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Top 7 Common SEO Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You’re putting in the work, but your site still isn’t ranking. You’re writing content, but traffic’s stuck. What’s going wrong?

Chances are, you’re making one (or more) of these common SEO mistakes—the kind that tank rankings without you even realizing it. The good news? They’re easy to fix.

Let’s break them down—no fluff, just straight fixes.

1. Ignoring Keyword Research

You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint, so why create content without keywords?

Mistake: Guessing what your audience searches for. Fix:

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find low-competition, high-intent keywords.
Target long-tail keywords (e.g., “best running shoes for flat feet” instead of “running shoes”).
Check what’s already ranking—steal ideas, not content.

2. Skipping On-Page SEO Basics

Google needs signals to understand your page. Skip these, and you’re invisible.

Mistake: Weak titles, missing meta descriptions, no header tags. Fix:

Title tag: Keep it under 60 chars, add your keyword.
Meta description: Under 160 chars, make it click-worthy.
Headers (H1, H2, H3): Structure content logically. Example:
- H1: “Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (2024 Guide)”
- H2: “Why Flat Feet Need Special Shoes”
- H3: “Top 3 Cushioned Options”

3. Writing for Bots, Not Humans

Yes, SEO matters—but if your content reads like a robot wrote it, people will bounce.

Mistake: Keyword stuffing, awkward phrasing. Fix:

Write naturally. Use synonyms and LSI keywords (e.g., “durable sneakers” instead of repeating “best running shoes”).
Read it aloud. If it sounds weird, rewrite it.

4. Slow Page Speed

47% of visitors leave if a page takes over 2 seconds to load.

Mistake: Heavy images, unoptimized code, bloated plugins. Fix:

Compress images with TinyPNG.
Use a fast host (like SiteGround or Kinsta).
Test speed with Google PageSpeed Insights.

5. Neglecting Mobile Optimization

Google uses mobile-first indexing. If your site sucks on phones, rankings drop.

Mistake: Tiny text, unclickable buttons, slow mobile load times. Fix:

Use responsive design (most themes do this automatically).
Test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.

6. Forgetting Internal Linking

Internal links help Google crawl your site and keep readers engaged.

Mistake: Pages sitting orphaned with zero links. Fix:

Link relevant pages naturally (e.g., “Check our guide on proper running form”).
Use descriptive anchor text—no “click here.”

7. Not Tracking Performance

If you’re not measuring, you’re guessing.

Mistake: No analytics, ignoring data. Fix:

Install Google Analytics & Google Search Console.
Monitor:
- Top-performing pages
- High-impression, low-click keywords
- Bounce rates

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to fix SEO mistakes?

A: Some fixes (like meta tags) show impact in days. Others (like backlinks) take months.

Q: Can I do SEO without tools?

A: Yes, but tools like Ubersuggest or SEMrush speed up the process.

Q: What’s the #1 SEO killer?

A: Poor content. No amount of tricks will save thin, useless pages.

Final Tip: Stay Consistent

SEO isn’t a one-time fix. Update old posts, build backlinks, and keep optimizing.

And if you need high-quality backlinks and guest post opportunities, check out MediaGeneous. They’re a solid solution for boosting your site’s authority.

Bottom line: Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll outrank competitors who’re still making them. Now go fix ‘em.