A few days ago Darren casually asked whether I’d read about the gender conversation taking place as a result of the Google Blogscoped piece on Popular blog posts. I should have known from the glint in his eye that the phrase ‘why don’t you write a post on it’ was going to be the next phrase uttered.
So I gave him the… I’ve got so many deadlines that they’re beginning to haunt me in my nightmares, so …no… go away look.
But then he sent me the links and it got me thinking, like he knew it would – sneaky man (proof that all men are evil). I managed to keep the thoughts at bay for a bit but it’s been niggling so… ok Darren, you win!

Basically all 10 of the most popular blog posts were written by men. Initially I had the same knee jerk reaction as Kim (Cre8pc). Then I read Rebecca’s (SEOmoz) take on it and it all kind of snowballed from there.

Now let’s get this out the way, I am not a multitasking extraordinaire like Kim or a tomboy who doesn’t seem to like girly girls like Rebecca. In fact I’m part girly girl part harpy (on a bad day) and I am most definitely all about girl power. So yes, it irked me that not one single woman appeared on that list.

Men vs. Women Online
Thankfully here at Quirk the top dogs seem to realise how essential women and the cultivating of females online is (our Chief Operations Officer is a woman). I am lucky to work with both men and women who specialise in all our online offerings from programming and marketing to PPC and design. This said, I am, however, the only SEO that wears a skirt (in public at least) and I agree wholeheartedly that the industry is male dominated, especially in South Africa. I am not, however, saying that there is any (good) reason that this should be the case. It’s not like you need to produce higher levels of testosterone and display typical machismo to become a kick ass SEO.

Commenting on Rebecca’s post, Randfish listed some of the female SEO’s who stand out in the industry. Skimming through the list, I spotted Jill Whalen’s name – I can honestly say that when I started out in SEO her posts appealed to me (at first) because they were written by a woman. Perhaps men feel the same way – perhaps we respond better and feel more comfortable relating to members of our own sex. While I have a long list of male bloggers on my RSS, how many men are reading what women in their industry are saying? Your thoughts boys…

Gender and GottaQuirk
I took a look at our own blog and the ratio of female to male posts and comments, yes they seem to be dominated by the Quirk boys and the comments come almost exclusively from male readers.
As I believe women are better than men (oops did I say that out loud), and I know that women have a lot to say on any given topic, I can’t understand why this is the case.
All I know is that if it’s ever going to change us gal’s need to show these boys what we’re made of. If women are feeling marginalised it’s not up to anyone but us to change it.
I will also acknowledge (covering all my bases here to undermine the inevitable counter post) that I have not been getting my thoughts and opinions out there often enough (ok, ok hardly ever). But all that’s about to change, and I encourage all the Quirk girls to do the same. I’d also like to encourage our female readers to express their opinions by commenting more frequently. I, most definitely, want to know what you have to say.

This isn’t the first and I have a feeling that it won’t be the last gender related post I write. I am extremely interested in the gender split in SEO and blogging and I’d love to know your thoughts on the matter. Yes Darren, that includes the counter post I’ve seen you formulating in your minds eye.