Stop Chasing Algorithms How I Learned to Love Real SEO

I’ll be honest with you—I used to spend hours obsessing over keyword density and chasing the latest Google algorithm update. I’d panic every time my rankings dipped, scrambling to find what "trick" I was missing.

Then I had a realization that changed everything: Google isn't some mysterious gatekeeper trying to keep you out. They're simply trying to answer people's questions as well as possible. Once I shifted from "how do I trick Google?" to "how do I help people?", everything changed.

Here’s what I learned about doing SEO that actually works—and lasts.

Start With What People Actually Ask

The biggest mistake I see? People targeting keywords they think are important rather than what people are actually searching for.

Early in my career, I wrote a beautiful piece about "comprehensive digital solutions." Can you guess how many people searched that term? Almost zero. Meanwhile, a quick, 500-word answer to "how to fix a leaking toilet" brought in thousands of visitors.

Actionable Tip: Before writing anything, spend time in forums like Reddit, Quora, or industry-specific communities. What language do real people use? What problems are they trying to solve? This is worth more than any keyword tool.

Create "Thank You" Content

I now have a simple test for everything I publish: Will someone finish reading this and actually feel grateful for the time they spent?

This means:

Actually solving their problem completely

Using clear, simple language (no jargon to sound smart)

Including practical examples they can use immediately

Answering the follow-up questions they haven't even thought to ask yet

When I wrote about "setting up Google Analytics," I didn't just list the steps. I included screenshots, explained what each metric actually means for a small business, and warned about common setup mistakes. That post still brings me grateful emails years later.

Technical SEO Made Simple

Yes, technical stuff matters—but you don't need to be an engineer. Focus on these three things:

Page speed: Use Google's free PageSpeed Insights. If your score is red, start by compressing images (there are free tools for this) and reducing bulky themes/plugins.

Mobile-friendly: Check your site on your phone. Is text readable without zooming? Do buttons work easily? Would your grandmother be able to use it?

Clear site structure: Make sure visitors can get from your homepage to any important page in 3 clicks or less. Use simple, descriptive URLs like yoursite.com/how-to-bake-bread instead of yoursite.com/p?id=123.

The technical side can go much deeper some developers even build custom tools to monitor their site's performance, which you can read about in various technical communities—but nailing these basics will put you ahead of 80% of websites.

The Truth About Building Authority

For years, I stressed about "building backlinks" until I realized I was approaching it backward. You don't "build links"—you earn them by being helpful.

Here's what worked for me:

Create one truly exceptional resource on a topic you know well. Mine was "The Non-Technical Guide to Website Security." It's not flashy, but it solves a real problem thoroughly.

Connect with real humans in your industry. Comment thoughtfully on blogs you genuinely admire. Share others' work when it's helpful to your audience. Participate in relevant online communities—not to promote, but to contribute.

Be patient. The first few months, I earned zero links. But as my content helped more people, natural mentions began appearing. Two years later, that security guide has been linked from over 40 domains—all earned honestly.

What Most SEO Guides Won't Tell You

The secret nobody talks about? SEO success comes from consistency, not genius.

I publish one thorough, helpful article every two weeks. That's it. No fancy strategies, no chasing trends. Just consistently solving real problems for real people.

Over three years, those 78 articles have brought more traffic than any "viral" piece I ever wrote. They work together, supporting each other, answering related questions, and demonstrating my actual expertise.

Your SEO Mindset Shift

If you take one thing from this article, let it be this: Stop thinking about "beating competitors" and start thinking about "helping searchers."

When someone finds your article through Google, they're not thinking about your SEO strategy. They're hoping you have the answer to their problem. Be the site that actually delivers that answer—clearly, completely, and without fluff.

That's the real "secret" to SEO. It's not about outsmarting the algorithm. It's about being the best answer.