96: Bad SEO Advice You're Probably Following

Summary

In this episode, Meredith's husband critiques common SEO advice found in blog checklists, highlighting outdated or harmful tips often given by so-called SEO specialists. He breaks down why certain SEO practices, such as keyword stuffing and improper use of alt text, can hurt rather than help a website’s performance. Website owners can benefit from understanding the difference between effective, modern SEO strategies and practices that may lead to penalties or poor user experience.

Beware of Outdated SEO Advice—What Website Owners Should Know

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical for driving traffic to your website and improving your online visibility. However, not all SEO advice is created equal. In fact, following outdated or poorly researched strategies can hurt your rankings and overall site performance. In a recent episode of Meredith’s podcast, her husband reviewed common SEO tips found in blog checklists, explaining why many of these tactics are either obsolete or harmful.

Here are key takeaways that every website owner should consider before implementing SEO advice:

The Pitfalls of Outdated SEO Practices

The SEO landscape has changed dramatically over the last decade, but unfortunately, many old practices are still being pushed as viable strategies. These tactics may have worked in 2012, but today, they can do more harm than good.

1. Keyword StuffingA common piece of advice is to include your primary keyword in as many places as possible—titles, headings, meta descriptions, and even image alt text. While it might seem logical to pack your content with keywords, this approach is outdated. Google’s algorithms have evolved to focus more on context and user intent, not keyword density. Overusing keywords, especially in headings or alt text, can come across as spammy, reducing the credibility of your site and hurting your rankings.

2. Misusing Alt TextAlt text is meant to describe images for visually impaired users and provide context if the image fails to load. Unfortunately, some SEO guides still recommend stuffing keywords into alt text. This not only violates Google’s guidelines but also provides a poor user experience. Alt text should be descriptive and relevant to the image, not a tool for inserting keywords.

3. Relying on Meta Descriptions for SEOAnother common misconception is that meta descriptions directly influence SEO rankings. While a well-written meta description can improve click-through rates by enticing users to visit your site, Google has confirmed that they don’t directly impact search rankings. So, while writing a compelling meta description is important, it’s not a game-changer for SEO in the way many believe.

4. Linking Out to External SitesSome SEO checklists suggest that linking to external websites will improve your rankings. This is misleading. While linking to high-quality, relevant content can provide value to your readers, it doesn't necessarily boost your SEO. In fact, if you link to low-quality sites, it can negatively impact your website's credibility. The focus should always be on whether the external link adds genuine value to the user.

What You Should Do Instead

Instead of following outdated SEO practices, focus on creating high-quality content that addresses the needs of your audience. Here are a few modern strategies to consider:

• Use Keywords Naturally: Include keywords where they fit naturally within your content, especially in your page title, headings, and URL slugs. However, avoid overusing them.

• Write Descriptive Alt Text: Focus on providing clear, concise descriptions of your images rather than forcing in keywords. This will improve the accessibility of your site.

• Prioritize User Experience: Google’s algorithms increasingly prioritize user experience. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and provides valuable, easy-to-read content.

• Internal Linking: Use internal links to help guide users through your site and create logical pathways between related content. This not only improves user experience but also helps search engines understand the structure of your site.

Resources

For more in-depth guidance on how to implement effective SEO strategies, check out Meredith’s husband's SEO Roadmap. It provides a step-by-step process for optimizing your site without falling into the traps of outdated or harmful advice.