5 SEO Myths You Need to Forget
The SEO Game Has Changed Drastically Since It First Started
Google is not the same entity it was in the mid 2000s. If you take a look at how often, and how many times Google updates its algorithms, you’d be surprised to see just how much the search platform has evolved into the business giant it is today. Because of Google’s power over today’s internet, marketers are scrambling to figure out how to navigate it – in comes SEO.
As the concept of SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, has evolved, so too have the practices that SEO professionals would implement on their websites. Here are some outdated myths that your business shouldn’t fall for for 2018 and beyond.
1. Keywords Stuffing is Viable for SEO
Keywords are a pillar of the search world and how businesses try to improve their SEO. This isn’t to say that keywords are obsolete by any means. What is obsolete, is the decade old practice of Keyword-stuffing your page in a way that makes zero sense to readers and users.
Google has gotten smart. They know when a site is trying TOO hard to improve their SEO ranking as outlined by their Webmaster Guidelines. Use keywords in your content, but have it make sense. Blend them into your copy in a way that is logical to readers and does not take away from user experience on your site.
That’s what really affects SEO nowadays – Reputation.
2. The More Pages the Better
Quality beats quantity almost every time and the number of pages to your site is definitely one of these times.
In the case of your business’ website, having a quality site that features a few well-designed pages that generate proper traffic and leads is the way to go.
Also, having more pages means that there will be more pages left out of Google’s indexer. Not every page you publish gets indexed, especially if the content on multiple pages are too similar to others on your site. So, search engines, like Google, will probably skip over more of your pages when fetching results.
In other words, your site will be dealing with dead weight from excess pages.
3. Local SEO Doesn’t Matter
This one is just 100% wrong.
If you’re a local business,
optimizing for local search won’t only help you get found, but it will help
you get found by people who are nearby and more likely to buy from you.
It appears as though the forthcoming trend for Google is to prioritize local content for users. In particular, if you take a look at the Pigeon Algorithm they released in 2014, you’ll see that Google is progressing towards location based search. This is great news for local businesses looking to grab the attention of their local audience.
TL;DR? Don’t doubt the power of local SEO.
4. Links are More Important Than Content
Remember when we said quality outweighs quantity almost every time? This is another one of those times.
Gone are the days when backlinking your brains out was enough to get you that top spot on Google Search.
The key catalyst to this change was the Penguin 2.0 Algorithm update back in 2013. Now, its all about quality. Having quality backlinks that correlate well with the content of your webpage is the 2018+ way to good SEO.
It requires more work, of course, but still worth the effort.
Diversify your sources, write good content, and work the long game of SEO.
5. Pop-ups are Bad for My Search Ranking
Remember in the early days of internet when all pop-ups were deemed bad and hazard to your computer? Well…some still are, but a good pop-up here and there won’t hurt
This is good news, especially to marketers, as pop-ups are great for lead generation and quick conversions. If you look at this study from Sumo, you’ll see more about the power of the pop-up. Just remember what Uncle Ben said: “with great power, comes great responsibility.”
Basically, as long as your pop-ups aren’t too invasive, then Google will have no problem with your site. Cross the line, however, and you could be subject to penalization.
This is, of course, bad. So, be courteous and provide the best for your new and returning clients.
In other words, don’t be a jerk.
In Conclusion
Google, along with every other platform, software, and application on the internet, is always subject to drastic and unexpected change in the future. For the time being, at least, it is safe to say that these SEO myths are as good as gone.
We hope you found these tips helpful and good luck with your SEO endeavors! If you need more advice on all things SEO, you are welcome to visit our site or reach out to us via contact form.
Have any SEO myths that you’ve debunked? Leave them in the comments below!
