Weird SEO Mistakes You’re Definitely Making

And How to Fix Them Before They Sink Your Website

🚀 SEO Isn’t Optional Anymore — But It’s Easy to Get Wrong

Today, SEO is baked into every part of online business.

You don’t have to be an SEO expert to know you need it.

But you do need to avoid some surprisingly common, weird mistakes that quietly crush your rankings, traffic, and conversion potential.

At Bitstream Media, we’ve seen it firsthand:

Beautiful websites… rendered invisible by simple SEO missteps.

Here are the weird SEO mistakes you’re probably making — and how to fix them before they cost you growth.

⚠️ 1. Optimising for the Wrong Keywords

Picking keywords is important.

Picking the wrong ones is fatal.

Common mistakes:

• Targeting keywords nobody searches for

• Targeting keywords too competitive for your site’s size

• Ignoring what customers actually type into Google

Fix It:

• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs.

• Look for low-to-medium competition keywords with real search volume.

• Think like your customer, not like a marketer.

⚠️ 2. Forgetting About Search Intent

SEO isn’t just about words — it’s about why people are searching.

Are they:

• Looking for information?

• Comparing options?

• Ready to buy?

Weird mistake:

Creating “sales pages” for people who are still just researching.

Fix It:

• Match content to searcher intent.

• Create educational content for early-stage searches.

• Save your heavy sales pitches for ready-to-buy keywords.

⚠️ 3. Writing for Robots, Not Humans

Once upon a time, SEO was all about cramming keywords into awkward sentences.

Today?

Google rewards human-friendly content.

Weird mistake:

Keyword stuffing or using weird phrasing just to “optimise.”

Fix It:

• Write like you’re talking to a smart human.

• Use keywords naturally, not mechanically.

• Focus on clear, helpful, engaging writing.

⚠️ 4. Neglecting Technical SEO Basics

Even the best content won’t rank if your site has technical issues.

Common technical mistakes:

• Missing or duplicate meta titles and descriptions

• No image alt tags

• Broken links

• Messy URL structures

Fix It:

• Install SEO plugins like Rank Math or Yoast.

• Regularly audit your site using tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs.

• Fix basic issues before chasing advanced strategies.

⚠️ 5. Ignoring Page Speed

Google cares about Core Web Vitals — and so do users.

Weird mistake:

Overloading your page with huge images, bloated scripts, or bad hosting.

Fix It:

• Compress images (use WebP where possible).

• Minimise plugins and heavy themes.

• Use caching plugins (LiteSpeed Cache, WP Rocket).

• Choose fast hosting partners.

⚠️ 6. Forgetting Mobile Users

Over 50% of web traffic is now mobile.

If your site isn’t fast, responsive, and touch-friendly, you’re burning leads — and Google notices.

Weird mistake:

Building everything desktop-first, then “fixing” mobile later.

Fix It:

• Use responsive design from the start.

• Test mobile usability in Google Search Console.

• Keep CTAs big, tap-friendly, and thumb-accessible.

⚠️ 7. Thin Content (Or Content Without a Purpose)

Google doesn’t reward “just enough” anymore.

Weird mistake:

Publishing 300-word posts with no real depth, value, or unique perspective.

Fix It:

• Aim for 1,800–2,500 words for major blog posts (like this one!).

• Actually answer the searcher’s question completely.

• Use headings, bullets, images, and examples to make content engaging.

⚠️ 8. Over-Optimising Anchor Text

Internal linking = good.

Over-optimised anchor text = bad.

Weird mistake:

Linking every time using exact-match keywords.

Fix It:

• Mix anchor text naturally (some branded, some generic, some descriptive).

• Focus on user experience, not just SEO manipulation.

Example:

Instead of always writing affordable web design services, sometimes write learn about our services or how we help small businesses.

⚠️ 9. Not Updating Old Content

Google loves freshness.

Leaving blog posts, service pages, or case studies untouched for years makes you look irrelevant — even if you aren’t.

Weird mistake:

“Set and forget” content.

Fix It:

• Update old blog posts with new statistics, tips, and examples.

• Refresh old service pages if your offerings change.

• Add internal links to newer content.

⚠️ 10. No Schema Markup (Structured Data)

Schema markup helps Google understand what your content is about.

Without it, you’re harder to categorise — meaning lower chances for rich results (star ratings, FAQ dropdowns, etc.)

Weird mistake:

Ignoring easy wins like adding FAQ schema or article schema.

Fix It:

• Use SEO plugins like Rank Math to add basic schema.

• Add FAQ schema to common question pages.

• Mark up blogs, services, and product pages properly.

📚 Real-World SEO Mistakes We’ve Seen (And Fixed)

🎯 How to Avoid SEO Mistakes Without Losing Your Mind

SEO is complicated — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

✅ Install a strong SEO plugin (like Rank Math).
✅ Focus on useful, human-first content.
✅ Check technical SEO quarterly.
✅ Think about speed, mobile, and user experience always.
✅ Update old content every 6–12 months.
✅ Keep learning — but don’t chase every algorithm tweak.

You don’t need to do everything at once — you just need to avoid the big mistakes.

🚀 SEO Isn’t a One-Time Job — It’s a Long Game

The good news?

Avoid the weird SEO mistakes above, and you’re already ahead of 80% of your competition.

✋ Want a Website That Looks Great and Gets Found?

At Bitstream Media, we don’t just design beautiful websites — we build platforms that rank, convert, and grow.

Whether you’re looking for a brand-new site, a full SEO audit, or just fixing the weird issues holding you back, we’re happy to help.

📞 Book a free SEO health check

💬 Start a conversation

🌐 Visit bitstreammedia.com.au

Let’s make sure your website isn’t secretly sabotaging your growth.