Look, I’ve been in the SEO trenches for longer than I care to admit. I’ve seen more Google updates than I’ve had hot dinners (okay, slight exaggeration, but you get the point). And let me tell you something – most of what you read about SEO is… well, let’s just say it needs updating. 🙄
Keyword Research (Or: How to Not Waste Your Life Chasing Impossible Dreams)
First things first – forget everything you’ve heard about “just targeting high-volume keywords.” Yeah, I’m looking at you, every SEO course ever made before 2024.
Here’s what ACTUALLY works (learned this the hard way):
The “Treasure Hunt” Method (as I like to call it):
1. Start with the obvious keywords (duh)
2. But then… dig DEEPER
– Use Reddit (seriously, it’s a goldmine)
– Check YouTube comments (people ask the weirdest questions – in a good way!)
– Stalk your competitors (ethically, of course 😉)
Personal story time: Last month, I found a keyword that gets only 320 searches per month. Sounds tiny, right? Well, it’s bringing in 50+ qualified leads DAILY. Why? Because those 320 people actually want what I’m selling!
Pro tip (that nobody talks about): The best keywords often come from customer support tickets. Like, seriously – what are people actually asking when they need help? That’s your gold right there.
Content That Doesn’t Suck (A Novel Concept)
Okay, real talk – most SEO content is about as exciting as watching paint dry. And you know what? Google knows it too. Their AI is getting scary good at spotting the “I wrote this just for SEO” stuff.
What’s actually working right now:
The “Real Human” Approach:
– Write like you talk (unless you talk like a robot)
– Share actual experiences (even the failures – ESPECIALLY the failures)
– Use data but make it interesting (please, no more “according to studies…” without context)
Fun fact: My highest-ranking page? It’s a rant about how most SEO tools are overpriced. Not kidding. It ranks #1 for some pretty competitive terms, probably because it’s, you know, REAL.
Technical SEO (The Boring-But-Will-Kill-Your-Rankings-If-You-Ignore-It Stuff)
*heavy sigh*
Look, I hate this part as much as you do. But ignore it, and you might as well be throwing your content into a black hole.
Must-Do Tech Stuff (even if it gives you a headache):
– Fix your site speed (I once spent 3 days just compressing images… fun times 🙃)
– Make sure it works on mobile (like, REALLY works, not just “kind of loads”)
– Get your schema markup right (or hire someone who can – no shame in that game)
True story: Lost 60% of my traffic once because I didn’t notice my mobile menu was broken. TWO MONTHS it was broken. I still wake up in cold sweats thinking about it.
Backlinks (The Part Everyone Lies About)
Let’s be honest – building backlinks in 2024 is about as fun as a root canal. But here’s what’s working for me:
Actually Effective Link Building:
– Help journalists (HARO is still gold, fight me)
– Fix broken links on other sites (yes, this still works)
– Create something controversial (but like, actually controversial, not “10 Tips for Better SEO” controversial)
Warning: If anyone tries to sell you 100 backlinks for $50, run. Run far, run fast. I tried it once in my early days… my site got hit so hard by Google, I’m pretty sure it left a dent in the internet.
Analytics (Because Math Is Important, Unfortunately)
Here’s the thing about analytics – you probably don’t need 90% of the data you’re collecting. There, I said it.
What I Actually Track:
– Traffic (duh)
– Conversions (double duh)
– Core Web Vitals (because Google is obsessed)
– Rankings for money keywords (not vanity keywords)
Everything else? Nice to have, but don’t lose sleep over it.
The Truth About SEO in 2024
Look, SEO isn’t rocket science. But it’s also not as simple as “just write good content” (looking at you, every Twitter guru ever). It’s more like… cooking? You need:
– The right ingredients (keywords)
– A good recipe (strategy)
– Proper technique (technical SEO)
– And most importantly… patience
Sometimes it works, sometimes it flops. Sometimes Google throws a tantrum and changes everything overnight. That’s just part of the game.
Final Thoughts (Because This Is Getting Long)
The secret to SEO success in 2024? Stop trying to game the system. I know, revolutionary concept, right?
Instead:
– Solve actual problems
– Write like a human
– Fix the technical stuff
– Build relationships, not just links
– Track what matters
And for the love of all things holy, stop obsessing over your rankings every day. They’re going to fluctuate. It’s normal. Go touch some grass instead.
P.S. If anyone tells you they can guarantee #1 rankings, they’re either lying or haven’t met the new Google AI yet. Probably both.
Now go forth and rank! Or don’t. Sometimes the best SEO strategy is taking a nap and coming back with fresh ideas. 😴
*Written while mainlining coffee and staring at Google Analytics, as one does in this industry.*———