There’s no doubt about it–search engine optimization (SEO) is changing. Google’s algorithms are ever-changing, which makes it more difficult (and frustrating) for businesses to adapt. Although the intricacies of best practices are difficult to keep tabs on, the “SEO sins” that you’ll want to avoid remain unchanged. A solid SEO strategy is one of the most important components in helping the right audience locate your site, so it makes sense that you’re ready for results as quickly as possible. However, you’ll need to achieve those results organically. Google is adept at recognizing those attempting to game the system, and the following practices will get you blacklisted. Remember, if you ever have questions regarding the complicated world of SEO, an experienced marketing strategist is someone you’ll want in your corner.
Keyword Stuffing
If you’re new to SEO, you may have heard that identifying and using appropriate keywords is paramount in improving your rankings. Although this is true, using the keywords correctly is just as important. A practice known as “keyword stuffing” is one of several practices that will get your site blacklisted. Keyword stuffing is erroneously thought to aid in ranking for a certain term. Those who try this tactic overuse the term in an effort to trick the search engine. In reality, keyword stuffing is much more harmful than it is helpful. In order to rank for a keyword, you need to closely monitor the keyword density and avoid overuse.
Hidden Text
Similar to keyword stuffing, using hidden text on your site is a tactic to steer clear from. Hidden text is exactly what it sounds like–the site has text not visible to the eye, but it’s lurking behind the surface so search engines will still pick up on the content. Although hidden text is easy to implement, this black hat SEO practice won’t fool Google’s increasingly sophisticated algorithms.
Low-Quality Links
You’ve probably heard that link building is an essential part of directing traffic to your site. Although this is true, the links that you include should be high-quality and relevant to your content. You’ll want to avoid linking to irrelevant pages and sites with questionable authority. If you’ve used low-quality links in the past and would like to mitigate this issue, there are several tools available to help you identify and remove bad links.
SEO remains critical in connecting your target audience with your site. However, creating an SEO strategy can be challenging and often requires quite a bit of trial and error. If you’re looking for results as quickly as possible, it’s wise to work with a qualified marketing strategist. Our team has the capability to create and manage your SEO campaign, as well as diagnose and correct mistakes. When you’re ready to learn more about our services, please contact our team for a consultation.