---
title: "Google Changes SEO: What Small Business Needs To Know and Must Avoid"
description: Learn the 5 SEO tactics small business marketers must avoid
image: https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/hs-fs/file-14958042-png/images/white_hat.png
---

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# Inbound Marketing Blog

# Google Changes SEO: What Small Business Needs To Know and Must Avoid

Posted by [Stacie Chalmers](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/author/stacie-chalmers) on 03-May-2012 06:15:00

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![seo for small business white hat tips](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/hs-fs/file-14958042-png/images/white_hat.png)

The number one request I get as an inbound marketing consultant is to help companies rank higher in search results to drive more traffic to their site. So the question begs; *“how do we do this the right way?”* Thankfully Google is committed to returning search results that are highly relevant to searchers’ requests. They do this by updating their search algorithm, the way they rank web pages and return results to the searcher, to penalize sites that use tactics that cheat the system, known as ‘black hat’, ‘keyword stuffing’ and ‘webspam’.    
***"The key takeaway is that Google is changing its algorithm to reward quality sites – so stay focused on publishing quality content."***

## **Here are 5 SEO tactics to avoid:**

1. Don’t write for the search engines - stay customer focused when writing your blog articles or web copy.  
2. Don’t over use keywords – sites that over use a keyword will now be penalized. 
3. Don’t try to trick Google with hidden links, sneaky redirects or irrelevant keywords.
4. Don’t listen to marketing consultants that say they can guarantee you top position – it’s just not that easy.
5. Don’t get involved with any link exchange or link farming. Rather, build organic links back to your site by producing valuable content that people will want to link to.

## Google articles to understand white hat SEO

[Finding more high-quality sites in search](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-more-high-quality-sites-in.html)

[Another step to reward high quality sites](http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2012/04/another-step-to-reward-high-quality.html)

[Webmaster Guidelines](http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=35769#3)

## How can we help you grow your business?

As an inbound marketing company we do more t han help companies get more traffic to their site. We help them drive qualified trafffic that turns into leads. [To learn more book in a marketing consultation today.](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/free-inbound-marketing-consultation/)

## Other Articles You May Find Helpful:

[How to Get Found Using HubSpot Marketing and Sales Software](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/how-to-get-found-using-hubspot-marketing-and-sales-software)

[3 Reasons Why SEO Needs to Be Part of Your Content Strategy](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/3-reasons-why-seo-needs-to-be-part-of-your-content-strategy)

[How HubSpot is Helping Small Businesses Win with SEO](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/how-hubspot-is-helping-small-businesses-win-with-seo)

[Why HubSpot is the Right Tool for Australian Small Businesses](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/why-hubspot-is-the-right-tool-for-australian-small-businesses)

[A Roundup of All the Thing We Learned About Inbound Marketing in 2017](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/a-roundup-of-all-the-thing-we-learned-about-inbounding-marketing-in-2017)

 Topics: [Small Business Marketing](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/topic/small-business-marketing), [SEO](https://www.theinboundmarketingcompany.com.au/inbound-marketing-australia-blog/topic/seo) 

  

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