For those who knew football before social media, this question immediately brings to mind the anthem of the Greens, the legendary team from Saint-Etienne. For the younger generation, these are the best players in France, in Ligue 1, or of the season. Others will think of the best player in the world, also known as the Ballon d’Or winner, who helped his team score decisive goals… The culture of being the best is a subject of debate and, in football as in other fields, the pursuit of excellence can be a double-edged sword. Some argue that this approach motivates, stimulates competitiveness, and fosters innovation. Others, on the contrary, believe that the culture of being the best creates excessive pressure and disrupts the balance between professional and personal life. Not to mention the repercussions on mental health and social relationships.This debate extends to all fields, including ours: SEO, or search engine optimization. Let’s explore together this complex notion of excellence, perhaps to answer this question: « Who are the best? »
The best in different fields: a mosaic of talents
The aspiration to be better than others is a universal quest that transcends disciplines and borders. This pursuit of excellence manifests itself across many domains, and each has its own criteria for selection. Let us explore some of these domains.
Sports
In the world of sports, the criteria for being the best are often objective and measurable, through statistics, titles, or records. Whether it’s the speed of Usain Bolt, the goals of Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé, performances are quantifiable and comparable.
Plastic Arts
In the realm of art, however, designating the best is much more subjective. It all depends on personal tastes, cultural influences, and the artistic movements involved. However, we can mention artists such as Picasso or Da Vinci, known for their influence and sense of innovation.
Music
The world of music offers an infinite palette of genres and styles, which makes selecting the best musicians or composers particularly subjective. Figures like Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, or The Beatles, who have left their mark on the history of music and culture in general, can nevertheless be highlighted.
Cinema
Here again, subjectivity reigns, even if criteria such as awards (Oscars, Césars, etc.) can contribute to the recognition of the best actors, films, or directors. Meryl Streep, Akira Kurosawa, and Charlie Chaplin can all represent the best the world of cinema has to offer…
Literature
Writers are judged on their mastery of language, their ability to evoke emotion and encourage reflection, or their cultural impact. Authors like Molière, Victor Hugo, Franz Kafka, or Agatha Christie undoubtedly rank at the top of this category.
Science
The markers of excellence in the scientific and academic world can be discoveries, inventions, or contributions to knowledge. Scientists such as Marie Curie, Isaac Newton, or Albert Einstein have left a significant mark on the history of science and can be considered among the best in their field.
The business world
The best entrepreneurs stand out for their strategic vision, their ability to innovate, and to help society prosper. Steve Jobs and Bernard Arnault undoubtedly belong to this category. With this perspective, it becomes clear that the notion of “the best” is varied and depends heavily on the fields in question. What is found, however, is the aspiration to excel and push the limits of what is possible.
The evolution of rankings over time
The desire to classify and rank is as old as the world itself, but the methods of ranking have evolved significantly. Here’s an overview:
- In antiquity, aesthetics, strength, and bravery in combat were decisive. During this period, we see the very first Olympic Games in Greece and gladiator fights in ancient Rome.
- In the Middle Ages, with the emergence of chivalry and feudal hierarchies, bravery, conquests, as well as social rank and land-based wealth became the dominant criteria in the ranking of excellence.
- The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in the arts and sciences, and the champions of the era were those who excelled in these fields, supported by enlightened patrons. How can we not mention Leonardo da Vinci, a multifaceted genius, protected, among others, by Francis I?
- The modern era, with its industrial and technological revolutions, measured excellence using metrics such as productivity and innovation. For instance, Richard Trevithick, with the first steam locomotive, or Thomas Edison and his electric lightbulb, were among the best of their time.
- In the contemporary era, the ranking of the “best” is often the complex result of statistics, financial performance, public opinion, clicks, impressions, or likes on social media.
So, how do we arrive at such rankings, and why? As we have seen, methods vary depending on the era and the targeted domain, but the foundation remains the same: humanity’s pursuit of excellence and achievement. The criteria can be objective, such as records broken or revenue generated, or more subjective, like cultural impact or social influence. Rankings serve several purposes:
- To create models;
- To establish standards;
- To organize our collective perception of quality and success.
However, the notion of “best” is far from simple, as it evolves with a system of ever-changing values.
Current Selection Criteria and Their Methodology
Importance of Objective and Subjective Criteria
Today, the definition of “best” often relies on a set of both objective and subjective criteria. Objective criteria include tangible measures such as revenue, the number of social media followers, or the number of goals scored during the World Cup. These quantifiable data points enable direct and often universal comparisons. However, subjective criteria like cultural influence, social impact, or customer satisfaction also play a crucial role. They provide depth and nuances that go beyond simple numbers.
Diversity of Methodologies
The methodologies for establishing rankings vary significantly across domains.
- In sports, for example, rankings can be based on detailed statistics, ranging from goals scored to Grand Slam tournaments won.
- In the art world, rankings are often determined by committees of experts or the public, who assess the value of a work.
- In business, various KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are used, encompassing both financial metrics and more qualitative factors, such as employee satisfaction or environmental impact.
- In SEO and digital marketing, positioning in search engines, click-through rates, and conversion rates are key indicators. To learn more about the essential KPIs to measure the effectiveness of an SEO strategy, check out our dedicated article.
Regardless of the methodology used, it aims to measure excellence. To be balanced, it must take into account both empirical data and more nuanced, human factors.
The reasons behind our quest for the best
“Who are the best?” is not just a question of competition or comparison. This question relates to desires and deeply rooted inquiries in human psychology. What drives us to search for, identify, and celebrate the “best” in various fields?
Human fascination with excellence and success
Our fascination with the “best” is not a new phenomenon! Throughout history, humans have been captivated by the success of those who set the standards and push boundaries. This fascination is fueled by our desire for role models and learning, as studying the best provides us with a roadmap for our own path toward excellence.
Psychological and social motivations behind this curiosity
Beyond learning, our quest for the best stems from deep psychological and social motivations. Competition is natural for humans: it has always been a driver of evolution and survival. Moreover, the best often serve as cultural and social benchmarks. They help us establish norms and ideals, thus fostering social cohesion around a shared vision of success and merit.
Historical and cultural examples illustrating this quest for the best
This universal quest for the best in their respective disciplines can be traced throughout history and across cultures.
- In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games were already a platform to identify the best athletes. Leonidas of Rhodes was one of these champions, known for being crowned 12 times in four consecutive Olympic Games across different types of races!
- During the Renaissance, illustrious figures such as Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo were celebrated for their excellence and versatility (painting, sculpture, inventions, architecture…).
- In contemporary times, the Nobel Prize (Marie Curie won it twice, in chemistry and physics) and the Fields Medal in mathematics (awarded to Cédric Villani in 2010) recognize the best in each category.
- More recently, the obsession with rankings—whether it concerns the richest people in the world according to Forbes or box office figures for films—shows that our desire to classify, evaluate, and celebrate talent, like James Cameron, is more alive than ever.
Relativizing: A nuanced quest for the “best”
In our incessant quest for the “best,” it is easy to lose oneself in competition and comparison. However, it is important to take a step back to gain a more balanced and thoughtful perspective on this pursuit.
The importance of context and circumstances
First of all, it is essential to understand that the notion of “best” is intrinsically linked to context and circumstances. For example, what defines a successful and prosperous entrepreneur in a flourishing economy may not apply in a difficult economic context. Similarly, the values that define “the best” can vary from one culture to another, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to context.
The limits of comparison and competition
Comparison and competition, while useful for fostering innovation and excellence, also have their limits. They sometimes foster a “zero-sum game” mentality, where one’s gain is another’s loss. This type of thinking is harmful to society: it can hinder essential elements for collective progress, such as collaboration and the sharing of knowledge.
Balance between celebrating talents and the diversity of skills
It is essential to find a balance between recognizing individual talents and valuing the diversity of skills and experiences. No, not everyone is gifted in the same way, and it is this variety that enriches a community or an organization. By being aware of this diversity, we can adopt a more nuanced and inclusive view of the term “best.” Our pursuit of “the best” deserves a nuanced and thoughtful approach that considers the context, acknowledges the inherent limitations of comparison and competition, and values the diversity of talents and skills.
In summary
The pursuit of excellence, while motivating and enriching, can have its limits. The spirit of competition can turn into an unhealthy obsession, where one comes to measure their worth solely in comparison to others or entities. This focus on comparison can neglect intrinsic qualities, limiting creativity and well-being.
Valuing diversity and individuality
A well-deserved reward for the quality of one’s work is worth celebrating, of course! The diversity of talents, attitudes, and skills is a richness to be cherished. Instead of focusing on who is “the best,” it is more useful and enlightening to recognize that excellence is multifaceted. Indeed, each individual possesses a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses that makes them valuable in a particular context. Valuing this diversity contributes to a more nuanced and enriching understanding of excellence.
Evolution and adaptability
It is also important to remember that the notion of “best” is not static; it evolves with time, technologies, and social and individual needs. The ability to adapt and evolve is often a marker of long-term excellence. In our ever-changing world, those who can learn, adapt, and continuously innovate are often those regarded as the “best” in the long run.
Excellence in SEO: A Case Apart?
To rank among the best in SEO, measurable objectives such as click-through rates or ranking positions on search engine results pages are key indicators. However, these figures alone are not enough. SEO expertise also requires a deep understanding of user behavior, algorithms, and market dynamics.
Key Indicators
In SEO, indicators such as organic traffic, quality backlinks, or page load times are essential. These factors not only help measure performance but also allow for comparison between different players in the field.
Subjective Qualities
Good SEO also requires more subtle skills, such as the ability to create high-quality editorial content, branding strategies, and understanding the competitive landscape. These skills add depth and a subjective dimension to what it means to be “the best” in SEO.
Read more: Why delegating content production to a specialized agency is a winning strategy
Ethics in SEO
Another aspect not to be overlooked in SEO, and one of the most important, is ethics. With practices like “Black Hat SEO” (totally banned at Do Ingenia, needless to say), it is easy to temporarily manipulate rankings. However, these practices are generally penalized in the long term by search engines. The “best” in SEO is often the one who not only achieves good results but does so ethically and sustainably. Also, check out our article on essential criteria for selecting the best SEO agency.
In conclusion
The quest for the “best” is a common thread throughout human history, spanning fields as diverse as sports, science, art, and business. In the world of SEO, this quest can prove to be just as relevant. The pursuit of excellence shapes the strategies, methods, and innovations that will define the digital marketing landscape of tomorrow. However, it is important to maintain a balanced perspective by promoting an ethical approach to SEO. So, when faced with the question, “Who are the best in SEO?” it’s not up to us to answer, but rather our clients, who surely have an opinion on the matter! As a business owner or artisan, you are already excelling in what you do. At Do Ingenia, we strive to give our very best for our clients. One thing is certain: if you entrust us with your website’s SEO, together, we will be the best!