--- title: You Are Your Own SEO Enemy description: SEO helps people who are looking for what you have to find you. You need to be mindful of the rules search engines have when gathering and serving content. image: https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/you-are-your-own-seo-enemy#main-content) Close - Services - [Strategy Development](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/strategy-development) - [Content Creation](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/content-creation) - [Social Media](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/social-media) - [HubSpot](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/hubspot) - [BigCommerce](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/bigcommerce) - [Feedonomics](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/feedonomics) - [Workflow/Mapping](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/workflow-strategy) - [SEO](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/seo) - [Paid Media](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/paid-media) - [Website-As-A-Service](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/website-as-a-service) - 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[FREE AI Audit](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/free-ai-visibility-audit) - Our Team - [About Us](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/agency) - [Join Our Team](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/join-our-team) - Tool Box - [The Spark Podcast](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/the-spark) - [Academy](https://frontburneracademy.com/home) - [Blog](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog) - [Our Work](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/our-portfolio) - [Partner Ecosystem](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/ecosystem) PHONE HOTLINE: [(440) 829-8831](tel:4408298831)E-MAIL: [info@frontburnermarketing.com](mailto:info@frontburnermarketing.com) [Contact Us](https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/website/power-theme-by-maka-agency) Quick results for "{search\_term}" ![](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.jpg?width=300&name=bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.jpg) [Janalee Silvey](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/author/janalee-silvey)Apr 21, 2017, 9:57:13 AM2 min read # You Are Your Own SEO Enemy [Previous](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/is-your-website-due-for-a-reboot) [Next](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/holy-grail-of-character-length-for-content-and-social) [![bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.webp?width=300&name=bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.webp)](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1.jpg)Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps people who are looking for what you have to find you. But, to make that happen, you need to be mindful of the "rules" search engines have when gathering and serving up content. You may have top-notch information to share, but if you don't do it properly, you could be hurting your SERP (search engine page results). Check out this list of simple mistakes, from [Marketing Profs](https://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2017/31853/eight-simple-seo-mistakes-killing-your-content-marketing), you could be making that are keeping you from the coveted page one.   > **1. Short Content**   > Google likes long-form content because it gives searchers enough information to satisfy their needs. Generally, the more in-depth the [content](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/does-your-content-make-your-customers-delight-full/) is, the more likely it solves the searcher's intent or question, and that is what Google wants. > >   > > A SerpIQ study found that content shown in Google search results in positions 1-3 had around 2,400 words, on average. In short, long-form content ranked better in Google. > >   > >   > > Does this mean you should be writing long for the sake of long? No, but you do want to make sure your content is comprehensive enough to answer searchers' questions. > >   > >   > > A good approach for each piece of content you plan to produce is to determine the main keyword phrase. Then google that phrase to see how long the content is in the top 3 search results. Make sure your own content is longer, more in-depth, more concise, and more well-thought-out. If you do, readers as well as Google will think more highly of your content. > >   > >   > > **2. No Imagery or Design Elements** > >   > >   > > No one likes stale websites that look like they were put up in 1999; new, modern-looking websites simply perform better. Content is the same: If you have pages of text with no imagery or design elements, then readers—and therefore Google—will not favor your content over your competitors'. > >   > >   > > Design elements that break up text keeps readers on the page longer. The longer they are on the page, the more likely Google will boost the content's rank due to dwell time. > >   > >   > > Basically, the assumption is that the longer they are on the page, the more likely it's meeting their needs, which means a better chance to be shared on social media, linked to, or be visited again. > >   > >   > > **3. Misspellings/Content Errors** > >   > >   > > Misspellings and other content errors are not, technically, SEO factors, but they hurt your credibility and your chance to be linked to. Acquiring links is one of the best ways to get content to the top of the search results. Read the rest of the article [here](https://www.marketingprofs.com/articles/2017/31853/eight-simple-seo-mistakes-killing-your-content-marketing).     Marketing platforms worth their salt, like Hubspot, guide you through these potential potholes so it's harder to make a mistake, but you still need to be knowledgeable.  If you think you're generating great content, but it's not catching readers, maybe it's time to bring in an expert. At Front Burner Marketing, we have seen tremendous results for our clients with our [blogging](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/services/blogging-and-marketing-automation/) efforts. We keep up-to-date on the ever evolving rules of search engines and best practices. Contact us today to get your blog off the ground.   [![Download-Inbound-Guide-Button-300x300-12 (1)-1](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Download-Inbound-Guide-Button-300x300-12%20(1)-1.webp?width=300&name=Download-Inbound-Guide-Button-300x300-12%20(1)-1.webp)](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/free-inbound-marketing-campaign-checklist/)   ![avatar](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Front_Burner_January2020/Images/Janalee-Silvey-Front-Burner-Marketing.jpg?width=290&name=Janalee-Silvey-Front-Burner-Marketing.jpg) [Janalee Silvey](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/author/janalee-silvey) [mailto:jsilvey@frontburnermarketing.com](mailto:jsilvey@frontburnermarketing.com) COMMENTS ## RELATED ARTICLES [![FrontBurner\_WHT-1](https://348522.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/348522/hubfs/FrontBurner_WHT-1.png?width=200&name=FrontBurner_WHT-1.png)](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/home) We know you've got your marketing stuck on the back burner. We can help you change that. 🔥 - [About Front Burner](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/agency) - [🔥 Lead Igniter](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/lead-igniter) - [Our Work](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/our-portfolio) - [Read the Blog](https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/contact-us) SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER © 2024 Front Burner Marketing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. - Terms - [Privacy Policy](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/privacy-policy) - [Contact Us](https://www.frontburnermarketing.com/contact-us) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "United States", "addressLocality" : "Northfield", "addressRegion" : "OH", "postalCode" : "44067", "streetAddress" : "9821 Olde 8 Road" }, "email" : "info@frontburnermarketing.com", "knowsLanguage" : "en-us", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://348522.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/348522/FrontBurner@646x320.png" }, "name" : "Front Burner Marketing", "telephone" : "(440) 829-8831", "url" : "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/you-are-your-own-seo-enemy" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "abstract" : "SEO helps people who are looking for what you have to find you. You need to be mindful of the rules search engines have when gathering and serving content.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Janalee Silvey" }, "dateModified" : "", "datePublished" : "", "headline" : "You Are Your Own SEO Enemy", "image" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/348522/Imported_Blog_Media/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.jpg", "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : "[SEO Strategy]", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "You Are Your Own SEO Enemy", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://348522.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/348522/FrontBurner@646x320.png" }, "name" : "Front Burner Marketing" }, "text" : "Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps people who are looking for what you have to find you. But, to make that happen, you need to be mindful of the \"rules\" search engines have when gathering and serving up content. You may have top-notch information to share, but if you don't do it properly, you could be hurting your SERP (search engine page results). Check out this list of simple mistakes, from Marketing Profs, you could be making that are keeping you from the coveted page one. 1. Short Content Google likes long-form content because it gives searchers enough information to satisfy their needs. Generally, the more in-depth the content is, the more likely it solves the searcher's intent or question, and that is what Google wants. A SerpIQ study found that content shown in Google search results in positions 1-3 had around 2,400 words, on average. In short, long-form content ranked better in Google. Does this mean you should be writing long for the sake of long? No, but you do want to make sure your content is comprehensive enough to answer searchers' questions. A good approach for each piece of content you plan to produce is to determine the main keyword phrase. Then google that phrase to see how long the content is in the top 3 search results. Make sure your own content is longer, more in-depth, more concise, and more well-thought-out. If you do, readers as well as Google will think more highly of your content. 2. No Imagery or Design Elements No one likes stale websites that look like they were put up in 1999; new, modern-looking websites simply perform better. Content is the same: If you have pages of text with no imagery or design elements, then readers—and therefore Google—will not favor your content over your competitors'. Design elements that break up text keeps readers on the page longer. The longer they are on the page, the more likely Google will boost the content's rank due to dwell time. Basically, the assumption is that the longer they are on the page, the more likely it's meeting their needs, which means a better chance to be shared on social media, linked to, or be visited again. 3. Misspellings/Content Errors Misspellings and other content errors are not, technically, SEO factors, but they hurt your credibility and your chance to be linked to. Acquiring links is one of the best ways to get content to the top of the search results. Read the rest of the article here. Marketing platforms worth their salt, like Hubspot, guide you through these potential potholes so it's harder to make a mistake, but you still need to be knowledgeable. If you think you're generating great content, but it's not catching readers, maybe it's time to bring in an expert. At Front Burner Marketing, we have seen tremendous results for our clients with our blogging efforts. We keep up-to-date on the ever evolving rules of search engines and best practices. Contact us today to get your blog off the ground.", "url" : "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/you-are-your-own-seo-enemy", "wordCount" : "823" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Janalee Silvey", "url" : "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/author/janalee-silvey" }, "dateModified" : "2022-08-15T08:30:37.083Z", "datePublished" : "2017-04-21T13:57:13.000Z", "headline" : "You Are Your Own SEO Enemy", "image" : [ "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bigstock-Concept-of-recruitment-112239683-1-300x200.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/blog/you-are-your-own-seo-enemy", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.frontburnermarketing.com/hubfs/FrontBurner@646x320.png" }, "name" : "Front Burner Marketing, LLC" } } ```