subject: Great Search Engine Optimization Myths [print this page] So the myths continue and never endSo the myths continue and never end. I'm here to break quite a few myths about SEO because there are way to many affiliate marketers out their who need some help.
#1. Don't use Google Analytics because Google will use it against you!-This is so false it even sounds ridiculous. However, so many people on forums claim that if you use SERP checkers it will somehow ping google that you are constantly looking up your ranking position and google will get mad. Ya sure, sooo dont use seobook to much guys! Oh Noo
#2. Your PageRank score is highly correlated to your Google rankings. Do you know how many of my sites rank number 2 or 3 for really competitive keywords. And by the way these websites are PR 0...
#3. Having an XML Sitemap will boost your Google rankings. Having a site map allows google to crawl through your website quicker and index more pages but it has nothing to do with your google rankings. Google can see clearly what pages you have very easily, it doesnt "NEED" an XML Sitemap. However, it does help index pages faster..not BETTER. Get it?
#4 Meta tags will boost your rankings. Im tired of hearing this nonsense. Meta tags have been abused for YEARS. This isnt even part of google's algorithm anymore. Meta title, description, keywords all dont matter.
#5 It's good practice to include a meta robots tag specifying index, follow. Really? Google needs to be told to crawl a page? Need I say more..
#6 It's helpful if your targeted keywords are tucked away in HTML comment tags and title attributes. Since when have comment tags or title attributes been given any weight?
#7 You can keep search engines from indexing pages linked-to with Javascript links. Google engineers have stated that they are crawling JavaScript links more-and-more.
#8 Googlebot doesn't read CSS. You'd better believe Google scans CSS for spam tactics such as hidden DIVs.
#9 You should end your URLs in .html. Really? Since when did that change anything
#10 You can boost the Google rankings of your home page for a targeted term by including that term in the anchor text of internal links. Think about it, then dismiss it..
#11 It's important for your rankings that you update your home page frequently. People keep saying, "Update your blog everyday its important!" I've seen blogs that havent had new content added in a year still in the top 10.
#12 Trading links helps boost PageRank and rankings. Not true, in fact, its easy for Google to see this and discount it.
#13 Linking out (such as to Google.com) helps rankings. No it doesnt help your SERP at all. However, if you never link out you are hoarding all your PR. But that doesnt have to do with your SERP anyway..
#14 The bolding of words in a Google listing signifies that they were considered in the rankings determination. Common knowledge that this isnt true.
#15 H1 tags are a crucial element for SEO. Not true. However, H1 tags do have the keyword(s) you want to rank for so that "Helps" a little. However its not necessary.
#16 SEO is a black art. A 12 year old could do SEO..it doesnt require a college degree. It just requires a computer.
#17 SEO is a one-time activity you complete and are then done with. I wish, if everyone did SEO one time, then well life would be pretty easy. However, your page doesnt just stay at the rank it is forever. Come on people really? Its a continuous process that never ends.
#18 Automated SEO is black-hat or spammy. Not true, automated SEO is just syndicated content. IF you're talking about article submission. I've heard people tell me, "Oh keep changing your website title, description, and keywords for all those url submission sites because you know google will know you posted the same thing over and over." Really guys? First, url submission sites will add your link at different times ever think about that? Google cant measure WHEN you submitted to each site and even if they could it doesnt matter..
#19 A site map isn't for people. Well it can be if you make it for people...Navigation is key to a quality website.
#20 Google will not index pages that are only accessible by a site's search form. Google has able to crawl pages like this since 2008.
#21 Using a service that promises to register your site with "hundreds of search engines" is good for your site's rankings. This is just plain dumb. Submitting your site to search engines does help index your site..but increase the rankings..NO!
#22 Home page PageRank on a domain means something. Wow it means you have a PR 6. Watch out people..it means nothing in actuality. And it doesnt mean internal pages will have a high PR either. It depends on the internal linking structure-Related to on page optimization
#23 Outsourcing link building to a far-away, hourly contractor with no knowledge of your business is a good link acquisition solution. Ya like webmasters want to read," Trade link I give you me link you take link and I add your link to me business friend site?" Do you really think blog comments will go down any better either? Or better yet url submissions, article submissions..etc.
#24 The clickthrough rate on the SERPs matters. That would be pretty awesome, just pay thousands of people in third world countries a penny an hour to click on your site..Traffic doesnt mean anything related to SERPs.
#25 Keyword density is important. Well sure if you look like a spammer where every other word is the keyword you want to rank for then that matters. But I have heard people state: "Ya, 2-4% is an ideal keyword density." Really guys? No It doesnt matter.
#26 Hyphenated domain names are best for SEO. Separate keywords with hyphens in the rest of the URL after the .com, but not in the domain itself.
#27 Great Content = Great Rankings. How does google know what "Great Content" is. Unique content is important..but how can you justify what great content is and what horrible content is..
