--- title: 5 Unsavory SEO Practices to Watch Out For description: There are a few harmful SEO practices to watch out for when you're looking for a good SEO partner. Check out the top 5 here. image: https://resources.cmglocalsolutions.com/hubfs/Blog_Post_Images/seo-searchengineoptimiza_341849.jpg --- [855-594-0010](tel:855-594-0010) # [![CMG Local Solutions](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/wp-content/themes/cmg-local-solutions/assets/image/logo.svg)](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/) - Solutions - [Cox Targeted Display](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/solutions/cox-targeted-display/) - [Cox Connected Video](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/solutions/cox-connected-video/) - [Cox OneSearch](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/solutions/cox-onesearch/) - [Cox Analytics](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/solutions/cox-analytics/) - Industries - [Automotive](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/automotive/) - [Financial Services](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/financial-services/) - [Healthcare](https://www.coxhealthmarketing.com/) - [Higher Education](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/higher-education/) - [Home Services](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/home-services/) - [Legal Services](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/legal-services/) - [Restaurant/QSR](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/industries/restaurants/) - Approach - [Our Strategy](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/approach/strategy/) - [How We Do It](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/approach/how-we-do-it/) - Clients - [Success Stories](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/clients/success-stories/) - [Creative Showcase](http://www.cmgadvertising.com/) - About - [Who We Are](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/about/who-we-are/) - [Careers](http://cmglocalsolutions.com/about/careers/) - Markets - [Athens](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/athens/) - [Atlanta](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/atlanta/) - [Boston](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/boston/) - [Charlotte](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/charlotte/) - [Dayton](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/dayton/) - [Houston](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/houston/) - [Jacksonville](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/jacksonville/) - [Long Island](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/long-island/) - [Memphis](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/memphis/) - [Miami](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/miami/) - [Orlando](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/orlando/) - [Pittsburgh](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/pittsburgh/) - [San Antonio](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/san-antonio/) - [Seattle](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/seattle/) - [Tampa](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/tampa/) - [Tulsa](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/tulsa/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.cmglocalsolutions.com/) - [Resources](https://blog.cmglocalsolutions.com/online-marketing-resources) - [Contact Us](https://cmglocalsolutions.com/contact-us/) # Digital Marketing Solved Blog ## [5 Unsavory SEO Practices to Watch Out For](https://resources.cmglocalsolutions.com/5-unsavory-seo-practices-to-watch-out-for) Posted by [Ashley Rios](https://resources.cmglocalsolutions.com/author/ashley-rios) on October 31, 2016 at 1:36 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![SEO practices](https://resources.cmglocalsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Post_Images/seo-searchengineoptimiza_341849.jpg?width=350&name=seo-searchengineoptimiza_341849.jpg "SEO practices")If you're searching for an SEO vendor, it can be hard to tell the good ones from the bad. Your best line of defense is to recognize the signs of a bad vendor. Certain [SEO](https://resources.cmglocalsolutions.com/what-is-seo-in-marketing) practices can be identified during the interview process and can expose a prospective partner as a fraud. Here are five such practices to look out for. #### **1. A Vague, Undefined Strategy** This is where the conversation starts; a weak SEO partner will be obvious right away. Effective SEO work requires a [blueprint for success](http://blog.cmglocalsolutions.com/5-seo-tips-to-improve-your-strategy) — you must understand what aspects of SEO will be prioritized, what keywords will be targeted and how limited resources will be allocated. If an SEO provider can't explain this to you or insists that they don't want to give away their methods, it's time to look elsewhere. As [Forbes](http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2015/09/08/hiring-an-seo-agency-for-your-company-4-red-flags-to-watch-for/#638fc858e95f) points out, SEO isn't the work of magic — every firm is playing with the same rules. #### **2. Rapid Spikes in Traffic** Spikes in traffic can feel like SEO success, but it's far more likely a sign your partner is using fake traffic to improve the appearance of their services. Outsourced traffic can be easily purchased from overseas sources, but it won't do anything to increase your ROI. Watch for these spikes, and if they happen, ask to see detailed information on why they occurred. #### **3. Paid Links and Reviews** Not only do paid links almost never work, Google can identify them and possibly penalize your site. This can kill your SEO rather than improve it. It's a similar situation with paid reviews, which can lead to consequences from the sites hosting those reviews. If you're caught, your brand will pay the price — not your SEO provider. #### **4. Irregular Communication** Do you have trouble hearing back from your SEO vendor or experience long lapses in communication? They should offer you a clear point of contact and be quick responding via phone, email or whatever communication method you choose. #### **5. Guaranteed Results** When researching SEO partners, you might be on the hunt for concrete metrics or goals their company promises to hit. Some vendors understand this and prey on your desire for guaranteed results. But in reality, it doesn't work that way. Instead, look for a vendor that can point you to past success stories to get a sense of what they can really offer your business. Terminate any vendor who uses these SEO practices. Ultimately, your SEO goals are to [drive quality traffic to your site](http://blog.cmglocalsolutions.com/3-steps-to-increasing-website-traffic) — working with a vendor utilizing these tactics won't help you achieve those goals and may hurt your brand. 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