If you’ve invested in optimization, you’re probably wondering how to know if SEO is working for your business. We know the SEO game can feel like a waiting game—but there are ways to check if your efforts are actually paying off.
Whether you’ve been optimizing your site for a while or you’re just dipping your toes in, today we’re walking you through the real signs that your SEO is working (beyond just rankings!).
Key Takeaways:
- SEO data you shouldn’t rely on
- SEO metrics that make a difference
Don’t Rely On These Metrics
There are some metrics that small business owners get hung up on that don’t always tell the full story.
Google Rankings
Google rankings fluctuate often, especially if you’re not tracking exact keyword placements. We typically look at metrics every 1-2 months because that’s when you more clearly see changes in the data.
Semrush Sensor is a free tool that shows how volatile search is right now. It gives a number as to how drastically search rankings are shifting in certain industries. The higher the number, the more drastic the changes.
This isn’t in our control, either. It’s industry-wide and something we just have to coast through and see what happens.
Volatility typically happens because of algorithm updates, changes in competitor activity, or changes in how people use search engines.
Blog views
Traffic ≠ conversions. A million people could read your blog, but it doesn’t mean they’re interested in your services.
This is where search intent comes into play. The blog topics and keywords you choose should be targeted to the audience you want to attract.
It’s great if you write a blog post about book recommendations, as long as your audience is interested in that. Otherwise, you’re attracting other book nerds who may not care about what you have to offer.
Don’t worry too much about blog views. Instead, focus on how those views are being converted into email subscribers or leads.
Vanity metrics
Vanity metrics are data that don’t directly tie to conversions. Pageviews and impressions feel good, but they don’t always lead to growth. Rankings are important, but they’re not the only measure of SEO success.
Focusing on metrics that don’t impact conversions will only lead to stress and overwhelm.
SEO Metrics to Track Instead
So what SEO metrics should you track instead? Understanding how to know if SEO is working starts with a few key metrics that tell the real story.
Organic Traffic Growth
Is it trending up month over month? That’s the goal!
But don’t compare last year to right now. AI has completely changed the search landscape. Check the last few months to see how your organic traffic has grown.
You can find this data on Google Search Console or Bing Webmasters. Zoom out and look at the trends in the last 3-6 months. If you notice a decrease, try to find reasons why—there’s always a reason, even if it’s not in your control!
Keyword Visibility (especially if you create consistent content)
We want to see you index for more keywords as you create more content… the traffic will follow, but you’ll start to see keywords indexed and impressions increase first.
Use tools like Google Search Console (Compare Tool!), Ubersuggest, and Semrush to help you uncover new keywords you are indexing for. Or potential opportunities to target new keywords or write new content!
Remember, more isn’t always better—you may lose keywords from old content. Depending on how big your website is, you need to be strategic about what you are looking at.
Conversions from Organic Traffic
Are people filling out your contact form, downloading your freebie, or booking a service? No matter how they make it to your website, there should be an easy way for them to stay connected with you.
How can you track this? With Google Tag Manager. By adding conversion tracking to your website, you can actually track key events like these. And by knowing this data, you can see which pages and links make the most impact.
Psst… This is a new tutorial in SEO On Tap!
Domain Authority
Domain authority is the hardest number to grow, but the largest sign that your SEO is working. This free tool will give you an estimated score out of 100 for how likely your website is to rank in search results. The higher your number, the more likely.
You can also use Ubersuggest to look back at dates to see how this is trending for you compared to last year.
One of the first things we have our students do in SEO On Tap is write down their metrics: Keywords Indexed, Organic Traffic, Backlinks, and Domain Authority.
Struggling With Traffic? How to Know If SEO Is Working
As you build and consistently hit your goals, these numbers will increase… that’s the growth you want to watch!
SEO On Tap has been getting a deep refresh, and we cannot wait for you to dive in. So if you are ready to conquer your SEO this year, now’s the time to join us. See you inside!
FAQs About How to Know If SEO Is Working
How long does it take to see SEO results?
It takes a few months to see significant SEO results. After working with clients, we wait about 4-6 months to send traffic reports to show how their SEO has changed. It takes time, but the results compound over time!
How to quickly improve SEO?
There are a few things you can do to improve your SEO quickly. Add SEO metadata, start blogging, and make sure your website is mobile-optimized.
Can SEO be self-taught?
Absolutely! Our DIY SEO course was created to help small business owners learn SEO and implement it on their websites. It breaks complicated topics down into manageable chunks.
Listen on the go!
Apple Podcasts | Spotify
If you liked today’s episode on The Duo On Air Marketing Podcast, don’t forget to leave us a review & subscribe!
More From The Duo
Sign Up for Tuesday Tips and Sips Newsletter
Abbey Oslin and Courtney Petersen are Minnesota-based marketing experts, educators, and co-founders of boutique marketing agency Duo Collective, which specializes in SEO, social media strategy, and branding for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs. To learn more about Duo Collective, or to inquire about working with our team, head over to www.duocollective.com.
To inquire about being a guest on Duo On Air, please fill out this application form.
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment