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Several misconceptions about SEO and content writing could be harming your content strategy.

This makes many practices out-of-date tactics or simply ignore vital aspects in their content process.

For example, it’s common to think of keywords as the whole purpose of SEO or that content writing is okay without SEO.

These claims are not true, and we will explain why in a bit.

This post reveals the truth about SEO and content writing in the present multi-platform content world.

10 SEO and Content Writing Myths Debunked

Here are 10 myths that could negatively impact your content strategies.

Myth 1: SEO is for Blogs and Websites Only

This is a common misconception, and it’s pretty easy to understand why it’s considered so.

While SEO initially targeted driving traffic to blogs and websites, it now applies to every online content.

That’s because any online content needs to reach its target audience with the words they use to search for it.

So, whether it’s videos, product descriptions, or social media posts, they need to be discoverable, and that is where SEO comes in.

More so, several social media platforms are also search engines like YouTube (comes next after Google) and Pinterest.

Lastly, search engines display results from other platforms, such as X, Instagram, and YouTube. Even PDFs show up in search results.

Myth 2: SEO is All About Keywords

At one time, keywords were all you’d hear about SEO, which might have contributed to this notion.

“Get low difficulty, high volume keywords, create content, and add your keywords,” I believed it was so at the time, too. Now I know better.

That is not to say that keywords don’t matter; they truly do.

However, search engines don’t want content stuffed with keywords; they want content that solves your audience’s problem.

Also, the algorithms are better and not as easy to trick as before. They also understand related phrases.

That is why when you make searches, you’ll get relevant responses even when the keywords don’t match. 

The goal is to understand what your audience really wants and not just to create content and place keywords.

 Don’t miss our beginner-friendly post on keyword research techniques.

Myth 3: SEO and Content Writing Have No Relationship

This would almost have been true, but it’s incorrect because every content online needs some form of SEO.

To be good at content writing, you must understand basic SEO.

It will help you learn how to provide solutions to your audience’s queries and increase visibility.

SEO complements content writing; without each other, your content will struggle.

While every SEO strategist can’t be a content writer or vice versa, it’s best to know the fundamentals.

Our detailed post on SEO content writing tips for beginners will interest you.

Myth 4: You Have to Post Daily to Rank

You must’ve heard it before, “post, post, post, push it out there”. “The more you publish, the higher your chances of being seen and converting.”

The message is often said amiss because consistency is what is most crucial.

While frequency is important, staying consistent should be the ultimate goal.

This helps you create quality content without burning out, rather than producing weak content.

So, whether you post 20 times a day or twice a week, aim to post valuable content consistently.

It makes it easier for you to upscale your content creation and posting frequency.

Myth 5: SEO Is Very Technical

Some SEO terms can be intimidating. “Off-page Optimization, Onsite Optimization, backlink, no follow link, anchor text, mobile optimization,” they do sound techie.

However, the truth is that many aspects of SEO are beginner-friendly and not too technical.

You don’t need to code or know how to manage the non-technical SEO parts.

You can start small by learning the basics like keyword research, structuring content, headlines, and captions.

Related Post: The Role of SEO in Content Creation Explained

Myth 6: Long For Content is Always Better

A study by Backlinko showed that the top 10 results on Google’s first page contain an average of 1,447 words.

It supports a known view that long-form content has a greater reach than short-form content.

Still, value and clarity are key, not length. What use is a 2000-word worthless piece of content? Even 250 words would outperform it.

Irrespective of length, helpful content that solves and satisfies audience problems is what humans want.

Choose purposeful content and not necessarily word count.

Myth 7: SEO Writing is Boring and Sounds Robotic

This can happen when you want to stuff keywords and related phrases into your content.

SEO doesn’t take away your tone or personality.

You can always create engaging and search engine optimized content that resonates with your audience.

Make your content enjoyable, don’t lose your voice, but format your content well.

Use short paragraphs, simple sentences, clear headings, captions, and create solution-based content. SEO is for humans and delivered by search engines.

Check out 10 strategies to improve your content readability. 

Myth 8: SEO is Dead, Thanks to AI

A lot has and is still changing due to AI. As a result, SEO is evolving, but it is not disappearing.

Search generative experience and AI tools are changing the traditional SEO as we know it.

Truly, some brands are affected by drops in traffic, and there is growing uncertainty about SEO strategies.

Still, AI relies on created content- good content on multiple platforms.

Helpful content that targets human queries still wins because of its originality and credibility.

Keep writing for your audience and not the algorithm, but stay updated on trends and evolve along.

 Also Read: The Role of AI in Content Creation: Should You Use It?

Myth 9: SEO is Complete When Content is Published

SEO doesn’t end when you have published your content; it’s an ongoing process.

Why? Because the audience needs changes – keyword shift, content can become irrelevant, and there are also algorithm changes.

Due to these and other changes, it’s necessary to update your posts regularly.

You can include new data, update headlines (especially those with year-specific information), or refine CTAs.

Monitor your old content from time to time and update it as necessary.

Here’s how to write effective Calls to Action (CTAs).

Myth 10: SEO Brings Instant Results

SEO provides organic traffic, unlike ads, which bring in faster results. It’s a long-term process that yields compound results.

And you need time to build trust, and so it takes months to start seeing the growth and visibility.

The good thing about SEO is that even in years, your content can still get views so long as it’s still relevant.

Exercise patience when you start incorporating SEO with content writing.

Conclusion

SEO and Content writing are good collaborators; they go hand in hand and are useful across different platforms.

These myths have prevented people from using both practices to boost reach and impact. Don’t be one of them.

Create content that people are searching for and provide value that they seek to stay relevant and visible.

Quick Tips for Beginners to SEO and Content Writing 

If you’re like me, who once knew keyword placement as SEO, these tips will help you.

• Find what real people (your audience) want on Google Search, “People Also Ask”, SEO tools, inquiries, or comment sections.
• Use the keyword to create the right content that satisfies the audience’s needs,
• Add keywords to titles for blog posts, captions, or hashtags for videos, and social posts.
• Include subheadings, bullet points, numbers, and short paragraphs to make your content easy to read.
• Repurpose your old content instead of rewriting it on multiple platforms. It’s not repetition, it’s maximizing.

Don’t miss our post on how to repurpose content for maximum impact.