The 10 Biggest SEO Myths

Every company needs an online presence these days. However, without optimal SEO (Search Engine Optimization), don’t expect that presence will be worth a whole lot.

SEO is a hot topic, but it’s also a field that is constantly changing. As such, you may have taken some good advice in the past that no longer applies. Here are 10 SEO myths you should not subscribe to.

1. You have to be number one on search

Ideally, yes, you want your website to be the first result delivered when someone is looking for what your company provides. However, if you land on the first page, you’re generally in really good shape. Often, it would make sense to be satisfied with this result and put your SEO efforts into other goals rather than investing in that top spot.

2. Good title tags will save the day

Title tags are definitely vital for locking in search traffic. Don’t think they’ll save a bad site though. Take time in crafting quality title tags, but don’t let that blind you from pursuing improving your website.

3. Social media Is everything

Social media has had a profound impact on SEO. Too many people think it’s the be-all and end-all though. Even if you’re seeing some great traffic from your social media exposure, you need to make sure that the site it’s bringing people to also delivers.

4. Videos are prime content

This is another big misconception. Videos are indeed a great form of content and tremendous for SEO. Not everyone can watch videos though. They may be blocked at work or visitors may be somewhere where it would be easier just to read. Make sure you have good mix of writing and video on your site.

5. Ads will help your SEO

Even before Bing, this myth has been popular. Companies buy ads on search engines under the impression it will help them climb in search results. Ads are for converting customers, though. Using them as an SEO technique has never worked.

6. Links are now king

While it’s true that backlinks are often as important as the content on your site, you’re mistaken if you think they’re all you need. The best links are usually the ones you had no hand in obtaining. To get those, you need a site full of good content people actually want to send their visitors too.

7. Marking up boosts SEO

Marking up your content is important and will most likely grow in importance as time goes on. At the moment, though, you can’t expect any significant results overnight. Make it a part of your overall SEO strategy, but don’t rely on it too heavily either.

8. SEO and usability are two different things

Usability has always been important, but many would have considered it separate from SEO. These days, though, search engines are becoming sophisticated enough that they know if your site isn’t user-friendly. Obviously, this will directly impact your SEO.

9. You produce really good content

Don’t take this personally, but even if you think you’re an expert-level content creator, that may not be the case. Make it a habit to check your site’s bounce rate to see if you’re actually creating compelling content or just filling your site with words that only sound good to your ears.

10. All you need Is SEO

Far too many people have spent years "mastering" the art of SEO, yet don’t see the results they had in mind. This is because SEO is just a piece of a much larger puzzle. All it can do is drive traffic to your site; then it’s your job to convert that traffic into dollars and cents. Always keep the big picture in mind.

Don’t let SEO myths hurt your hard work. If you recognize any of the above myths as affecting your efforts, now’s the time to address that.