The world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be mighty confusing, especially if you are new to the game. There are rules that must be followed, and if you have the best strategy, you can rise to the top. But what makes SEO hard to navigate for the beginner is that there is so much false information out there. SEO myths are everywhere—some of them come from colleagues, friends, obscure blogs, or your twice removed cousin who used to ‘do seo.’
How are you supposed to differentiate between the SEO facts and the SEO myths? Well, you could put everything you hear to the test, a long trial and error with your own website to see what actually works, or you could read this post. Good choice. Here are the top SEO myths you need to know about:
SEO is a Marketing Scam
Here’s what usually happens: So-called SEO experts promise small business owners they can get #1 in search results for the low price of only $49.99. It seems worth a try, so the naïve entrepreneur pays up, only to be extremely disappointed in the results. Since an unethical “marketer” burned them, they assume that all SEO is a scam. But this is nothing more than an SEO myth. First, no one can guarantee the first spot in search results, and second, you won’t get the SEO results you want for $50. But if you are willing to partner with a real SEO expert (like us), you will most certainly get results. SEO is a proven strategy, but it takes a heavy time investment and commitment. In other words, it requires a lot more time, expertise and effort than anyone would do for $50.
If SEO Exists, It’s a One-and-Done Thing
One of the biggest SEO myths we come across is that people think they can just pay for our SEO services one time and see the search engine ranking they want for years to come. But that would only work if you have ZERO competition. Google makes a big deal about showing the most relevant information to their users, and you know what’s not relevant? That blog post from three years ago. Not only that, but Google’s algorithm is constantly changing, and so should your SEO efforts.
There is No Need for Link Building
Once Google started cracking down on the black-hat SEO link building that destroyed so many sites, many people started to spread the word that link building was bad. It’s time to set this SEO myth straight: Illegitimate, dishonest link building is absolutely terrible; however, white-hat link building is one of the most important SEO strategies out there. When you have inbound links to your site from trusted, reputable sources, it lets search engines know that you have important things to say.
Social Media Won’t Affect SEO
This is one of the most understandable SEO myths we run into, because it’s true that Google doesn’t consider Facebook likes or retweets to determine your ranking. That being said, if you think social media doesn’t play a role in your place on the SERPs, you are sorely mistaken. Why? Because you use social media to build relationships and share your blog posts—both of which lead to more traffic to your site. More people are aware of your content, so more people will link to it. And you know what greatly impacts your SEO? The amount of web traffic and inbound links your site receives.
All You Need Is Quality Content
When the saying, “Content is King!” became mainstream, it got misconstrued in a big way. Yes, content is absolutely important, but it is definitely not the only thing you need for a successful digital marketing campaign. Content alone does nothing unless you have quality links, an efficient, mobile-friendly design, and a smooth user experience. So while content is a key component of your digital marketing strategy, it is just a piece of the puzzle that makes up high rankings.
Links Are Bad
We can see how this one originated. Back when the Penguin algorithm hit in 2014, sites were penalized left and right for shoddy links. As a result, some people believed that all links should go away because they didn’t want to risk a penalty. However, when used correctly (i.e. on legitimate sites that are relevant to the content), links are one of your most powerful digital marketing tools. Inbound links to your site tell Google that you have authority on the subject, so they are more likely to show you on the SERPs.
Whatever Big Brands Do, You Should Do Too
It seems like the big brands have digital marketing down; after all, they make millions of dollars per year, so they must be doing something right. The problem with this is that each industry and niche is unique. Not only that, but unless you see their actual metrics, they may be exaggerating their success. Instead, take the time to develop your own buyer persona, and then do A/B testing to see what works the best for your specific audience.
Duplicate Content Results in a Penalty
Is duplicate content bad? Yes! Will it result in a penalty from Google? No, not exactly. When Google catches duplicate content, they only show one of the pages. In other words, you only have a 50/50 chance of showing up. On the contrary, if you rank for a query and you are the only one with your content, you will be the one to be shown. So while there is not a specific penalty, you could be seriously hurting yourself if you have duplicate content—and yes, this applies to title tags and meta descriptions as well.
Fact: Zero Gravity Marketing Can Help Your SEO
While we walked you through all the myths our SEO experts have heard over the years, one truth remains the same: Zero Gravity Marketing can help your SEO strategy. When you want to keep the SEO myths separate from SEO reality, we are here to help. Contact us today to find out more.
Daniel Hamilton
