Just 7 of My Contrarian Beliefs on SEO (Yeah, You’re Gonna Raise an Eyebrow or Two)

You know that feeling when you say something at a meeting, and everyone turns to look at you like you just admitted to liking pineapple on pizza? (Side note: Pineapple belongs on pizza, and I’ll die on this hill.) That’s pretty much my relationship with SEO—contrarian, slightly chaotic, and a little too comfortable shaking the table.

Now, before you click away thinking, “Ugh, not another ‘hot takes’ article,” hang tight. I’ve spent years neck-deep in search algorithms, metadata rabbit holes, and Google’s endless updates (seriously, when’s the last time they didn’t tinker with the algorithm?). These beliefs aren’t just spicy for the sake of it—they’re forged in the crucible of experience, failure, and more cups of coffee than I care to admit. So, without further ado, here are my seven contrarian beliefs on SEO. Buckle up—it’s gonna get weird. 🚀

1. Backlinks Aren’t the Holy Grail

Wait, what?! Yeah, I said it. Backlinks are important, but they’re not the be-all and end-all. I’ve seen sites with 5,000 backlinks tank because their content was garbage (sorry, not sorry). Quality trumps quantity every single time. I mean, think about it—would you trust 100 random people shouting about a product, or one legit expert vouching for it?

Focus on earned backlinks, not ones you got by throwing money at a sketchy outreach campaign (looking at you, spammy guest post farms). Trust me, Google sees through the nonsense. And don’t forget: killer content is still king. Or queen. Whatever floats your SEO boat.

2. Keyword Stuffing? Nah, Keyword Ignoring

I know, this sounds like SEO heresy. But hear me out: obsessing over keywords is so 2010. Google’s smarter than you think. (Creepily so, actually. Hi, Big G. 👀) Instead of cramming 15 variations of “best vegan protein powder” into a blog post, write for humans first.

I once ranked a page for “how to clean a French press” without ever using the exact phrase “clean French press” in the copy. The secret? Context. Write naturally, sprinkle in synonyms, and let semantic search do the heavy lifting. Google’s job is to connect queries with helpful content—so be helpful.

3. Content Length is Overrated

“Oh, you need 2,000+ words to rank.” 🙄 Yeah, okay, let me just write a Tolstoy-length guide to “best dog leashes for hiking” while my competitors crank out snappy 800-word posts that answer questions better. Spoiler alert: they win.

It’s not about how long your content is; it’s about how good it is. Does it solve a problem? Does it engage the reader? Does it make them stay on the page and actually click around your site? A 500-word article that does all that will wipe the floor with a bloated essay every time.

4. Social Signals Matter More Than You Think

“Social media doesn’t impact SEO.” Uh-huh. Sure. And my cat doesn’t secretly hate me when I leave the house. 🙃 Look, while Google may not directly factor in social signals, the indirect benefits are massive. Shares drive traffic, and traffic boosts engagement metrics like time-on-site and bounce rate—things Google does care about.

Plus, social media builds authority and brand recognition. I mean, are you more likely to trust a blog you found on page 3 of Google or one you saw retweeted by your favorite thought leader? Exactly.

5. You Don’t Need to Obsess Over Core Web Vitals

Oh boy, I can feel the pitchforks already. Don’t get me wrong—site speed and user experience are important. But are they the magic bullet that’ll rocket you to page one? Nope.

I’ve worked on sites with subpar Core Web Vitals that still ranked because the content was stellar, and the site had solid backlinks. Sure, fix the stuff that’s broken, but don’t let “perfect” Core Web Vitals become a procrastination tool. Sometimes, good enough is good enough.

6. SEO Tools Are Overhyped

Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog… They’re all great, but they’re not gospel. I once had a client freak out because their tool said their organic traffic was down—turns out it was a glitch. (Thanks for the mini heart attack, Ahrefs. 😅)

Tools are just that—tools. Use them to inform your strategy, not dictate it. And don’t forget to trust your gut and your own analysis. Sometimes, common sense beats a $200/month subscription.

7. Google Isn’t Out to Get You

Okay, this one’s for my fellow conspiracy theorists. You know who you are—hunched over your laptop at 2 a.m., muttering about shadow bans and algorithm updates that “target” your niche. Relax. Google’s goal isn’t to destroy your site—it’s to make search better for users.

Yes, updates can feel like a kick in the teeth. But they’re an opportunity to adapt, improve, and maybe even outpace your competitors. So instead of cursing the algorithm, learn from it. Pivot. Evolve. Or, you know, complain to your SEO buddies over a beer. I won’t judge. 🍻

Final Thoughts (AKA My Mic Drop Moment)

SEO is a weird, wonderful, ever-changing beast. And while the gurus might tell you there’s only one way to do it, I’m here to say there’s room for contrarians like me—and maybe like you, too. So go forth, experiment, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.

And if all else fails? Just blame Google. That’s what I do. 😜