There are many myths associated with proper SEO or Search Engine Optimization that often leave consumers confused and uncertain on how to engage their own SEO program. Here are some of the Top 10 statements about SEO programs which are more fiction than fact:
Myth: SEO is a quick solution to gain rankings
Truth: Proper SEO Management is a process which is always ongoing and involves a tremendous amount of work to maintain your keyword ranking. So you need to keep the SEO Program always evolving in order to reach proper ranking.
Myth: Flash Websites = Bad SEO
Truth: Flash is only bad when your designer lacks knowledge about proper optimization of the site. As long as there is relevant, good content on the site, it will help SEO rankings.
Myth: SEO is all about link building
Truth: Spamming a link to your site on every forum you can get your virtual hands on will not resultin a successful SEO campaign. You also have to add new content, optimize you own links for proper search terms and include several key phrases in the content in order to maximize SEO Success.
Myth: Your Page Rank is what determines SEO Success
Truth: Page Rank is only one of the several factors that search engines like Google use when they rank your website. Although page ranking is a key factor in measuring an SEO program’s success, it is by no means the only way to gauge whether your SEO platform is working.
Myth: All you need to do to rank high for a key search term in Google is submit your site for indexing
Truth: Manually submitting your site for indexing is not necessary. What is necessary is good, relevant content, a good off-site SEO campaign, and on-page optimization. SEO isn’t exactly a “if you build it, they will come” type of an activity.
Myth: Pay per Clicks Hurt your SEO Ranking
Truth: I’ve heard this more than a few times. PPC or Pay Per Click (aka Search Engine Marketing/Advertising) has no negative effect on ranking a page higher. Ever notice what pages are always on top? Well-funded advertised pages are always on the top of your listing in for a given search term. They may also hold the top spot for the organic (or non-paid) results. Google is not in the business to hurt their customer ranking, so this myth is flat our false.
Myth: Great Content will provide you with high rankings
Truth: As much as every professional writer would like you to believe this, it simply is not true. Quality content is very important in selling your message to your readers, but it certainly is not what builds ranking of your website. Your site needs to be optimized so that it correctly communicates with search engines. Don’t get me wrong, good, unique content will certainly get you credit, but only incomplete marketing campaigns and SEO strategies concentrate solely on content.
Myth: Google is the Only Search Engine that Matters
Truth: Let’s be honest, Google is the king of search engines but it certainly is not the only one on the block. A great SEO consultant understands how to market for multiple Search Engines on the market.
Myth: Meta-Tags give you good SEO. Nothing else is required.
Truth: Meta Tags are secondary in today’s search engines. Complex algorithms analyze the actual on-page (and off-page) tactics and content your site employs and determines its rankings. Google, for example utilizes in excess of 200 points of measure. Meta tags are only a few of that 200+.
Myth: The best length of SEO Content is no more than 250 Words
Truth: According to the previous statements from Google in regards to SEO, there is no certified length of copy which is deemed as being effective over than the other. The appropriate key is making sure that the keyword density is appropriate to the length of the article. And most importantly, the content must be unique, high-quality, and 100% readable. Google, and other search engines, know how to spot content which was written purely to manipulate a site’s rankings in search engine results pages.
