Desktop hero background

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: SEO Edition

Marketing Teams7 min

August 31, 2023

    Saddle up, pardners! We’re about to embark on a wild journey through the vast digital landscape of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). It’s a tale that’ll make you holler “yeehaw” and keep you on the edge of your seat, just like a classic western flick. So strap on your spurs and get ready to meet the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of SEO practices.

    The Good: Riding High in the SERPs

    First, let’s mosey on over to the territory of Good SEO. These folks know how to make a website shine brighter than a Texas sunset. Their tricks and techniques rope in more eyeballs, wrangling websites higher in them SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) and reaching more users than you can shake a rattlesnake at.

    Good SEO wranglers start by corralin’ them images. They compress ’em like a cowboy squeezin’ into a pair of tight jeans, making ’em lighter and loadin’ up faster than a wild stallion. And y’know what? They even add a fancy thing called “Alt text” to them images. That’s like a brandin’ iron for search engines, tellin’ ’em what the picture’s all about.

    Lazy-load or async loading, now that’s a nifty trick. Good SEO knows how to use it like a smooth gunslinger drawin’ his pistol. It means the images load up only when the user is fixin’ to see ’em, savin’ precious time and makin’ the whole website experience smoother than a whiskey on the rocks.

    When it comes to the technical backbone, Good SEO ain’t no slouch. They ride the digital range, ensuring every corner of your website is fortified for success. Just like a skilled blacksmith, they emphasize the significance of meta tags – the web’s signposts, guiding search engines through your site’s intricacies. Like a well-crafted saddle ensures a smooth ride, meta tags ensure your website’s structure is as snug as a boot on a cowboy’s foot.

    But that’s not all, partner. Good SEO wranglers understand the dance of rich results. These are like search result gold nuggets, catching users’ attention like a glint of gold in the sunlight. By expertly structuring your content, Good SEO makes your website stand out, more alluring than a shimmering mirage in the desert.

    The Bad: A Stampede of Underhanded Tactics

    Now, let’s saunter on over to the treacherous terrain of the digital desert. This is where the Bad SEO varmints roam like tumbleweeds in a gusty wind. These hombres don’t play by the rules; they’re like crafty coyotes, always lookin’ to outfox the system. But mark my words, partner, their actions will lead them down a path as barren and unforgiving as a parched wasteland.

    Bad SEO likes to play hide and seek with the search engines. They’ll use invisible texts, tryin’ to outsmart ’em. But here’s the kicker: search engines ain’t blind. They’ll see right through that trickery, and Bad SEO will find themselves starin’ at a dead-end canyon.

    Then there’s the issue of keyword crammin’. Bad SEO thinks they’re slick, tossin’ in more keywords than a cattle rancher has cows. But y’know what happens? The search engines will brand ’em as outlaws and bury ’em deeper than a gold mine.

    And last but not least, we got ourselves the Doorways. These here are pages that Bad SEO creates solely for the purpose of trickin’ the search engines. They’re like mirages in the desert, promisin’ somethin’ good but deliverin’ nothin’ but sand. Search engines will catch on, and Bad SEO will find themselves kicked right outta Dodge.

    We almost forgot about these two sneaky critters lurkin’ on the outskirts of the digital frontier: Negative SEO and Misleading Redirects. These troublemakers ain’t no strangers to causin’ chaos and confusion, but let me give you the lowdown on their schemin’ ways.

    First up, there’s Negative SEO – a cowardly move that some outlaws attempt to pull. Picture this: one desperado slinging a bunch of unnatural links at a rival’s ranch, hopin’ to get ’em in a heap of trouble with the search engine sheriffs. But don’t be fooled, partner. Google’s got a keen nose for sniffin’ out these foul tricks, and they won’t hesitate to brand the schemers as outlaws themselves. It’s like throwin’ dirt in someone’s eyes and expectin’ to get away with it – sooner or later, the truth comes out.

    And then we’ve got Misleading Redirects, them tricksters who play a dangerous game with search engines and wanderin’ travelers. Just imagine ridin’ down a path expectin’ to find a cozy saloon, only to be faced with a prickly cactus. That’s what these redirects do – lead folks astray down the wrong trail. Google ain’t too fond of this hocus-pocus, though. They’ve made it clear that this kind of tomfoolery won’t be tolerated. So, if you’re aimin’ to build a stand-up presence in this digital town, steer clear of these sly tactics. Stick to the righteous path, my friend, and you’ll navigate the wilds of SEO without stirrin’ up a dust storm.

    The Ugly: Consequences of Crossin’ Paths with Bad SEO

    Now, let’s talk about “The Ugly.” The Ugly is what happens when a website gets mixed up with Bad SEO practices. It’s like a tornado blowin’ through a peaceful town, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. In “The Ugly”, there’s not only remnants of “The Bad” deeds, “Base SEO” lurks on every corner, like snake oil salesmen, looking to make a quick buck without a care for the aftermath. Beware of the allure of “Base SEO”, my friend. It promises faster results, like a swift stallion at the starting line, but beware, for such speed may come at a cost. These hasty tactics might give you a momentary boost, but like a bucking bronco, they’ll soon throw you off balance and into a world of hurt. Not everything that shines is gold…

    These bad practices lead to a website lookin’ uglier than a two-headed rattlesnake. Search engines, like wise sheriffs, ain’t too fond of ’em. They’ll paint your website with a brush of shame, turnin’ it into a real eyesore, scarier than a rattlesnake with a bad temper.

    The consequences of Bad SEO are nothing short of disastrous. Your once-promising website may wither away in the desert of obscurity, overshadowed by more reputable contenders. Search engines, like vigilant sheriffs, won’t turn a blind eye to these underhanded practices and might banish your digital presence to the hinterlands, leaving you lost and forgotten.

    Conclusion: Choose Your SEO Path Wisely

    So, my friend, beware of the Bad SEO desperados and the consequences they bring. Steer away from the Base SEO temptations and “The Ugly” is something that you will never meet. Engagin’ in their dirty tricks will turn your website into a real eyesore, with rankings that plummet faster than a shot-down hawk. Instead, align yourself with the virtuous tactics of Good SEO, and your website will flourish like an oasis amidst the vast online wilderness. Uphold integrity, provide value, and deliver an exceptional user experience. These are the foundations of success that will lead you to the promised land of higher rankings. Increased visibility and a loyal audience.

    Remember, in the realm of SEO, it’s not just about outranking the competition. It’s about nurturing your digital presence with authenticity and leaving a positive mark on the web. So, saddle up, set your sights on the horizon, and ride forth into the sunset of SEO. Guided by the principles of “The Good” and steadfastly steering clear of the seductive allure of “The Bad”, “The Ugly” and the false promises of “Base SEO”. These are harsh lands compadre…

    May your website thrive, your rankings soar, and your online journey be filled with triumph. Happy trails, partner!

    Read more about SEO in this article – What is SEO and why is it important?

    Let´s talk about your next project