Digital marketing can sometimes feel like the world’s largest whispering gallery. Rumors and misconceptions can become truths in an instant. Unfortunately, when it comes to SEO, some of these myths are now a reality in the minds of many.
This is frustrating when you’re passionate about SEO and have seen the results firsthand. It’s disheartening to watch good small businesses believe these myths and miss out on all of that potential revenue.
The truth is out there, and when it comes to business, it’s important to know what’s fact and what’s fiction.
Here’s the truth about SEO and the 5 main myths surrounding it.
Myth 1: SEO is Dead
This is my personal favourite SEO myth. It comes around once a year and never ceases to make me smile. In the last year alone, SEO has been estimated at being worth a staggering $80 million.
Dead?! That’s an 80-billion-dollar graveyard!
One of the most exciting aspects of SEO is that it constantly adapts to the world around it. By doing this, SEO has continued to thrive while many other marketing methods have fallen by the wayside.
Still sceptical? Take some time to consider that 92.6% of all global traffic comes from a Google search of some kind.
The numbers don’t lie, and if your business can afford to ignore those kinds of statistics, then I may just drop dead from shock!
Myth 2: SEO and Google are Enemies
Yes, it can be difficult to rank on Google. But have you ever stopped to consider why this is?
User experience is everything to Google, which is vital information when putting a marketing strategy together.
Google provides a platform that offers easy answers and solutions to the world’s most searched topics. What does this mean for your content? Well, it means that if your SEO serves a purpose, your content and Google are going to get along just fine.
Myth 3: SEO Doesn’t Work
While a little slower to the race than the more future-thinking SMEs, big business has begun implementing SEO teams and practices throughout their infrastructure.
PR, U/X website design and creative departments in global industries are now weaving SEO into their larger strategies. And if the bigger brands have finally embraced SEO, that can only mean one thing; it works, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon!
- As of writing, Google has already received 360 billion searches in 2021
- 15% of that 360 billion are brand new Google searches
- 57% of executives have stated that on-page content development was their most effective SEO tactic.
If these statistics and the marketing practices of global companies aren’t enough to convince you, then why not see for yourself?
Implement a few keywords on a webpage and see if they rank over the next six weeks or so. Now consider what possibilities are within reach if you were to implement these keywords through good, actionable content?
Myth 4: Links Lead Readers Away
If you’re concerned with losing your readers to authority links, then the content of your blog needs to be re-examined. Why? Because if your content is created to serve a specific need, that reader will always return to finish your article.
The only real issue with linking is when done for no other reason than to get the rub from an authority brand. If it serves a purpose and makes sense, link building is highly effective.
Stick to these 3 rules when linking in your content:
- Link when necessary
- Link when relevant
- Link when it’s quality content.
Myth 5: Content Doesn’t Matter
It’s unfortunate that such a ridiculous statement needs to be made, but you’d be shocked at how many people now believe that content isn’t important.
Why do companies continue to perpetuate this myth? It’s simple; good, Google-friendly content is difficult to master, and those who can’t do it effectively will inevitably dismiss it.
A road with several paths that link to exciting places is no use without the signage to guide people to their chosen destination.
This is simply a universal truth; what we say and how we choose to say it is part of the fabric of our lives. At the core of your marketing strategy should be one clear consideration – you are communicating with humans.
And when it comes to communication with humans, bad content will lose a customer quicker than the time it’s taken me to finish this sentence.
These 5 SEO myths aren’t obstacles, but opportunities. And when you implement them properly to work in tandem with one another, the truth about the benefits of your business will be apparent to anyone searching for your services.