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SEO For Beginners

Everyone wants to maximise their search engine positioning in the SERPS, but, where do you start on SEO? There is an endless amount of information on SEO so let us help you.

Based on the enquiries we regularly receive from our customers, we have compiled 10 SEO beginner videos to get you started.

Whether you are an absolute beginner or more advanced looking to revise the basics, the following 10 videos will definitely assist your SEO efforts:

    1. What is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?
    2. How Search Engines Work
    3. SEO Myths Explained
    4. 5 Steps to improve your SEO
    5. How to get your site listed in a few days
    6. How to get free web submissions
    7. How to boost your SERPS rankings
    8. What is Google PageRank?
    9. The importance of keywords
    10. 5 free ways to get SEO traffic

We hope you enjoy these videos and if our objectives are correct, your appetite will be whetted (is that a word?) to move on to more advanced levels in time. World domination is within your grasp!

Are Article Directories Still Useful for SEO?

Legacy SEO guidance

Do not submit duplicated articles to directories for backlinks

The old article-directory tactic is obsolete and many directories have closed, declined in quality or become associated with manipulative link schemes. Publish the strongest version on your own site and earn relevant references through genuinely useful work.

Read the Current SEO GuideSee the steps
STARTConfirm the serviceUse the account-specific route
PROTECTRecord current settingsAvoid accidental disruption
CHECKTest the resultKeep the exact error if it fails

What should you do instead of directory submission?

Follow the sequence and stop before any step that does not match the service shown in your UKC account.

  1. 1
    Publish the original resource on your site

    Create the definitive version under your own domain so it supports customers and can earn references directly.

  2. 2
    Choose a real audience and question

    Use customer conversations and Search Console queries to identify a specific problem worth solving.

  3. 3
    Promote it to relevant people

    Share it with customers, partners, trade groups or journalists who would genuinely benefit. Avoid automated mass outreach.

  4. 4
    Measure qualified outcomes

    Track useful clicks, enquiries and completed customer tasks, not only the number of backlinks.

Why did article directories stop being a sensible SEO strategy?

Search systems and web audiences reward usefulness and relevance, while mass submission produces repetitive pages with little independent value.

Duplicate distribution

Copies compete with the original and give readers no reason to choose your site.

Low editorial standards

Open directories historically accumulated spam, weak moderation and unrelated links.

Manipulative anchor text

Keyword-rich links created mainly for ranking can conflict with search-engine spam policies.

No durable audience

A real trade publication, community or customer resource can send qualified visitors. A generic directory often cannot.

Old tacticModern replacement
Submit to many directoriesPublish one authoritative resource
Repeat keyword anchor textUse natural descriptive references
Measure link countMeasure relevance, clicks and outcomes
Spin duplicate articlesCreate original evidence or tools

Common questions

Are all directories bad?

No. A well-maintained, relevant trade or local directory can help people discover a business. The problem is bulk article submission for manufactured links.

Should I remove every old directory link?

Review relevance and risk. Do not pay unknown operators for removal without evidence. Search Console and analytics can help prioritise.

Can guest articles still be useful?

Yes when written for a genuine audience with editorial value. Avoid scaled placements or links whose main purpose is ranking manipulation.

What content earns links naturally?

Original research, calculators, clear technical guides, local resources, case studies and expert explanations can all provide a real reason to cite the page.

Build something worth citing

Replace directory submissions with one genuinely useful resource

Publish it on your own domain, promote it to the right audience and improve it using real feedback.

Read the Current SEO GuideAsk UKC Support
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