SEO is more complex and critical than ever in today’s AI-enhanced, user-first digital world. Multiple factors determine your visibility on search engines, from technical foundations to content quality and local discoverability.
However, not all SEO issues are created equally. If you’re wondering what to fix in 2025, this guide ranks the most essential SEO problems by their current impact and explains how to fix each.
➡️ Want expert help fixing your SEO? Our Albuquerque SEO specialists can audit your website and implement a custom strategy to boost rankings and ROI.
Why Is Technical SEO Still the Foundation of Search Visibility?
Technical SEO issues can make or break your ability to rank—even before content or links are considered.
Common Technical SEO Problems:
- Slow load times (poor Core Web Vitals)
- Mobile usability issues
- Broken internal links
- Inaccessible site structure or missing HTTPS
- Crawl errors or no-indexed pages
How to Fix It:
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse to test and improve speed
- Ensure responsive mobile design
- Audit with Google Search Console to fix crawlability issues
- Implement proper redirects and SSL certificates
🔧 Bonus: AI tools like Sitebulb and Screaming Frog can surface these issues faster than manual audits.
What Content Issues Are Holding You Back in 2025?
Search engines increasingly prioritize helpful, intent-driven content over keyword stuffing or outdated formats. Thin, duplicate, or irrelevant content is a severe liability.
Common Content SEO Issues:
- Pages with less than 300–500 words
- Outdated blog posts that no longer reflect search intent
- Duplicate content across product pages
- Keyword cannibalization (multiple pages targeting the same query)
How to Fix It:
- Update older content with recent data and more depth
- Consolidate overlapping pages into stronger pillar content
- Use keyword research tools to identify semantic search terms and long-tail opportunities
- Align every page with a clear user intent (informational, navigational, transactional)
🔗 For help building a keyword-rich content library, check out our content marketing strategies.
How Does User Experience Affect SEO Rankings?
In 2025, search engines will measure how users interact with your website—and reward smooth experiences.
UX SEO Issues to Watch For:
- Cluttered layouts or confusing navigation
- High bounce rates or low time-on-page
- Intrusive popups or auto-play media
- Inaccessible designs (lack of contrast, alt tags, keyboard navigation)
How to Fix It:
- Improve Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS)
- Design for scannability with clear headings and call-to-action buttons
- Test your site for accessibility with WAVE
- Streamline navigation and reduce friction on conversion paths
Great UX isn’t just for users—it sends positive trust and satisfaction signals to Google.
Why Is Structured Data Critical in an AI-Driven Search World?
Structured data, or schema markup, helps AI models and search engines better understand your content. This leads to rich results and better visibility.
Key Structured Data Types:
- Article or BlogPosting
- Product and Review (for e-commerce)
- LocalBusiness, Organization, and FAQPage
How to Fix It:
- Add schema using Schema.org guidelines
- Use Google’s Rich Results Test to validate markup
- Implement on product pages, blog posts, FAQs, and location-based landing pages
💡 Pro Tip: AI-powered assistants often pull data directly from schema-enabled content.
How Should You Handle Internal Linking and Site Architecture?
Internal links guide users and search bots through your site. When done poorly, they cause orphaned pages and missed ranking opportunities.
Internal Linking Issues:
- Broken internal links or loops
- Too many clicks to reach essential pages
- Lack of anchor text variation
- Inconsistent URL structures
How to Fix It:
- Map your site’s hierarchy with a crawling tool like Screaming Frog
- Create topical clusters that link from pillar pages to related blog content
- Use descriptive anchor text like “view our SEO audit checklist” instead of “click here”
- Include breadcrumb navigation for better user flow and indexing
🔗 Related: Our team recently completed a full SEO internal linking audit across 200+ blogs to boost crawl efficiency.
Are Your Backlinks Still Helping Your SEO?
Google still values backlinks—but not all links are created equal. In 2025, authority, relevance, and freshness are what count.
Link-Related SEO Issues:
- Toxic or spammy backlinks from irrelevant sites
- Lack of link diversity (too many from the same domain)
- Outdated guest posts or directories
How to Fix It:
- Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to monitor and disavow toxic links
- Build relationships with niche blogs, associations, or local news outlets
- Publish high-value, original research or guides that naturally attract backlinks
🧩 Want to improve your domain authority? Ask us about link-building strategies that focus on quality and trust.
Why Is Local SEO a Top Priority for Service-Based Businesses?
Local SEO matters more than ever if your customers are in specific geographic areas. Voice search and mobile “near me” queries rely heavily on your location signals.
Local SEO Issues to Fix:
- Incomplete or inconsistent Google Business Profile
- Missing location-specific pages
- Lack of NAP consistency across directories
- No schema markup for local business
How to Fix It:
- Optimize your Google Business Profile weekly
- Create service-area landing pages with reviews, directions, and maps
- Use tools like BrightLocal to check citation accuracy
- Add “LocalBusiness” schema to every location page
📍 Especially in Albuquerque and New Mexico, localized landing pages can dramatically improve lead generation.
How Often Should You Monitor and Update Your SEO Strategy?
SEO is not a one-time project—it’s a living strategy that must evolve.
SEO Management Mistakes:
- Set-it-and-forget-it mentality
- Ignoring algorithm updates
- Failing to monitor analytics or search console data
How to Fix It:
- Schedule monthly SEO audits and quarterly reviews
- Follow trusted resources like Search Engine Journal and Google Search Central Blog
- Track KPIs such as organic traffic, rankings, bounce rate, and conversions
What Should You Fix First?
Start where the impact is most significant:
- Fix technical crawlability and Core Web Vitals
- Update and expand thin or outdated content
- Strengthen local signals and GBP visibility
- Implement schema markup sitewide
- Build internal links and earn authoritative backlinks
Improving SEO isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about knowing what matters most—and acting on it with focus.
Want to fast-track your site’s performance with expert-led improvements? Talk to our team at WSI Web Enhancers, and let’s build your SEO foundation for 2025 and beyond.
FAQ: Common SEO Issues in 2025
Q: What SEO issue should I prioritize first?
Start with technical SEO. Nothing else will matter if Google can’t crawl and index your site.
Q: Is content still king in 2025?
Yes—but only if it’s updated, aligned with user intent, and provides unique value.
Q: Does schema markup really make a difference?
Absolutely. Schema helps your content show up in AI and voice search results.
Jukka founded WSI Web Enhancers in 2012. His progressive and pioneering SEO approaches help businesses increase traffic while improving conversion rates. As an accomplished digital marketing authority, he spins effective web design, SEO, and social media engagement into winning strategies for local and national companies.
