The Magic of Invisible SEO 🧙🏻

Hello Reader,

Quick note: YouTube did a number on me and flagged me for... something? Which resulted in my doing a whole live while apparently being banned from livestreaming. (We believe this is a tech glitch on their end.) My sincere apologies if you showed up this week and saw nothing but a blank screen. I'm trying to get the file recovered and if that doesn't work, I'll re-record the video and pop it up on my channel. I sure felt like a jerk emailing thousands of people to join me live and there being nothing! 😞

Just a warning: I’m going to get on my high horse in this newsletter. Because someone on the internet made me mad, and following my commitment to not fight with strangers on the internet, I’m turning it into an opportunity.

Have ever wondered about the magic behind a website that consistently ranks high in search results?

Visibility in searches might seem like some kind of secret code, but the truth is, it's often the result of smart, strategic SEO (that stands for Search Engine Optimization, which means getting your website found in Google, Bing, etc).

And the really interesting part? Good SEO is often invisible.

Think about it. When you're searching for something online, do you consciously think about the keywords the website might be using? Probably not. (Unless you're a weirdo like me, that is.)

I like to use Hubspot as an example because their blog is so ubiquitous: they dominate loads of marketing and business search terms (seriously, every awesome keyword I find, they’re the top result—it drives me bananas) and yet we all use them as a reference all the time. Their content is informative, high quality, and well researched. So the search engine rewards that and surfaces HubSpot when people look for topics they've posted about.

You, the Seeker of Answers, are focused on finding the information you need, quickly and easily. You don't see that the page or post has been optimized because it's helpful and engaging information.

And that's exactly what thoughtful SEO—like what you experience when you visit Hubspot’s blog over and over again—facilitates. That’s why you click. That’s why you read the related article. That’s why you sign up for one of their lead magnets. Hubspot strategically, yet quietly, facilitated that experience of being there when you need them. It feels like magic.

Think of this like the foundation of a house. You don't see the concrete and wood holding everything together, but you definitely feel the stability and security they provide. Similarly, intentional SEO works behind the scenes, ensuring your website is easily discoverable by search engines and, more importantly, by your potential clients.

The goal of SEO isn't to shout about keywords (like the person who made me mad on the internet claimed). It's to create a website that's valuable, user-friendly, and easily discoverable. It's about attracting the right audience, providing them with the information they need, and ultimately, achieving your business goals.

Here's why this "invisible" approach is so effective:

• Focus on the User: Instead of trying to trick search engines, purposeful, brand-centric SEO focuses on providing real value to human visitors. This means creating high-quality content, ensuring your website is easy to navigate, and making sure it behaves predictably. When you prioritize the user experience, search engines naturally take notice.
• Long-Term Strategy: Unlike short-sighted tactics that might offer a temporary boost, we're talking about a long-term strategy. It's about building a solid presence that will continue to attract visitors and generate results over time. Think of it like a boring index fund compounding returns over the years.
• Sustainable Growth: By focusing on genuine value and user experience, good SEO helps you build a sustainable marketing engine. It's not about chasing the marketing trend, it's about creating a foundation that's built to last that you can add to for years and years.

If you can see SEO, there’s something amiss—just like, to continue the awkward house metaphor, if I can see the wiring in my walls we have a big problem.

In fact, Google themselves has repeated stated that you should not create pages and posts that exist only for the search engine. (Which is why the AI-generated slop blog post tactic just does not work—no matter what that guy on the internet says.)

So, the next time you find yourself effortlessly finding what you're looking for online, remember the magic of invisible SEO. It's the silent force that connects businesses with their clients, creating a seamless and rewarding online experience.

Want to learn more about how invisible SEO can benefit your business? Don’t forget that I have a 100% free course on this you can watch or listen to when you need it, or you can cut out the DIY and connect with me about how I can help you develop a right fit strategy.

Talk soon,

Sarah