@PlanetGuy, You would be surprised how much SEO best practices you need to successfully launch a project nowdays. I see so many startups with great concepts, clean code and user excitement, but if you fail to be returned in the search engines for queries your potential user base is looking for, your growth might be limited to the viral word of mouth.

That's where the so called "viral" strategies come in, leveraging the social integrations and viral sharing described in the article. Quick hacks to gain the user growth you need to become a viable business.

A great launch plan does incorporate good SEO and search visibility. Denying SEO is adding value for your projects/startup or company because there are scumbags out there, is IMHO putting you at a disadvantage vs your competition who are looking and taking advice from people like John!

There have been plenty of insightful discussions here at HN about the need for SEO. Rather than spilling negativity and dismissing a valuable service, you might want to try to listen and learn something.