Grumpy SEO Guy Podcast Summary
Episode: Questions to Ask an SEO Agency
Host: Grumpy SEO Guy
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 98 of the Grumpy SEO Guy podcast, host Grumpy SEO Guy delves into a critical topic for businesses and individuals seeking SEO services: "Questions to Ask an SEO Agency." Drawing from his 14 years of experience running an SEO agency, Grumpy SEO Guy aims to equip listeners with the knowledge needed to discern credible SEO agencies from the myriad of less reputable ones in the industry.
Why You Need to Understand SEO Yourself
Grumpy SEO Guy emphasizes the importance of self-education in SEO before engaging with an agency. He states:
“If you want to find a good SEO agency, you have to comprehend SEO yourself.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [05:18]
Understanding the fundamentals of SEO empowers clients to make informed decisions and ask the right questions, ensuring they don't fall prey to agencies that offer hollow promises.
Debunking SEO Certifications
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to SEO certifications. Grumpy SEO Guy clarifies that:
"There is no such thing as a legitimate SEO certification because the only place that would be able to provide it would be a search engine like Google."
— Grumpy SEO Guy [03:47]
He warns listeners against placing undue trust in certifications provided by third parties, as they lack the authority from major search engines and often hold no real value in assessing an agency's capability.
Critical Questions to Ask an SEO Agency
Grumpy SEO Guy outlines several key questions clients should pose to potential SEO agencies to evaluate their legitimacy and effectiveness:
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Why Specific Actions?
- Example: “Why are you going to build us five backlinks per month?”
- Purpose: To understand the rationale behind the agency’s strategies and ensure they are tailored to the client's unique needs.
“Why are you going to build us five backlinks and write two articles? … What specifically about our website and our ranking and our keywords and our competition makes you think that five backlinks per month is the right way to do it?”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [07:01] -
Demand Specifics:
- Clients should seek detailed explanations rather than generic promises. Vague responses often indicate a lack of genuine expertise.
“Demand specifics. When people try to gloss over something, when they try to be, like, casual about a thing, and they can't give you specifics, they're covering up something.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [12:22] -
Agency’s Understanding of SEO:
- Ask the agency to explain SEO in detail to assess their depth of knowledge.
“Ask them to explain SEO to you. You will know if what they say makes sense.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [13:09]
Content Is Not an SEO Strategy
One of the standout points in the episode is the distinction between content creation and SEO strategy. Grumpy SEO Guy asserts:
“Content is not an SEO strategy.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [09:15]
He explains that while content can be a component of SEO, it alone does not constitute a comprehensive strategy. Effective SEO requires a blend of content, authority building, and relevancy tailored to the client's specific context.
The Flawed SEO Agency Landscape
Grumpy SEO Guy offers a candid critique of the SEO industry:
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High Client Turnover: Due to poor results, clients frequently switch agencies, perpetuating a cycle of ineffective SEO practices.
“Most SEO agencies stay in business because they have good salespeople, but they are not good at SEO.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [07:47] -
Scrutiny of Contracts: He labels most SEO contracts as scams, designed to latch onto clients without delivering meaningful outcomes.
“SEO contracts are almost always a scam. They are, by the way.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [08:00] -
Cost Implications: While expensive services might seem premium, they aren't guaranteed to be effective. Conversely, inexpensive services are often subpar.
“Good SEO is expensive, bad SEO is cheap. But bad SEO might also be expensive.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [17:50]
Final Recommendations
Grumpy SEO Guy concludes with actionable advice for listeners:
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Educate Yourself: Gain a solid understanding of SEO fundamentals to better evaluate agency proposals.
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Be Skeptical of Simple Solutions: Recognize that effective SEO requires a nuanced approach tailored to your specific needs.
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Ask Probing Questions: Ensure agencies can provide detailed, rationale-driven answers to your inquiries.
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Avoid the 'Content as King' Fallacy: Understand that while content is important, it must be part of a broader, strategic SEO plan.
“You have to know it yourself in order to find A good SEO agency.”
— Grumpy SEO Guy [16:27]
Conclusion
Episode 98 serves as a crucial guide for anyone looking to partner with an SEO agency. By empowering listeners with the right questions and a critical understanding of the SEO landscape, Grumpy SEO Guy aims to mitigate the risks of falling victim to ineffective or fraudulent SEO practices. His no-nonsense approach underscores the necessity of being an informed client to achieve sustainable SEO success.
For More Insights:
Explore related topics by tuning into other episodes, such as:
- Episode 42: The Topic of SEO Certifications
- Episode 43: Content is Not an SEO Strategy
- Episode 92: SEO Contracts Are Almost Always a Scam
Connect with Grumpy SEO Guy:
- Reddit: Grumpy SEO Guy Subreddit
- Email: contact@hellorumpyseoguy.com
- Support on Patreon: patreon.com/grumpyseoguy
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Grumpy SEO Guy's podcast episode on evaluating SEO agencies, providing listeners and readers with the essential takeaways to navigate the complex world of SEO services effectively.