Spotting the Scammers
The SEO industry is filled with self-proclaimed "experts" who promise "Guaranteed #1 ranking in 30 days". In reality, no one can guarantee rankings because Google's algorithm changes constantly. Before hiring any consultant, protect your investment by asking these questions.
Question 1: "How do you acquire backlinks?"
If they answer that they purchase bulk links, use private blog networks (PBNs), or submit to directory links, run away. These are black-hat tactics that will trigger manual action penalties from Google, removing your site from search indexes entirely.
Question 2: "Which metrics do you use to measure success?"
If they only talk about rankings or traffic spikes, they are tracking vanity metrics. Good experts focus on clicks, organic impressions, and conversions (leads, signups, calls) originating from Search Console and Analytics data.
Question 3: "Do you perform technical audits first?"
A quality specialist will always audit your technical framework first. If your website is extremely slow or has rendering errors, writing new blog content won't yield results.
Run Your Own Independent Audit First
Before interviewing any agency, know your data. Use GrowthLens to audit your website's technical health, keyword positions, and Core Web Vitals for free. This gives you concrete data to test their claims. Register for your Free Forever account to run your report!