The main problem is that SEO is constantly updating and changing so it becomes difficult to keep up with all the new information out there.
(Newswire.net — April 30, 2020) — Just like any other popular tool or technology, digital marketing is flooded with myths. Search engine optimization (SEO) in particular is consumed by false information. The main problem is that SEO is constantly updating and changing so it becomes difficult to keep up with all the new information out there. That’s why if you ask several SEO analysts about a new feature or trend, you might get a different answer from every person. So how do you separate fact from fiction? Below we highlight the main SEO myths you might stumble upon so your brand can avoid them.
Myth: Duplicate content is an immediate penalty.
Your website won’t get penalized for having duplicate content. All Google will do is ignore duplicate webpages thereby not ranking them. Google has a duplicate content filter that weeds out duplicated webpages so that the same information doesn’t pop up when a user does a search query. This is what is known as algorithm suppression.
Myth: Content is the only ranking factor.
“Content is king” is a phrase you will hear often in the digital marketing industry. But while it is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all. Content need links in order to function effectively. Without proper link building and brand awareness, that amazing piece of content you have will never be seen. Essentially you need both.
Myth: Link building isn’t important.
Having backlinks is still an incredibly important part of your SEO strategy. Getting decent links does take a lot of time and energy, but it’s worth the effort because links determine what Google generates on the first page of a search query. If you feel your company can’t dedicate enough time to link building, consider outsourcing some of your SEO efforts to an SEO reseller agency like whitelabelseoreseller.com. SEO reseller companies provide SEO services like link building typically to marketing agencies, who then rebrand these efforts under their own name.
Myth: SEO is snake oil.
Often people will use this myth to explain poor results from a bad SEO job or dismiss all SEO providers as mere scammers. Because the field of SEO doesn’t require certifications to practice, a lot of low-level SEO consultants are out there. Finding an SEO specialist for your business mainly relies on trust rather than certification. However, a good SEO practitioner understands algorithm processes and is knowledgable of how they work and their multiple changes. This isn’t a scam. It’s based upon tested results and experience.
Myth: Site speed isn’t important
User experience is incredibly important when it comes to SEO and Google recognizes that. Research suggests that users will — on average — wait about three seconds for a page to load before moving on. So if your page takes longer than three seconds to respond, your bounce rate will probably be fairly high. Google takes note of that bounce rate and factors it into search rankings.
Myth: You don’t need a sitemap
Some people might assume that sitemaps are just a bonus feature you can add on. But that isn’t the case. If, for some reason, Google’s search engine crawlers can’t crawl your webpage, then they can crawl your sitemap to identify what the page is about.
Myth: Social media is an important ranking factor.
Social media will certainly increase your brand’s visibility, but it won’t directly impact your SEO rankings. More exposure can provide you with more links thereby increasing your website’s rankings, but a social media post doesn’t automatically give you links and citations. Social media is often grouped with SEO and digital marketing, but while good social media tactics might lead to better page rankings — don’t always assume that is the case.