Draft:Bill Slawski

Introduction
Bill Slawski was an expert in Search Engine Optimization and Director of SEO Research at Go Fish Digital. . He dedicated over two decades to understanding and analyzing search engine algorithms, patents, and whitepapers, earning him a reputation as a pioneer in SEO research. Slawski was best known for his authoritative blog, "SEO by the Sea," where he shared his in-depth knowledge, insights and interpretations of search engine patents.

Career
Bill Slawski's career began in the late 1990s when he started working as a legal and technical administrator in the U.S. He helped a few friends create a website which sparked his interest in SEO and digital marketing. Bill Slawski continued his efforts in SEO and internet marketing part-time until 2005, when he left his position at the court to work full time for an online marketing agency. His deep understanding of search engine algorithms and focus on research-driven strategies quickly established him as a trusted expert in the field. That same year, he started the "SEO by the Sea" blog, which became a go-to resource for SEO professionals seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest search engine patents and algorithm updates.

Slawski joined Go Fish Digital in September 2013 as the Director of SEO Research, where he has since been instrumental in the company's growth and success. In this role, he has overseen the development and implementation of innovative SEO strategies for clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

Throughout his career, Slawski has collaborated with other industry experts and organizations to share his knowledge and contribute to the broader SEO community. His partnership with Kim Krause and her Yahoo group granted him much more visibility within the industry. When the Cr8pc Yahoo Group became the Cre8asite Forums Bill got to collaborate with well established names in the SEO industry such as Jill Whalen and Ammon Johns in the day to day running, administration, and discussion on that forum.

The Cre8asite Forums brought him into contact with most of the notables in the industry at some time or other, including Danny Sullivan and Barry Schwartz. His work with Moz, a leading SEO software provider, where he has contributed articles and participated in webinars, as well as his collaborations with the Search Engine Journal, a popular online publication covering digital marketing news and trends. Bill Slawski has a solid reputation as a pioneer and authority in the field of SEO.

SEO terms and Patent Analysis
Bill was known for breaking down complex search engine algorithms into understandable concepts, such as topical authority, first on Cre8asiteForums and then on his blog, “SEO by the Sea”. He significantly contributed to the SEO community through his blog. Bill Slawski was a prolific member of the SEO community with 1000+ posts on SBTS, 160+ posts written or referencing Bill’s work on Search Engine Journal about topics such as links, crawling, indexation, semantic SEO, EAT and authorship.

Slawski is associated with in-depth patent analysis and coining specific terms in the industry:

Topical Authority
Bill Slawski popularized the concept "topical authority". He discussed the concept in relation to search engine algorithms and patents on his blog, "SEO by the Sea" as early as May 11th 2011. Slawski has analyzed numerous search engine patents and shared insights on how search engines like Google might determine topical authority. By discussing the importance of topical authority and how search engines might assess it, Bill contributed to the understanding and popularization of the concept in the SEO community.

Topical authority is a concept in SEO that refers to the level of expertise and trustworthiness a website or content creator has in a specific subject or niche. The idea is that by focusing on a particular topic and consistently producing high-quality, in-depth content related to it, a website or author can be seen as an authority on that topic by both users and search engines. This can lead to better search engine rankings, increased organic traffic, and higher user engagement.

Entity optimization
He vulgarized the concept of entity optimization. He discussed the role of entities in search engine algorithms and how to optimize content around them. He has written about the evolution of search engines towards understanding the meaning behind user queries and providing more relevant results.

Other pertinent contributions
Bill has explored how search engines use user data to personalize search results, which impacts SEO strategies. Bill, Ammon Johns and other SEO experts were discussing personalized search on the Cre8asite Forums in the early 2000s. Slawski shared his insights into how Google's shift towards mobile-first indexing affects SEO practices and website optimization. He is also recognized for discussing the rise of voice search and its implications.

Public Speaking and Industry Contributions
In addition to his blog, Bill Slawski has also been a prominent speaker at industry conferences, workshops, and seminars. His public speaking engagements have further solidified his reputation as a leading expert in SEO and have allowed him to share his insights with an even broader audience.

Bill Slawski has been a speaker at various SEO and digital marketing conferences over the years. Here are some key conferences he has participated in:


 * Pubcon: a conference on search engine optimization, social media, and digital marketing. Bill Slawski has been a regular speaker at Pubcon events, sharing his expertise on search engine patents and algorithm updates.
 * SMX (Search Marketing Expo): SMX is a series of conferences focused on search marketing, SEO, and SEM. Bill has participated in SMX events as a speaker and panelist, discussing search engine patents and their implications for SEO strategies. In 2014 he spoke about “Hummingbird and the Entity Revolution” and in 2015 he spoke about “The Growth Of Direct Answers: How Should SEOs React.”
 * State of Search: a digital marketing conference organized by the Dallas/Fort Worth Search Engine Marketing Association. Bill Slawski has been a featured speaker at this conference, sharing his insights on search engine patents and SEO.
 * BrightonSEO: a search marketing conferences in the UK. Bill has participated as a speaker in 2017, providing valuable insights into search engine algorithms and their impact on SEO practices.
 * Advanced Search Summit: This conference focuses on advanced search marketing strategies and tactics. Bill Slawski has been a speaker at the event, sharing his knowledge of search engine patents and their relation to SEO.

Personal Life and Passing
Bill Slawski grew up on the New Jersey Shore and later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. He developed a strong connection with the sea during his formative years. After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, Slawski continued to nurture his appreciation for the environment.

Bill Slawski passed away on May 17, 2022. His unexpected departure left the SEO and digital marketing community in shock, as they mourned the loss of a respected expert and pioneer in the field. Slawski's contributions to the industry and his passion for sharing knowledge have left an indelible mark, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of SEO professionals