Learn about the "Free SEO Reports" in Your Email Inbox

Have you ever received an email from an unknown sender sharing a breakdown of your website's SEO? These emails can be alarming to receive, as they often include a list of all the ways your website is doing poorly in Google rankings.

There's no need to panic– in this guide we'll explain everything you need to know about these "free SEO reports", and why they aren't a cause for concern

All About "Free SEO Report" Emails

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is an important factor in improving how your website shows up in Google Search Results.

If you own a website, it's inevitable that at some point you'll receive emails from "SEO Experts". These emails can sound disastrous, pointing out all the flaws and ways that your website fails to meet the mark in Google's rankings. They may also include a "report", which looks professional and lists all the apparent errors in your website optimization.

Conveniently, they'll also offer you a way to improve your rankings (or even get ranked #1 on Google) by paying for their SEO services.

These emails are, at best, a scammy marketing technique. At worst, they can even be scams or phishing attempts.

Here's why not to worry about the contents of these reports:

They're generated using simple automation tools, which don't take into account the context of your website and business. Usually, these reports only check for very simple technical items.
Their diagnoses are often incorrect. (No, slightly adjusting the character count in your page title won't meaningfully improve your SEO. Quality SEO rarely comes as a one-size-fits all checklist)
They're trying to make a sale. Simple as that. These marketers use these emails as a scare tactic so that you buy their services.

What to Do Instead

If you receive an email from one of these "SEO professionals", best practice is simply to ignore the email. If you respond, you may be setting yourself up for more targeting and further emails.

If you would like to learn more about SEO, check out our guide to Learn About Search Engine Optimization.

As long as you're following the best practices outlined in our guide, your website's SEO is likely in great shape and there's no cause for alarm.