#1 | I absolutely need a Google listing
Many people think it’s necessary or an absolute MUST to submit their site to Google or to add new URLs. However, this isn’t necessary as long as the site is publicly accessible, as the crawler itself finds and indexes the website.
#2 | Ranking is the most important thing
What’s the point of having a high position, or even better, the first one in Google, if the click-through rate is poor? Not much.
Having a good ranking is only half the battle, if it’s even half the battle. Often, these are inappropriate keywords that have little connection to the text, which confuses or even annoys users. Likewise, the page descriptions can be less than appealing.
Or is the first result simply not an organic entry, such as an ad?
It’s about satisfying the user with relevant content, not just achieving the highest position in Google rankings.
#3 | Many links are better than content
Why rely on content when you can simply use lots of backlinks?
This sounds logical, but it’s a risk, as Google has been checking potential link spam in real time since September 2016 (Realtime Penguin) and taking immediate action. Site operators often don’t notice this, or they notice it far too late.
In addition to good links, it’s important to invest in outstanding content. Interesting and relevant content is often linked to, thus automatically generating backlinks.
The link profile should be checked regularly for toxic backlinks ( link risk management ).
#4 | The more keywords I have, the better
First of all, one thing must be made clear: keywords do not require a literal context.
Google automatically classifies a page for topic-relevant keywords.
Optimizing for user questions helps in finding long-tail keywords (“How does… work?”, “What should be considered when…”).
Since the Panda algorithm, Google has been penalizing the senseless stringing together of keywords (“keyword stuffing”) or light gray keywords on a white background.
#5 | Meta tags positively influence search rankings
Overfilling metadata with keywords is completely pointless. Making the meta description appealing to users increases the chance that they’ll click on the entry in the search results pages (SERPs).
Ideally, the title and description should be written in such a way that the user has “no other choice” than to click on this entry.
#6 | Technical SEO leads to a top ranking
It is not just the fact that the technology is good that will get you a top ranking.
Many factors are involved.
Firstly, structured and relevant content with relevant topics is essential. But equally important are good existing backlinks, which should be checked regularly. And an attractively designed site that users enjoy interacting with and feel satisfied with.
#7 | SEO is only there to generate more traffic
Many people view SEO purely as a tool for generating traffic. While that’s an important aspect, SEO also aims to increase content relevance, improve the user experience, and increase conversion rates. It’s not just about bringing more visitors to your site, but the right visitors—those who are genuinely interested and more likely to become customers.
#8 | More pages automatically means more traffic
A common misconception is that more web pages automatically lead to more traffic. However, the quantity of pages only matters if the quality is right. Many pages with thin, unusable content can actually turn users off and cause them to quickly leave the site. Google prefers high-quality content that offers real value—even if it’s spread across fewer pages.
#9 | Local SEO is only important for small businesses
A common misconception is that local SEO is only relevant for small businesses that want to attract local customers. However, even large companies and online stores can benefit from local SEO, especially if they have multiple locations or offer locally specialized services. An optimized Google My Business listing and locally relevant content can make a big difference for businesses of all sizes.
#10 | A beautiful website is enough for good rankings
An appealing website appearance can certainly help visitors stay longer and return. But good design alone doesn’t guarantee good rankings. Search engines primarily evaluate content, user experience, and technical performance. A beautiful website must also be technically sound and filled with relevant content to rank well in search results.