On February 15, 2025, I hosted a paid seminar on the fundamentals of modern SEO at KelasProgramming.com in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur. My co-host was Dino from Taming Tech Sdn. Bhd., who manages KelasProgramming.com.
Despite a heavy downpour and severe traffic, we began at 8:05 PM and concluded at 9:40 PM. The late start did not dampen the energy in the room, and many participants stayed afterwards to continue discussions over food and drinks.
**Topics Covered**
Among the topics that we covered were
- Directory vs. Robot-Based Search Engines
An overview of how search evolved from human-curated directories to automated indexing.
- Rise of Google & PageRank
A look at the groundbreaking innovation that reshaped modern search.
- Google Algorithm Updates
Why SEO is always changing and the importance of staying informed.
- Three Main SEO Elements
- Planning & Popularity – The strategic foundation of SEO.
- Internal Factors – Site structure and well-organized content.
- External Factors – Backlinks, citations and social signals.
- Google Patents
How official patents offer insights into search algorithms.
- The Impact of AI on SEO
How artificial intelligence is guiding the next phase of search.
**Questions & Answers**
During the seminar and also after we finished, I had a bunch of questions and I'll list them here with my shortened answers.
- Is it OK to have multiple subtopics on one Site?
Yes, if they share a unifying theme and each subtopic is covered in depth.
- Are Big Keywords supposed to be in H1 Tags?
Not always. H1 tags should reflect the main topic; user intent takes priority over keyword stuffing.
- Effectiveness of so-called Web 2.0 link building
Generally low-impact. Focus on links from authoritative platforms and natural link-building.
- AI-Generated Content and Penalties
AI is not penalized outright; low-value or spammy content is. Quality remains critical.
- Between Planning, Internal an External SEO Factors, which is the most important?
Planning, internal factors, and external factors are interlinked. Good planning leads to strong content and natural links.
- What do you think of automated SEO (i.e mass page generation)
No longer viable. Search engines have targeted such tactics since 2011.
- How should we measure SEO Success?
Consider rankings, time on site, bounce rate, and page views.
**Audience Insights**
Some data I collected when attendees registered for the seminar:
- How much do the spend on SEO in a month?
- MYR 300+: 10% of attendees
- MYR 100: 10% of attendees
- Nothing at all: 80% of attendees
- Experience Level:
- More than 2 years: 30% attendees
- Less than 3 months: 70% attendees
- Top Challenges implementing SEO:
- Keyword Research (6 mentions)
- On-Page SEO (6)
- Technical SEO (6)
- Content Optimization (5)
- Analytics & Reporting (5)
- Budget & Resources (0)
**In Closing**
My sincere thanks to Dino and Taming Tech Sdn. Bhd. for hosting us at KelasProgramming.com. If you wish to learn PHP or Laravel in Malay, Dino is an excellent resource.
I also extend my gratitude to everyone who attended despite the weather. There were many other questions which were beyond the scope of this seminar, so I look forward to hosting Jom Studi: SEO 201 soon.
If you attended, I would welcome any feedback. Please fill in the feedback form I have sent to you email. If you missed it this seminar this time round, I hope to see you at the next session.
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