SEO Scams Explained: How to Spot Bad SEO Offers and What Real SEO Looks Like
Hi everyone, Rikki here. I always ask Jared Broussard to proofread my blogs, so after finishing this one, I sent it his way. BlinkJar just celebrated 14 years, and instead of edits, he sent me a video from BlinkJar’s very first year… and it was about this exact topic.
I’ve embedded the video below because it’s interesting to see how the principles he built this agency on back then still hold true and are still considered best practices today. Look how young he was!
Full honesty: I didn’t start reading Jared’s blogs until I came to work with him about 10 years ago. But looking back now, it’s pretty incredible how consistent the message has been all along. And honestly, I’m really proud of him for that.
Which brings me to why this topic still matters today.
Recently, I spoke with a prospect who had been contacted by a national SEO company. They weren’t calling because they were sold; they were calling because something didn’t feel right.
That instinct was spot on.
The national firm presented a “limited-time” SEO offer, promised first-page rankings, included Meta ads, a local search listing aggregator (the only piece that was valuable), and mentioned nothing about on-page SEO. The pricing sounded appealing, $99 to start, followed by a few hundred dollars per month, but when we unpacked what was actually being offered, the red flags started stacking up quickly.
This isn’t an isolated case. I hear versions of this story all the time.
So let’s break down what these offers usually mean, why they’re misleading, and what real SEO best practices actually look like in 2026.
What Is a Cheap SEO Package, and Why Are They So Common?
Cheap SEO packages are typically low-cost, high-volume services designed to close sales quickly rather than deliver long-term results. These packages often rely on automation, minimal effort, and vague promises rather than a real strategy.
They’re common because they sound appealing. A low monthly fee feels like a safe test, especially for small businesses. Unfortunately, SEO doesn’t work that way, and these offers often do more harm than good.
Is a “Limited-Time SEO Offer” a Red Flag?
Yes. A deadline on an SEO proposal is one of the biggest warning signs.
Search engine optimization is not a flash sale. Google rankings don’t change based on how fast you sign a contract. Artificial urgency is used to prevent business owners from asking the right questions or comparing providers.
A legitimate SEO partner encourages evaluation, not pressure.
Can an SEO Company Really Guarantee First-Page Rankings?
No, and any company that claims otherwise is being misleading.
Google rankings depend on:
- Competition in your market
- The quality and structure of your website
- Content depth and relevance
- Authority and trust signals
- Ongoing algorithm updates
Years ago, we wrote about the “Dangers of the Google Guarantee,” and nothing has changed today. No agency controls Google. Ethical SEO providers set expectations around improvement, visibility, and growth, not guarantees.
What Happens When On-Page SEO Is Ignored?
When on-page SEO is skipped, everything else falls apart.
On-page SEO includes:
- Page titles and meta descriptions
- Header hierarchy (H1–H3)
- Internal linking
- Image optimization
- Mobile usability and site speed
- Clear service and location signals
If your website isn’t optimized, listings and ads can’t compensate for it. On-page SEO is the foundation that supports every other SEO effort.
Do Meta Ads Help with SEO?
No, Meta ads do not improve organic search rankings.
This is a common point of confusion. While organic social content may occasionally surface in AI-driven search experiences, paid Meta advertising does not:
- Improve website rankings
- Increase organic authority
- Contribute to indexed content
Meta ads are advertising. SEO is organic visibility. They serve different purposes and should never be sold as the same strategy.
Are Local Listings Enough for SEO?
Local listings are important, but they are not a complete SEO strategy.
Using a listing aggregator can help with:
- Consistent business information
- Local trust signals
- Map visibility
However, listings do not replace:
- On-page optimization
- Local service pages
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Locally relevant content
Listings support SEO, they don’t create it.
What Does Real SEO Look Like in 2026?
Modern SEO is layered, intentional, and ongoing.
Real SEO includes:
- On-page SEO to establish a strong foundation
- Local search optimization, including Google Business Profile management
- Consistent content creation that answers real customer questions
- Technical upkeep as algorithms and user behavior change
As Google leans further into AI Overviews, SEO is no longer about gaming keywords; it’s about building authority and clarity.
Why Is Ongoing Content Critical for SEO and AI Visibility?
One of the most important things to understand when building a business content strategy is that results do not happen overnight. Content is a long-term investment that builds equity over time and continues to deliver value well into the future. A strong content strategy today creates momentum for tomorrow and truly becomes the gift that keeps on giving.
Search engines and AI systems prioritize fresh, helpful, and authoritative content. Ongoing content:
- Builds topical authority
- Answers conversational search queries
- Feeds AI Overviews
- Keeps your website competitive over time
Blogs, videos, FAQs, and service explainers are not extras. They are how long-term organic visibility is earned.
Why Do Cheap SEO Services End Up Costing More?
Cheap SEO often leads to:
- No measurable growth
- Missed opportunities
- Lost time
- Rebuilding from scratch later
By the time many businesses realize nothing is working, they’ve already spent months or years without progress. Real SEO requires investment, but it protects your visibility and compounds over time.
How Can I Tell If the SEO Company Isn’t Following Best Practices?
If an SEO company:
- Pressures you with deadlines
- Guarantees rankings
- Skips website optimization
- Blurs the line between ads and SEO
- Avoids discussing ongoing content
Bottom line, if it feels too good to be true, it probably is. Those aren’t shortcuts, they’re red flags.
SEO done right is steady, transparent, and built to last. In a search landscape increasingly shaped by AI, sustainable SEO isn’t optional; it’s essential.
At BlinkJar Media, we help businesses cut through the noise and focus on SEO strategies that actually work. Based in Baton Rouge, we partner with companies that want sustainable growth, not shortcuts or gimmicks.
Our approach to SEO is built on:
- Strong on-page foundations
- Thoughtful local search optimization
- Ongoing content that builds authority over time
- Transparency at every step of the process
Search engine optimization is a marathon, not a sprint. First page rankings do not happen overnight. Promises like ranking multiple keywords in days or guaranteeing first page results are rarely realistic. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
We believe SEO should be understandable, measurable, and aligned with real business goals. A strong strategy takes time, creativity, and a genuine understanding of your business, not a cold email or a generic pitch. If you have been presented with a “too good to be true” SEO offer and want a second opinion, we are always happy to walk through it with you. No pressure, no sales deadlines, just honest insight.
