Search engine optimization (SEO) can be intimidating. I get it. Especially with all the common SEO myths and facts out there today. So I’m going to get straight to the point with these top 10 SEO myths. And the truth behind each.

Because you need to know what areas of SEO are important and whats just a bunch of hype but won’t really matter to your online business. Helping you get your website found easier, with less stress. Without wasting time on SEO tactics that just won’t work.

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: I SOMETIMES LINK TO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF RUNNING THIS BLOG. THERE’S NO EXTRA COST TO YOU – AND I ONLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS THAT I’VE BOTH USED PERSONALLY AND THINK ARE QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT HELP WITH EFFICIENCY. PLEASE READ MY AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFORMATION. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

10 SEO Myths and Facts

1. SEO is dead – There are 8.5 billlion searches and SEO is a $1 billion dollar industry and growing
2. SEO is only for Google – SEO is relevant on multiple platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Amazon, app stores, etc. SEO is relevant wherever your audience is.
3. SEO takes too long (6-12 months) – With he right strategy and execution, you can start seeing results in weeks
4. More backlinks = higher rankings – The reality is quality backlinks = higher rankings. So one great quality backlink will far outweigh 10 poor quality or even average backlinks.
5. I need to spend thousands on tools – Google search console is free and still one of the best SEO tools out there. If you have a budget, KeySearch and Keywords Everywhere are affordable and great for diving deeper into SEO and keyword research.
6. Google penalizes AI-generated content– Google penalizes unhelpful content that is irrelevant and low quality. This is considered thin content. It doesn’t help the reader. It’s generic or not enough information. It doesn’t matter how it was created. The end result is what matters. If you. can use AI-generated content and make it better. Make it your own. Basically ensure it’s quality before you hit publish, then you’re still going to do well with Google’s algorithm.
7. SEO is a one and done task – SEO is an ongoing process that requires constant updates and optimizations to stay relevant and competitive.
8. I need to optimize for keywords with the highest search volume. REality- Targeting low competition, high-intent keywords can drive more conversions and improve the bottom line.
9. I need to use exact match keywords in my content – reality- This may have been true five years ago, but search engines now prioritize context. So focus on related keywords and semantic keywords for better growth.
10. PPC is better than SEO – reality- SEO is always on. PPC stops when you stop funding your ad account. Simple as that.

Related Article: Ultimate SEO Guide

Common SEO Myths

Let’s look deeper into these common SEO myths. And at how they’ll change your SEO strategy. By the way, these myths have been around for a long time. I was hearing many of these clear back when I was still working my regular 9-5 job. Which was over seven years ago (at the time of writing this).

So, do you think SEO is dead?

Or do you think that’s someone trying to sell you on something. Like maybe someone who has built their entire business around AI and wants to tell you AI is all you need and SEO is useless now.

So, let’s look at these SEO myths and facts. And what just might change how you create your own SEO and content strategy.

SEO is Dead

With the invention, and wild growth, of AI in the past year or so many people are afraid SEO is dead. Lots of online “influencers” are saying it’s dead. I mean, even Google now shows an AI overview at the top of the page. And many times you can even get a quick answer from the AI overview without ever clicking. So, is SEO really dead?

No. It definitely isn’t. And because I believe in following facts and figures, here are some ways you can tell that it isn’t.

• Just today, I received an email from an SEO Specialist saying her latest client found her via ChatGPT. So her SEO work for her own website (main pages and blog) got her found on ChatGPT. That’s SEO working WITH AI.
• According to the SEMrush blog, “As long as people continue searching for answers online, SEO will remain an important part of digital marketing strategy.” (More detail and stats on their blog.)
  
  But I think that quote sums it up perfectly. People will always be searching online for answers, comparisons, peer reviews, new products to solve their problems, and more. This means that SEO isn’t dead.
  
  BUT, you may need to think about it differently. Think about how AI overview will affect your content. And think about whether or not you even want to win the AI overview spot. Will it help you? Or will you answer questions without anyone ever clicking through to your blog post or website?
• According to Vanguard 86, Google’s search volume is at an all-time high, with over 8.5 billion searches daily.
• Demand Sage estimates Google’s daily searches will be 14 billion in 2025.
• 65% of searchers click on a traditional blue link (top 10 search result) during their search session.

Related Article: 40+ Online Marketing Resources

SEO is only for Google

It’s true that Google absolutely dominates the search engine space. Many people don’t even talk about Yahoo or Bing anymore. Mainly because Google accounts for 90% of the search engine market and has for quite some time.

But at the end of 2024, we saw that market share dip below 90% for three consecutive months.

But SEO isn’t just for search engines. It’s true that most of the search results you get when using Google or it’s competitors are for blogs and websites. But you can use SEO tactics in your social media posts, reels or TikToks, YouTube videos, and even on Pinterest. You can even find Etsy listings coming up in search results.

So no, SEO or search engine optimization isn’t just for Google. You’ll find it helpful for many different types of online content that you create. It’s all about making your content last longer. Or show up long after you’ve posted or published. It’s about passive traffic.

SEO Takes Too Long

While the answer to the age old question how long will it take for SEO to work can change depending on who you’re talking with. Or whose content you’re interacting with.

SEO.com says it takes 3-6 months to start seeing SEO results. But according to John Lincoln with Ignite Visibility, you could see results in as little as two weeks. And this is the consensus across the board from my research online. (Always do your own research too!)

So anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months is the range you should expect to see results from quality SEO work.

2 weeks to see results, not long at all! Even 6 months isn’t that long. Sure it’s half a year, but you’re growing a business not a hobby. You should expect things to take some time.

Nothing will happen overnight. No matter how much content creators try to tell you it does on IG, TikTok or even Facebook.

These creators might have a shift in their business that happens overnight. A video goes viral. They finally launch their big online course. People start buying creating a money injection overnight.

But what they aren’t telling you is how long it took them to get to that overnight shift. Tons of hours worked, trial and error, and research upon research.

More Backlinks Equal Higher Rankings

This SEO Myth and facts if one of my all time favorite or least favorite I guess I should say. Because it isn’t about quanity. It’s about the quality of your backlinks. More backlinks do not equal higher rankings on Google (or other search engines).

You could have one quality backlink that does more for your website than 20 subpar backlinks.

And a quality backlink means it comes from a reputable source. How do you determine online reputation? Look at their domain authority.

How high is their domain authority? It’s a number between 0 and 100. Here’s a screenshot of competitors ranking pages inside of KeySearch. It’s my SEO keyword research tool of choice.

Related Article: 6 Step Showit SEO Checklist

Good SEO Requires Expensive Tools

While SEO tools can make the keyword reserach process easier and faster, they definitely aren’t required.

You can use free tools like Google Search Console to find keywords your website or blog are currently ranking for. Sometimes you’ll find keywords that you haven’t used but are still ranking for. This is a great keyword to use for your next post or for one of your main website pages.

Utilize the auto suggest feature in a regular Google Search. Just be sure to use an incognito window in your web browser. This will show you search results without your past search history changing the results.

And if you’re looking for an affordable keyword research tool, check out KeySearch. It’s much cheaper than Moz, SEMrush, or Ahrefs. While still giving you access to tools like Content Assistant for semantic keywords.

The keyword research tool for finding keywords that have a high search volume, low compeition, and competitors with a domain authority that fit where your site is currently ranking. Do some research about KeySearch to see if it’s right for you, and using my link will save you 20% using code KSDISC at checkout.

Will Google Penalize AI Content?

Will Google penalize AI content? Let’s talk about this one a bit. Because it isn’t just a yes or no.

First, Google isn’t penalizing sites creating content using AI. They’re only penalizing content that isn’t helpful. So if you’re using AI and getting generic content. Or putting out content that doesn’t show your own expertise. Maybe it doesn’t sound like you. Instead it sounds a little robotic.

That’s the type of content that Google is penalizing. Simply using AI isn’t a reason to be penalized.

You can use AI as a starting point. As a way to start the idea. Then edit the content to sound like. Make sure all of the information is correct. Sometimes AI gets things completely wrong. Make sure you add in some research and links. Add internal links ot your own content.

Make it your own. It’s as simple as that.

Related Article: Maximize Your Showit Website’s SEO

SEO is a One Time Thing

SEO is definitely not a one time thing. This is a big SEO myth because many people come to me for SEO help. They think they can audit their website. Add a few keywords. And then they’re set. Now, don’t get me wrong. That’s a great start.

But you have to continuously add content with the right keywords. Always looking to update and grow.

You can take breaks from your website or blog and still have traffic coming in. But you can’t stop completely and expect traffic to always be coming in. It isn’t a set it and forget it type of system. But it is a great way to work when you can and skip work when you just can’t fit it in.

Which is what makes SEO, blogging, and online template shops great options for stay at home moms. Our days can be unpredictable. Even when we try to schedule or plan out what we’re going to work on. It just doesn’t always work out how we think it will.

Use Highest Search Volume Keywords

A common SEO myth is to use keywords with the highest search volume. While this as a general statement is true. There’s a little more to it.

A high search volume means there are a lot of people searching for that specific keyword each month. That’s great news. But you have to also look at the competition. Especially if you’re a newer website or blog. Can you actually compete for that keyword?

That’s why I mention looking at the domain authority in KeySearch. If you find the top 10 ranking pages for that keyword all have a 90 domain authority and you only have a 10, it’s unlikely you’ll get your page to rank. But if you find much lower ranking websites. Like say they have a score of maybe 20 or 30, then you have a much better chance of getting your page to rank.

And you’ll find that lower search volume keywords can sometimes be easy ways to rank for newer websites. So don’t count them out. Rule of thumb, try for at least 100 for a search volume.

In KeySearch, you’ll see an easy-to-follow color coded keyword research tool. With green being the best options or easiest to rank for, yellow intermediate, and red is the hardest keywords to rank for.

Is it better to use broad match phrase or exact match?

This is a new seo myth, if you will. Because it used to be exact phrase to rank for a keyword. But Google and other search engines are getting much more intuitive. They’re looking for keywords and content that match the user’s search intent.

So you don’t have to always use the exact keyword or keyword phrase. Instead, you should look for keywords that you can actually compete and rank for.

And keywords that make sense. Don’t use a specific phrase because that’s what you found in Google’s auto suggest or in Google Search Console.

Make sure the keyword phrase you pick makes sense and written correctly. The way a person would actually search for it.

Related Article: Ultimate SEO Guide

Is PPC Better Than SEO?

You’re wanting to grow online. And you want to grow as fast as possible. So is PPC the way to go? Is PPC better than SEO?

First, PPC is Pay Per Click. It’s ads. That can be Google ads, social media ads, video ads, etc.

While some may say yes, pay to grow and get started that way. I say absolutely not. For quite a few reasons.

• When your budget runs out, you’re done. No budget, no traffic. That’s hard to handle as a new business owner with a limited budget.
• But with SEO it’s always on. You’re gaining traffic as you go.
• When you’re just starting out, you don’t know what’s going to work the best. You can do market research to get started, but you don’t know for sure if it’s what will work for you specific business.
• But if you have an organic SEO strategy and some history (data) you know where to start when you decide to add PPC. It saves your budget that way.
• Ad budgets can disappear fast, especially if you aren’t a seasoned ads specialist. You don’t want to throw down $200 and have it gone in a day or two.
• Organic growth is slower but longer lived. Once you have a blog post or one of your main website pages ranking, you’ll usually see that page ranking for an extended period of time. And if it starts to dip, you can tweak your page to bring that traffic back up to a level you’re happy with. You don’t have to start from zero to increase traffic for a page that’s already ranking.

SEO Facts and Figures

Let’s recap some of the SEO facts and figures in this article.

• SEO tools don’t need to be expensive. KeySearch is an affordable SEO tool and you can get a 20% discount using my link and code: KSDISC at checkout
• SEO isn’t a set it and forget it type of content strategy.
• SEO isn’t dead. Google’s daily searches are at an all-time high.
• Google holds about 90% of the market share for search engines. But that share dipped below 90% for the last three months of 2024. And Etsy listings, TikToks, Instagram reels and more show up in search engine results now. So SEO isn’t just for Google.
• Pay Per Click or ads stops when your budget runs out. Organic SEO is always on.
• AI content isn’t penalized. Just content that isn’t helpful. Or content that’s too generic and sounds like everyone else online. Use your own voice, experiences, and your own imagers for a new take on topics. Be different.

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