You've just signed a contract with an SEO company, hoping they'll boost your website's visibility and bring in more organic traffic. But months go by, you're shelling out thousands of dollars, and all you've gotten is a basic guide on how to write image alt tags. Sound familiar?
If you're feeling like you're being taken for a ride, you're not alone. The SEO industry is unfortunately rife with agencies that overpromise, underdeliver, and charge an arm and a leg for basic services that should be part of any standard SEO package.
The State of SEO Services Today
Let's be real - finding a trustworthy SEO company feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. According to frustrated clients on Reddit and other forums, many are experiencing:
Vague monthly reports that don't match their own analytics data
Basic "optimizations" that could be found in any free SEO guide
Mysterious backlink strategies with zero transparency
Restrictions on content creation under dubious pretenses
Promises of guaranteed rankings (a major red flag!)
One Reddit user shared their experience: "They have not sent over any on-page optimizations besides peanuts, and it basically feels like fraud at this point. I told my company rep this feels like a joke that we are paying them $3,000 a month and they are sending us a how-to guide on image alt tags to do it ourselves."
The Truth About SEO Services
Before we dive into the red flags, let's establish what legitimate SEO services should look like:
Transparency is Non-Negotiable: A reputable SEO company should be upfront about their strategies, processes, and the specific actions they're taking on your behalf.
Results Take Time: While immediate improvements can sometimes be seen with technical fixes, sustainable SEO results typically take 3-6 months to materialize. Anyone promising overnight success is likely using black-hat techniques that could harm your site.
Communication is Key: Your SEO partner should provide regular updates, be responsive to questions, and explain their strategies in terms you can understand.
Measurable Outcomes: While rankings aren't everything, you should see clear metrics showing progress in areas like organic traffic, conversion rates, and overall site performance.
In the following sections, we'll explore the major red flags that indicate your SEO company might be taking you for a ride, and what you can do about it. We'll also provide actionable steps to evaluate your current SEO partner and ensure you're getting the value you're paying for.
Red Flag #1: Mysterious or Non-Existent Reporting
One of the biggest signs you're being taken for a ride is when your SEO company is vague or evasive about their work. As one Reddit user noted, "They say they are unable to send me backlinks, who or what they are." This lack of transparency is unacceptable.
What Good Reporting Looks Like:
Detailed monthly reports showing specific actions taken
Clear metrics from Google Analytics and Search Console
Comprehensive site audit reports including technical issues addressed
Transparent backlink acquisition strategies and results
Regular updates on keyword rankings and organic traffic growth
What Bad Reporting Looks Like:
Generic reports with no specific details about your site
Focus on vanity metrics that don't impact your bottom line
Discrepancies between their reports and your own analytics
Refusal to share specific details about backlink sources
Vague explanations about "ongoing optimizations"
Red Flag #2: Unrealistic Promises and Restrictions
Be wary of SEO companies that make grandiose promises or impose arbitrary restrictions on your marketing efforts. For instance, one business owner reported: "they have restricted me to writing no more than 5 blog articles per month, claiming that Google might ban us for spam."
Common False Promises:
Guaranteed #1 rankings on Google
Immediate results within days or weeks
Promises of specific traffic numbers without baseline data
Claims of "secret techniques" or "special relationships" with Google
Guaranteed ROI without understanding your business model
Suspicious Restrictions:
Limiting content creation without valid reasons
Insisting on controlling all aspects of your digital presence
Preventing you from accessing your own analytics accounts
Requiring long-term contracts with no clear deliverables
Refusing to explain their methodologies
Red Flag #3: The Numbers Don't Add Up
When it comes to SEO, data doesn't lie - but some agencies might try to manipulate it. A concerning trend reported by multiple business owners is the discrepancy between agency reports and their own analytics data.
One Reddit user shared their experience: "They sent me the report that was generated today. My report does not match theirs. They overreported site health (by 2 points), and underreported warnings (by 300 points)... The toxicity score decreased to 0%. It's 33% on my end. How is it possible?"
What to Monitor:
Compare Analytics Data
Check your Google Analytics 4 account directly
Monitor Search Console data independently
Track core metrics like organic traffic, conversions, and bounce rates
Compare month-over-month and year-over-year trends
Verify Technical Improvements
Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to conduct your own site audits
Monitor page load speeds through Google PageSpeed Insights
Check mobile optimization and Core Web Vitals
Verify reported technical fixes actually exist
Track Backlink Quality
Use multiple tools to verify backlink profiles
Check the quality and relevance of new backlinks
Monitor toxic backlink percentages
Verify claimed link removals or disavowals
Red Flag #4: Basic Services Sold as Premium Solutions
A major red flag is when agencies charge premium prices for basic SEO tasks that should be part of any standard package. As one frustrated client put it: "the only thing they sent over 2 weeks later for on-page optimization was a 'how-to' guide on naming image alt tags ourselves."
Basic Services That Shouldn't Cost Extra:
Image alt tag optimization
Meta description updates
Basic keyword research
Standard Google Analytics setup
Simple schema markup implementation
Basic content optimization
What Premium SEO Services Should Include:
Comprehensive technical SEO audits and fixes
Advanced content strategy and creation
Custom reporting dashboards
Competitive analysis and strategy
Advanced schema implementation
Local SEO optimization
Strategic link building campaigns
How to Protect Yourself
Don't let yourself become another victim of SEO malpractice. Here's what you can do to ensure you're getting the service you're paying for:
1. Demand Transparency
Request detailed monthly reports showing specific actions taken
Ask for access to any tools or platforms they're using
Require documentation of all technical changes made to your site
Get regular updates on strategy and progress
2. Set Clear Expectations
Define specific, measurable KPIs before starting
Establish regular check-in meetings
Get all promises and deliverables in writing
Understand what's included in your package versus additional services
3. Monitor Progress Independently
Maintain direct access to your Google Analytics and Search Console
Use third-party tools to verify their reports
Track key metrics yourself
Document all communication and promised deliverables
4. Know When to Walk Away
If you spot these deal-breakers, it's time to consider ending the relationship:
Consistent discrepancies in reporting
Refusal to provide specific details about work performed
Lack of measurable progress after 6 months
Poor communication or unresponsiveness
Unauthorized changes to your website
Unexplained restrictions on your marketing activities
The Bottom Line
The SEO industry isn't all smoke and mirrors - there are legitimate companies doing great work. However, as one Reddit user pointed out, they "found 1 agency only ONE who were honest, truthful and didn't charge an arm or leg."
Your best defense against SEO bullshit is knowledge and vigilance. Don't be afraid to ask questions, demand transparency, and hold your SEO company accountable for results. Remember, you're not just paying for rankings - you're investing in your business's online visibility and growth.
If your current SEO company is showing any of these red flags, it's time to have a serious conversation about their practices or start looking for a more reputable partner. Your business deserves better than basic advice wrapped in a premium price tag.
Additional Resources
Google's SEO Starter Guide - Learn the basics yourself
Google Search Console - Monitor your site's search performance
Google Analytics - Track your website's traffic and user behavior
Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO - Understand what good SEO looks like
Remember, good SEO is about creating value for your users while making your site more visible to search engines. If your SEO company can't explain how their work achieves these goals, it might be time to look elsewhere.
