In a world awash with conflicting digital advice, search engine optimisation (SEO) remains one of the most misunderstood – yet crucial – aspects of online success. For many schools and commercial organisations, SEO can feel like a maze of ever-changing rules and technical jargon.
At Datum, we believe in demystifying digital. That means cutting through the noise and helping our clients – from headteachers to marketing managers – understand what actually impacts rankings in 2025, and what doesn’t. In this blog, we’ll break down some of the most common SEO myths, explain what really matters, and offer guidance on building a strategy that lasts.
Myth 1: SEO Is All About Keywords
While keywords still matter, the days of keyword stuffing and rigid phrase matching are long gone. Modern SEO is more about context, relevance, and user intent. Google’s algorithms are now sophisticated enough to understand synonyms, natural phrasing, and the meaning behind a query.
What matters: Creating high-quality, informative content that genuinely helps your audience. That includes blog posts, landing pages, and resources that address common questions or challenges.
Myth 2: You Need to Publish Daily to Rank
Consistency is important, but quantity alone won’t cut it. Churning out shallow content just to tick a box can actually damage your SEO. It’s far better to publish less frequently but ensure your content is original, engaging, and useful.
What matters: A well-structured content calendar with regular updates, insightful blogs, and evergreen pages that build authority over time.
Myth 3: Meta Tags Don’t Matter Anymore
Some believe that meta titles and descriptions are outdated, but they still play a key role – not necessarily in ranking, but in click-through rates. An optimised meta description helps encourage users to click your link when it appears in search results.
What matters: Crafting clear, concise meta titles and descriptions that reflect page content and entice the reader.
Myth 4: SEO is a One-Time Task
SEO isn’t something you ‘do’ once and then forget. With regular algorithm updates, changes in user behaviour, and new competitors entering your space, SEO needs to be monitored and refined regularly.
What matters: Ongoing SEO maintenance – including technical audits, content reviews, and backlink analysis – to ensure long-term performance.
Myth 5: You Must Be on Page One for Everything
Being top of Google is great – but it’s not the only goal. Ranking for hyper-specific long-tail keywords that attract the right visitors can be more valuable than broader, high-competition terms.
What matters: Understanding your audience’s search habits and optimising for intent-driven keywords that drive action, not just traffic.
Myth 6: Backlinks Are Outdated
Backlinks still matter – but quality trumps quantity. A few links from authoritative, relevant sites are far more beneficial than dozens from low-quality sources.
What matters: Earning backlinks through valuable content, PR coverage, and partnerships. Avoid link farms or ‘too good to be true’ SEO schemes.
Myth 7: You Can Outsmart Google
Trying to ‘game’ Google with shady tactics might provide a short-term boost, but the risk of penalties or being delisted altogether isn’t worth it.
What matters: Ethical, user-focused SEO built around best practices and transparency.
The Datum Difference: Strategic SEO That Works
Our SEO services go beyond checklists. We take time to understand your goals, your audience, and your competitive landscape. Whether you’re a school looking to increase enrolments or a growing business aiming to attract leads, our approach is tailored, transparent, and results-driven.
Our SEO retainers include:
- Keyword research based on real user intent
- On-site and technical optimisation
- Content strategy and creation
- Link-building from reputable sources
- Regular reporting and refinements
We believe SEO should work in tandem with your wider digital strategy – supporting your content, social, and PPC efforts rather than sitting in a silo.
Let’s Talk Rankings
If you’re tired of jargon and empty promises, let’s have a proper conversation about what SEO can do for your organisation. Whether you’re in education or the commercial sector, we’ll build a strategy that’s grounded in reality and focused on results.
Call us on 01707 251222 or email [email protected] to book your free SEO discovery session.
