If you’ve been trying to crack the SEO code, you’ve probably stumbled across some strange advice. But when it comes to ranking well on Google, not all tips are created equal. In fact, there are some SEO myths floating around that can hurt your efforts more than help.
In this post, we’ll explore three "juicy" tips that might sound intriguing but won't get you where you want to go. We’ll also break down what you should be doing to improve your Google rankings.
Myth #1: Change Your URLs Weekly So Google Keeps Crawling Your Site Non-Stop
The idea behind this tip is that by constantly tweaking your URLs, you’ll trick Google into crawling your site more often. While it's true that Google crawls sites regularly, changing URLs frequently isn’t the magic trick some think it is.
Why This Won’t Work
Google’s algorithms are designed to crawl and index websites in a smart, resource-efficient way. Changing URLs weekly can confuse Google’s bots rather than help. When you change a URL, the original link could get broken, and that harms your SEO. Plus, you’ll lose any backlinks associated with the old URL, which can be disastrous for your rankings.
What You Should Do Instead
Google loves stable, clean URLs that don’t change. Make your URLs short, descriptive, and keyword-rich, then leave them be. Instead of constantly changing your URLs, focus on adding fresh content and optimizing existing pages. Use Google Search Console to monitor how your site is being crawled and indexed over time.
If you do need to change a URL, use 301 redirects to ensure you maintain the SEO power of the original link. That way, you’ll keep Google happy without wrecking your rankings.
Here’s a solid guide on creating SEO-friendly URLs that Google will love.
Myth #2: Only Upload Content at 9 AM on Monday to Get First in Google’s Task Queue
This one’s a bit of a head-scratcher. The thinking here is that Google has a “task queue” and if you’re early, Google will prioritize indexing your content. The specific time of 9 AM on Monday supposedly gives you a head start.
Why This Won’t Work
Google’s crawlers operate 24/7, regardless of what time or day you post new content. There’s no magic queue that resets on Monday mornings. Google’s crawlers are busy all the time, and they prioritize based on content relevance, quality, and authority—not the exact time you hit “publish.”
What You Should Do Instead
Rather than worrying about the clock, focus on consistency. Posting high-quality, relevant content regularly is what Google values most. You should aim to post new content when your audience is most active, not when you think Google might be paying attention. Analyze your audience’s behavior through tools like Google Analytics to determine the best times to upload new content.
Also, make sure your content is fully optimized before you post it. That means including relevant keywords, adding meta descriptions, and using structured data. Quality content will always get crawled, regardless of when you publish it.
Myth #3: Use Google’s Team as Authors on Your Site Because Google Loves Google
This one suggests that by listing Google employees or former Google staffers as authors on your blog, you’ll score brownie points with the algorithm. The theory? Google will show favoritism to content written by its own people.
Why This Won’t Work
While it's true that Google trusts authoritative content, there’s no evidence that having Google employees write your blog posts gives you any special treatment. Google’s algorithm rewards content that is useful, accurate, and relevant to users, not who wrote it. Adding false author credentials can even hurt your credibility, leading to lower trust and rankings.
What You Should Do Instead
Focus on building your own authority by publishing well-researched, high-quality content that meets user intent. If you want to enhance the trustworthiness of your site, work with credible industry experts and thought leaders in your niche. You can also invite guest authors who have genuine expertise in your field, giving your content more authority and value.
Adding author bios that reflect real experience and credentials is an excellent way to build credibility. Google’s E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines reward sites that clearly display who is behind the content, so make sure you’re transparent.
The Right Way to Boost Your Google Rankings
Now that we’ve debunked some bad SEO advice, let’s focus on what actually works.
1. Create High-Quality, Relevant Content
Content is king, and Google knows it. Publish content that is useful to your target audience, answers their questions, and solves their problems. The more helpful your content, the more Google will reward you with higher rankings.
Use keyword research tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify relevant keywords and topics your audience is searching for. But don’t keyword stuff! Focus on writing naturally and delivering value.
2. Optimize On-Page SEO
Ensure each page on your site is optimized with the right keywords, title tags, meta descriptions, and headers. Use internal links to connect related content and help Google understand the structure of your site. Don’t forget about mobile-friendliness and fast load times, as these are key ranking factors.
Check out our guide to on-page SEO optimization to get started.
3. Build Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are still one of the most important ranking factors. Aim to get links from high-authority sites in your industry. This can be achieved through guest blogging, PR outreach, or even creating shareable infographics or research reports that others will want to link to.
Using tools like Ahrefs or Moz can help you identify link-building opportunities and track your progress.
4. Improve User Experience
Google’s algorithm isn’t just about keywords anymore. User experience (UX) plays a big role in how well your site ranks. Ensure your site is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and works well on all devices. A poor UX can lead to higher bounce rates, which can hurt your rankings.
Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to see where your site might be falling short in terms of speed and mobile optimization.
5. Stay Consistent
SEO is a long game. It takes time to see results, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Stick to best practices, continue optimizing your site, and regularly track your progress using tools like Google Search Console.
For more insights on building a long-term SEO strategy, check out this post.
Wrapping Up
There’s no shortage of bad SEO advice out there. The key to improving your Google rankings is to focus on creating valuable content, optimizing your site, and building authority in a sustainable way. Forget about quick tricks and hacks—they rarely work in the long run.
SEO might not offer overnight results, but with consistent effort, you’ll see steady improvement over time. Stick to strategies that are proven to work, and you’ll eventually start reaping the rewards in traffic and rankings.
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