For many web users, Search Engine Optimization is still a mysterious concept which cannot be fully grasped. Consequently, there are many misconceptions out there concerning SEO. Here are some of the myths you need to be aware of.
1. More links means better SEO
This is a very wrong assumption. It is not just about the quantity of links, but also the quality. Filling your site with many irrelevant and poor quality links is an exercise in futility. Sooner or later, Google will detect your linking strategy and subsequently, you will experience a decline in your rankings. Instead of link building, you need to change your strategy to link earning. Basically, this refers to creating valuable content which your readers would be more than willing to link to. You will need to be patient since it might take some time to accumulate a significant number of links.
2. Meta keywords enhance ranking
Many people go to great lengths to insert keywords in the meta tag. Since Google no longer ranks sites using keywords in the meta tag, this is just a waste of time and effort. However, you need to distinguish between meta keywords and title tags. Unlike meta keywords, title tags are actually vital for ranking on Google.
3. Search engines can be manipulated for higher ranking
Trying to manipulate search engines is a big mistake. There is no shortcut or trickery which can help you enhance your ranking, at least not in the long term. For instance, some people try to manipulate search engines by having hidden text on their web pages stuffed with keywords. When Google finds out what you are up to, the ranking of your site will drop automatically. In a worst case scenario, your site might even be eliminated completely from search engine results. This could have serious repercussions on your business.
4. Internal linking is not important
Many people believe that the only links that matter in SEO are external links. This could not be further from the truth. Internal links ensure a pleasant user experience and also make it easy for search engines to index your pages. Furthermore, well-designed links will improve the speed of your site significantly. A fast site will beneficial for search engine spiders as well as human visitors.
5. Images don’t have any SEO value
It is true that search engine spiders can’t ‘read’ videos and photos. However, they can read image alt tags as well as file names. Videos or photos which have proper attribution can therefore be very valuable for SEO. Take time to title them appropriately, add quotes to the alt image tags and include links pointing back to your site.
6. SEO principles work the same for all sites
You cannot apply blanket SEO tactics to all kinds of sites since each website is unique in its own way. For instance, a site which has just been launched needs a different strategy compared to one which has been in existence for 5 years. Take time to carry out some research to find out what would work best for your site. Just because a strategy worked for your competitor’s site does not necessarily mean that it will work for yours.
Author Bio: Charles Mburugu is a professional blogger who likes sharing tips for internet marketers and bloggers. Currently, he is writing for MotoCMS templates.
As far as on-page SEO, I think 4 and 5 are the biggest mistakes people make. I have seen lots of blogs that don’t include any internal links, while pretty much every successful blog does.
Even recently these myths are cropping up in articles. Good points to keep in mind
They are myths now, but some years ago some of those were the main points in SEO. Today, after so many updates, creativity and quality content are some of the most important thing to gain traffic
I agree with Nina, some years ago meta keywords, keywords stuffing and link farms was very popular.. Now it’s only harm websites.. Today content is the King , only sites with high quality content could be in the top places of SERP.. besides good quality text gives a lot of social signs from users..
I agree about the number of links not being so important. It is the quality of the links and the number of referring domains which those links are placed on. 1000 footer links from the same site is no good.
I think also 4 and 5 are the biggest mistakes people make
SEO changes sorapidly that it is important to keep up to date. I keep reading that quality content is now the main factor with no real explanation of how Google understands which content is higher quality and therefore which to rank above the other
I agree with you that, internal linking and images have no value in ranking in Search engines, I’ve an example which is WPbeginner ( blog with PR7 without any internal linking ).
I agree, trying to trick search engines is a bad practice. One question, how important is the age of the URL? By buying an URL for more years is that good for SEO?
I think, link building is the most important part of SEO because link building creates back links. Other important thing is social networking site.
this article really provided a great help to me. i just don’t get the point what quality links mean. i am very new to the blogging profession. can you please help me out .