- Impact
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I just love it when people repeatedly post lists of lame "SEO tips" circa 2004. I get it - you're doing it to promote your forum signature or build post count (which btw is against NP rules). Problem is noobs look at that stuff and think it's for realz.
So with that in mind, I'm starting an "SEO Mythbusters" thread of bad SEO advice. This is not an all-inclusive list, feel free to add to it
Things that don't work
Keyword meta tags - long abandoned for ranking because of spam.
Meta description - not used for ranking. Can help your click thru rates.
Social media - social media's great! But unless Google has access to the feed it isn't an SEO tactic.
Local listings - usually nofollowed citations. Will get you nothing unless you are a local business, might help your local pack rankings if you are and if they're done correctly.
"Keyword density" - the idea that your keyword must be x percent of your page content or appear x times on your page is BS. You probably won't rank for it if it's NOT on the page, other than that there's no secret sauce.
Running Adwords - They're 2 different products, running Adwords won't help your search rankings. It MAY help your click thru rate if you have an ad and an organic listing on the same page,
Just write great content! - Good start (assuming the content truly is noteworthy), but people need to know about it too. Lots of "great content" hidden on page 10.
Things that don't work very well any more
These worked years ago. Thanks to the long history of being used to spam links, google doesn't place much trust in them any more. They're weak at best and may be considered unnatural links.
Directory link - Avoid low quality directories that aren't curated.
Forum signatures - especially in forums like this where signatures are hidden from search engines.
Forum posting
Press releases with keyword anchor text links.
Blog comments (aka blog spam)
Bookmark sites
Things that risk a penalty
Google has cracked down on these.
Article directories
Guest posting
Link wheels, PBNs
Paid links
Cheap link blasts (fiverr, etc) - you won't get quality link building for $5. More likely to be a GSA blast. Sending automated links straight to your site may give you a brief moment of glory before you're slapped into oblivion.
Doorway pages and sites
That said, Things that may work, if you do them discreetly
Guest posting - still works if you're not spammy about it. Post where the content is likely to drive engaged traffic. Be willing to settle for a brand or URL link.
Paid links - There are paid links and there are paid links. Which are ok? If you contribute money, goods or time to a worthy cause and get listed on their thank you page, you're not likely to get slapped for that. Likewise if you submit a link to a relevant, high quality directory with an editorial fee. I wouldn't make either your only link source though,
PBN - PRIVATE networks can work if you set it up without leaving a footprint. This takes time, effort and planning. If you don't know what you're doing and you try to cut corners, you will get caught. Public networks that you buy into can be discovered and outed,
Three step SEO plan that works and is safe:
1. Create content that your audience wants or needs
2. Present it in a way that is friendly to both visitors and search engines
3. Get the word out!
So with that in mind, I'm starting an "SEO Mythbusters" thread of bad SEO advice. This is not an all-inclusive list, feel free to add to it
Things that don't work
Keyword meta tags - long abandoned for ranking because of spam.
Meta description - not used for ranking. Can help your click thru rates.
Social media - social media's great! But unless Google has access to the feed it isn't an SEO tactic.
Local listings - usually nofollowed citations. Will get you nothing unless you are a local business, might help your local pack rankings if you are and if they're done correctly.
"Keyword density" - the idea that your keyword must be x percent of your page content or appear x times on your page is BS. You probably won't rank for it if it's NOT on the page, other than that there's no secret sauce.
Running Adwords - They're 2 different products, running Adwords won't help your search rankings. It MAY help your click thru rate if you have an ad and an organic listing on the same page,
Just write great content! - Good start (assuming the content truly is noteworthy), but people need to know about it too. Lots of "great content" hidden on page 10.
Things that don't work very well any more
These worked years ago. Thanks to the long history of being used to spam links, google doesn't place much trust in them any more. They're weak at best and may be considered unnatural links.
Directory link - Avoid low quality directories that aren't curated.
Forum signatures - especially in forums like this where signatures are hidden from search engines.
Forum posting
Press releases with keyword anchor text links.
Blog comments (aka blog spam)
Bookmark sites
Things that risk a penalty
Google has cracked down on these.
Article directories
Guest posting
Link wheels, PBNs
Paid links
Cheap link blasts (fiverr, etc) - you won't get quality link building for $5. More likely to be a GSA blast. Sending automated links straight to your site may give you a brief moment of glory before you're slapped into oblivion.
Doorway pages and sites
That said, Things that may work, if you do them discreetly
Guest posting - still works if you're not spammy about it. Post where the content is likely to drive engaged traffic. Be willing to settle for a brand or URL link.
Paid links - There are paid links and there are paid links. Which are ok? If you contribute money, goods or time to a worthy cause and get listed on their thank you page, you're not likely to get slapped for that. Likewise if you submit a link to a relevant, high quality directory with an editorial fee. I wouldn't make either your only link source though,
PBN - PRIVATE networks can work if you set it up without leaving a footprint. This takes time, effort and planning. If you don't know what you're doing and you try to cut corners, you will get caught. Public networks that you buy into can be discovered and outed,
Three step SEO plan that works and is safe:
1. Create content that your audience wants or needs
2. Present it in a way that is friendly to both visitors and search engines
3. Get the word out!
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