Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is still the king of digital marketing, but the rules change constantly. Let’s tackle some common confusion about how to rank today.

1. Is Google Still Obsessed with Keywords?

• Are you still trying to “stuff” your articles with keywords? (Stop the keyword stuffing! Google is smarter now. Focus on covering the topic thoroughly, naturally, and using related phrases (LSI keywords).)
• Is your blog post 2,500 words just because you think longer is better? (Content should be as long as it needs to be—no more. Focus on quality, depth, and matching the search intent of the user.)
• Are you forgetting to optimize for questions? (The “People Also Ask” section on Google is your roadmap. Create content that directly answers simple, conversational questions.)

2. Is Getting Links Still Important?

• Do you ignore your link profile because it feels too technical? (Backlinks—links from other reputable sites to yours—are still a huge factor for domain authority and ranking. It shows Google that others trust you.)
• Are you reaching out to other industry blogs to ask for links? (You have to earn or ask for links. It’s a key part of an off-page SEO strategy. This isn’t automatic!)
• Are you linking to other helpful, reputable websites from your own content? (Don’t be selfish! Linking to strong sources shows Google you value research and adds depth to your content.)

3. Is Technical SEO a Mystery?

• Do you know what a “crawl budget” is? (It’s how much time Google’s bots spend on your site. If your site is full of errors, Google stops “crawling” it, and your new content won’t get indexed.)
• Are you using descriptive Alt Text for all your images? (This is crucial for accessibility and image SEO. If an image doesn’t load, the text tells Google—and the user—what it is.)
• Have you checked your site for broken links lately? (Broken links are a terrible user experience and signal to Google that your site isn’t well maintained. Fix them!)