SEO made publishers serve Google’s algorithms over human readers

Evidence

Peretti used this data-driven approach to revitalize The Huffington Post, creating a sophisticated system of search engine optimization (SEO) that catered to Google’s algorithms. They engineered articles with keyword-rich headlines, strategically named URLs, and hidden HTML elements to ensure high visibility in search results. This formula drastically increased the site’s traffic, solidifying its place as a leading digital media outlet. And here began the practice of prioritizing content to satisfy Google’s “machines” more than to cater to the long-term needs of human readers. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 197

Categorization

• SEED: A strong pairing with the modern AI-search transition: the same dynamic now repeats with generative AI rankings.