How to Tell If Your SEO Company Is Working (Real Signs & Metrics)

09/17/25
Source: SEOSLY – Olga Zarr by Olga Zarr. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of How to Tell If Your SEO Company Is Actually Working

Many SEO companies deliver minimal results while charging fees, making SEO feel like a black box to business owners. Look for early signs like rising indexed pages and keyword improvements, and lagging signs such as organic traffic growth and measurable ROI. Strong communication, transparency, and customized strategies are vital indicators of a good SEO partner. Beware of agencies that provide generic reports, ignore your business goals, or lack real deliverables.

Optimixed’s Overview: Identifying Genuine SEO Performance and Agency Accountability

Understanding the Complexities of SEO Partnerships

SEO can be confusing for business owners, with many feeling like they’re paying for a “mystery box” of services. Not all SEO agencies perform equally — some deliver excellent results, while others do minimal work or focus on irrelevant tasks. Knowing how to evaluate your SEO company is crucial to avoid wasting money and missing growth opportunities.

Key Indicators to Assess Your SEO Agency’s Effectiveness

  • Early Signs (Leading Indicators): Growth in indexed pages, increasing impressions in Google Search Console, and meaningful keyword rankings movement. These show progress even before traffic or revenue improves.
  • Business Impact (Lagging Indicators): Sustained organic traffic growth, increased conversions from organic visitors, and clear return on investment (ROI) demonstrate real SEO success over time.
  • Communication & Transparency: Proactive, clear, jargon-free reporting; strategic discussions; timely responsiveness; and honesty about challenges distinguish a trustworthy partner from a ghosting agency.

Common Challenges in SEO Agency Relationships

Many issues stem from limited budgets, agency priorities, and client involvement:

  • Small budgets often lead to low prioritization and minimal work.
  • Large agencies may spread attention thinly across many clients.
  • Poor client cooperation — such as withholding site access or ignoring recommendations — can sabotage SEO efforts.

What Good SEO Deliverables Look Like

A quality SEO company provides tangible outputs that directly impact your website and business, including:

  • Comprehensive initial site audits with clear, actionable fixes.
  • Keyword research tailored to your customer base and competitive landscape.
  • Visible on-page improvements like optimized titles, meta descriptions, and internal linking.
  • Content creation aligned with SEO goals.
  • Monthly reports connecting their work to measurable results and next steps.

Final Thoughts: SEO Is a Partnership Requiring Investment and Trust

SEO is not magic; it requires consistent effort, proper resources, and collaboration between client and agency. If you feel your SEO company is underperforming or unclear, it’s essential to ask tough questions, demand transparency, and evaluate the work and results carefully. Sometimes the problem lies with the agency, sometimes with the client’s expectations or involvement. Being informed helps you avoid wasting money and find a genuine partner to grow your business.