Think hiring an SEO coach is the key to higher rankings? Not so fast.

While the right coach can help you navigate SEO’s complexities, the wrong one can drain your budget with empty promises, outdated tactics, and overpriced services.

From unrealistic guarantees and fake testimonials to vague strategies and poor communication, spotting red flags early can save you from frustration—and wasted money.

What We’ll Cover:

• The SEO Magic Trick That Doesn’t Exist – Beware of “Overnight Results”
• Would You Trust a Fitness Coach Who’s Out of Shape? 
• Fake Reviews, Real Scams – Always Verify Testimonials
• “What’s Your SEO Strategy?” 
• Paying for SEO Coaching? Know EXACTLY What You’re Getting!
• Don’t Pay $1000 for Basic Keyword Research 
• Is Your SEO Coach Stuck in 2015? 
• The “Ghost” SEO Coach 
• No Goals, No Growth – Set Clear Expectations Before Hiring
• They Offer Coaching… But No Audits or Hands-On Guidance
• 🚨 Bonus: They Blame Google for Everything – Instead of Adapting

The SEO Magic Trick That Doesn’t Exist – Beware of “Overnight Results”

Let’s get one thing straight: SEO isn’t instant—but it also doesn’t take forever.

If you’re expecting to rank #1 overnight, you’re in for a reality check. But that doesn’t mean you should be waiting years to see progress either.

💡 Here’s what a realistic SEO timeline looks like:

• First 3 months: You should start seeing early signs of improvement—better indexing, increased traffic, and keyword rankings moving up.
• Months 3-6: You’ll notice positive momentum, with more visibility, higher rankings, and better engagement.
• Months 6-12+: This is when SEO compounds, and real growth kicks in.

But if an SEO coach promises “instant results” in a week? 🚩 Huge red flag.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch Out For:

❌ Claims like “Guaranteed #1 ranking in days” (Google literally warns against this!)
❌ Vague responses when you ask about their SEO process
❌ Aggressive promises about “secret techniques” (Spoiler: They don’t exist.)

What You Should Expect Instead:

✅ A clear roadmap with measurable milestones
✅ Sustainable ranking growth—not just temporary spikes
✅ Transparency on what’s working and what needs improvement

Fake Reviews, Real Scams – Always Verify Testimonials

Ever seen a business with hundreds of 5-star reviews… but something just feels off? 🤔

Not all reviews are real. And when it comes to hiring an SEO coach, blindly trusting testimonials can cost you.

The SEO industry is full of fake success stories, exaggerated claims, and paid testimonials. Some so-called experts even buy reviews or use fabricated case studies to make themselves look credible.

How to Spot Fake Reviews & Testimonials

🔍 Check for details. Real testimonials mention specific results (“Our organic traffic grew by 87%”), not just vague praise (“They’re amazing! Best SEO ever!”).

🕵️‍♂️ Look for names & businesses. If all the reviews are from "John D." or "Marketing Manager" with no linked company name, that’s a red flag.

🚩 Red Flags That the Testimonials Are Fake

• Over-the-top language with no specifics (“Best SEO ever!!! My website is #1!!!”)
• Identical-sounding reviews (Copy-paste job alert!)
• No real proof of results (Where are the traffic reports, case studies, or before/after screenshots?)

As ScaliGo’s Founder, I’m Enes, and I know that receiving real testimonials from real people working at real companies is always important—just like some of the reviews I’ve received myself.

You can schedule a free marketing audit with me—let’s see what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve your website’s SEO. 🚀

Would You Trust a Fitness Coach Who’s Out of Shape? 

Imagine this: You sign up for a personal trainer, excited to get in shape. But when you meet them… they’re out of breath just walking to the gym. 🚩

Would you trust their advice? Probably not.

The same logic applies to SEO coaches. If they can’t rank their own website, how can they help you rank yours?

Quick Test: Is Their Own SEO Actually Working?

Before trusting an SEO coach with your business, do a little detective work:

🔍 Check their website: Is it optimized, fast, and mobile-friendly?
📝 Look at their blog: Are they publishing fresh, valuable content?
📊 Run a quick analysis on Semrush or Ahrefs: Do they have backlinks, authority, and keyword rankings?
🚀 See if they practice what they preach: If their site performs poorly, they probably don’t know how to fix yours either.

🚩 Red Flags That They’re Faking It:

• Their website is buried in page 5+ of Google (or worse, unsearchable!)
• No original content, case studies, or blog posts (How can they teach SEO if they don’t even apply it?)
• Their website looks outdated or takes forever to load (Basic SEO 101—speed matters!)

“What’s Your SEO Strategy?”

You wouldn’t hire a chef who can’t explain their recipe. So why trust an SEO coach who can’t break down their strategy?

One of the easiest ways to separate real SEO experts from wannabe coaches is by asking a simple question:

👉 “What’s your SEO strategy?”

If their answer is vague, filled with buzzwords, or sounds like something they just Googled five minutes ago—run.

A Real SEO Coach Should Have a Clear, Actionable Strategy

Every solid SEO strategy includes three core pillars:

1️⃣ Technical SEO – Is your website fast, mobile-friendly, and optimized for search engines?
2️⃣ On-Page SEO – Do you have well-structured content, optimized headings, and internal linking?
3️⃣ Off-Page SEO – How will they help build your authority through backlinks and brand mentions?

If an SEO coach can’t explain these in simple terms, they probably don’t understand SEO themselves.

🚩 Red Flags That You’re Talking to a Fake Expert

• They only focus on one part of SEO (e.g., just backlinks or just keywords)
• Their strategy is super generic (“We’ll rank your site with powerful SEO techniques!” – okay, but how?)
•  They refuse to give specifics (Real experts can walk you through their process, step by step.)
• They rely on outdated tactics (Keyword stuffing, mass link-building, or anything that sounds shady.)

Bonus: A real SEO expert should understand how AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI-driven updates impact rankings. Sometimes, discussing these details is a positive sign.

Paying for SEO Coaching? Know EXACTLY What You’re Getting!

SEO coaching can be a valuable investment—but only if you know what’s actually included in the service. Some coaches charge high fees yet provide nothing more than generic advice or pre-recorded videos.

Before you pay, make sure you’re getting real value.

Key Things an SEO Coach Should Provide

Clear Deliverables – Do they offer audits, keyword research, competitor analysis, or content strategies? Or is it just vague “SEO advice”?

Data-Driven Insights – Are they tracking performance with reports and analytics, or just giving verbal feedback?

Ongoing Support – Will you have 1-on-1 coaching with actual problem-solving, or just group calls with no follow-up?

A Custom Plan – SEO isn’t one-size-fits-all. A real coach should create a strategy based on your industry, competition, and goals.

🚩 Red Flags That You’re Overpaying for Nothing

❌ Vague promises with no specifics (“We’ll improve your rankings!” – Okay, but how?)
❌ No hands-on work or audits (If they don’t analyze your site, what are you paying for?)
❌ Lack of reporting and tracking (No real SEO expert works without data.)
❌ Same generic strategy for every client (If it’s not customized, it won’t work for your business.)

Don’t Pay $1000 for Basic Keyword Research

Keyword research is essential, but it shouldn’t cost a fortune.

That said, it’s more than just pulling a list of keywords. Real SEO strategy includes search intent analysis, competition research, and execution planning.

Yet, some coaches charge premium prices for basic reports with no real insights. That’s why I offer subscription-based SEO services, providing ongoing keyword strategy, competitive analysis, and hands-on guidance—not just a one-time list.

What You Should Expect Instead

🔍 Deep keyword strategy – A real SEO coach should go beyond basic keyword lists and provide insights on search intent, competition, and ranking difficulty.

📊 Content mapping – You need more than keywords—you need a plan for how to use them in blogs, landing pages, and site structure.

⚡ Ongoing adjustments – Keyword trends change. A coach should help you monitor and refine your strategy, not just hand you a static report.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch Out For

• They charge high fees for basic keyword research with no additional strategy
• They don’t analyze search intent, just throw keywords at you
• They don’t track performance—keyword strategy needs adjustments over time

Is Your SEO Coach Stuck in 2015? 

SEO isn’t what it was a decade ago. If an SEO coach still talks about keyword stuffing, exact-match domains, or mass link-building, 🚩 huge red flag.

Google’s algorithm evolves constantly, and old-school tactics can actually hurt your rankings.

How to Spot an Outdated SEO Coach

📆 They never mention AI, voice search, or user experience – SEO isn’t just about keywords anymore; it’s about search intent and user behavior.

🔗 They still push spammy link-building – If they’re selling “10,000 backlinks for $99,” they’re stuck in the past.

📉 They ignore content quality and engagement metrics – SEO is now about value, not just rankings.

🚩 Red Flags That They’re Outdated

• They talk about meta keyword tags (Google stopped using them years ago!)
• They promise quick ranking tricks instead of a long-term strategy
• They don’t mention Google’s latest updates or industry trends

The “Ghost” SEO Coach – Poor Communication & Zero Availability

Ever hired an SEO coach who was super responsive… until you paid them? Then suddenly, they disappear faster than a bad ranking after a Google update.

Great SEO coaching isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about support and clear communication. If you’re left waiting days or weeks for a reply, you’re not getting real coaching.

What a Good SEO Coach Should Offer

📞 Regular check-ins – A coach should be available for calls, emails, or messages within a reasonable timeframe.

📊 Clear action plans – They should give you step-by-step guidance after each session.

⚡ Proactive updates – They should keep you informed about progress, challenges, and next steps.

🚩 Red Flags That You’re Getting Ghosted

• They take forever to reply (or worse, they stop responding entirely!)
• There’s no structure—every session feels random
• They avoid questions or give vague, generic answers

No Goals, No Growth – Set Clear Expectations Before Hiring

SEO isn’t just about “ranking higher”—it’s about business growth. If your SEO coach doesn’t ask about your goals, how can they create a strategy that actually helps your business?

What You Should Define Before Hiring an SEO Coach

📈 Traffic & conversions – Do you want more visitors, leads, or sales? SEO should drive business results, not just rankings.

🔍 Competitive landscape – Are they analyzing your industry, competitors, and market trends?

⚡ Timeframe expectations – SEO isn’t instant, but you should have milestones along the way.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch Out For

• They don’t ask about your business goals—just rankings
• There’s no custom strategy, just generic SEO advice
• They can’t explain how SEO will impact your bottom line

They Offer Coaching… But No Audits or Hands-On Guidance

A good SEO coach doesn’t just talk about SEO—they analyze, audit, and guide you through implementation. If all they do is offer theory without practical help, you’re not getting real coaching.

What an SEO Coach Should Provide

📊 Site audits – Are there technical issues holding your rankings back? A coach should help identify and fix them.

🔍 Keyword & content strategy – They should analyze your site, competitors, and industry before giving recommendations.

⚡ Actionable steps – A great coach helps you apply SEO concepts, not just explain them.

🚩 Red Flags That You’re Getting Low-Value Coaching

• They don’t audit your website—just talk about SEO in general
• They offer no hands-on guidance (just vague suggestions with no clear steps)
• They don’t help you track and adjust your strategy over time

🚨 Bonus: They Blame Google for Everything – Instead of Adapting

SEO is always changing, and Google updates are part of the game. But if your SEO coach constantly complains that rankings drop because of Google, instead of adjusting strategy—🚩 big red flag.

What a Real SEO Expert Should Do Instead

⚡ Monitor algorithm changes – A great coach keeps track of Google updates and adapts strategies accordingly.

📊 Adjust based on data – If rankings drop, they analyze what happened and find solutions.

🔍 Focus on long-term SEO – Sustainable SEO isn’t about chasing algorithms—it’s about quality content, authority, and user experience.

🚩 Red Flags That They’re Just Making Excuses

• Every ranking drop is blamed on Google updates (instead of strategy mistakes)
• They don’t adjust based on new trends—just keep doing the same outdated tactics
• They avoid responsibility instead of problem-solving