Biggest SEO Myths That May Hurt Your Search Engine Ranks

This is a e-shopping world belongs to tech-savvy consumers!

Do you know, 94 percent of users search online before making a purchase?

In today’s era of digitalization, search engine optimization, or SEO is one of the most important marketing techniques for businesses. In simple terms, SEO is known for more searchability and online brand visibility, but it provides a lot more value than that.

SEO is a powerful marketing technique that can bring more leads and customers to your business. Additionally, it is also an effective way to increase relevant website traffic and improve the online presence of your business. Most of the profitable businesses are already using SEO at some level, and many are planning to take a plunge.

So, if you want to gain more customers, and maximize the profitability of your business then you should invest in SEO services!

Certainly, SEO has a ton of benefits! In fact, it provides better ROI than old-school traditional marketing techniques like print ads (newspapers, magazines, billboards, coupon books), TV, radio ads, and more.

Unfortunately, this powerful technique is one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood online marketing techniques.

Have you ever wondered why Google keeps rolling out algorithm updates?

Obviously, to make itself smarter!

The objective of search engines is to serve people, whose behavior keeps changing over time!

So, in order to provide better user experience, search engines have to change too!

That is why Google tweaks it’s ranking algorithms consistently. Today, search engines and the best SEO strategies are aligned on users’ problems first.

Beyond doubt, SEO is evolving in a persistent manner. As a result, what worked well for your search engine ranking in the past, may not work today. Genuinely, it could kill your search rankings too!!

There are many SEO tactics out there that help you improve your website’s search engine rankings, but there are also several misleading delusions that may hurt the online visibility of your business. These misconceptions tend to keep you away from attaining your online marketing goals and objectives. So, it’s important to ignore such myths and focus on the tactics that bring real results to your business.

Let’s dive into the biggest SEO myths that you should not follow:

Myth #1: The More Backlinks You Get, The Merrier

Undoubtedly, backlinks play a major role in search engine optimization or SEO. But, not all the links are good for your search rankings. In fact, backlinks alone can’t rank you higher on search engine result pages. There are several other factors that are responsible for higher search engine rankings such as on-page SEO, technical SEO, off-page SEO, website speed, mobile friendliness, domain age, URL, content, page authority, and more.

So, don’t crave just for backlinks! In fact, focus on creating high-quality backlinks as the links from spammy sites may hurt your search engine rankings. Keep in mind that not all backlinks are the same. So, think before you get a link from a website.

Myth #2: Videos Don’t Help in SEO

Do you know that embedding a video to your website can spectacularly improve your SEO efforts, and attract more potential customers to your website?

Yes, it’s true!

Think about YouTube – the second largest search engine!

In fact, Google algorithms give more preference to websites that have video content.

According to a recent study, the sites that have video content are more likely to rank higher on search engine result pages.

Surprised?

Just go and make any query on Google. 90 percent chances are that you will get video recommendations on the first page.

Doubtlessly, video content has a greater impact on search engines and users as well. Videos can help you get higher search engine rankings and boost your sales. So, if you are still not including videos in your SEO strategy, then it’s time to make a move!

Myth #3: Keyword Stuffing Helps Your Webpage Rank Higher

Gone are the days when “keyword stuffing” was one of the most successful SEO tactics.

Things have changed now!

Today, stuffing a particular term in your web page or blog content too many times can literally knock out your search engine rankings or even penalize your website entirely. Google keeps on updating its search algorithms. Today, it directly penalizes websites for keyword stuffing and pushes relevant content higher on search engine result pages.

Does it seem difficult to rank higher?

It’s not!

You just need to focus on creating high-quality and relevant content instead of stuffing them. Your preference should be user readability and not just the search engine. The better content you have on your site, the more get chances of achieving higher search engine rankings.

Myth #4: Massive Guest Blogging Yields More Website Authority

Undeniably, guest blogging is an effective way to build high-quality backlinks. Tons of blogging websites accept guest articles. But not every website drives good results for your business!

If you are posting blogs on low-authority sites that have no editorial oversight, then you are wasting your time and effort. This may hurt your present search rankings as well. So, it’s better to spend time in writing for less but good blogging sites, than submitting your valuable posts on spammy sites. Guest blogging, if performed right, improves your site authority and helps you get relevant backlinks, qualified traffic, more leads, and sales for your business. It is one of the best inbound marketing strategies that drives astonishing results!

Myth #5: Invest in Paid Advertising to Improve Organic Search Engine Ranking

Does spending in Google PPC campaigns help in improving organic search engine rankings?

Not at all!

It is one of the biggest SEO myths. Investing in paid advertising will not directly affect your search engine rankings.

Google’s algorithms for ad placements and organic rankings are completely different from each other. However, running a PPC marketing campaign can surely help you identify long-tail keywords that you can use in SEO for better results. You can also use both the techniques to get quick and better results. But, always remember that spending more money on paid campaigns will not help you get higher ranks in search engine result pages.

The Concluding Lines…

Most of the marketers and business owners fail to understand the real power of SEO because of such misleading information. Thus, it’s imperative to do proper research before implementing any tactic. Also, keep yourself updated with the latest search engine algorithms and SEO tactics.

Unequivocally, SEO is a twisted and complicated online marketing strategy, but if performed right, can will help you reap astonishing benefits!