The field of search engine optimization, or SEO, has long been the cornerstone of digital marketing by helping businesses of all sizes increase their visibility and rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs). However, as time went on and the SEO landscape evolved, numerous myths began to sprout up and outdated practices began to persist more and more, leading to an accumulation of ineffective strategies and wasted time and resources.
Outdated SEO myths & practices
In this blog, we’ll debunk five of the most common myths and misconceptions and provide you with insights into what you should be doing instead to steer your business toward a more successful SEO strategy. Additionally, we’ll also highlight some of the tried and true best practices that still remain crucial for SEO success.
1. Keyword stuffing boosts rankings
In the early days of SEO, keyword stuffing, or cramming a webpage with as many keywords as possible, was the backbone of many SEO strategies. In those days the belief was that term frequency and keyword density determined relevance, and that Google would rank a page higher in search results, despite creating content that was often difficult to read and negatively impacting user experience.
The reality nowadays is that keyword stuffing is not only ineffective but it can also be detrimental. According to the SEO experts at Semrush, rather than creating spammy content that attempts to use keywords over and over again, content creators “should focus on writing naturally,” delivering high-quality content that readers will actually find helpful.
2. All backlinks are good
Not all backlinks are created equal, and more backlinks is not always better. There used to be a time when the sheer number of backlinks was seen as a key indicator of a site’s authority and relevance. However, these practices eventually led to things like link farming and the purchasing of low-quality backlinks in order to manipulate SEO.
Today the truth is that search engines prioritize the quality of backlinks over the total quantity of them. Links from reputable, relevant sources carry much more weight than numerous links from potentially dubious sites.
3. Meta keyword tags and meta descriptions matter for ranking
We have to turn back our clocks to September 2009 in order to find the last time that both meta keyword tags and meta descriptions were actually used for ranking by Google. Pre-2009, people would meticulously write code snippets and use keyword tags, believing it would boost their rankings.
The consensus today is that focusing on meta keyword tags is a waste of time, but meta descriptions still do have some value and can still be useful on the SERPs, despite not being a direct ranking factor. While meta descriptions may not play a direct role in rankings, they may indirectly impact a page’s ability to rank higher by improving click-through rates (CTR).
Bottom line is that tags and descriptions still hold a little value, especially with search engines other than Google, but they should be used more with the intent to provide clear, concise, and compelling summaries of your content as a way to indirectly benefit your SEO.
4. SEO is a one-time-task
Naw, son. Many organizations treat SEO like a one-off project; one and done. Something to be set up and then easily forgotten. In reality SEO is an on-going process that never really “ends”. Search engines are constantly updating their algorithms and your competitors are continually updating their sites.
Treat SEO as an ongoing effort and investment. By regularly updating and optimizing your content, monitoring your sites performance and speeds, as well as staying current with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes, you can stay on top of your SEO game.
5. Long form content equals better performance
While articles that are over 1,100 words seem to perform better according to some statistics, according to John Mueller, Senior Search Analyst with Google, “from our point of view the number of words on a page is not a quality factor, not a ranking factor”.
Having long-form content does have its advantages, but cramming as many words as possible into an article for the sake of creating longer content rather than better quality content will not help your SEO.
Enduring SEO practices that are NOT myths
Clearly, there are a number of outdated SEO practices that need to be abandoned. However, there are still some foundational SEO practices that remain as relevant as ever. Let’s examine a few that you should still continue to prioritize.
High quality content
Content is king in the world of SEO. Engaging, relevant, and high-quality content is paramount for attracting and retaining visitors. Search engines aim to deliver the absolute best possible results to users, and the better the content meets those needs, the higher the ranking.
Mobile optimization
With the majority of internet traffic now coming from mobile devices, mobile optimization is no longer optional. Having a mobile-friendly site is essential for providing a good user experience and maintaining strong search rankings.
But wait, that’s only half the story. Because you should not neglect how your website looks and works on other devices at the expense of looking better on mobile. While Google has confirmed that mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor, by making sure that your sites can adapt based on the user’s screen, offering a seamless experience on all devices, can help improve your ranking score.
Prioritize user experience (UX)
Search engines are increasingly prioritizing user experience, so make sure to build your sites for living, breathing people, not algorithms. Focusing on creating a user-friendly site with easy and intuitive navigation, fast loading times, and accessible design to boost your ranking.
Redefine: Your long-term partners in SEO
The SEO landscape is a truly dynamic and constantly-evolving field, changing in response to search engine algorithms and user behavior. Clinging to outdated myths and practices can hinder your efforts at improving rankings and remaining relevant, as well as wasting valuable time and resources.
Staying informed and making sure that you focus on modern and effective strategies that align with current SEO best practices will minimize the risk of low rankings. By prioritizing high-quality content, building genuine and organic backlinks, optimizing for mobile, and enhancing user experience, you’ll be able to stay fresh, relevant, and ahead of your competition.
If you don’t know where to start or simply need a hand with your current efforts, we can help. Set up a free consultation today to learn more about our services.
