5 SEO Myths That Can Hurt Your Rankings
Search engine optimization in Baton Rouge is complex, and because of this, there are a number of misconceptions floating around. How do you know what information to trust and what information to ignore? In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common SEO myths and the tactics you should be using for the best results.
Myth 1: Only Long-Form Content Ranks Well
SEO experts have long debated what’s better: quality or quantity. While longer content length does correlate with better search engine results, it doesn’t mean you should only write this type of content. Providing value to your readers is what’s most important. The best approach is to write naturally and let the content end where it’s supposed to.
Myth 2: The More Backlinks, the Better
Backlinks are an important part of SEO, so one might assume that the more links you have, the better. However, spammy backlink practices go against Google’s quality guidelines and can actually hurt your SEO. Furthermore, not all backlinks are created equal. Instead, focus on quality over quantity.
Myth 3: Keyword Density Helps with Rankings
Another SEO myth out there is that the more times you use a keyword in an article, the greater the chances of ranking well for that keyword. But keyword density isn’t all that relevant anymore. Google focuses on semantic search instead, which is trying to better understand your content and how it relates to the user’s intent. When adding keywords to content, make sure they fit naturally.
Myth 4: Anchor Text Doesn’t Matter
Anchor text is a word or phrase hyperlinked in content. When the reader clicks on the link, they’re directed to a new page or website. If the reader can’t find what they need and leaves immediately, it results in a high bounce rate. Therefore, the anchor text does matter. This myth probably originated from the fact that Google started penalizing websites for over-optimized anchor text.
Myth 5: There’s a Penalty for Duplicate Content
It’s a popular myth that Google penalizes websites for having duplicate content, but this isn’t the case. The reason why you don’t want duplicate content is because Google doesn’t know which page to display when there are two copies. This makes it harder for your content to rank and gain visibility. But there is no actual penalty coming from Google.
These are just a few of the myths that you might come across when researching search engine optimization in Baton Rouge. If you ever have questions about SEO that you can’t find the answers for, contact your digital marketing agency. They can clear up any confusion and make sure you’re on the path to success!