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7 Beginner SEO Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 (And How To Fix Them)

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Written By Alexander Ang

Last updated December 7, 2024

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I'm sure you've encountered these obvious SEO mistakes when browsing websites.

  • Seeing outdated content published many years ago
  • Keyword spamming to try to rank for every keyword
  • Not much information on Google Business Profile
  • Having to zoom in when navigating the site
  • Lots of non-functional error pages

And the list goes on.

Let's learn how to fix all of them easily and effectively in this article.

7 Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid :

Mistake #1: Not Updating Old Content

outdated educational related blog post from 2022

Outdated blog post from 2022 with content that is no longer relevant today.

When I do an SEO audit on a client’s site, I often come across content from years ago that’s been sitting untouched and collecting dust. 

This is one of the biggest SEO mistakes businesses make.

Google prioritizes fresh and quality content, so neglecting your older pages can drive users away and damage your site’s credibility, causing you to lose search rankings.

What to do:

1. Regularly audit your website to identify underperforming or low-quality content.

2. Regular updates on statistics, refresh outdated information, and improve readability.

3. Enhance your content strategy by removing irrelevant material, optimizing older articles with relevant keywords, and incorporating multimedia elements to improve image optimization and overall value.

Mistake #2: Using Overly Broad or Highly Competitive Keywords

esg keyword high search volume and high search difficulty

Use an SEO tool do research on the keywords you want to target. Keywords that have high search volume but are difficult to target shouldn't be your top priority.

I’ve had clients ask me, “Why isn’t X keyword, with a 5-figure search volume, included in the target keyword list for my website?” 

While search volume is important, another thing we have to look at when selecting keywords is their search difficulty and relevance.

Targeting overly broad or competitive keywords can waste time and resources, especially for smaller businesses competing with well-established brands.

Broad keywords might have high search volume, but they are much harder to rank for, and even if you do, they may not convert because they don’t match user intent.

What to do:

1. We recommend focusing on keywords that are more specific to your niche and have lower competition as part of your SEO strategy. 

2. Use keyword research tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to find terms with high relevance and manageable competition.

3. Align your keywords with search intent (e.g., informational, navigational, or transactional)

Mistake #3: Overlooking Local SEO

mo's diner google business profile

Getting your business verified on Google is crucial for local SEO. Image source: Vertical Leap

“I’ve done all the basic and technical SEO setup on my website. I’m currently pumping out content and reaching out to people to build backlinks. 

I think I’m pretty solid on this SEO thing!”

Uh-oh! One thing that many people tend to overlook is local SEO. 

Did you know that:
 46% of all Google searches have local intent.
 80% of local searches result in conversions.

If you’re targeting local customers, ignoring local SEO is a big missed opportunity. 

I’ve seen this with clients who thought they didn’t need it—until I optimized their Google Business Profiles and they saw a big jump in getting leads.

What to do:

1. Ensure your Google Business Profile is fully optimized with accurate info, not to forget optimizing images with great photos, and of course getting customer reviews.

2. Sprinkle in location-specific keywords on their website, like “best coffee in Kuala Lumpur” or “plumber near me”.

3. Regularly monitor the performance breakdown in your Google Business Profile to get a clear picture of how people discovered your business.

Mistake #4: Duplicate Content

duplicate content example

Duplicate content impacts your SEO negatively. Image source: Sitebulb

I’ll admit—not only did my clients do this, but I also accidentally created duplicated content in the past.

Google doesn’t like seeing multiple versions of the same content, and neither do users.

Copying and tweaking pages could hurt SEO and also lead to bad user experience.

(And yes, even if you rephrase the sentences of the same content, Google will still recognize it as duplicate content.)

What to do:

1. Plagiarism checker tools like Copyscape can check for duplicates across your site. If you find any, consolidate them into one page or use a 301 redirect.

2. Use canonical tags—these tags allow search engines to know which version of a page to prioritize.

3. Aim to create unique, high-value content with quality links every time. It takes time and effort initially but definitely pays off in the long run.

Mistake #5: Overreliance on AI when creating content

ai content detector

Use AI content detector tools to check if your written content is human or robot-generated.

AI has revolutionized content creation for many digital creators.

And I’ll admit, it has also made my life a lot easier.

But I’ve learned that leaning too heavily on AI can backfire.

AI-generated content, while efficient, often lacks the human touch that resonates with readers and matches nuanced SEO requirements.

What to do:

1. Use AI tools as a starting point, such as brainstorming ideas, generating outlines, or drafting initial content.

2. Every piece of AI-generated content gets a thorough review and a personal touch. Add your insights, refine its tone, and ensure it aligns with your SEO goals and brand voice.

3. Prioritize originality by blending AI output with manual effort, ensuring the content stands out and offers real value.

AI is a fantastic assistant, but it should never replace human expertise. 

And since AI is so widely used nowadays, AI-generated content is easy to spot—which could push users away! 

That’s why it’s important to strike a balance between AI and manual input.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Website UI/UX

daily mail australia - example of bad user interface

A web interface with too many pop-up ads will affect user experience. Image source: Intuji

Your site can have the best content in the world or rank No.1 on Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP), but if you have a slow site which is hard to navigate or takes forever to load, people will still leave.

I’ve had to fix many bad sites through mobile optimization because they weren’t mobile-friendly websites, and the difference it makes is night and day.

What to do:

1. Prioritize mobile-first design because most users are on their phones. Google rewards mobile-friendly sites, so it’s non-negotiable.

2. Monitor your site loading speed. I use Page Speed Insights by Google. It’s free. Compress your media files, minimize code, and use caching plugins to make pages load faster.

3. Clear navigation is key, too. Using responsive designs such as simple menus, intuitive layouts, and easy-to-find search bars make a huge difference in user experience.

Mistake #7: Building Low-Quality Backlinks

backlinks with high spam score

Backlinks with a high spam score are not beneficial for SEO.

There was a time when I thought that more backlinks automatically meant better SEO.
I even dabbled in buying links (yes, I cringe at that now).

The results?

Not only did I get a bunch of spam links (that are pretty much useless), it also hurt SEO rankings.

Lesson learned.

What to do:

1. Focus only on high-quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative websites. Make blogging, creating shareable content, and networking with industry peers your go-to SEO strategy.

2. Regularly check your backlink profile to spot any spammy links that you need to disavow.

3. It’s not just about quantity—it’s the quality and relevance of the links that matter most.

Final Thoughts

SEO is a constantly evolving field, and staying ahead means implementing the right strategies and avoiding costly SEO mistakes.

By following the above tips and tricks, you can set your website up for sustainable growth and long-term rankings.

Remember, SEO isn’t about quick wins; it’s about creating value for your audience and building a solid foundation for organic visibility.

Take the time to refine your approach, and the results will follow. Good luck!

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Author Alex Ang Profile Picture

Meet the author Alexander Ang

Alex is the CEO of media funnel.co, a digital advertising company specializing in Google marketing, SEO, and social media marketing. He has also trained, coached, and consulted CEOs, executives, and business owners on how to improve their online marketing results and performance since 2020, after the pandemic.

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