A question that often, often arises is whether something is good for search engine optimization. Some examples might be going through all your 404 errors, adding title attributes to images, adding a video to the page, or just about anything. The answer is almost always yes, it’s probably good. The problem is that it’s the wrong question.
There is an incredible amount that is good for search engine optimization. There are hundreds of factors that directly affect ranking, and a much larger number that affect it indirectly. The question about social media, for example, is it good? Well, if you can build a large group of people who like you so much that they’re willing to write about you and link to you, then you’ve gained value that’s good for your SEO. But you can also get links in many other ways, like writing a book, reducing your employees’ working hours, or inventing the electric car.
The question that should be asked is instead whether A is more important than B. That’s a question that can provide a meaningful answer.
Should I fix my titles or invent a new form of transportation? You should fix your titles.
Should I fix my titles or stop blocking Google in robots.txt? You should stop blocking.
Doesn’t that make much more sense?
Magnus Bråth
CEO
Magnus is one of the world's most prominent search marketing specialists and primarily works with management and strategy at his agency Brath AB.