Have you ever spent hours crafting a brilliant piece of content, only to find it languishing on page five of the search results? It’s a bit like throwing a grand party but forgetting to send out the invitations!
The truth is, the search landscape has shifted dramatically. With the rise of AI Overviews and smarter algorithms, falling into 10 common SEO mistakes is easier than ever.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to tidy up your strategy to ensure both humans and AI bots love what you have to say.
What is the difference between SEO and AEO?
Link : AI – Generated
While SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) focuses on ranking in a list of blue links, AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) focuses on being the direct answer provided by AI.
- SEO is about keywords and backlinks.
- AEO is about structured data, clear headings, and being the most “trusted” answer to a specific question.
To succeed in 2026, you need both. You want to be the first link and the AI’s chosen response.
1. The Search Intent Trap
The single biggest error today is ignoring search intent. You might rank for a keyword, but if your page doesn’t give the user what they actually wanted, they’ll “bounce” faster than a rubber ball.
How to fix SEO mistakes regarding intent:
Start by googling your target keyword. Are the results “how-to” guides (informational) or shop categories (transactional)? Align your content to match.
If the top results are videos and you’ve written a 3,000-word essay, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Aim for “query satisfaction” every time.
| Intent Type | User Goal | Content Format Example |
| Informational | To learn something | Blog posts, “How-to” guides, Whitepapers |
| Navigational | To find a specific site | Brand logins, Contact pages |
| Transactional | To buy something | Product pages, Pricing tables |
| Commercial | To research before buying | “Best of” lists, Product comparisons |
2. Keyword Stuffing ( Over Optimisation)
In the early 2000s, you could rank by repeating your keyword fifty times in white text on a white background. Today? That’s a fast track to search engine penalties.
The AEO Perspective:
- Modern search relies on Natural Language Processing (NLP). Google and AI engines like Gemini look for Semantic SEO, which means they want to see related terms.
- If you’re writing about “London hotels,” they expect to see words like “accommodation,” “booking,” “Westminster,” and “check-in.”
A study by Backlinko found that the top result on Google has an average Click-Through Rate (CTR) of 27.6%, but this drops significantly if the snippet looks “spammy” or repetitive. Users trust natural language, not robotic repetition.
3. Neglecting Mobile First Optimisation
Image by Freepik
If your website isn’t a joy to use on a smartphone, you’re essentially invisible to Google. Since the shift to mobile-first indexing, Google uses the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing.
- Common Pitfalls: Tiny buttons, intrusive pop-ups that block the screen, and text that requires “pinching” to zoom.
- The Fix: Use a responsive design. Test your site using the “Inspect” tool in your browser to see how it looks on various screen sizes.
4. Neglecting Core Web Vitals and Page Speed
Speed, it’s a website ranking factor. If your page takes more than three seconds to load, you’ve likely lost half your audience.
The Impact:
According to research by Portent, a site that loads in 1 second has a conversion rate 3x higher than a site that loads in 5 seconds.
Technical SEO Audit Checklist:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): How fast does the main content load?
- FID (First Input Delay): How responsive is the site when a user clicks a button?
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): Does the content jump around while loading?
5. Relying Solely on Unedited AI Content
AI is a wonderful tool , but publishing raw, unedited AI text is one of those on-page SEO mistakes that can tank your Topical Authority. Google’s Helpful Content Update prioritises E-E-A-T.
- Experience: Have you actually used the product?
- Expertise: Do you know your stuff?
- Authoritativeness: Are you a trusted source?
- Trustworthiness: Is the information accurate?
Pro Tip: Always add a “Human in the Loop.” Inject personal anecdotes, unique data, or a fresh take that an AI wouldn’t know.
6. Missing or Duplicate Meta Tags
Think of your Meta Title and Description as your “shop window.” If the window is empty or looks exactly like the shop next door, nobody is coming in.
- The Mistake: Using “Home” as your title tag.
- The Fix: Create unique SERP snippets. Include your primary keyword and a “call to action.”
- Example: “10 Common SEO Mistakes: Fix Your Rankings Today!” is much better than “SEO Errors List.”
7. Broken Internal and External Links
Image by Freepik
Links are the “highways” of the internet. If a road leads to a dead end (a 404 error), the user and the search crawler gets frustrated.
- Internal Link Juice: Link your new posts to your older, high-performing ones. This shares “authority” across your site.
- Anchor Text Diversity: Don’t just use “click here.” Use descriptive text like “technical SEO audit guide” to tell Google what the linked page is about.
8. Keyword Cannibalisation
Image by Static
Keyword cannibalisation happens when you have multiple pages targeting the exact same keyword. You’re essentially competing against yourself!
The Fix: Use Google Search Console. Filter by a specific keyword and see which URLs are ranking for it.
If two pages are fighting for the same spot, consolidate them into one “Power Page” and use a 301 redirect from the weaker one to the stronger one. This boosts your Topical Authority rather than diluting it.
9. Forgetting the Power of Local SEO
If you have a physical location or serve a specific area, ignoring local SEO is a massive blunder. Many “near me” searches result in zero-click searches, where the user gets the answer directly from the map.
- Google Business Profile: Keep it updated with photos, hours, and posts.
- NAP Consistency: Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number are identical across the web (Yell, Facebook, your website).
10. Failing to Monitor Analytics and Search Console
SEO isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. Many site owners make the mistake of never checking their Google Search Console errors.
- Crawl Budget: If you have thousands of low-quality pages, Google might stop crawling your site before it finds your best stuff.
- Security Issues: Search Console will warn you if your site has been hacked or has malware, issues that will instantly kill your rankings.
Take the Guesswork Out of Your SEO Strategy
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. While the digital landscape is constantly shifting, avoiding these 10 common SEO mistakes will naturally put you ahead of 90% of your competition.
Ultimately, consistency and quality always win over “tricks” or shortcuts. By focusing on E-E-A-T and keeping your site technically sound, you’ll ensure both humans and AI engines find your content indispensable.
If the technical side feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to consult a professional SEO agency to help steer your strategy in the right direction.
Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why is my website ranking dropping?
It could be due to a recent Google algorithm update, technical “404 errors,” or competitors simply providing more “Helpful Content.” Use a tool like Ahrefs or Semrush to check for “toxic backlinks” that might be hurting you.
- What ruins your SEO?
The fastest ways to ruin your SEO are buying low-quality backlinks, “cloaking” (showing different content to bots than users), and having a site that is incredibly slow or insecure (no HTTPS).
- What is the best way to avoid search penalties?
Stick to “White Hat” techniques. Focus on the user experience, write high-quality content that demonstrates E-E-A-T, and regularly perform a technical SEO audit to catch small errors before they become big problems.
