Moving up the Google ranking list takes time but, with a little patience and strategy, every website’s presence can be improved.

That said, there’s a lot of published information on the web regarding SEO tactics, and some you should definitely be weary about.

That’s why we’re about to bust the 6 most common SEO myths. We’re also going to give you the real scoop on how to get the most out of your SEO.

Myth #1: Having Social Media Accounts Instantly Means Higher Rankings

This myth has been swirling around the internet for a quite a while, and with Matt Cutts, Google’s former head of the web spam team, changing his stance on the issue over the years, matters have only continued to be confusing.

Here’s the deal: just having social media accounts doesn’t boost SEO. Social pages are treated just like any other webpage. There is no special algorithm used to account for a large amount of followers and/or likes.

However, Quicksprout founder and SEO expert Neil Patel still suggests that there is a huge benefit to social media marketing.

He explains that social networks are the new SEO when you consider that users are searching for businesses within the platforms themselves. Although these pings are not being registered on the actual company Web site via analytics, internal search features are allowing clients and customers to interact in a very profitable way.

For instance, Patel reveals that Twitter has 2.1 billion search queries a day which rivals both Yahoo! and Bing.

But the best feature about the Twitter search is that it will pull the most relevant and up-to-date posts relating to the query, and display those first. It takes a lot longer for Google to crawl new Web pages which website owners have been upset about, as their ranking continuously change.

So, in conclusion, no –  having social media accounts won’t boost SEO based on likes and traffic but if you go off of Patel’s model, there is still a huge benefit to connecting with customers through social platforms.

Myth #2: If You Have Pay-Per-Click Ads, You Don’t Need SEO

Although it may take longer to see results with traditional SEO, Pay-Per-Click ads are expensive. There is also no guarantee that visitors will frequent your Web page, even though it’s given promotional priority.

For instance, in 2012, Google and Bing users clicked on organic search results more than those that were promoted in a 94 to 6 percent ratio based on a study conducted by GroupM UK and Nielsen.

And as a bonus, once your SEO plan is established, you will continue to see positive results for free without the need to enter the Pay-Per-Click bidding war.

Without a proven history of PPC’s generating higher traffic and ROI, consider this myth debunked.

Myth #3 SEO Is Unnecessary

SEO is very important for growing and maintaining your business. Without SEO, how will you reach your target niche audience in a meaningful way? What will you do if you have a fabulous website but nobody ever finds it? These are just a few queries that debunk this myth.

Plus, keeping abreast of marketing trends, analytics and expert advice will only help you become a better businessperson and boost your viewership. And with new technology and apps changing the game, you will want to have a website optimised for this cultural shift.

In addition, many free easy-to-use SEO tools are available on the market to help you implement a strategy that will give you a higher ROI and get you closer to Google’s front page.

Myth #4: If You Have Long Form Content, You Will Get Top Ranking

Researched, high-quality articles are great for SEO rank-boosting but it’s not a guarantee. And if there’s already a lot of articles on the web with the same content value already, the likelihood of long-form content making an impact becomes lower.

The key is to be unique and to add a real angle that hasn’t already been addressed. And it’s much better to be concise and accurate than to ramble in a post just to meet a word count.

Some specialists actually argue that short-form content is the answer to a boosted SEO instead of long-form. They argue that short-form content is easier to share among social media channels, and that the time spent to create one long-form piece can alternatively be spent to complete multiple posts.

The tried and true fact remains that people still prefer short-form, yet informative, content.

In conclusion, long-form content doesn’t guarantee top ranking, but good content at any length will help the cause which debunks this popular myth.

Myth #5: An SEO Agency Can Get You Top Rankings Fast for X Monthly Fee

Companies that guarantee top rankings are synonymous to the “Get Rich Quick” articles that spam on Web sites. Even Google has released a statement warning that no one can guarantee a #1 Google ranking no matter how much the monthly fee.

After all, there are a lot of scams in the SEO ranking world and it’s best to consult with real professionals backed by industry awards if you’re wanting to step up your marketing game instead.

Myth #6: Linking to Outside Sites Sends Visitors Away

If you’re producing well-researched content that is an asset to your readers, then out-linking is a must. After all, if you’re not out-linking, it’s a good sign that you haven’t found enough facts, figures or industry knowledge in order to create a profound, helpful piece of writing.

Many business owners fear linking to other sites as they don’t want to send their readership away. But linking to outside sources provide users with a better reading experience, gives you the chance to back-up your claims and gives the Web sites you’re linking to incentive to link back in their future posts.

It also creates a circle of trust as great sites link to other great sites creating a great relationship all around (as well as possible B2B opportunities). And with all these positive benefits, consider this myth debunked.

The Take-Away

After taking a look at some of the industry’s top myths, we hope the information has helped you to re-invigorate your own SEO formula. And if you’re ready to take the next step and talk strategy with a professional, contact us for your free consultation and SEO analysis and we’ll be happy to help.