The Deadly SEO Mistakes You Might Be Making

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The Deadly SEO Mistakes You Might Be Making-Chispa MagazineSEO (search engine optimisation) is probably the trickiest aspect of digital marketing. Not only is it complicated and a little confusing, but it’s also always changing. Google update and change their algorithm annually. That means your SEO techniques from last year might now be outdated. Worse, they could actively be damaging your website. Google places penalties on websites that practice bad SEO techniques, so be warned. Remember, getting on the first page of Google will really take your business to the next level.To help you out, we’ve pulled together the biggest SEO mistakes out there. 

 

  1. Keyword Stuffing

In the past, Google measured relevance by the quantity of keywords. It lead to websites cramming as many keywords as possible into their copy. While it worked for a while, it was horribly written and very unfriendly to users. Google quickly clamped down, and started penalising this practice. Trust that Google will pick up on your carefully placed keywords, and don’t overdo it.

  1. Duplicate Content

For a while, web owners began duplicating their content. It tricked Google who thought it was just another piece of content, with more useful keywords. It helped a lot of sites rank highly for a short period. Although Google eventually penalised it, the headache still remains. Some websites are still practicing this dangerous technique and paying the consequences for it. By all means, use that content in different ways. Turn an article into a podcast. Make a YouTube video out of a popular blog. But, don’t post the same wording twice.

  1. Poor Linking

There is a lot of debate around the issue of linking in SEO. In fact, it’s easily the most conflicting part of the industry. But, let’s get one thing clear. Linking still matters. If you don’t believe us, ask your local SEO agency. Inbound links prove to Google that your website has authority. Other people trust you enough to link and share your content. However, there is a caveat here. Links from poor and irrelevant websites won’t help you. They’ll actually harm you. So, focus on organic links from relevant sources.

  1. You Think Social Media Doesn’t Matter

One of the managers at Google recently went on record saying that they don’t take social following into account. It immediately lead SEO commentators to declare that social media doesn’t matter. But they’re wrong. Social media does matter. While Google don’t take into account the numbers of your following, they do care about authority. And if thousands of your followers read your content and share it with others, Google will take notice. Your content will reach further, and people will start linking to it. Social media is the most important indirect influence for SEO. Don’t ignore it.

  1. Focusing on Quantity Over Quality

The real takeaway here is to focus on quality. Write your content for humans, not search engines. Focus on quality of links and content, not quantity. Focus on building a presence naturally. The rest will come.

SEO is never ‘finished’. Google constantly make changes and updates. There are always new techniques. Stay up to date, and don’t make these huge mistakes.

Photo by Luis Llerena

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.