Your rankings have not improved after six months
A competent agency should show measurable ranking improvements for target keywords within three to six months. According to Ahrefs' analysis of 2 million keywords, pages that rank in the top 10 Google results are typically less than 2 years old. Good agencies explain ranking fluctuations, track keyword positions weekly, and give clear progress reports. Modern reports should cover conversions and brand search, not just rankings.
They send generic monthly reports with no real insights
Red flags include automated reports showing 'impressions increased by 12%' with no context. A proper SEO report should include:
- Specific keyword ranking changes for business-relevant terms
- Organic traffic growth by landing page and search query
- Technical issues found and fixed each month
- Published content and its performance
- Conversion data showing how SEO translates to leads and sales
- Clear recommendations for the following month
Clear signs your SEO agency is not working
| Warning sign | What it looks like | What should happen instead |
|---|---|---|
| Poor communication | Delayed responses, cancelled calls, vague answers | Regular contact, detailed explanations, proactive updates |
| No strategy changes | The same approach monthly despite poor results | Quarterly strategy reviews and tactical adjustments |
| Generic content | Blog posts that could be for any business | Industry-specific content answering customer questions |
They never discuss technical SEO or website issues
Technical SEO is the foundation of a successful campaign. Google's Core Web Vitals became a ranking factor in 2021, yet many agencies focus only on content and links. A competent agency conducts a comprehensive technical audit within the first month and regularly checks for broken links, duplicate content and indexation issues. Technical improvements should come up during your monthly calls.
Your organic traffic has plateaued or declined
Traffic should generally trend upward with proper SEO. Per BrightEdge, organic search drives 53% of all website traffic on average. If organic traffic is less than 30% of your total after six months, either the agency is ineffective or it is targeting the wrong keywords. Quality agencies show month-over-month growth, explain seasonal variation, identify gaining and losing pages, and connect traffic to business outcomes.
They refuse to show you what work they have done
You should have access to published website content, technical improvements made, the keywords targeted and why, any backlinks secured, on-page optimisations completed, and the tools used on your account. Agencies claiming 'proprietary' or 'trade secret' methods are hiding something.
They promised quick results that never materialised
Agencies promising first-page rankings within 30 days are either lying or using dangerous tactics. SEO typically takes 3 to 6 months to show significant results, with competitive markets requiring longer. Early positive indicators might include improved technical health scores, more indexed pages, new keyword rankings, or better click-through rates.
What to do if you recognise these warning signs
- Document everything: screenshot rankings, save reports, gather communications
- Schedule a direct conversation with specific examples
- Research how to choose the right SEO agency
- Prepare questions to ask before signing with a new provider
- Check your contract terms for notice periods and obligations
- Audit the previous agency's work as a baseline for the new provider
How to find an SEO agency that actually delivers results
The best agencies focus on long-term partnerships rather than quick sales, ask detailed questions about your business, competitors and goals, show examples of results from similar businesses, offer service levels matching your needs and budget, provide transparent pricing and deliverables, and give regular access to performance data.
How long should I wait before expecting SEO results from my agency?
Early indicators appear within 6 to 8 weeks, such as technical improvements and indexed content. Significant ranking and traffic improvements typically occur after 3 to 6 months of consistent work. No progress after six months indicates underperformance.
Can I switch SEO agencies without losing my current rankings?
Yes. A proper transition preserves existing rankings. A new agency needs website access, analytics, and information on previous work. Legitimately achieved rankings remain stable during the transition.
What questions should I ask my current agency if I suspect they are not working?
Request specific monthly work examples, ranking change explanations, detailed progress reports, the actual content created, and technical improvements made. Their responses reveal how much value they are delivering.