John Mueller from Google addressed the query regarding why a website with “strong SEO” fails to achieve a high ranking, even in situations of low competition. Although his response may initially appear controversial, his insights deserve thoughtful consideration.
Effective SEO Yet Poor Rankings?
The interpretation of “good” SEO varies as it is shaped by an individual’s learning source and their duration of involvement in the field. The assessment of what constitutes “good” SEO is contingent on the expertise, understanding, and proficiency of the evaluator.
It is often challenging to recognize one’s areas of ignorance once setbacks underscore gaps in knowledge.
This perspective frames the context of the question that John Mueller addressed, where he considered the possibility that the individual may possess the necessary knowledge and skills.
Why Does a Website Underperform Despite Effective SEO?
The individual who posed this question expressed frustration over their circumstances, where competition levels were low, and they had diligently applied what they considered to be “good SEO” practices. They inquired:
“Why is my website not achieving a higher rank, given the low competition and the implementation of what I believe to be ‘good SEO’? I have a sitemap, indexed pages, regularly updated content, backlinks, and on-page optimization. However, my website still fails to appear in the top 200 search results for my targeted keywords.”
John Mueller’s response initially acknowledged the limitations of Google’s SEO guidance. He highlighted that Google’s advice emphasizes technical aspects like structured data, page speed, and content quality, but it needs to delve deeper into strategies for site promotion.
Mueller’s reply was as follows:
“I encounter such questions frequently. Google tends to concentrate on various technical facets when discussing SEO, but you need to go beyond that.”
Balancing Site Optimization and Promotion
At times, the task of optimizing and promoting a website can seem overwhelming. However, site promotion encompasses a variety of activities, including podcast appearances, speaking engagements at conferences to foster connections with the press and industry experts, radio broadcasts, YouTube video creation, and advertising. All these components contribute to effective site promotion.
Nonetheless, if a website struggles to achieve favorable rankings for low-competition keywords, it may signify more to be learned about SEO. It is crucial to maintain an open mindset about SEO and avoid presuming that one already possesses a complete understanding. SEO has over two decades of nuances, and knowledge gaps can appear unexpectedly.
If you still need help with challenges and confusion, consider exploring our monthly SEO packages, where our experts can provide valuable assistance.
