Review of Ranked Hard, the SEO Comic Strip
When you think about Search Engine Optimization, you generally don’t think “that’s funny.” As any webmaster can tell you, trying to keep up with the changes in the algorithms Google uses for its searches is like trying to herd cats. SEO is more likely to lead to frustration than it is to laughter. Enter Ranked Hard
Ranked Hard is a monthly webcomic drawn by Kelly Ishikawa and written by the folks at Big Oak – an SEO company. These folks know the ins and the outs, the ups and downs of the SEO biz, and it shows. From their commentary on Black Hat SEO to their take on Google Adwords, the Big Oak folks take no prisoners, and leave you laughing all along the way.
Most of the time, the comic is so spot-on that you wonder where the fictional Ranked Hard SEO company and the real Big Oak begins. Such is the world of SEO.
One of the more compelling things about Ranked Hard, though, isn’t the comics themselves; it’s the discussions that the comics engender. It’s almost hilarious to watch people who obviously take themselves too seriously get worked up by a simple webcomic. Even some of the so-called “celebrity” SEO experts, lampooned in September’s comic, showed up to say exactly how hilarious they thought Ranked Hard was.
Ranked Hard is full of inside jokes. If you’re not intimately familiar with the SEO field, chances are you’re going to miss some of the major funny. On the other hand, Ranked Hard does sometimes provide sort of a meta-narrative by way of character discussions (See, for example, “Cutt Her Some Slack”) so you won’t always be completely lost if you’re an SEO neophyte.
My one complaint about Ranked Hard is its infrequency. A month is just too long to wait between installments. Here’s to hoping the Big Oak folks can find a way (or the time) to step up their production of Ranked Hard.
Check them out now at http://www.rankedhard.com/
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I really liked the comic with the text links in balloons
http://www.rankedhard.com/your-link-here.php
Ya I thought that one was funny too.
Thanks for sharing. Search engine optimization is indeed one of the most crucial areas in Internet marketing, it is a perfect bridge between technology and business.
That is pretty sweet. I think the comic strip makes it different than every other search engine optimization web site or product.
I agree.. they certainly have a unique selling position. I would visit more often if they could up the production but I understand the time it takes to make them.
I just visited that site last night and I really like their approach into the blogosphere. Those comics are pretty hilarious and it must take a lot of skills
-Mike
Awesome idea,
Too bad I can’t draw like that, even thought I’m a designer. but what they did is USP all the way.
I really like the comic. really unique stuff.
new ideas commin to my mind :-).
thanks for the share Cow.
Inspiring comic trips.
Thanks for the info John
wow, this is a really fresh SEO idea. I’ve never seen like this today. Usual approach is SEO tools and not comic strips.
Pretty funny, cant wait to see more
Nice site.
Comic strip is a great idea for enticing visitors
Hi John, glad you liked the comic. We put a lot of thought into them, but they’re a labor of love around here (Big Oak).
I think the comics are great, and love the approach Ranked Hard is taking. I just hope some of the “SEO celebrities” you mention that are featured aren’t too insulted, it’s all in good fun.
Liked the site enough to add it to my feed. I’d like to see them add a widget so their readers can use it. It would be great to have the widget update each time a new cartoon comes out
That’s a good idea, Georjina.
Very nice review, Cow. I’m impressed. Very thorough examination of the site.
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Lol. Funny.
The Real Reason Your Site Dropped From Google. Hilarious.
Thanks for sharing Cow.
-Shaun
Very funny comic! There is definitely a lot of black hat SEO advice floating around the internet, some of it free and some of it for hire. At the end of the day, though, the price is still pretty steep if these are techniques you decide to employ.
I think Ranked Hard are funny as any comic can be. Another funny SEO comic is I stumbled upon this one and immediately added it to my funny list - unfortunately its for SEO insiders as well…