Google SEO Guide

with clients, I often get asked, Jason, what books should I read on SEO? What do you recommend? I am rather unusual in the SEO industry because I actively want to involve my clients in the SEO learning process... I see my role as much as an SEO teacher as an SEO consultant, whereas many SEO consultants see themselves as the know-it-all-expert and in some terrible cases try to keep their clients in the dark about SEO. Educate thyself! Here are my favorite TOP TEN books on SEO. Or, if not books, things to read!

1. Google SEO Guide

Google's own guide. Albeit rather hidden, and only focuses on on page. But it's free and it's by Google. Get it, download it, read it. Also functions as a sleep aid!> Get it!

2. Search Engine Optimization for Dummies (Peter Kent, 2010)

I love dummies! This is one of the best dummies books, and Peter Kent does a great job of explaining the step-by-step things to do for successful SEO.> Get it!

3. SEO - The Free Beginners Guide

Not the best written guide, especially compared with Google's... But still worth while. Especially Chapter 7 on links. Google's lack of discussion of links is conspicuous by its absence, so be sure to check out Chapter 7 here. > Get it!

4. Search Engine Optimization All-in-One For Dummies (Bruce Clay, 2009)

A big book, waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy toooooooooo long. But still crammed packed with interesting information and Bruce Clay is the grandpappy of SEO teachers, so an obligatory shout out. Can't go to sleep? Although it does have useful information, it sadly needed a sharp editor. Doubles or triples as a sleep aid, but still worth the purchase and read. > Get it!

5. SEO Fitness Workbook: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Dominating Google with the Top Ten Free SEO Tools (Jason McDonald, 2010)

OK, my own book. But I clearly lay out the most important steps to dominating Google. Most books think that the bigger they are, the better they are. This book is the opposite. Small, brief, concise. The top ten things you need to do to get to the top of Google.