Top SEO Myths Explained
Here is a list of some of the biggest SEO myths that we have complied –
Myth #1: All you need is good content
Ever heard of how you should simply focus on creating good content and it will all work out? This is a big SEO myth. Even if you post content, it will not reach the right people. This is exactly where SEO comes in.
For the right message to reach the right people, it takes SEO efforts. To generate the right exposure for your website from search engines and for growth, SEO is your answer.
Myth #2: Google Only Prefers New Content
Yes, Google likes new content, but that does not mean that your old content will automatically start dropping because your content is not fresh. The key is to keep updating your content with new information.
This way your credibility of the content remains intact and Google will still prefer your content.
Myth #3: Keyword research is unnecessary
Keyword research is very much necessary. If you don’t invest time in proper keyword research, you will not derive much traffic from search engines. Read on to know how to do thorough keyword research for SEO to boost organic traffic to your website.
Without using the right keywords, essentially you are not even targeting anybody. Make use of SEO tools such as Google Keyword planner and use a combination of long-tail, focus, and short-tail keywords.
Myth #4: SEO can be done once and left
No, SEO is not a one-time job. SEO is a constant process that needs to be looked into. SEO changes every time Google updates itself. Make sure to really hone your SEO skills and keep up-to-date with any updates from Google.
Myth #5: Link building is extinct
No, link building is not dead. Links are some of the topmost ranking factors considered by Google. For example, say you get a link from an authority site in your field, you are sure to get traffic and your overall search ranking is bound to improve.
Check out this article on the top ranking factors for Google in 2022. Try and get a big blogger to blog about your brand and smaller brands will automatically reach out to you.
Myth #6: Stuffing keywords is the hack
Using repeated keywords is not good. With the Hummingbird update, Google no longer ranks sites that use keyword stuffing as a strategy. In fact, it does the opposite. It can penalize your website for repeatedly using a keyword. A quick SEO tip here is to focus on long-tail keywords.
Myth #7: Google only favors the topmost brands
This is a common SEO myth amongst people starting out. Yes, Google might favor bigger brands in the industry for a keyword but that does not mean that it ignores other new websites. New brands can still rank with the right SEO strategy.
Myth #8: Agency Results are 100%
By hiring an agency, it is not necessary that your SEO will automatically improve. Taking a short course on SEO can really help expand your knowledge. Check out this online short course on SEO for more.
Myth #9: Social media and SEO work separately
This is another common myth. SEO and social media work hand in hand as social media can generate organic traffic to the website and vice versa. It can be a powerful and highly-effective strategy if both social media and SEO are used together.
Myth #10: Linking to other sites is not good
Most beginners avoid linking to other sites as they feel they might lose out on rankings. Most top-ranking blogs on search engines link out to other websites frequently. Start linking smartly to generate traffic from other sites.
Myth #11: Having an XTML sitemap will help in search rankings
Yes, an XTML sitemap is important to have a good, crawlable website. It also helps Google in indexing pages faster. However, it does not guarantee to boost your search rankings, contrary to popular belief.
Myth #12: Guest Blogging is outdated
In 2014, Matt Cutts had spoken against the use of guest blogging and many people stopped using this technique. Search engines index billions of web pages from all over the world with different IP addresses, domains, geographic locations, etc. There is massive interconnectivity.
Google does not identify guest blogging if you do not make it obvious. Do not label it as a guest blog. Make it look like an in-house writer wrote the blog.
Myth #13: Paid efforts improve organic results
There is no connection between the two as paid and organic results are both entirely different. PPC links perform according to your bids and total investment. Organic results are generated from the index database. All in all, paid search can help in conversion rates of organic results but they do not help organic rankings.
Myth #14: Listing your business in Google will increase search traffic
Just by listing your business on Google local will not guarantee an increase in your search rankings. You need to stay consistent with your listing. You cannot keep changing the name of your business for example, as Google prefers consistency.
Myth #15: Long format content guarantees top rankings
Yes, long-format content can improve search engine rankings. However, there are several other factors that lead to top rankings. Many a time, long format content might not add value to the end-user. Is the content relevant and does it really add value to the user as opposed to the other search results?
This is a question you need to be asking yourself. Really focus on the user’s intent for the best results. The long format does not necessarily mean top rankings.
