13 Common SEO Mistakes That Hurt Author Visibility
“Great SEO is simply great content, clearly organized.” —Rand Fishkin, Founder of Moz & SparkToro
SEO can feel overwhelming for new indie authors. But most visibility issues come from the same handful of mistakes: simple, fixable, and often unintentional. The good news? Once you understand what hurts your discoverability, you can avoid these traps and build a clean, future-proof SEO + GEO foundation.
This part of our SEO, GEO, and AI Search for New Indie Authors Series breaks down the most common SEO mistakes authors make, whether they write fiction or non-fiction, and how to fix each one with clear, author-friendly solutions.
1. Writing for Algorithms Instead of Readers
Many authors still believe SEO is about stuffing keywords everywhere.
But modern search (SEO + GEO + AEO) favors:
- clarity
- helpfulness
- structure
- real experience
- strong intent matching
Mistake:
Writing overly optimized content that feels robotic.
Fix:
Write for humans first, then lightly optimize:
- Use one main keyword in the title.
- Add supporting keywords naturally.
- Focus heavily on clarity and structure.
2. Skipping Keyword Research Entirely
Without keyword research, authors often create content no one is searching for.
Mistake:
Choosing blog topics at random.
Fix:
Use simple keyword research tools (from Article #3):
- Google autocomplete
- AnswerThePublic
- Ubersuggest
- ChatGPT keyword clustering
- YouTube search predictions
Even 10 minutes of keyword research can dramatically improve visibility.
3. Not Matching Reader Intent
This is one of the biggest ranking problems for new indie authors.
Mistake:
Creating content that doesn’t match what the reader actually wants.
Examples:
- Reader intent = “What is a book outline?”
→ Author delivers a 2,000-word memoir about their writing journey. - Reader intent = “Best AI tools for writers”
→ Author writes about why AI is scary.
Fix:
Start each article with a direct answer or definition (GEO/AEO friendly), then expand.
4. Thin or Shallow Content
Short posts with little substance don’t:
- rank
- build authority
- get quoted by AI search
- satisfy user intent
Mistake:
Publishing 300–500 word blog posts with no structure.
Fix:
Aim for:
- 800–1,200 words for informational posts
- 1,500–2,000 for pillar guides
And include:
- definitions
- steps
- lists
- examples
- FAQs
- summaries
These dramatically increase GEO + AEO visibility.
5. No Topic Clusters or Internal Linking
Standalone posts act like islands.
Topic clusters act like ecosystems.
Mistake:
Publishing random posts with no central pillar page.
Fix:
Use a cluster structure (like your SEO/GEO series):
- One pillar article
- Multiple supporting articles
- Internal links connecting them
Search engines LOVE this.
6. Weak or Missing Titles & Headings
AI search engines rely on structure to understand meaning.
Mistake:
Vague or creative titles like:
- “Writers, Let’s Talk”
- “My Thoughts on Books”
- “Unexpected Surprises”
Great for poetry — useless for SEO.
Fix:
Use clear, descriptive titles:
- “How to Write a Compelling Villain”
- “Best YA Sci-Fi Books for Teen Readers”
- “How Indie Authors Build an Email List from Scratch”
Clarity wins every time.
7. No Schema Markup (But It’s Easier Than You Think)
Schema helps AI understand your content.
Most author websites have none.
Mistake:
Ignoring schema because it “sounds too technical.”
Fix:
When the full series is finished, I’ll generate:
- Article schema
- Series schema
- Author schema
- Topic cluster schema
And tell you exactly where to paste it in Kadence or your SEO plugin.
8. Neglecting E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
Search engines and AI want to know:
- Who wrote the content?
- Why should they trust you?
- What experience do you have?
Mistake:
Anonymous or generic content.
Fix:
Add:
- author bios
- experience statements
- examples from your life
- screenshots
- citations
- clear explanations
These are huge trust signals.
9. Slow Website Speed
A slow website hurts:
- SEO
- AI crawlability
- user experience
Mistake:
Using giant images, dozens of plugins, or bloated themes.
Fix:
Your site uses Kadence, which is lightweight (great!).
Just ensure images are compressed and plugins stay minimal.
10. Ignoring Mobile Formatting
Most readers will visit your site on a phone.
Mistake:
Text that’s too small, long paragraphs, or crowded pages.
Fix:
Use:
- short paragraphs
- strong headings
- mobile-friendly spacing
- clean typography
Readable = rankable
11. Not Updating Old Content
Old content loses visibility over time.
Mistake:
Leaving posts untouched for years.
Fix:
Update your best articles every 6–12 months.
Small improvements count.
12. Forgetting to Add FAQs
FAQs are one of the fastest ways to increase AEO visibility.
Mistake:
Ending posts abruptly without a question/answer section.
Fix:
Add 3–5 FAQs to every article.
AI loves these.
13. Over-Optimizing
Trying too hard backfires.
Mistake:
Stuffing keywords, adding forced synonyms, and overly long posts.
Fix:
Be natural.
Focus on:
- intent
- clarity
- example-driven explanations
- helpfulness
That’s what both humans and AI prefer.
SEO Mistakes Checklist (Printable)
✔ Write for humans first
✔ Match reader intent
✔ Add definitions early
✔ Build topic clusters
✔ Use strong, clear titles
✔ Include lists + steps
✔ Add FAQ blocks
✔ Update old content
✔ Keep text scannable
✔ Compress images
✔ Add schema (later with the series)
✔ Include real experience (E-E-A-T)
FAQs
Q: What mistakes hurt author visibility the most?
A: Common mistakes include chasing algorithms, ignoring reader intent, overusing tools without a strategy, publishing inconsistent content, and failing to update articles.
Q: Do keywords still matter in AI-driven search?
A: Yes, but differently. Keywords help establish topic relevance, while intent and clarity determine whether content is reused by AI systems. Keywords open the door. Helpful answers keep it open.
Q: Can new indie authors compete with big websites?
A: Yes. New indie authors often have an advantage because AI systems value firsthand experience, clarity, and relevance. Well-structured content written from real experience can outperform larger sites that publish generic information.
Q: Do tools matter more than strategy?
A: No. While tools support strategy, they don’t replace it. Clear goals, reader-focused content, and consistency matter more than any specific tool.
We hope you found these writer’s guide strategies helpful and inspiring. They’re intended to provide you with the necessary tools and insights to succeed as an indie author.
For more guidance, see other writer’s guides in this series. I suggest starting with the first one: Is SEO Dead? What to Know About GEO and AI Search.
If you have a draft and want to explore how AI can help you self-publish it, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.
Writing is an ongoing adventure that involves continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go through this alone. We are excited to accompany you every step of the way, providing you with support and motivation. Our goal is to give you the necessary knowledge and practical advice to navigate the world of writing with confidence.
Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form.
Happy writing!
