There could be a major development in the world of search engine optimisation (SEO), which will doubtless be of interest to IT contractors working in the sector.

SEO firm QueryClick believes that the proposed deal between Google and Verizon may lead to the end of neutrality.

For the internet to remain a level playing field, no one form of content should be afforded preference over another, the firm claims.

However, despite Google's previous declarations of staying "true to the openness of the internet", QueryClick claims that the new deal would see companies pay Verizon for priority placing in search results.

"The current SEO techniques employed by web designers, aimed at driving their sites up the search engine rankings, may be in danger of being undermined by such a system," the firm notes.

A poll of marketers recently conducted by agency dotSEO found that nearly a quarter of small companies still do not know much about SEO, despite most people using Google as their first port of call for goods or services.