5 SEO Strategies That No Longer Work: Do This Instead

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September 12, 2024 Marketing

SEO means search engine optimization, and it’s not static. It’s an industry that must constantly grow and evolve. That’s because the Google algorithm does not stay the same, nor do the algorithms for any other search engine you might utilize.

If you’re interested in understanding the fundamentals of SEO, consider checking out our comprehensive list of leading guest post service providers. It’s equally important to recognize which SEO tactics are no longer effective. This article will cover five of these outdated strategies

Keyword Misuse

It’s probably safe to say that as long as SEO remains a part of website building, you will need to continue using keywords. Having keywords in strategic places on your site is one of the first and most crucial factors a Google web crawler will look for as it examines your website and figures out how to rank it.

At one point, you could use keywords on your site indiscriminately. Those days have passed, though. Now, you must use keywords strategically. Figure out the best place on your site to put them, and don’t overuse them.

Natural Writing

At one point, you could also write in a style on your website so that a robot would respond well to it. This kind of writing suited the earliest Google algorithms. They looked for keyword usage and not much else.

That led to clunky writing that a human would have a hard time deciphering. You can’t do that anymore. These days, you must write for humans. If you don’t, the latest algorithms will penalize you.

Content Spinning

Content or article spinning involves stealing an article or blog from another website and slightly changing it so you can pass it off as your own. It worked for a while until the algorithms got wise to it.

You might try to change an article by altering a few strategic words, but today’s more advanced algorithms can usually detect that. You’re much better off creating entirely original content.

Automated Link Building

You can use computer programs to automate your website’s link structure. These programs can make mistakes, though.

If you use one of these programs and try to link to some sites with negative Google reputations, your site will get dropped down the ranks for relevant keywords. Instead, set up your links manually. That way, you’ll know you’re only attaching your website to other high-quality sites.

Out-of-Date Keyword Searches

Keywords have always mattered for SEO, but how you hunt for them has changed. In 2023, the most advanced programs can detect what primary and LSI keywords your website needs to rank highly for searches about your industry.

If you use out-of-date keyword-hunting tools, they won’t get you the best results. That can lead to your site missing out on one of the most obvious SEO strategies: generating and using the most relevant keywords.

SEO strategies will doubtless continue to change with the times. You must stay on top of the industry’s best practices to get the best results for your site.