Top SEO Myths Debunked in 2022 – Check This Out

Updated on: Feb 3, 2022
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More often than not, digital marketing comes with a lot of myths. It is fast-paced and constantly evolving. There comes a need to stay up-to-date in order to really choose the right strategy for your business needs.

Similarly, with SEO changing so drastically over the past few years, there have been many myths that have emerged. Let’s have a look at some of the top SEO myths explained and debunked for you!

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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.

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FAQs

Q. Is SEO worth it in 2022?

Yes, SEO efforts are worth it in 2022. SEO has constantly been evolving even from SEO techniques in 2021. Just like any other industry, it is constantly reinventing itself to bring improvisations to digital marketing.

Digital marketers have seen their ROI shoot up when they invested in SEO practices.

Q. Is SEO Dead in 2022?

No, SEO is not dying in 2022. It is in fact going to be thriving in 2022. 

Q. Which SEO is illegal?

Certain SEO tactics are illegal in the industry. These include doorway pages, misuse of redirecting links, stuffing keywords, and link farms.

Q. Is SEO a dying industry?

No, SEO is very much alive and thriving in digital marketing. In fact, it is a very crucial marketing technique that works well for the long term.

Q. Does SEO pay well?

Yes, SEO pays quite well in India. Read this article on SEO salaries in India as of 2022 for some additional information on this. 

Q. Is SEO a waste of money?

SEO is not dead or a waste of money. If done correctly, it can take your business to new lengths. 

Conclusion

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article on SEO myths in 2022. To conclude, SEO is not dead, it is here to stay and only grow!

If you’d like to pursue a course on SEO, check out this online short course on SEO. This online comprehensive course in digital marketing is a good option if you are looking for a crash course in digital marketing from a holistic perspective. 

In case you wish to pursue an MBA-level course to boost your career growth, then we recommend this MBA in Digital Marketing. Making career decisions can be quite daunting.

Make sure you reach out to our team at IIDE who can give you valuable guidance as to which course is good for your growth.

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Meherzad Karanjia

Ex Chief Learning Officer, IIDE

He has over 19 years of experience in the Digital Marketing and Design space. He is someone who understands all the elements of the Digital gamut ranging from User Experience, Graphics Design, SEO, SEM, Analytics, Media Planning.....[Read full bio]

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