SEO has come a long way since its inception. In the early days, search engines were rudimentary, and so were the techniques to rank.
But as algorithms have advanced, so have the myths. It’s time you learned which practices have remained in the past.
Why Myths Persist
Ever wondered why myths linger, even when new information is available?
Well, outdated information on the web, coupled with misconceptions among beginners, can create a murky understanding.
Let’s clear the fog.
Detailed Exploration of Myths
Myth 1: Keyword Density is King
In the early days of SEO, websites would cram their content with the same keyword repeatedly, believing it would boost their rankings.
Imagine a blog post about “apple pies” where almost every sentence includes the phrase “apple pies.”
This strategy might have worked years ago, but today, it’s seen as spammy and can negatively affect rankings.
Modern search engines prioritize the context, user intent, and the overall topic of the content over mere keyword repetition.
Related article: 13 best ways to improve your SEO copywriting
Myth 2: Short Content Ranks Better
There was a misconception that shorter content, due to faster load times and quick reads, would rank better.
Example: A 300-word article on “The History of the Internet” won’t provide as much value as a detailed 2,000-word exploration.
While concise content is essential in some contexts, search engines often reward in-depth, authoritative content that provides comprehensive information on a topic.
Myth 3: Using Exact Match Domains Guarantees Rankings
Websites believed that having a keyword directly in the domain name would guarantee high rankings.
Think of owning a domain like “bestrunningshoes.com” when targeting the keyword “best running shoes.”
While exact match domains can provide a slight advantage, the quality of content, site structure, and user experience play a far more significant role in rankings.
Myth 4: Meta Keywords Boost Rankings
Websites used to stuff meta keyword tags with various keywords, believing it would help their rankings.
Example: A page about “gardening” might have had meta keywords like “gardening, plants, flowers, garden tools.” Major search engines like Google have publicly stated they don’t use meta keywords as a ranking factor.
Today, the focus should be on meta descriptions and title tags.
Myth 5: More Links Always Mean Better Rankings
Websites are used to gather as many backlinks as possible, regardless of their quality.
Like buying 1,000 links for $10 from low-quality, spammy websites. The quality and relevance of backlinks are more important than quantity.
A few links from authoritative websites in your niche can be far more valuable than hundreds of low-quality links.
Related article: 13 SEO Myths That Will Probably Kill Your Ranks in 2022
Myth 6: SEO Copywriting is Just for Search Engines
Early SEO focused solely on algorithms, often neglecting user experience.
Example: Articles stuffed with keywords that made them almost unreadable to humans.
The best SEO practices now focus on writing for humans first, ensuring content is engaging, valuable, and readable.
Related article: 17 copywriting tips that’ll compel your audience to make a purchase or give you a lead
Myth 7: SEO Copywriting Doesn’t Need Updating
The belief that once content is published, it’s done.
An article written in 2010 about “best smartphone practices” would be largely irrelevant today.
Regularly updating content ensures it remains accurate and relevant, and provides the most value to readers.
Myth 8: H1 Tags are the Most Important SEO Element
While H1 tags hold significance, they aren’t the end-all-be-all. SEO is multifaceted.
From site speed to mobile responsiveness, many elements impact rankings. You just can’t ignore the importance of meta descriptions, content quality, and internal linking.
Myth 9: Duplicate Content Always Leads to Penalties
The ninth point of SEO copywriting myths includes the fear that any duplicated content would result in penalties is a big myth.
It might be possible that you are syndicating a blog post on multiple platforms and worrying it would harm the original site’s SEO.
Therefore, google understands that duplicate content can sometimes occur without manipulative intent. Using canonical tags can help indicate the preferred version of a page.
Myth 10: SEO Copywriting is All About Text
Imagine a 3,000-word article on “how to assemble a computer” without any images or videos.
Boring, right?
Therefore, by no means you can ignore the importance of multimedia in your content.
Multimedia elements, like images, videos, and infographics, can enrich content, improve user engagement, and boost rankings.
Related article: 4 Common SEO Copywriting Myths Debunked
Conclusion
The world of SEO copywriting is rife with myths. But now that you’re armed with the truth about all these seo copywriting myths you’re well on your way to mastering the art.
Keep learning, keep evolving, and always prioritize your readers.