[nulluk]

The stigma is there because thats all I have experienced, now don't get me wrong I believe there are excellent individuals out there but unfortunately I have not clearly penetrated any of those circles of individuals. If anyone wants to show me the networks where I need to keep my foot in the door then thats going to be really helpful and go a long way into changing my views.

I suppose part of the problem is the low barrier to entry combined with the fact that it's the web (which is also there playground) so you see and hear more of the bad ones than you do good

[allforJesse]

It's unfortunate that there isn't, and really cannot be, an accreditation for SEO -- the industry move too fast, and the techniques are in flux, it's just the nature of things.

But I look at it the way the way I look at mechanics: There are a lot of great ones out there, and a lot of slimy ones out there. The slimy ones make a bad name for all their peers, despite the many people doing hard, important, quality work.

There are many wonderful SEOs (and Mechanics) out there, but if you're ever in doubt, just ask to speak to some of their clients. You'll know the good SEOs because their clients will be ambiguous in praise, with clear definable results they can discuss.