Search engine optimisation (SEO) plays a huge role in how visible your website is online. When done correctly, it can boost your traffic, attract the right audience, and bring in more customers. The problem is, many sites fail to rank well because they repeat the same SEO mistakes over and over without noticing.
In this article, we’ll cover 10 common SEO mistakes that hurt rankings—and I’ll also share simple fixes you can apply right away.
1. Ignoring Search Intent
One of the biggest SEO mistakes is writing content without thinking about what the user actually wants. For example, if someone searches “best desk lamps,” they want product suggestions—not a history of desk lamps.
Fix: Before writing, search your keyword on Google and analyse the top results. Ask yourself:
- Is the intent informational, transactional, or commercial?
- Are people looking to learn, compare, or buy?
When your content aligns with search intent, Google is more likely to reward it with higher visibility.
👉 If you want a step-by-step framework to plan content that matches user intent and builds your brand, check out my guide on Content Strategy for Creators: How to Grow Your Blog & Brand (2025 Guide).
2. Keyword Stuffing
Overloading your page with the same keyword is an outdated trick. Not only does it look unnatural, but it can also lead to penalties.
Fix: Use your keywords naturally and mix them with related terms (also called LSI keywords). Instead of repeating “SEO mistakes” 20 times, sprinkle in phrases like “common SEO errors” or “ranking problems.”
3. Weak On-Page SEO
Skipping the basics is another common SEO mistake. Missing meta titles, bad headings, or forgetting image alt text can silently harm rankings.
Fix:
- Use your primary keyword within the page title, meta description, and top heading (H1).
- Use H2 and H3 tags with secondary keywords.
- Add internal links to your related blog posts.
- Use alt text for all images.
4. Thin or Duplicate Content
Publishing short, low-value, or copied content is one of the worst SEO mistakes. Google prefers unique, in-depth content that fully answers the user’s query.
Fix: Aim for comprehensive, original posts. If you have similar articles, combine them into one stronger page instead of spreading thin content across your site.
5. Poor Mobile Experience
Most searches today happen on mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, your rankings will suffer.
Fix:
- Use a responsive theme.
- Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
- Ensure buttons, menus, and fonts look good on small screens.
Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
6. Slow Website Speed
A slow site means higher bounce rates, and Google takes notice. Site speed is now a confirmed ranking factor—and most users won’t wait more than a few seconds.
Fix:
- Compress images before uploading.
- Install performance plugins such as WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to boost site speed.
- Consider a better hosting provider.
- Use a CDN for faster delivery worldwide.
Measure your site’s loading time using Google PageSpeed Insights
7. Not Using Internal Links
A frequent SEO mistake is publishing blog posts with no internal connections, often called “orphaned pages.” This makes it harder for both users and search engines to find related content.
Fix: Add 2–4 internal links in every post. Create links between past articles and fresh content so both stay connected. It enhances the browsing experience and helps pass authority across different pages.
8. Overlooking Technical SEO
Issues like broken links, crawl errors, and missing sitemaps quietly harm your SEO. Many site owners don’t realise that these technical problems block search engines from properly crawling their site.
Fix:
- Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Screaming Frog to audit your site.
- Fix broken links and 404 errors.
- Submit an updated XML sitemap.
- Add structured data (schema) markup to improve your chances of appearing in rich results.
9. Ignoring Analytics and Search Console
Flying blind is another big SEO mistake. If you don’t track what’s working, you’ll keep repeating the same errors.
Fix:
- Use Google Analytics to track traffic and behaviour.
- Use Search Console to check clicks, impressions, and keywords.
- Improve pages with low CTR but high impressions.
10. Neglecting Backlinks Quality
Chasing random backlinks or ignoring backlinks altogether is a common SEO mistake. Links are still one of Google’s top ranking factors—but quality matters more than quantity.
Fix:
- Focus on building high-quality backlinks through guest posting, digital PR, and HARO.
- Avoid spammy link schemes.
- Create link-worthy content (like case studies, guides, and research).
Conclusion: Avoid These SEO Mistakes for Better Rankings
Most people fail at SEO not because they don’t try, but because they keep repeating the same mistakes. The good news is, now you know the 10 most common SEO mistakes and how to fix them.
Start small: optimise one area at a time—whether it’s speed, content, or backlinks. Over time, these improvements add up and help you climb the rankings.
👉 Want expert help with SEO and digital growth? Feel free to connect with me at shakirazim.com.
