Does the SEO Firm You Hired Really Know SEO?

Congratulations! You’ve just hired an SEO company to help your website climb the search engine rankings and bring in a flood of targeted traffic.

But before you process that invoice, pause and think—does the firm you've chosen truly understand SEO?

It's a critical question, and the wrong answer could cost you money, time, and growth. To help you make an informed decision, here are 5 clear signs that reveal whether your SEO provider knows what they’re doing—or if it’s time to reconsider.

1. Outdated or Abused Meta Tags

While meta tags are a standard part of on-page optimization, over-reliance on keyword-stuffed meta tags or irrelevant metadata could signal that your SEO company is stuck in outdated practices. A modern SEO strategy treats meta tags as just one component in a much broader ecosystem.

Check: Are they crafting compelling meta descriptions that improve click-through rates—not just stuffing in keywords?

2. Poorly Written "SEO Content"

If an SEO firm claims to have top-tier copywriters, their sample content should reflect that. Unfortunately, many companies still serve up:

• Grammatical errors

• Robotic, keyword-stuffed text

• Generic blog posts that offer no value

Great SEO content is readable, engaging, and optimized for both humans and search engines. If you spot bad writing, walk away—even if the package is cheap.

3. Sloppy Redirects (e.g., 301 Misuse)

A smart SEO company understands how to properly implement 301 redirects—especially for canonical URLs (like redirecting example.com to www.example.com or vice versa). Poor handling of redirects can:

• Dilute link equity

• Confuse search engines

• Hurt user experience

If their tech team can’t get this right, it’s a sign they lack technical SEO depth.

4. Comprehensive Service Packages

A great SEO firm offers more than just “on-page optimization.” Look for companies that provide:

• Organic SEO

• Keyword research

• PPC integration

• Content creation

• Blog management

• Link-building and outreach

• Local and mobile SEO

• Technical site audits

A well-rounded SEO package shows that the agency understands the entire digital ecosystem—not just one piece of it.

5. Their Own Rankings (Put Them to the Test)

Here’s a fun challenge: ask your SEO firm which keywords they rank for, then look them up yourself. If they can't rank their own site on Google, why trust them with yours?

A reputable agency should have:

• A strong web presence

• High-ranking blog articles or service pages

• A proven track record they can show you

You wouldn’t hire a personal trainer who isn’t fit—so don’t hire an SEO firm that doesn’t rank!

Final Thoughts: Trust, But Verify

Choosing the right SEO partner doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge—but it does require a bit of critical thinking. Use these 5 clues as a guide to evaluate:

• How much your provider really knows

• Whether their packages are worth the investment

• How likely it is that they’ll help your website succeed

Pro Tip: Even if you’re not an SEO expert, being an informed client puts you in control. Ask questions, request samples, and verify claims.

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