We get it—SEO can feel like a moving target. The rules change. The algorithms shift. And what worked a year ago might be killing your visibility today. The truth is, even the best-looking websites can flop in search rankings if they’re ignoring the fundamentals.

Whether you're a business owner, freelancer, or marketing pro, these five common SEO mistakes might be quietly sabotaging your search traffic. Here’s what to look for—and how to fix it.

1. You're Ignoring Meta Titles and Descriptions

Your meta title and description are the first things people see on Google—and they matter more than you think. These little blurbs not only help search engines understand your page, but they also directly impact whether users click or keep scrolling.

Why It Matters:

• Google uses your meta title and description to understand page relevance.

• A clear and compelling snippet improves click-through rates (CTR), which can help rankings.

• Auto-generated metadata often lacks context or clarity.

  
  

What You're Doing Wrong:

• Leaving meta titles/descriptions blank.

• Duplicating them across multiple pages.

• Stuffing them with keywords or making them too vague.

  
  

How to Fix It:

• Write unique, keyword-rich meta titles (50-60 characters) and meta descriptions (under 160 characters) for each page.

• Include a clear benefit or action phrase (e.g., “Book Your Free Consultation”).

• Make it sound natural and enticing, like an ad.

  
  

2. Your Website Is Too Slow (Especially on Mobile)

Site speed is not just a convenience issue—it’s a ranking factor. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, performance on phones and tablets now matters just as much (if not more) than desktop.

Why It Matters:

• A slow site = higher bounce rates and lower engagement.

• Google penalizes sluggish sites in search rankings.

• Mobile users expect sites to load in under 3 seconds.

  
  

What You're Doing Wrong:

• Using large image files.

• Running excessive scripts or plugins.

• Not testing your mobile version.

  
  

How to Fix It:

• Compress and resize images before uploading.

• Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.

• Use caching and consider a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

• Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights to identify bottlenecks.

  
  

3. Poor Keyword Usage

Not all keyword strategies are created equal. In fact, poor keyword usage is one of the fastest ways to tank your rankings—even if the rest of your SEO game is solid.

What Falls Under Poor Keyword Usage?

a) Keyword Stuffing

This outdated practice involves overloading a page with a specific keyword, thinking it will boost visibility. Not only does it make your content hard to read, but Google is smart enough to recognize and penalize this tactic.

Example: "Looking for the best Tampa hair salon? Our Tampa hair salon is the best Tampa hair salon for all your Tampa hair salon needs."

b) Broad or Generic Keywords

Targeting vague terms like "marketing" or "hair stylist" is tempting, but these phrases are insanely competitive and bring in unqualified traffic.

c) Irrelevant or Poorly Researched Keywords

Choosing keywords that sound good but don’t align with search intent leads to high bounce rates and low conversions.

How to Fix It:

• Do keyword research with tools like Ubersuggest, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.

• Focus on long-tail keywords that reflect clear intent (e.g., "best curly hair stylist in Atlanta").

• Use keywords naturally in headers, paragraphs, meta info, and image alt text.

• Avoid cramming your content. If it reads awkwardly, Google probably hates it too.

  
  

4. You Have Duplicate Content

Google wants to show users unique and valuable content. If your website features duplicate content—even if it’s duplicated internally across multiple pages—you risk confusing search engines and diluting your rankings.

Why It Matters:

• Duplicate content splits your SEO authority between pages.

• It can cause Google to rank the wrong page or none at all.

• It reduces trust and originality in your brand.

  
  

What You're Doing Wrong:

• Copy-pasting content from other pages or external sites.

• Using similar product or service descriptions across multiple pages.

• Publishing syndicated content without proper canonical tags.

  
  

How to Fix It:

• Audit your site for repeated or near-identical copy.

• Use canonical tags to indicate preferred URLs.

• Rewrite duplicated sections with fresh, unique insights.

• If republishing, add your own introduction, commentary, or case study spin.

  
  

5. You Rely Too Heavily on AI Content or AI Images

AI is a powerful tool, but over-relying on it without editing or personalizing can backfire. Google is getting better at detecting low-quality, generic, or auto-generated content that lacks real value.

Why It Matters:

• AI content often lacks nuance, originality, or accuracy.

• Unedited AI writing can result in factual errors, awkward phrasing, and missed SEO opportunities.

• AI-generated images (especially ones used without customization) can lower trust or visual credibility.

  
  

What You're Doing Wrong:

• Publishing AI-written blogs without editing or fact-checking.

• Using the same AI images across multiple platforms.

• Letting AI content replace human insight or brand voice.

  
  

How to Fix It:

• Use AI as a starting point, not a final product.

• Always review, edit, and add a human tone or unique perspective.

• Use AI images sparingly and pair them with original content.

• Include real case studies, quotes, photos, or data whenever possible.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Google's algorithms might evolve, but the fundamentals of SEO stay the same: create fast, useful, relevant, and authentic experiences for real humans.

If you're struggling with visibility, engagement, or conversions, run through this list and audit your site. Fixing just one of these mistakes can make a big difference. Fixing all of them? That's how you climb the rankings.

Want help optimizing your site the right way? EFFIT Agency can audit your SEO, clean up your content, and build a strategy that actually brings in results. Hit us up and let’s talk.