is a prime example of this. But do automated tools really give you an advantage? This author and marketer is still undecided on the whole automated tools issue. If you want to know why, keep reading and I’ll try to explain as simply and as clearly as I can.

First off, what automated tools am I talking about that are specifically made for SEO? Well, without mentioning any names, I’m talking mainly about tools that do mass submissions of articles, backlinks, social networking and other things. There are some that can literally blast your comment to dozens of social networking sites in a heartbeat. And as far as articles, well, with all the directories out there and all the submitters in existence, you can imagine how easy it is to get your article onto hundreds of directories in a flash.

But how effective is all this stuff REALLY? Since each tool is specifically geared for a certain thing, it’s impossible to generalize. But let’s take articles for example. Many of the directories out there that these submitters submit to are, for the most part, worthless. They have no PR and absolutely no link juice. In my opinion, your time is better spent submitting to the top directories manually. But again, that’s just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Forgetting about each tool and how effective or not effective it might be by itself, there are two things that factor into the equation that makes me believe, almost beyond a doubt, that these methods just aren’t as effective as they once were.

At the top of the list is simply the fact that these tools ARE available to EVERYBODY. It’s not like they’re so expensive that only the most successful marketers can afford them. Heck, some of these tools are free. So everybody has the same opportunity to use them. That essentially puts everybody on the same level. Think about it…if we’re all using them…who is getting an advantage?

Then there is something that many people don’t realize. The search engines know about these tools. Google isn’t an idiot in a box. They know what’s going on. They know who is using AND abusing these tools. You don’t think they don’t have it built into their algorithms how to detect who to send to sand box hell?

Heck, look at your own results IF you use these tools. Do you REALLY see that big a difference in your traffic? I’ve spoken to many people who swear that they don’t do a darn thing at all.

Like I said, as far as I’m concerned, the jury is still out on this. I feel the best way to SEO your site is to do it the old fashioned way. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know what that is.

Which only makes it easier for the rest of us.

To YOUR Success,

Steven Wagenheim

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