I often joke that whenever a major industry site publishes an article about links, half my clients immediately contact me. It’s actually not far from the truth! Influential voices wield significant power.
However, even experts can make mistakes, so it’s essential to validate information through multiple sources. The best part about a site like Moz is that its comment section often features people challenging views, asking questions, and presenting alternative perspectives.
On social media, people call you out too, but it’s less likely with smaller sites that have limited reach. New bloggers without commenting features can spread misinformation without anyone noticing, except perhaps an unfortunate client.
## When the Data Falls Short
People sometimes make claims based on inaccurate data. I was recently involved in a study that contained various inaccuracies. Upon pointing this out to the researcher, the response was silence. Acknowledging the data issues would have altered the study’s conclusions, but the researcher avoided admitting a mistake.
This scenario is surely not uncommon. Many sites release studies; consider a client who shares a study based on a minuscule sample size. Would you trust your marketing strategy to a study that only analyzed three sites?
If I built three links for two gaming industry clients, and both saw their key term rankings improve by five spots, I could conclude that all gaming clients merely need three links for improvement. However, such a small sample size is unlikely to yield significant results.
Unfortunately, numerous scams exist. I was appalled when discovering an agency presenting case studies to a client, claiming work that another company had done. It’s common for industry insiders to know who performs SEO or links for a company, but unknowing clients might easily fall for these claims.
## Managing the Information Overload
How should we navigate this constant bombardment of information? Content is produced incessantly, often featuring clickbait headlines. These articles might gain traction based on headlines alone, regardless of accuracy. By the time misinformation is recognized, it’s often too late.
Imagine writing a satirical piece and someone takes it seriously, advising clients based on its content; they then change their URL structures based on a misconception. According to The Washington Post, six out of ten people will share a link without reading it. I’ve been guilty of sharing without reading when busy.
It’s concerning when someone claims to have all the answers. If an expert can’t occasionally admit “I don’t know,” they’re potentially a problem. I’ve received poor advice to never show uncertainty, but acknowledging knowledge gaps is vital. My expertise doesn’t cover everything, and I’d rather refer a client than risk mistakes.
What does it mean when someone always has answers? They’re likely being dishonest.
## How To Respond
The principle remains: don’t rely on a single source. If your methods are challenged by new information, investigate further before making changes.
Don’t let others dictate your actions if you believe they’re incorrect. Initially, clients might push for rapid, exact-match anchor text links to rank quickly, and I’ll advise against it. Staying silent about bad ideas is itself a folly.
Recognize the uniqueness of clients and campaigns. Assumptions based on past success may not apply universally. Always conduct your own tests.
Think critically. If you see a tweet, delve deeper. Assess the pros and cons, as most marketing strategies have drawbacks. Even reputable sites can disseminate incorrect information.
## The Pervasiveness of Misinformation
Although fake news isn’t new, its prevalence seems to have increased. The deluge of content can overwhelm us in every facet of life. SEO is risky, lacking universal standards for competence, enabling anyone to claim expertise and attract clients.
A skilled writer might mislead publishers, causing misinformation to spread. Even reputable industry sites sometimes face backlash over problematic articles.
Contemporary discourse often lacks critical thinking. We’re quick to take sides, ignoring moderation, trusting information from liked individuals, yet doubting others.
SEO blends science and art, requiring nuanced thinking. Confirmation bias is natural. I trust certain individuals only after years of acquaintance with their work. For newcomers, determining trustworthiness can be challenging.
Remember: Question everything, test everything.
