SEO Myth-Busting

SEO Myth-Busting: Geotagging Photos To Improve Local Search Rankings

Last Updated: April 9, 2025

You’ve probably heard the latest online marketing “trick”: geotagging your photos. The pitch is simple: add location data to your pictures (like where you took that shot of a fixed pipe or a new deck), and Google will magically push your business to the top of local searches like “plumber near me.” Sounds like a silver bullet, right?

Wrong. It’s a myth. Geotagging isn’t going to make or break your online success. It’s not bad, it’s just not worth your time. Let’s bust this myth wide open, figure out who’s pushing this nonsense, and get you focused on what actually brings in customers.

What’s Geotagging, Anyway?

Geotagging means adding your location info to the meta data of your photos. Most phones these days will automatically add the latitude and longitude of where you are when you take your photos and stick that information into the file’s meta data. The idea is that Google sees this and says, “Oh, this electrician works in [Your Town]!” and bumps you up in search results. It’s being sold as a fast, easy way to win at local search. But here’s the catch: it barely moves the needle, and you’ve got better things to do.

Where’s This Hype Coming From?

I know that you’re busy fixing sinks, mowing lawns, or wiring houses, so you might not have time to dig into why this keeps popping up. Here’s the scoop:

SEO “Experts” Want Your Money: Some marketing companies and so-called gurus on TikTok or YouTube push geotagging as a must-do trick. They’re selling you tools or services, and this sounds fancy enough to hook you. They don’t care if it works, they just want your cash.
Your Buddy at the Bar Said It Worked: Ever hear a fellow tradesperson swear they geotagged a photo and got more calls? Maybe it happened, maybe it didn’t, but chances are something else (like a new review) did the heavy lifting. Word spreads, and suddenly everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon.
Old Advice That Won’t Die: Years ago, little tricks like this might’ve helped with Google. Not anymore. But outdated tips keep floating around online, confusing busy folks like you.

The truth? This hype preys on people who don’t have hours to mess with marketing and just want a quick fix. Sorry, but geotagging isn’t it.

Busting the Myth: It’s Not Wrong, Just Useless

Here’s the deal: geotagging your photos won’t hurt your business. If you’ve got a spare hour and love fiddling with your phone, go for it. But don’t expect it to flood your inbox with leads. Why?

It’s Super Easy to Fake: Anyone can change a photo’s location data in seconds. Snap a pic in Ohio, edit the file on your phone or computer, and tell Google it was taken in Florida. No special tools needed. Google knows people can lie like this, so it doesn’t put much stock in geotags. Why trust something that’s so easy to fake?
Google Doesn’t Care Much: Google’s smart. It already knows where your business is from your Google Business Profile (that free listing you set up with your address). A geotagged photo might add a tiny hint, but it’s like whispering in a thunderstorm. Google’s listening to louder stuff.
Your Time’s Worth More: Say you spend 10 minutes tagging every job photo. That’s an hour a week if you do six jobs. What’s that get you? Maybe one extra person finds you in a random image search. Maybe. Meanwhile, you could’ve called a happy customer for a review that actually boosts your rank.

Studies back this up. One test with lawn care businesses showed geotagging helped a tiny bit for “near me” searches in super-specific spots, but it didn’t help (and sometimes hurt) for bigger city searches. Google’s own experts say it’s not a game-changer. Bottom line: it’s a weak signal, drowned out by the stuff that really counts.

What Should You Do Instead?

You’re not here to waste time on overhyped tricks. You want more calls from local customers. Focus on these instead:

Fix Up Your Google Business Profile: Make sure your address, phone, and hours are right. Add a few good photos (no geotagging needed, Google knows where you are). This is your online storefront so keep it sharp.
Ask for Reviews: A handful of 5-star reviews from real customers beats 1,000 geotagged photos. Text your last happy client and ask. Takes five minutes, works like magic. Better yet, sign up for ReviewStream and we’ll do it for you!
Post About Your Work: Share a quick pic or story about a job on your Google profile or a basic website. Say, “Fixed a leaky faucet in [Your Town] today!” That tells Google and customers where you are, no fancy tags required.

These take less time than geotagging and get you way more bang for your buck.

The Verdict: Skip the Geotagging Hype

Next time someone tells you geotagging’s the secret to crushing it online, smile and nod, then get back to work. It’s not a scam, just a distraction. You’ve got pipes to unclog, wires to fix, or lawns to mow. Leave the photo-tagging to the influencers and focus on what brings real customers through the door.

How Long SHOULD Things Take? Setting Realistic Timelines

Last Updated: March 17, 2025

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In today’s digital world, everyone expects instant results. But when it comes to SEO, backlinks, and Local Service Ads (LSAs), things don’t work that way. Many business owners assume that once they launch a website or add a backlink, they’ll see immediate results on Google. In reality, even a Google Ads campaign (arguably the quickest thing to turn on and off) won’t be at peak performance for at least a month or two.

Let’s break it down so you can understand why things take time and what to expect when working on your online presence.

The Search Engine Road Atlas

A great way to think about Google is to compare it to an old-school road atlas. Back in the day, if a new road was built, it wouldn’t appear in printed atlases until the next edition was published, maybe a year later. Google works in a similar way.

When you search for something on Google, you’re NOT searching the live internet. You’re searching Google’s database of known webpages. If Google hasn’t discovered your new site or backlink yet, it won’t show up in the search results.

Here’s how the process works:

Google’s bots (also called crawlers or spiders) find your website. This could take days or weeks, depending on how often your site is updated and linked to.
Google processes and categorizes the data. Your website isn’t immediately visible in search results. It goes through indexing, testing, and ranking processes first.
Google updates its search results. Only after this entire process is complete will your site or backlink start appearing in search results.

If everything happens quickly, you might see your site or backlink appear in a week or two. But if you’re on the slower end of the cycle, it could take two to four weeks or more before anything changes in the search results.

Backlink Delays: Double the Wait

Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are an important part of SEO. But even after you add a backlink, it doesn’t mean Google will recognize it immediately. There are two reasons for this:

The site hosting your backlink needs to approve and publish it. If you add your business to an online directory, for example, you may have to wait for their team to review and accept your listing.
Google then has to find and process the backlink. Just like with a new website, Google’s bots need to crawl and index that backlink before it has any impact on your rankings.

This means you could be waiting weeks or even months before a new backlink actually helps your SEO.

Local Service Ads (LSAs): No, They Won’t Go Live Today

Some marketing agencies promise they can get your Local Service Ads (LSAs) live in just a few hours. This is completely false.

LSAs require:

Business verification: You must submit business licenses and insurance documents.
Employee background checks: If your employees enter customers’ homes, they must pass background screenings before your ad is approved.

This process takes days or weeks, not hours. If someone tells you otherwise, they’re either misinformed or lying.

Recent Changes to Google Timelines

If you think SEO and online marketing delays are frustrating now, 2025 has made things even worse.

Google Business Profile (GBP) Appeals Are Taking Longer

If your GBP gets suspended and you appeal it, expect delays.
Many responses from Google seem AI-generated and unhelpful.
Even with aggressive follow-ups, some appeals are taking months to resolve.

Google Business Profile Reviews Are Also Delayed

If your reviews disappear from your GBP, getting them back is now a long, uphill battle.
We’ve seen cases where it took months of back-and-forth with Google just to restore lost reviews.
If your GBP is suspended, your reviews may be stuck in limbo for an extended period.

Bottom Line: Be Patient and Plan Ahead

SEO, backlinks, LSAs, and Google Business Profiles all take time. If you expect instant results, you’ll only end up frustrated. The best approach is to:

Plan for delays. Expect at least a few weeks for most online changes to take effect.
Work with knowledgeable experts. They can help navigate these roadblocks efficiently.
Don’t believe “instant” SEO promises. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

While it’s frustrating to wait, understanding these timeline myths can help you set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary stress.

SEO Myth-Busting: Dominate All The Rankings Through GBP Optimization

Last Updated: March 3, 2025

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Lately, we’ve been hearing a common misconception: if you purchase a Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization service, your listing will skyrocket to the top rankings in cities far and wide, sometimes even hundreds of miles away.

We hate to break it to you, but that’s just not how it works.

Optimizing your GBP is essential, yes. It’s critical to have the right categories, high-quality photos, a well-defined service area, and strategic keyword placement. But no amount of optimization will override Google’s built-in ranking limitations.

What GBP Optimization Can (and Can’t) Do

Think of GBP optimization like fine-tuning an engine. You can get it running at peak performance, but it won’t magically turn a sedan into a race car. There’s a ceiling to what optimization can achieve.

Here’s what proper GBP optimization can do:

Improve your visibility in your immediate service area
Ensure your business information is complete and accurate
Help you rank higher than competitors with weak profiles

But here’s what it won’t do:

Make you rank in cities far from your physical location
Override Google’s local ranking factors
Guarantee you a #1 spot in all searches

In fact, over-optimizing your GBP (stuffing it with keywords or misleading information) can actually get your listing penalized or even suspended. That’s where the real expertise comes in: knowing where the limits are and how to push them effectively.

GBP Optimization Alone Isn’t Enough

Even with the best GBP optimization, your rankings are still influenced by other SEO factors. If your website isn’t optimized, if you lack high-quality backlinks, or if your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) citations aren’t consistent, you’ll hit a ranking wall.

And if you’re trying to rank in multiple towns outside your immediate area? GBP won’t get you there, but other digital marketing strategies will.

Want to rank in other cities? Consider local landing pages and PPC (Google Ads).
Want immediate visibility in new areas? You need PPC.
Want stronger local rankings? Work on your reviews as well as getting backlinks and citations.

Understanding GBP Limits Using a Submarine

Think of your GBP like a submarine. It can be deep in the ocean (low rankings), or it can float up toward the surface (top rankings). But no matter what you do, it will never float above the water because there’s a natural ceiling to how high it can go.

Once you hit that ceiling, the only way to expand your visibility is to focus on other strategies.

Use the Right Tool for the Job

GBP optimization is important, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. If your goal is to dominate rankings in multiple towns, you need a mix of GBP Optimization, SEO, and PPC to get there.

So, if someone is telling you that GBP optimization alone will rank you in every nearby city, they’re selling you a myth. The real pros know the limits, and how to work within them to get you the best results.

Need a strategy that actually works? Let’s talk.

SEO Myth-Busting: The Truth About Landing Pages

Last Updated: March 3, 2025

First things first: A landing page needs to be on your website’s domain. If it isn’t, then it’s not a landing page—it’s a completely separate website, even if it’s only a single page. This distinction is crucial because many business owners are being misled by marketers who claim otherwise. This myth can end up hurting your SEO and wasting your marketing efforts.

The False Promise: “Landing Pages on Other Domains Boost Traffic!”

Some marketers might try to convince you that placing landing pages on different domains is a clever way to boost traffic or “hack” Google’s system. They might claim that this tactic can somehow give you an edge in search rankings or drive more leads. But here’s the reality: creating landing pages on different domains does not give you an SEO advantage. In fact, it can do the opposite.

The Reality: What Landing Pages Are and Aren’t

A landing page is a tool designed to guide visitors toward a specific action, like signing up for a newsletter, requesting a quote, or making a purchase. However, to be an effective part of your marketing strategy, it must reside on your main domain. For example, if your website is www.yourwebsite.com, your landing page should look something like www.yourwebsite.com/landing-page. When it’s hosted on your main domain, it contributes to your site’s overall SEO health and authority.

If you create a page on a different domain (like www.someotherdomain.com), Google treats it as an entirely separate website. This means you’re splitting your SEO power between multiple sites instead of building authority on one, which can confuse search engines and weaken your online presence.

Why This Myth Hurts Your Business

Let’s break down why the myth of off-domain landing pages is harmful:

Diluted SEO Efforts: By placing landing pages on different domains, you’re fragmenting your SEO. Instead of building the authority of your main site, you’re spreading it thin across multiple domains. Google sees each domain as a separate entity, reducing your chances of ranking higher in search results.
Visitor Confusion: Sending visitors to a different domain can confuse them. If they expect to be on your website but are redirected elsewhere, this can break trust and reduce the likelihood of conversions.
Wasted Resources: Creating and maintaining multiple domains requires additional time and effort, without offering any real SEO benefit to your primary site.

The Honest Truth About Landing Pages

Landing pages are valuable, but they aren’t a loophole to exploit Google’s algorithms. Here’s what they actually do:

Drive Specific Actions: A landing page is a focused tool designed to funnel visitors toward a specific action—whether that’s filling out a form, clicking a button, or making a purchase. But this focus should happen on your domain, reinforcing your website’s authority.
Optimize for Relevancy: When properly used, landing pages can improve your website’s SEO by providing relevant, targeted content that aligns with user searches and marketing campaigns.
Boost PPC Campaigns: Landing pages are incredibly effective for Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns. By directing highly-targeted traffic to a page specifically built around the ad’s message, you can improve relevancy scores, drive down costs, and increase conversions. But again, this only works if the landing page is part of your main domain.

The Real Power of Landing Pages: PPC Campaigns

Landing pages can be a game-changer for your PPC campaigns. When they’re hosted on your main domain and aligned with your ads, they can:

Improve Relevancy Scores: PPC platforms like Google Ads value relevancy. When your landing page closely matches the content of your ad, Google sees this as a positive signal, improving your relevancy scores. Higher relevancy means lower costs per click and better ad placements.
Increase Conversions: A landing page that’s tailored to the ad’s message creates a seamless user experience, making visitors more likely to convert. This is a win-win for both your PPC performance and your overall website goals.

Best Practices for Landing Pages

To avoid falling into the trap of off-domain landing pages, focus on the following best practices:

Keep It on Your Domain: Always host your landing pages on your main website. This not only boosts your SEO but also ensures a cohesive experience for your visitors.
Streamline the Experience: Use landing pages to create a focused, distraction-free environment. Minimize navigation options to keep visitors on the path toward your desired action.
Align with Your PPC Strategy: Tailor your landing pages to match the message and intent of your PPC ads. This approach maximizes your ad spend’s effectiveness by increasing conversions and lowering costs.
Provide Clear Value: Use compelling content and a strong call to action to guide visitors toward a specific goal. Remember, the purpose of a landing page is not to trick search engines but to provide a clear, valuable path for your audience.

Protecting Your Business from SEO Myths

If someone is telling you that landing pages on different domains are the secret to driving traffic and boosting SEO, they’re selling you a myth. Quality landing pages are a powerful tool, but they must live on your main domain to be effective. They’re not about gaming the system; they’re about offering targeted, valuable experiences that drive conversions and support your website’s overall goals.

Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of by misleading marketing tactics. A solid landing page strategy—rooted in best practices and honesty—will always serve your business better in the long run. In SEO and online marketing, there are no magic tricks—just smart strategies and consistent effort.

The Truth About Your PageSpeed Insight Scores

Last Updated: September 27, 2024

So, you’ve just run your website through Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool, and you’re staring at that performance score like it’s the end of the world. Maybe you got a 32 on mobile and are now convinced your business is doomed unless you hit that elusive 100. Hold on a second—before you start throwing money at your site like confetti at a parade, let’s take a deep breath and talk about what that number actually means.

The Google Doctor Is In—But You Might Be Misdiagnosing Your Website

Imagine this: You have a weird pain in your side, so you do what we all do (even though we know we shouldn’t)—you Google your symptoms. After a few clicks, you’re convinced that you have a rare tropical disease. You march into your doctor’s office and start telling them exactly what’s wrong with you. Now, unless your doctor is a saint with infinite patience, they might gently remind you that they have years of training and experience that Google simply can’t replace.

The same thing happens when people look at their PageSpeed Insights score. They see a number and think they know exactly what’s wrong with their site. But interpreting that number correctly takes expertise. Without it, you might end up chasing your tail—or worse, wasting a ton of money on something that won’t actually help your website perform better where it counts.

Spoiler Alert: Literally No One Gets a Perfect Score

Let’s get one thing straight: that perfect 100 on your PageSpeed score? It’s like trying to catch a rainbow—beautiful, but impossible to grab. In fact, even Google.com, the very company that created the tool, doesn’t score a 100. Their site sits at a “meh” 70. YouTube, another Google property, only gets a 35. Yep, you read that right—just 35! And guess what? YouTube is doing just fine, thank you very much.

Here are some other examples that might surprise you:

Google.com: 70
Amazon.com: 49
Hulu.com: 36
YouTube.com: 35
Yelp.com: 31
Walmart.com: 30

If Walmart is rocking a 30 and still getting millions of visitors a day, your score of 32 isn’t the disaster you think it is.

PageSpeed Scores: It’s Not a Race, It’s a Threshold

A lot of people come to us in a panic, demanding that their mobile performance score needs to improve because they’re convinced it’s hurting their search rankings. They think that the faster their page loads, the better their ranking will be. But here’s the deal: page load speed is more of a binary checkpoint for search engines. As long as your site loads quickly enough to meet the minimum requirements, you’re good to go. Whether you exceed those requirements by a little or a lot doesn’t make a difference to the algorithm.

Yes, faster load times can improve the experience for your human visitors, which is always a good thing. The faster your visitors can get the information they need, the happier they’ll be. But when it comes to how Google ranks your site, once you cross that speed threshold, you’re on level ground with everyone else.

The Takeaway: Don’t Obsess Over the Numbers

PageSpeed Insights can give you useful information, but without the background to interpret that data correctly, you might end up drawing some very wrong conclusions. Your website’s performance isn’t about chasing a perfect score—it’s about making sure your site meets the needs of both your visitors and search engines. And sometimes, that means letting go of the idea that a higher score is always better.

So, the next time you see that less-than-stellar PageSpeed score, remember: it’s not the end of the world. Trust the experts, focus on the user experience, and stop trying to chase that impossible 100. Your website—and your wallet—will thank you.

Prospect Genius