5 Red Flags Your SEO Agency Isn’t Helping You

If you’ve ever wondered whether your SEO agency is really helping you, you’re not alone. I talk to business owners every week who are frustrated because they’ve been paying for months, sometimes years, and still don’t see results. The reality is, not every SEO agency is working in your best interest. Some are stuck in outdated tactics, others chase shortcuts that collapse the moment Google updates its algorithm.

Here are five red flags to watch for.

If every conversation you have is about “ranking for this keyword” and never about how your actual customers find and engage with you, they’re playing the wrong game. Keywords matter, but customers matter more.

A good agency should be able to point to something real: rankings, traffic growth, conversions. If all you get are vague reports with confusing charts that don’t tie back to leads or sales, be skeptical.

If the blogs on your site could’ve been written for any other business in your industry, they’re not helping you. Google doesn’t reward filler, and neither do your customers. Authentic content — your expertise, your stories, your perspective — is what builds authority and keeps people on your site.

SEO shifts constantly. Google rolls out thousands of updates a year. If your agency is still pushing the same tactics they were in 2019, you’re falling behind while competitors pass you. The agencies that win are the ones who move fast and adjust.

If months go by without meaningful updates or conversations, you’re not working with a partner. Good SEO isn’t “set it and forget it.” It requires collaboration and communication. If they’re quiet, they’re not invested.

Your SEO partner should be helping you grow, not holding you back. If you see these red flags, it’s time to rethink who’s on your team.

At Trolley Web, we focus on authenticity, adaptability, and results you can actually measure. If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s talk.