Some of it is very helpful, some of it not.
The difficulty is then in selection.
It can be hard to identify what information is based on facts and what is just a misinterpretation of Google statements.
The challenge is the internet is available to everyone but knowledge of SEO is not. So myths automatically are prospering.
Some real-life scenarios:
A client will tell you about with confidence of running Google ads to influence keywords’ rank organically.
Your boss will question you for not keeping the page’s Meta titles to 580 pixels.
Your developer will prohibit you to implement GTM on site for the sake of site speed issue
Your designer will convince you that if it looks good on your computer, everything is fine
Your content editor will calm you by saying typos are some minor errors and is not hampering the brand’s goodwill
How SEO myths form?
The issue is, no one knows exactly how the search engines work.
Due to this, a lot of SEO work starts as a test, experiment, and educated guesswork.
When you are learning about SEO it can be difficult to try out all of the claims you are hearing.
That’s when the SEO myths begin to spread out.
Why SEO myths form?
The reasons are -
- Start considering Google search engine as almighty
- Relying on untested theories
- Giving too much importance to minor adjustments
- Following the out of date advice
- Misinterpreting advice from a Google representative
- Creating myths on your own to cheat from the fear of failure
There could be other factors at play.
How to avoid SEO myths and misinformation online?
Spotting SEO myths and act accordingly can save you from experiencing lost revenue and a whole lot of time.
So -
Do the test: Measure whether making a change across many pages will be worth the time and resource before you commit to doing so.
Be confident: Someone may not have had success with a method when they have tried due to any reason but it doesn’t mean it won’t help you since the context of applying the same method is different and can bring a different result.
And remember: Google often tested new features before a mass rollout. So before you jump for the latest SEO advice that is being spread around as a result of a change by Google, wait to see if it is going to last.
7 Common SEO Myths
Let’s talk about the reality behind some of the myths now.
1. The Google Sandbox
The Sandbox effect is a name given to a thought of the way Google ranks web pages in its index. It is the subject of much argument—its actuality has been written about since 2004 but not established, with several disagreements to the contrary.
2. Duplicate Content Penalty
Google tried to put an end to the myths around duplicate content years ago. Susan Moska posted on the Google Webmaster blog in 2008: Let's put this to bed once and for all, folks: There's no such thing as a “duplicate content penalty.” At least, not in the way most people mean when they say that.
3. PPC Advertising Helps Rankings
Again according to a Google post, PPC ads like Google Ads are paid online advertisements which appear next to relevant searches and other sources of content on the SERP. Running a Google Ads campaign does not help your SEO rankings, despite some myths and claims. However, PPC ads can be useful in reaching out to a broader audience online.
4. Domain Age Is A Ranking Factor
Google's John Mueller confirmed that domain age is not a ranking signal, tweeting, “… domain age helps nothing.” Site age, on the other hand, has more ranking relevance. Very new websites - less than six months old - have trouble ranking.
By the way, many have confusion about the difference between domain and site. A domain is basically the name of a website, a website is what people see and interact with when they get there through a URL which is how to find a website on the internet. In other words, when you book a domain, you have bought the name for your site, but you still need to develop the website itself.
5. Tabbed Content Affects Rankings
Long ago, tabbed content created simply by using JavaScript or any other programming languages was not indexable to search engines as they don't crawl the web pages for ranking JavaScript code, and therefore text inside the code is considered as part of the code and was ignored.
But time flies, search engines are now smart enough to understand JScript codes better and developers are too become smarter for finding ways to manage tabbed content without losing its importance for proper indexing and better ranking a webpage.
6. Google Uses Google Analytics Data In Rankings
Does Google Use Google Analytics for ranking a website or page? Google could not be clearer on this: Google does not use Analytics data for ranking purposes. There is no foolproof evidence to support the idea that Google uses Analytics for penalizing sites or ranking sites on the SERP.
7. Google Cares About Domain Authority
“Domain Authority is not a ranking factor used by Google in determining search rankings and has no effect on the SERPs..” - according to a spokesperson from the Google Webmaster team.
Lastly, some myths have their origins in causation and correlation and others have not.
Now you know how to react to an SEO idea that you can’t say for sure is truth or myth.
6. Google Uses Google Analytics Data In Rankings
Does Google Use Google Analytics for ranking a website or page? Google could not be clearer on this: Google does not use Analytics data for ranking purposes. There is no foolproof evidence to support the idea that Google uses Analytics for penalizing sites or ranking sites on the SERP.
7. Google Cares About Domain Authority
“Domain Authority is not a ranking factor used by Google in determining search rankings and has no effect on the SERPs..” - according to a spokesperson from the Google Webmaster team.
Conclusion
Lastly, some myths have their origins in causation and correlation and others have not.
Now you know how to react to an SEO idea that you can’t say for sure is truth or myth.
