SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, can be an overwhelming topic — especially because, online and in the world of small business, there are so many mixed messages about what SEO is, how it works, and how to strengthen your website’s SEO. In Episodes 072, 073, and 074, we share The Small Business Owner’s Guide to SEO — a comprehensive 3-part series, where we explore exactly what SEO is, what you can do within your website, and what you can do beyond your website to strengthen your SEO and help your business get discovered. Today, though, we’re debunking some of the most common SEO myths and sharing what really works in 2024. Let’s get started!

Welcome to Episode 227 of The Brand It, Build It Podcast: SEO Myths Debunked. In 2024, SEO is all about user experience. Google wants to serve users the best, most relevant content — and it’s getting smarter about how it does that. So, if you’re focusing on creating high-quality content that genuinely helps your audience, you’re already on the right track.

Here’s the first myth: “Keywords are all that matter.”

This one used to be true—back in the day, stuffing your content with as many keywords as possible could actually help you rank higher in search results. But now? Not so much. Google’s algorithms have evolved, and they’re a lot better at understanding context and meaning, not just keywords.

Keywords are still important; you need to know what your audience is searching for and include those keywords in your content. But it’s not about cramming as many keywords as possible into your website’s copywriting and blog posts. Instead, focus on creating valuable content that answers your audience’s questions and meets their needs. Use keywords naturally, and don’t be afraid to think beyond just one or two words. Long-tail keywords—those three or four-word phrases that are more specific—are often more effective in driving targeted traffic to your site.

The next myth: “The more backlinks, the better.”

This one can be tricky because backlinks—links from other websites to yours—do play a big role in SEO. They’re like votes of confidence for your content. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about quantity; it’s about quality.

A single backlink from a high-authority site, like a well-known publication or a reputable blog in your industry, is worth far more than dozens of links from low-quality or spammy sites. In fact, too many low-quality backlinks can actually hurt your rankings. So, when it comes to backlinks, focus on building relationships and earning links from reputable sources. And remember, creating high-quality content that people want to link to is the best way to attract those valuable backlinks.

Finally, let’s tackle a myth that I think holds a lot of people back: “SEO is too complicated for small business owners.”

Sure, SEO can be technical, and there’s a lot to learn, but you don’t need to be an expert to make it work for your business. The basics—like optimizing your website for mobile, creating valuable content, and making sure your site loads quickly—can go a long way. And there are plenty of tools and resources out there to help you along the way.

Remember, SEO is all about providing a great experience for your users. If you focus on that, you’re already doing a lot of things right. For a more comprehensive look at SEO, tune into Episodes 072, 073, and 074, because they serve as a step-by-step guide to understanding and strengthening your SEO. Thanks for tuning in!