After spending over a decade in marketing and advertising, working with some of the largest corporations in Canada and countless small business owners, I have seen one unfortunate trend repeatedly—business owners getting scammed by so-called SEO companies.

Many companies claim to provide SEO services, but upon investigation, the reality is shocking: they aren’t actually doing anything to improve search rankings. Instead, their entire business model revolves around extracting a monthly fee—often $200 or more—from unsuspecting business owners while providing little to no value. They simply ride the wave of misinformation, knowing that SEO is a complex and often misunderstood subject.

How These Scams Work

1. False Promises of Quick Results – Many SEO companies claim they will get you to “Page 1 of Google” in a matter of weeks. While it is possible to improve rankings, real SEO takes time and ongoing effort, not overnight magic.

2. Lack of Transparency – A legitimate SEO company should provide regular reports and explain exactly what they are doing to improve your rankings. If you're just getting vague assurances without proof of work, that’s a red flag.

3. No Real Optimization Work Done – The biggest issue? Many companies do absolutely nothing at all. They take your money, tell you SEO “takes time,” and drag the process out for months before moving on to their next victim.

4. Relying on Outdated or Black Hat Tactics – Some SEO companies do make changes, but they use outdated or unethical techniques that can get your website penalized by Google. This includes keyword stuffing, spammy backlinks, and hidden text.

Beware of Blanket SEO Claims

Be cautious of companies offering the blanket term "SEO." There are many tactics and strategies that can improve your ranking, and the right approach depends on factors such as:

• Your local market

• Competition level

• Your website's current situation

• Your industry and target audience

• The age and authority of your domain

A reputable SEO company should be selling or at least explaining the different actions they are taking to improve your search rankings. All of these strategies should be transparent, and you should be able to see the work being done.

Common SEO Strategies and Tactics

Legitimate SEO work involves a combination of different tactics, including:

• On-Page Optimization – Improving meta tags, headers, and content to be more search-engine-friendly.

• Technical SEO – Enhancing site speed, mobile-friendliness, and indexability.

• Quality Content Creation – Writing blog posts, landing pages, and other valuable content for users.

• Keyword Research and Targeting – Identifying the best keywords for your business and optimizing pages for them.

• Local SEO – Optimizing Google My Business profiles, acquiring local citations, and managing reviews.

• Backlink Building – Earning high-quality links from reputable websites to boost domain authority.

• User Experience (UX) Improvements – Ensuring easy navigation, fast load times, and an intuitive website structure.

• Reputation Management – Managing Google reviews, responding to customer feedback, and improving overall online reputation.

How to Protect Yourself

• Ask for Proof of Work – A legitimate SEO provider will show you what they are doing. Ask for reports, keyword tracking, and content updates.

• Understand the Basics of SEO – While you don’t need to be an expert, learning the fundamentals can help you identify scams. Good SEO involves optimizing content, improving website speed, acquiring quality backlinks, and maintaining a strong online presence.

• Avoid Long-Term Contracts Without Performance Reviews – Many scam companies lock clients into contracts that they can’t escape from, even when no work is being done.

• Check Reviews and References – Look for genuine testimonials and case studies before hiring any SEO company.

The Bottom Line

If you’re paying for SEO but don’t see clear evidence of work being done, it’s time to start asking questions. The unfortunate truth is that many companies in the SEO industry rely on the ignorance of business owners to collect easy money without providing real value. If you want real results, work with professionals who are transparent, experienced, and committed to helping your business grow—not just taking your money.

If you’re unsure whether your SEO provider is actually working for you, reach out to Jjaz Business Solutions. We believe in real, measurable SEO that gets results—not empty promises.

Get a Free SEO & Online Presence Audit

Want to know where your website stands? Fill out [this form] to receive a free SEO and online presence audit, generated and sent directly to your email. Don’t let SEO scams drain your budget—get real insights and take control of your online visibility today!