30 Apr SEO Tricks: Fact or Fiction
In the past, when Google’s algorithms weren’t as stringent as they are now, you could perform deceptive and manipulative techniques to get results. However, things have changed a lot since then. Those deceptive tactics that no longer work are now considered Black Hat SEO, which was used to get quick results but was short-lived. White Hat SEO aligns with today’s search engine guidelines and allows you to achieve results without being penalized or banned. However, somewhere amid this change (and there’s been a lot of that with SEO), there’s been some confusion on which tricks or practices still hold true. But knowing what SEO tactics are, fact or fiction can help you refine your current SEO strategy and improve your rankings.
SEO Fact or Fiction: White Hat vs. Black Hat
SEO is a Trick
False: When done correctly and a long-term SEO strategy is developed, you can achieve great results with SEO. Doing things “holistically” or “organically” takes time and a LOT of effort. But, when you are thinking about the long-term, all aspects of website optimization can be focused on, and this is the proper way to build something that will last. This means you can concentrate on molding and shaping your SEO efforts by creating killer content, giving your audience a great user experience, and being fully present with your PR and marketing efforts. There are no “tricks” when things are done correctly, along with your other marketing strategies. You achieve results with consistency and quality, which all come from hard work.
Get a Lot of Links to Your Site
False: While getting backlinks is essential and is used in every successful SEO strategy, there is a limit and a correct way to go about it. You want to be selective about the links you attract to your website, as they should be reputable sites as well. Buying or exchanging a large number of links or using an automated program to get links can get you penalized, especially if you have links from spam sites or go for links that aren’t even related to your content and website. Going overboard and not getting backlinks properly puts you at risk of being penalized and can make you lose your ranking on Google.
Content is King
True: You must have good content to hold your audience’s attention and lower your bounce rate. Nowadays, no one will waste their time with text that doesn’t make sense, is filled with spelling and grammatical errors, or is just plain boring. So, content is king because if you have great content, you will have a higher chance of holding your audience’s attention. Google also loves high-quality content as well. So much so that your content’s quality heavily influences your website’s ranking. So, if you want to improve your Google rankings, ensure you are featuring quality content consistent with your brand or image.
Use a LOT of Keywords
False: Again, this is another case of you wanting to use keywords in your content, but you don’t want to go overboard. Depending on the amount of text you have on a page will determine the maximum amount of keywords you want to use. For instance, a page with 450 characters does not need the keyword stuffed in 13 times! Using your SEO keyword twice is more appropriate. The Black Hat method of keyword stuffing no longer works, and it can backfire if you try to do so. Overstuffing can make your content unreadable, running off your audience and forcing Google to drop your rankings.
Overall, you want to refrain from writing content for Google and instead write high-quality, relevant content for your audience. If you do this correctly, it might take some time, but you will generate stable traffic. But we know this is often easier said than done, and that’s why we are here to help. Here at Sound Strategies, we can help you develop and build your website in every aspect, including writing some killer content. Contact us today for a free consultation.