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Why SEO seems complicated (and why it’s not)
March 13, 2025
If you've ever felt like SEO is a never-ending maze of changing rules, secret techniques, and conflicting advice, you're not alone. But the truth is, SEO isn’t as complex as people make it seem. The real challenge? Cutting through the noise and understanding what actually works.
Let’s break down why SEO seems complicated, the myths that hold people back, and the simple truths that drive real rankings.
Where do the conflicting views on SEO come from?
The biggest reason SEO feels confusing is that different people have different goals, and they talk about SEO from completely different perspectives.
Here are the three main groups driving the conversation:
1. The “advanced SEO” crowd
These are the so-called SEO bros who push “advanced techniques” that often revolve around spammy link-building tactics.
Many of them run backlink reseller agencies, meaning their advice is biased towards things they can sell, even if those tactics don’t work for everyone.
2. Big-site SEOs (Enterprise SEO)
Writers and tech SEOs at large websites with huge domain authority believe that their methods work universally.
But here’s the catch: These sites rank easily because they already have authority, not because of their content strategy alone.
They focus on high-level keyword research rather than fine-tuning individual pages—an approach that works when Google already favors your domain.
3. The Macro SEO vs. Page SEO divide
Macro SEO (technical SEO perspective) → Focuses on site-wide structure, schema, and indexing to maximize traffic at scale.
Page SEO (content-focused SEO) → Looks at individual pages, keyword intent, and content optimization to improve rankings page by page.
The problem? Tech SEOs often ignore keyword intent, while content SEOs underestimate the power of technical improvements—leading to one-sided SEO advice.
So, what actually works?
Forget the noise. SEO boils down to two core factors:
Relevance
How well your content matches search intent (keywords, headings, structure).
Authority
How trustworthy your site appears (backlinks, domain reputation).
If you can’t rank for “Nike,” you rank for “cheap-refurbished-nikes-may-2025-sale.” It’s that simple.
🛠 Pro Tip:
Not sure how strong your domain is? Check your domain rating on Ahrefs to understand your authority before choosing keywords.
SEO isn’t about chasing secrets, it’s about knowing where you stand and playing the game accordingly.
Want quick, actionable SEO tips? Check out 6 SEO hacks to boost your Google ranking for easy practical steps you can apply today.
The real “secret” to SEO success
The best SEOs aren’t the ones following a “magic formula.” They’re the ones who:
Understand their site’s authority level and pick keywords accordingly.
Recognize which SEO advice applies to them and which doesn’t.
Adapt strategies based on results instead of blindly following trends.
At the end of the day, SEO isn’t about chasing secrets. It’s about knowing where you stand and playing the game accordingly.
What people are saying
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
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But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Why building a website is harder than you think
Building a website sounds simple. In theory it's drag, drop & publish. But in reality, it’s a mix of design, SEO, accessibility, and technical details that take years to master. Here’s why doing it yourself often costs more time than hiring a pro.
5 sneaky tricks marketers use to influence buying decisions
Ever bought something on impulse and wondered why? That’s no accident, marketers use psychological tricks to nudge your decisions every day and people often don’t notice.
From pricing illusions to decision-making hacks, here are five sneaky ways companies get inside your head (and how you can use them to your advantage).
The fall of Arc: Great design isn’t enough to save a browser
Arc wasn’t just a browser, it was a bold reimagining of how the internet could feel. It was sleek, focused, and built for creativity. But now, the browser that once felt like the future is quietly fading away.
For many people, Arc Browser felt like the first browser actually made for users and not just ad revenue. So why is it suddenly being discontinued?
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Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
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For many people, Arc Browser felt like the first browser actually made for users and not just ad revenue. So why is it suddenly being discontinued?
Explore my work
Web Design
Karlsson bil
Karlsson Bil is a car dealership based in Varberg, specializing in buying, selling, and restoring vehicles, including the exclusive Lignon Scandinavia line of handcrafted Land Rover Defenders. I worked on designing a website that blends the heritage of the classic Defender with a modern, sleek aesthetic. The focus was on creating a smooth, intuitive browsing experience, making it easy for users to explore the inventory, learn about bespoke restorations, and navigate the buying and selling process with confidence.
Tools used
Wix Studio & Custom code
Web Design & Branding
Carin Fredén
Carin Fredén is a Malmö-based photographer and photo editor specializing in high-quality business photography and visual branding. Her website showcases her work and services, helping businesses enhance their visual identity through images.
Tools used
Wix Studio, Figma & code
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