Here are a number of
outdated SEO strategies you should be aware of and avoid them as much as
possible.
1. Link and article directories
In the past, search
engines were not as powerful as they are today. Link directories eased finding
information from websites. Today, however, the search engines are simple and
link directories are irrelevant. Link directories as well are losing popularity
as they have become mushroomed with low quality content following their abuse.
2. Exact Match Domain (EMD)
As compared to traditional
domains, EMDs were a lifesaver, as they would match the exact keyword phrase
you want within a short time. With many search engines changing their algorithm
and because they are not branded, the EMDs have quickly lost their importance.
3. Reciprocal Linking
Viewing a link is
perceived as a vote for that link. Reciprocal linking therefore means clicking
a link that clicked yours- the basis on which many manipulative linking practices run on. Its death came when marketers started trading links with
others that had zero relevance to them.
4. Flat URL Architecture
A flat URL structure means
that a website has a structure that does not clearly communicate the importance
of each page of site making it difficult for a search engine to understand the
levels of the website. It is therefore necessary that you change the permalink
settings so that you can have second levels for your website. Your website will
now appear in an appealing way such as http://domain.com/topic!/page1.
5. Indiscriminate guest blogging
To create more exposure,
demonstrate your expertise, build a personal brand, authority, credibility and
trust, people used to ask guest posting opportunities in websites that had a
larger and relevant audiences. This was however abused when people started
posting irrelevant content.
6. Keyword Stuffing
In the earlier days,
search engines could only interpret simple things like keyword density. People
took the chance to mushroom keywords into a website to make it look more
relevant. In the present day, that practice makes one look irrelevant.
7. Exact match anchor text
The number of clicks on
anchor text (the clickable text of a link) was considered as a main factor
during ranking of websites. These days, a number of factors are considered.
They include the authority of the linking website, the relevance of the linking
website and the number of relevant links from authoritative websites pointing
to the website.
8. Pages for every keyword variation
Search engines used to
have a page for every keyword variation but this is long gone as an individual
page is created to contain a comprehensive topic about the keyword.
9. Paid links
Buying links may improve
your ranking on the short term. If you are caught, however, you will be
penalized.
10. Low quality content
Content on your website
should always be informative, engaging and well written
11. Writing for bots
People who keep repeating
keywords seem like there are writing for robots and not people who will buy
your goods and services.
12. Creating interlinked websites
It is against ethic to
create a series of websites that you will only use to link to other websites
that you own. One should work to build an authoritative website.
13. Automated link building
The only way to build a
high quality link building is to have amazing content and relationships that
will earn links to it.
