In the fast‑moving world of search engine optimisation, one thing hasn’t changed: the internet is full of bad advice.
From “quick fixes” to outdated practices, SEO myths don’t just waste your time — they can actively hurt your rankings and drive potential customers straight to your competitors.
It’s time to set the record straight. Here are the most persistent myths, why they’re wrong, and what to do instead.
Myth 1: More Keywords = Better Rankings
Once upon a time, stuffing your pages with keywords worked. Today, search engines are smarter than ever, and they can spot (and penalise) keyword stuffing instantly.
The Truth:
Google’s algorithms focus on context, relevance, and user intent, not keyword density. Overusing a keyword makes content sound unnatural and can lower engagement, which in turn signals to search engines that your page isn’t delivering value.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Use keywords naturally within content that reads well
- Include related terms and synonyms to help search engines understand your topic
- Focus on satisfying the user’s search intent, not hitting a magic percentage
Myth 2: You Can “Set and Forget” SEO
SEO isn’t a one‑time job. Search trends shift, competitors update their sites, and Google’s algorithms evolve constantly.
The Truth:
If you’re not updating your strategy, you’re falling behind. Stale content and outdated technical setups mean you’ll slowly lose rankings over time.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Audit your site quarterly for broken links, outdated info, or technical errors
- Refresh old blogs with new data and internal links
- Stay on top of Google updates and adjust your strategy as needed
Myth 3: Backlinks Don’t Matter Anymore
Some marketers claim that link‑building is dead. In reality, high‑quality backlinks are still one of the strongest ranking factors.
The Truth:
The difference is that quality beats quantity. A single backlink from a trusted, relevant site is worth far more than dozens from spammy sources.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Build relationships with reputable industry sites for guest posts
- Create content worth linking to (original research, guides, resources)
- Avoid buying links or participating in link schemes, it’s risky and ineffective
Myth 4: Social Media Doesn’t Impact SEO
While social shares aren’t a direct ranking factor, social activity can absolutely influence SEO success.
The Truth:
Active, engaging social channels amplify your content reach, attract links, and send more visitors to your site, all of which indirectly boost SEO.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Share new content across your social channels
- Encourage followers to share and comment
- Use social to build brand authority and community trust
Myth 5: You Only Need to Optimise for Google
Google might dominate the search market, but it’s not the only player. Ignoring other platforms means missing potential customers.
The Truth:
Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and even YouTube (the world’s second‑largest search engine), all have unique audiences and ranking factors.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Optimise for other search engines where relevant
- Leverage YouTube SEO for video content
- Consider voice search optimisation for smart assistants
Myth 6: SEO is All About Rankings
Being #1 for your dream keyword is meaningless if it doesn’t bring qualified traffic.
The Truth:
SEO success is about attracting the right visitors — people likely to convert — not just chasing vanity metrics.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Track conversions, not just clicks
- Optimise for keywords with commercial intent
- Align content with your target audience’s needs and journey
Myth 7: Longer Content Always Ranks Higher
You’ve heard the advice: “Write 2,000 words and you’ll rank.” But length without value won’t win you traffic.
The Truth:
Google rewards content that answers the query effectively. Sometimes that’s 200 words; sometimes it’s 2,000.
✅ What to Do Instead:
- Focus on depth and usefulness, not word count
- Break up longer content with subheadings, bullet points, and visuals
- Make your answer the best available for the searcher’s intent
The Bottom Line
SEO myths stick around because they often sound simple and appealing. But effective SEO takes strategy, adaptability, and a focus on the user above all else.
If you’ve been following outdated advice, the good news is you can start making changes today, and see results faster than you might think.
💡 Pro Tip: Audit your current SEO efforts against this list of myths and prioritise fixing the ones most likely to be holding you back.