If I had to pick one thing, it would probably be obsessing over tiny on page tweaks while ignoring bigger issues. I still see people spending hours adjusting keyword density, changing H2 wording, or testing minor title variations when the content itself isn't particularly useful or the site lacks authority in the topic.
Another one is constantly tracking rankings. Checking positions ten times a day rarely changes the outcome. That time is usually better spent improving content, building relationships, or finding new opportunities.
The biggest gains I've seen tend to come from a handful of high impact activities done consistently. Publishing genuinely useful content, improving topical coverage, strengthening internal linking, and earning relevant mentions or links. Everything else feels like diminishing returns after a certain point.
