5 SEO Mistakes That Can Get You Penalized by Google (and How to Fix Them)
- oslezovic
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Google’s algorithms are smarter than ever in 2025, which means shortcuts and outdated SEO tactics can quickly tank your rankings. Here are five common mistakes that can trigger penalties, and how to fix them before they hurt your site.
1. Keyword Stuffing
Overloading pages with the same keyword makes content awkward to read and signals manipulation.
Fix: Write naturally. Use keywords sparingly, lean on long-tail variations, and always prioritize content that solves user intent.
2. Cloaking
Showing different content to users versus search engines (or using sneaky redirects) is a fast way to get flagged.
Fix: Keep content consistent across bots and humans. Remove sneaky redirects and fix any hacked content. Once resolved, request a review in Google Search Console.
3. Thin or Duplicate Content
Low-value, duplicate, or copied content weakens your authority and risks deindexing.
Fix: Audit your site for thin pages. Improve them with original, in-depth insights or remove them entirely. Use canonical tags to handle unavoidable duplicates.
4. Spammy or Purchased Links
Buying backlinks or joining link schemes might deliver a short-term boost, but Google’s link spam filters catch on fast.
Fix: Audit your backlink profile. Disavow spammy or irrelevant links and focus on earning links naturally, through PR, guest contributions, and valuable resources.
5. Hidden Text or Cloaked Elements
Making text invisible (e.g., white text on a white background) or presenting different content to bots is deceptive.
Fix: Remove hidden text and ensure all content is visible, transparent, and aligned for both users and search engines.
Recovering from penalties takes time, but prevention is simple: stick to Google’s guidelines, focus on user-first content, and run regular SEO audits. By avoiding these five pitfalls, you’ll keep your site trustworthy, authoritative, and positioned for long-term growth.
If you are interested in taking your business to the next level, schedule a free 30-minute info session with us. By the end of this video call, you will have a clear understanding of the next steps you can take to start generating consistent and reliable results online with Organic & Paid Advertising: Schedule your session.
Comments