24 Most Heard SEO Myths in the Industry

Have you ever read somewhere that SEO is dead, only for Google to roll out a new batch of SEO updates afterward?

Or ever heard that the secret to ranking on Google is using as many target keywords as possible in your content, only to learn that this is keyword stuffing and Google penalizes websites over it?

The people who made those statements thought they were being helpful, but they weren’t.

They were parading SEO myths as standard SEO advice. Myths are popular but false beliefs or ideas. And you know the thing about following lousy advice? They cost you a lot.

If you want to thrive in the SEO industry while maximizing your time and resources, you need to learn how to separate fact from fiction. That it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s right.

This is why we are demystifying the industry's 24 most heard SEO myths: to better inform you and help you make the right decisions.

Let’s get started.

Where do SEO Myths come from?

Where do SEO myths come from? Who started these myths? Why are they everywhere? SEO myths didn’t just appear out of thin air. They have sources, which we will explore below. Bit by bit, they started spreading, and people accepted them as the norm. As the popular maxim says, repeat a lie enough, and it becomes the truth. So, where do SEO myths come from?

Changing algorithms & outdated practices

Search engine algorithms are ever-evolving; what worked last year might not work this year. For example, Google is constantly rolling out updates. In 2023, Google made 9 official algorithm updates. Keeping track of these updates and letting go of outdated practices can be difficult. But so is the nature of the misinformation about these updated practices.

Unverified claims and "quick fix solutions" to sell you something, aka scammers

Quick fixes can be tantalizing, but they are advertised on the backs of unverified claims, quickly morphing into SEO myths. There’s no secret to overnight ranking anywhere. Scammers will try to sweeten the deal with audacious but untrue claims to get your money. SEO success doesn’t happen overnight but over time.

Lack of clear official guidelines from search engines

Sometimes, search engines aren’t overly explicit in their official guidelines. They can be secretive or ambiguous, which creates a vacuum. And what more opportune moment to fill this vacuum than with false information?

Minor ranking factors are taken too seriously.

With 200+ ranking factors, not every factor has the same level of importance. While some aspects, such as EEAT, keyword density, link building, etc., are very important, minor details, such as your website’s color scheme, don’t matter as much as these SEO myths exaggerate them to be.

You’ll be distracted from what truly matters and waste time and resources if you focus too much on these minor ranking factors. That said, let’s dive into the 24 most heard SEO myths in the industry;

1. There is an ideal Keyword Density, aka Keyword Stuffing

Keyword density, also called keyword frequency, is the percentage of times a specific keyword appears in a piece of content compared to the number of words. One popular SEO myth is that the more you can cram keywords into your content, the higher your chances of ranking.

This might have worked sometime in the past, but search engines have evolved. Cramming many keywords into your content is keyword stuffing, which makes your content unnatural and robotic.

When asked about keyword density, John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, replied that he wouldn’t focus on keyword density as search engines have moved on from there. Instead, focus on writing content that satisfies user intent.

2. Domain Authority is a ranking factor

Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website will appear in search results compared to its competitors. While it can help you assess your website’s performance, it isn’t a direct ranking factor.

John Mueller mentioned that Google does not use a website authority score or third-party tools to rank websites. Focusing on DA can distract from the more significant work of high content quality, strong link building, technical SEO, etc.

3. Duplicate content and Google Penalties

Duplicate content occurs when similar content appears on multiple web pages on the same or different websites. It confuses search engines about which page to rank, diluting the ranking and link authority but not warranting a penalty from Google.

As Google says, there is no such thing as a duplicate content penalty. Matt Cutts, Head of Search Spam at Google, further explains that Google doesn’t treat duplicate content as spam. Instead, it groups the duplicates and ranks the best of them. Google only takes action against websites that create multiple duplicates to manipulate the algorithm.

While this does not get you a penalty, we highly recommend avoiding duplicate content at all costs. Let's not confuse search engines on which page to rank for which keyword.

4. SEO is something you do once

This one still surprises me. There are many full-time jobs within SEO, so it's wild that there are people out there thinking that SEO is something you do once. That it's just a couple of tweaks to your website and you're good to go. Just wild...

So to be clear, SEO isn’t a one-off activity; it’s an ongoing process. Search engines roll out new updates, user behavior evolves, new trends emerge, etc., and you must keep up with everything.

Like tending a garden, your work doesn’t stop at growing the plants. You need to keep nurturing the plants, or else they will die. Without constantly monitoring and optimizing your website, you’ll lose ground. Keep learning to stay ahead of the curve, as what works today might not work tomorrow.

5. Social Media has no impact on SEO

Social media impacts SEO indirectly. While Google might not consider social media shares and engagement ranking factors, they can drive traffic to your website. This, in turn, signals to Google that users find your website valuable and boosts your SEO performance.

Social media engagement can also be a way to get high-quality backlinks from thought leaders and websites. It can increase your brand awareness and improve your brand reputation. It can also serve as a source of social proof to attract more conversions and sales.

6. LSI keywords are a ranking signal

LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are semantically related to a specific keyword. They help Google understand the context of the content. While LSI keywords can help improve your content quality, Google clarified that they aren’t a ranking factor.

What Google looks out for is natural language and context. And you can achieve both if you write content for the user’s intent. This way, you’ll naturally integrate related keywords and create content that resonates with your audience.

7. More and new content is important

While more and new content is beneficial, it doesn’t automatically mean higher SEO performance. HubSpot found that their organic views increased by 106% when they began optimising their old content. Google places more premium on content relevance and user value than volume.

Instead of creating new content to add to your content cluster, focus on consolidating past content by updating it with timely information, insights, or results. This keeps old content fresh and relevant. Integrate ethical content SEO strategies to rank your content. You can also repurpose content; for example, you can turn a podcast or community discussion into a blog post.

To make it clear: if you don’t have any content on your website, like a blog, it does help your SEO efforts to create one. But “more and new” content is NOT a ranking signal.

8. You should only target keywords with high-volume

High-volume keywords generate more traffic, but they are highly competitive. It can be challenging to rank in SERPs for high-volume keywords. So don't ONLY focus on the big ones. Sometimes I even recommend not focussing on those at all.

Instead, there are other SEO goldmines like low-competition, long-tail keywords.

Long-tail keywords are search queries that are three words or more. Although they have low search volumes and competition, they attract more qualified leads with higher conversion chances. Backlinko analyzed 306 million keywords and found that 91.8% of the search queries are long-tail. So it is more rewarding if you target those low-volume keywords instead!

9. Long-form content is the way to go

This is one of the bigger SEO myths.

While long-form content tends to have better SEO performance, it doesn’t necessarily mean every piece of content has to be long-form. Google prioritizes content relevance and value. In the words of John Mueller, “Word count is not a ranking factor. Save yourself the trouble.”

The key is to focus on what matters to your audience and the nature of the topic. For instance, complex topics can be better discussed in long-form content, while simple topics may require a shorter format. Focus on content relevance, and you will naturally rank higher. Whether long-form or short-form content, ensures it meets the E-E-A-T criteria.

10. Meta Description is a ranking factor

Meta descriptions don’t directly impact search engine rankings but influence your click-through rates. They determine if users will click on your links instead of the competitors’, which, in turn, influences your website traffic.

Google itself confirmed that it doesn’t use meta descriptions for website rankings. However, you can create compelling meta descriptions to boost your click-through rates and get more eyeballs on your content.

11. Meta tags don't matter

Meta tags aren’t a ranking factor, but they DO matter. They make up the first impression because they are the first things a user sees. You can gain or lose readers depending on your meta tags. A well-crafted meta tag will get you more click-through rates, meaning more organic traffic.

A well-crafted meta tag also makes for a good featured snippet. And you can never tell; your content might end up there. Focus on including the right keywords naturally in your meta tag, and avoid clickbait.

12. More backlinks is best

Backlinks can be SEO goldmines, but more backlinks aren’t always the best. Search engines place more premium on the quality of backlinks over their quality. A single link from a high-authority website like HubSpot or Forbes ranks higher than a dozen links from unknown websites.

Instead of chasing quantity, chase relationships through partnerships, guest blogging, etc., that can provide you with quality backlinks. This boosts your SEO performance compared to links from websites nobody knows.

13. Guarantees of high rankings by agencies

No one controls the algorithm; too many factors influence search rankings for someone to be able to control the process. If an agency promises to help you rank high, it’s a scam. Don’t fall for it. Agencies that promise such often resort to black-hat SEO practices, which eventually attract Google penalties and might take months to recover from.

Instead, focus on ethical and more sustainable ways to boost your ranking - link building, content relevance, keyword mapping, user experience, mobile optimisation, technical SEO, etc. It might take a while to see results, but they are safe.

14. Content written by AI is great to rank fast

AI tools are content-producing powerhouses, but their output often lacks the human touch (for now). Readers don’t want to spend minutes on a website only to read robotic content. They want engaging content, and AI-generated content might lack that quality.

Completely relying on AI might not be sustainable. AI tools might make the process easier, but can’t produce quality content to meet Google’s E.E.A.T criteria (yet). Instead, develop a personalized content strategy that works for you.

15. Local SEO doesn't matter if you don't have a brick-and-mortar business

Local SEO isn’t only for brick-and-mortar businesses but also for every digital business targeting a specific location. Many people are willing to buy from businesses in or around their location.

Research shows that 46% of all Google searches are local information, and 97% of search engine users search online to find a local business.

If you’re not optimising your SEO for local searches, you will miss out on a profitable moneymaking opportunity. Start by optimising your Google My Business (GMB) profile and integrating location-specific keywords into your content, like landing pages for “[your services] in [location]”.

16. Domain age is a ranking factor

Domain age is how long a domain has been registered. Older domains have a competitive advantage over newer ones because they’ve built a strong backlink and quality content profile over the years. But domain age isn’t a direct ranking factor.

New domains can outrank old domains if they deploy the right strategy consistently. To build your website's authority, focus on more important factors like user experience and content relevance.

17. Redirects and cloaking will trick Google

Redirects is an SEO technique that sends users to a URL different from the one they initially clicked on. They become sneaky when they are used to direct users to websites they didn’t initially mean to check. Cloaking is a technique that presents a version of your website content to search engines and a different one to your users to manipulate the algorithm to rank your page higher.

However, Google’s algorithm grows smarter daily and can easily detect websites that use redirects and cloaking to conceal their original content. Even if these techniques work, they are only for the short term. Google can de-index such websites from its archives. Avoid tactics that can make your website disappear overnight.

Remember: as soon as you use words like "manipulate" or "trick", you're doing SEO wrong.

18. Automated software to build links for you to help with SEO

Indeed, we aren’t the only ones who have seen ads offering 10,000 backlinks for $100. These claims are often based on automated software that generates multiple links to boost SEO performance. Research shows a positive correlation between the number of links to a website and its ranking position.

However, generating links isn’t the way to go. These links often lead to unrelated platforms, adult sites, sketchy community forums, etc., damaging your audience’s trust and earning you a Google penalty. Instead, focus on building genuine connections and collaborations to earn quality links.

19. Mobile Friendliness doesn't matter for your business

According to Statista, in the last quarter of 2023, 58.67% of all global website traffic comes from mobile phones. Google also uses mobile indexing, which indexes the mobile versions of websites. As such, businesses with mobile-friendly websites experience higher engagement rates.

If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll find it challenging to rank in search results. A website well-optimized for mobile users enhances user experience and engagement. And the more users spend on your website, the higher your chances of converting them.

20. Bounce rate is a ranking factor

Bounce rate refers to the percentage of website visitors who don’t take any action before they leave. It isn’t a ranking factor but a good indicator of user experience and content quality. It’s usually caused by thin content, that is, content that provides no value. Sometimes, it could be that your website navigation is poor or that the loading speed is slow.

Use tools like Google Analytics to track your bounce rates. Write for your audience, ensuring your content aligns with their search intent. Optimize your website design. Research shows that 94% of first impressions are design-related. Make your website easily navigable, too.

21. Well-known websites will always outrank new websites

Well-known websites have bigger brand clout because of their backlink profile, loyal community, and domain authority. However, these don’t necessarily mean they will always outrank new websites. Google considers content that answers search intent, not years of existence.

If you are a new website, focus on ranking for long-tail but low-competition keywords that attract quality traffic. Create content that answers your audience’s biggest questions. Carve a super-specific but market-relevant niche for yourself. In no time, you’ll be ranking alongside the big players in your industry.

22. SEO is dead

Personal favorite lol.

Usually, when new technologies emerge, people start panicking and shout “SEO is dead” immediately. However, as we have experienced every time again, SEO isn’t dead. Website owners will always optimize their websites to be seen in the SERPs. So, as long as search engines exist, SEO will continue to exist. Google alone processes 5.9 million searches per minute and 8.5 billion daily searches.

However, SEO evolves. SEO practice today is different from what we know it was in the mid-1990s when it started. As such, only businesses that adapt to the evolving search engine algorithms will thrive. Focus on learning and implementing to keep attracting organic traffic.

23. HTTP vs HTTPS: It doesn’t matter which you use.

The primary difference between HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is how secure data is transmitted across devices. HTTP doesn’t encrypt data, making it vulnerable to being intercepted and read by third parties. On the other hand, HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security), which encrypts data and makes it unreadable even if intercepted.

Google strongly recommends HTTPS because it prioritises users’ safety and privacy. It prefers to index the HTTPS version of websites and marks sites that do not use HTTP as not secure. It considers HTTPS a vital part of user experience and promotes HTTPS-enabled websites in its rankings.

Therefore, it DOES matter whether you use HTTPS or HTTP. It’s advisable you opt for a website users and search engines trust.

24. The Google Sandbox Effect exists

The Google Sandbox Effect propounds that Google intentionally suppresses new websites in search engine rankings, likened to probation, before allowing them to compete with other websites. However, this theory lacks concrete evidence.

New websites not ranking in search results isn’t about being placed in a sandbox but more about credibility. It takes time to build credibility and consistency enough for Google to deem them worthy of appearing in search results.

The time depends entirely on the website; factors such as content relevance, user experience, backlinks, etc., matter. A new website that ticks all the right boxes can rank higher than old websites that don’t. No official measure stops any website from ranking as long as it follows the rules.

How to recognise an SEO myth from a mile away

Recognising an SEO myth from a mile away isn’t difficult, but requires close examination. If it looks too good to be true, guarantees unrealistic results, contradicts official sources or lacks evidence, it is an SEO myth.

Seek information from authorised sources and experts and stick to proven and sustainable strategies to boost your SEO performance. Avoid underhanded tactics that put you at risk in the long run. Remember, SEO success doesn’t happen overnight but over time.

If you want to achieve SEO success, you are in the right place. Our SEO strategies are based on real-time data, not myths. Let’s work together to audit your SEO performance and craft a tailored SEO strategy. Apply for SEO consult now.