Keep Getting SEO Spam Email? Don’t Fall for These SEO Scams!
If you own a website, you’ve likely found your inbox flooded with SEO scam emails. These are spam messages often warning you about issues with your website and promising quick fixes, “proven” techniques, or budget-friendly services to optimize your site. While the offers might seem tempting, they’re designed to prey on fear and confusion, especially for those unfamiliar with SEO.
Let’s break down how these scams operate, what tactics they use, and how to avoid falling into their trap.
Get an in-depth look at these scams as I walk you through real-life examples in my companion YouTube video.
Why New Website Owners Are Prime Targets SEO Email Scams
When you launch a new website, it’s like lighting a homing signal for internet bots, troll farms, and unethical “agencies.”
They use automated systems to scrape new domain registries, hunting for opportunities to prey on fresh owners. Almost instantly, your inbox starts receiving messages from so-called SEO experts claiming there are “urgent” issues with your site.
This doesn’t only happen to new websites, in fact, I’ve been in business for years and I get them every single week at least!
However, for new website owners, this flood of SEO spam emails can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if your website technology or SEO knowledge is limited. The technical jargon and ominous tone make it hard to tell what’s real and what’s a scam.
This is especially frustrating if you’re just focused on building your online presence and doing the right things to get your business found.
But don’t worry—it’s normal, and there are ways to protect yourself.
Common Red Flags in SEO Scam Emails
Most SEO spam emails share a few giveaways that expose them as scams. Here are some of the most frequent warning signs:
Dramatic Subject Lines: Look out for phrases like “Lots of Problems on Your Website,” “Boost Google Rankings Fast,” “Fix Your Website Problems Fast,” or “Budget Friendly SEO and Web Design Services.” (I’ve gotten all of these repeatedly, and I AM a Web Designer and SEO Specialist! 🫠)
Technical Jargon Overload: Emails might list issues like “title tag optimizations missing,” “Alt / Image tags Optimization is not present,” or “Google Publisher is missing.” These terms can plant doubt in your mind if you’re unfamiliar with SEO.
Generic Greetings: Many emails start with impersonal phrases like “Hi there” or “Hello, your email address” and even use placeholders where your domain name is listed and not even your name.
Fear-Based Messaging: They prioritize scaring you into action. Claims like “Lots of problems with your site!” or “You’re not ranking for your main keywords!” manipulate your anxiety.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Lowball pricing, such as $99/month with endless promises, is a classic scam tactic. If they actually do offer SEO services they’ll try to lure you in and upsell you to get even more money from you.
If these patterns sound familiar, the email in question is probably not legitimate.
For practical guidance on understanding more about SEO, consider checking out SEO Made Simple | What is SEO and Why is it Important?, a great beginner-friendly insight.
How Bot, Troll Farms, and Unethical Agents Work
Scammers rarely put effort into reviewing your site personally. Instead, they scrape the internet looking for website domains and then make multiple submissions to contact forms or send out mass emails. In some cases, spam even sneaks through security features like CAPTCHA. This automation is why the same message, word-for-word, might reach hundreds of website owners.
In my video, I share how, in one week, I got three emails with different subject lines from different “people” that had the same email message - VERBATIM. All of these were submitted via a contact form with CAPTCHA enabled on my website.
Others will send out mass emails instead of form submissions. Fortunately, most of these will get flagged as spam by the time they get to you and land in your spam folder, where they belong, ready for permanent deletion. However, sometimes, a few can sneak through and land in your inbox, so you still need to be on your toes.
The scammers’ strategy is a numbers game. With enough volume, at least a few unsuspecting recipients will respond, leading to quick profits for minimal effort.
Fear Tactics: The Core of SEO Spam Emails
SEO scams thrive on fear. They create a sense of urgency and make website owners doubt their current setup, even if nothing’s wrong.
Let’s take keywords as an example.
Phrases like “Your ranking is suffering due to unresolved issues” or “Competitors are outranking you” are designed to make you panic. I find it especially funny/frustrating when they talk about your keywords. How do they know what your keywords are? Yes, they can find what keywords you do rank for, but that doesn’t mean they know what keywords are in your strategy and that you want to rank for!
Want to dive deeper into the essentials of proper keyword research? Explore SEO Keywords: What are they and how to research them!.
Another tactic is the technical jargon scare message.
For example, one email subject line I received read, “Lots of problems on your website.” If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve worried my site was failing. But upon examining the email’s claims, it became clear these were fabricated “issues” like missing Google Publisher tags and Products not following structured schema mark up—something that doesn’t even apply to my type of site, but if I didn’t already have this level of knowledge how would I know that this is crap?
Decoding the Jargon Scammers Use
The technical terms in these emails can sound convincing, but they’re often generic or irrelevant. Remember, they are mass emailing, so they are going to send the same list of stuff to everyone with no specifics about each individual website.
Here are some examples of common legitimate terms that are being manipulated to scare you.
They haven’t audited your site, so they can’t know if any of this is factual. They are saying the same thing to EVERYONE!
Missing Title Tags
Meta Tags Not Correct
Image Alt text/ Tags Not Present
No Custom 404 Page
Slow Website Speed
If you don’t understand these terms or their claims, that’s okay. These scammers rely on your lack of knowledge to get more information from you and sell useless services.
Personal Encounters With Spam Emails
Even as an SEO specialist, I constantly receive spam emails. What makes them comical is their blatant inaccuracy. Despite my credentials being front and center on my site, I still get messages offering to fix my nonexistent “SEO problems” or vague promises around improving website rankings. This, despite warnings on my form that I do not accept solicitation emails and pitching services, will be reported as spam and deleted.
As mentioned previously, one week, I received three identical SEO scam emails—same text, different senders—claiming they’d conducted an in-depth analysis of my site. However, everything they listed as an issue either didn’t apply or was entirely fabricated. And the body of their emails were identical! This repetitive approach underscores their inauthenticity and lack of genuine intent.
How to Handle Spam Emails Like a Pro
If an SEO email claims to have analyzed your site, but you never requested it, proceed with caution.
Here are some steps to follow:
Don’t Click Links: Never click links in a suspicious email, as they could lead to phishing sites, install malware, or at the very least let them know it's a good email address and they’ll keep emailing you.
Don’t Reply: Responding confirms your email is active, inviting more spam.
Report as Spam: Platforms like Squarespace let you mark contact form submissions as spam safely and without interacting with the spammer. For emails that come directly to your inbox and not your spam folder, mark as spam so your email service provider can flag them in the future.
Delete Immediately: Once you’ve reviewed it for amusement or annoyance, don’t keep it around.
Avoid having your email address written out in text in the footer of your website: Use an envelope icon linked to it or something like that. This won’t prevent all spam, but it can cut down on those who scrape your site to get your email address.
Enable CAPTCHA on your website forms: Again, this won’t prevent everything, but it will help reduce the volume of spam submissions you get.
Spotting Reputable SEO Providers
While many scammers hide behind flashy words and low costs, there are trustworthy SEO specialists who provide genuine value.
Here’s how to find them:
Do Research: Check certifications, reviews, and testimonials.
Request References: Ask for examples of past results.
Be Realistic About Pricing: Good SEO work requires time, and pricing usually reflects that. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Choose Specialists: Work with experts familiar with your platform, such as Squarespace, or your industry and needs. Is local SEO important for you? Do you have a brick-and-mortar business, or are you online only? Is e-commerce a part of your business? There are professionals who specialize in these areas who can help you.
For example, I’m a certified expert in Squarespace SEO for online service providers, and I offer both web design and SEO services with integrity.
Pro Tip: If you’re a Squarespace user on a budget, consider using the SEO Space Plugin to help you easily identify any SEO issues on your website and guide you reliably to fix them.
Closing Thoughts
The flood of SEO scam emails in your inbox can feel frustrating and overwhelming, but knowledge about what they’re up to is your best defense. By recognizing fear-based phrasing and dismissing jargon-laden claims, you can protect your site and avoid unnecessary stress and expenses.
While there likely are some legitimate SEO service providers sending cold-pitch emails, they are going to be overshadowed by the shady players, which is unfortunate. If you genuinely need SEO assistance, take the time to vet reputable providers. Whether you explore free resources or hire a trusted professional, proactive effort pays off far more than falling for spam emails. By staying informed, you can enjoy peace of mind and focus on growing your online business.
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