Debunking 8 Common SEO Myths Once and for All

Google’s search ranking algorithm is famously mysterious – and always has been. No one outside of Google’s elite circle of developers knows exactly what goes into it. 

To make things more confusing, the algorithms are updated every single day. It’s up to the SEO experts to analyze how websites are affected, create inferences, and test their theories to figure out what tactics work best (for now). 

The result of this reality is the SEO industry is jam-packed with theories, misconceptions, and of course, myths. These can lead businesses down the wrong path, ultimately wasting precious time and resources.

Trying to crack the algorithm is a full-time job. But as a business, opting out of SEO is giant mistake. By 2025, a report from Research and Markets estimates that the SEO market will reach $103.24 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 percent. This shows that companies across the board are heavily investing in their SEO strategy. 

At Dog and Rooster, we specialize in SEO – and we’re here to help you navigate the landscape with clarity and confidence. In this post, we will debunk some of the common SEO myths to help businesses get noticed on more Google searches. Let’s dive in, shall we?  

Myth 1: SEO is a One-Time Task

Search engine optimization isn't a task you can check off your to-do list once and forget about. It’s an ongoing process that demands regular attention and updates.

Search engine algorithms are always evolving, and your competitors are likely evolving with it. To stay ahead, you need to keep your web page optimized for Google rankings as well as other search engines.

On the surface level, this means:

• Regularly updating your content (blogs and web pages)
• Fixing technical issues (or hiring an expert to do it for you). 
• Staying informed about algorithm changes

Consistent monitoring and adjustments are key to staying competitive with SEO. You can use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor how your website is performing.

By continually refining your SEO strategy and creating fresh content, you are doing a lot to keep your website relevant and visible in search results.

Myth 2: The More Keywords, The Better

Overloading your page with keywords (terms and phrases your target customers are entering into Google), a tactic known as keyword stuffing, can actually hurt your SEO. This is known as a “black hat” SEO strategy – or a strategy that is blatantly against Google’s guidelines. 

If your content is crammed with keywords, it looks spammy and can result in penalties from search engines. Instead, focus on naturally integrating relevant keywords. Create content that addresses user needs and answers their questions – without going overboard with keywords.

When you create a piece of informational content – like a blog or guide – use tools like Surfer SEO to understand your optimal keyword density to get noticed for a certain term. This will help you make sure you’re playing by Google’s rules and the content is set up for success. 

Myth 3: Meta Tags Are Irrelevant

Some believe that Google automatically generates meta tags for website content and blogs. This technically isn’t wrong, but Google is far from perfect at this. Meta tags do not hold the same weight they did 10 years ago, but they are certainly still relevant – and play a large roll in every good SEO plan.

Meta tags, which are the title tags and meta descriptions (the preview text you see on the Google search results), remain vital for SEO success and shouldn’t be overlooked. These guide search engines in understanding your page content and play a significant role in influencing click-through rates.

By focusing on a clear, concise meta descriptions and tags you can improve how your pages appear in search results, enticing more users to visit your site.

Myth 4: Backlinks Are All That Matter

This is a very common SEO myth. Backlinks were once the lifeblood of SEO. 

Backlinks play a significant role in SEO, but they're not the whole story. 

What is a backlink?

Backlinks refer to the hyperlinks placed within a piece of content, which link one website to another. If another website places a link to your website within its own content, it passes credibility to your website. SEO insiders refer to this as “link juice”. 

Think of a backlink as an endorsement. 

For instance, we’re talking about “backlinking” – the link I just attached to that word sends you to a credible website where you can learn all about the topic. We just endorsed that website and passed SEO value to it. That is referred to as an external link. 

Backlinks are still very important in an SEO strategy, but Google has caught on to a lot of the spammy link-building tactics and cracked down. What you need to do is have a good, credible backlinking strategy to supplement your broader SEO plan. 

Myth 5: Social Media Doesn't Affect SEO

Don't underestimate the power of social media, as it can play a subtle yet impactful role in your SEO efforts. Social signals, such as likes and shares, drive traffic to your website, boosting its visibility.

Engaging with your audience on social platforms generates more interactions, which shows Google (and other users) that your brand is credible. Now, social media is not technically a heavy hitter ranking factor, but it can generate more buzz for your website and be a good supplement for your SEO strategy. 

Myth 6: You Need to Submit Your Site to Search Engines

Submitting your site to search engines manually isn't needed anymore. Today's search engines employ crawlers that automatically find and index new websites. 

Your time is better spent focusing on high-quality content and a solid site structure. This helps search engines understand, discover, and rank your pages more effectively. The key is making your site super, super clear and easy to understand on your homepage and service pages. This involves spelling out:

• What you do
• Who you serve
• Where you operate geographically (if applicable)
• Why your products/services are important
• How people can get in touch with you

This makes it easy for search engine bots to understand what you do, rank your website properly, and (ideally) improve your visibility on the results pages.

Myth 7: Local SEO is Only for Small Businesses

Local SEO benefits businesses of any size that serve specific areas, not just small ones. 

Strategies for boosting local SEO include optimizing your Google My Business listing and building local backlinks. 

By leveraging local SEO, you enhance your reach and strengthen your presence in targeted geographic areas. Moreover, local SEO helps build community trust and engagement, which is key for long-term customers.

All in all, investing in local SEO keeps your business stays relevant and accessible to the people in your area. No matter what size of company you operate, if your business operates with a local presence, you need local SEO. 

Myth 8: Mobile Optimization Isn't Important for Organic Traffic

Mobile optimization is essential for SEO these days – this goes without saying in 2024. As mobile device usage continues to grow, search engines heavily favor sites that are mobile-friendly.

As of June 2024, mobile devices dominate the global internet traffic landscape, holding a 59.71% market share compared to desktops at 37.64% and tablets at 2.65%.

Paying attention to mobile performance is key to maintaining a competitive edge in SEO – there is no way around it. Your website needs to be responsive, fast-loading, and user-friendly on mobile devices. Fortunately, if you use WordPress, the platform automatically adjusts for mobile devices – at least the newer themes. 

If your website was built a long time ago and is not seamless on mobile, we strongly recommend working with a skilled web developer on a regular basis to ensure your site keeps in line with mobile standards. 

What’s the Next Step?

By debunking these common SEO myths, we hope to provide you with a clearer understanding of good SEO practices. Always remember, SEO is a continuous process that requires a balanced approach, focusing on content quality, user experience, and keyword research. 

Our team at Dog and Rooster is dedicated to helping you achieve your digital marketing goals with accurate information and resourceful strategies. Avoid the pitfalls of SEO myths and focus on what truly works to enhance your website's performance. 

Ready to get started with SEO? Request a no-strings-attached quote to see how we can set you up for long-term success with Google.

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