I like to joke that SEO stands for "somebody else's obligation" because it's easy to point a finger when something goes wrong. Engineers know this pain. Lots of fingers get pointed at them, sometimes by "SEO people." But, the reality is this: There is no such thing as search engine optimization unless your technical ducks are in a row.

Engineers have a responsibility to understand their role in SEO, and likewise, those who work with engineers have a responsibility to partner with them -- not blame them when something goes wrong. That kind of relationship requires information to be shared openly and honestly.

I hope this article highlights important-yet-seldom-discussed topics that are worthy of discussion within engineering circles, but also among those who rely on engineering teams.