Search engine optimization (SEO) is constantly evolving—and what worked even a year ago might now be hurting your rankings. This is especially true as AI continues to evolve day by day.
As we head deeper into 2025, avoiding outdated tactics and common mistakes is important for staying visible and ahead of your competition. Below are the top 10 SEO mistakes businesses are still making (and how to fix them).
It's no longer enough to stuff a page with keywords. In 2025, search engines prioritize relevance. If your content doesn’t match the reason a user is searching, it won’t rank—no matter how well optimized it is. A quick Google search to analyze the intent of your competitors, or the use of tools like SEMRUSH and Ahrefs, can give you some clarity on what the search intent of your content should be.
AI tools are powerful—but blindly publishing AI-written content without editing or personalization will result in low-quality pages. Google is cracking down on AI spam, so human review and intent alignment are a must. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use AI tools to create SEO-optimized content, just that we strongly recommend not copy/pasting, but editing yourself.
Slow site speeds, broken links, and missing metadata still plague many sites. Tools like Google Search Console and Screaming Frog should be part of your monthly audit routine.
Relying on exact-match keywords or ignoring semantic variations (related keywords, questions, etc.) can limit your reach. A broader, topic-focused approach works better in 2025. For more on how to choose the right keywords for SEO, refer to our guide.
For brick-and-mortar or service-based businesses, an unoptimized Google Business Profile or inconsistent NAP (name, address, phone) information can tank local SEO rankings.
Random blog posts or product pages without a clear purpose won’t move the SEO needle. Each piece of content should serve a goal: ranking, converting, or building authority. That’s why it’s important to work with your team to build a consistent content marketing strategy that addresses the needs of your audience–and stick with it!
Strategic internal links boost site structure and help pass authority between pages. Missing these opportunities is like forgetting to put up road signs on a map.
Google is dominant, but alternative search platforms—like TikTok search, YouTube SEO, and even Reddit—are rising in influence. A cross-platform strategy is no longer optional.
SEO is always evolving, and staying ahead means knowing what to avoid just as much as what to do. If your website isn’t performing the way it should—or if you’re unsure whether you’re making some of these common SEO mistakes—we’re here to help.
At Monte Verde Media, we specialize in SEO strategies that evolve as search engines do. Be sure to get in touch with our team to talk about your goals moving forward.
