It’s a question that divides opinions among specialists, marketers, and website managers alike. But is there truly a more important side? Or is this just another myth that needs to be addressed?

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between these two key areas of SEO, clarify common misconceptions, and help you understand how both must work together to achieve the best results.

What is Technical SEO?

As the name suggests, Technical SEO refers to the behind-the-scenes foundation that ensures your website can be crawled, indexed, and loaded efficiently. It covers everything that happens out of sight to the average user, including:

• Website architecture and URL structure
• Page load speed
• Mobile responsiveness
• SSL certificate (HTTPS)
• Robots.txt and sitemap.xml files
• Fixing crawl errors
• Structured data (schema markup)

A technically sound website ensures that search engines can access and interpret your content properly. But is that enough?

What is Content SEO?

Content SEO, on the other hand, is all about creating useful, relevant information that speaks to both users and search engines. It includes:

• Keyword research
• Writing optimised articles, descriptions and landing pages
• Content strategies based on search intent
• Optimising headings, meta descriptions and page titles
• Contextual internal and external linking

Strong content answers your audience’s questions, positions your brand as an authority, and drives organic traffic. But without the right technical foundations, that content might never get the visibility it deserves.

The Myth: “All you need is great content”

This is one of the most common misconceptions. Many believe that if they publish great content, results will follow naturally. But if your site takes 10 seconds to load, if Google can’t index your pages, or if your mobile version is a mess, that content won’t even have a chance to compete.

The Other Myth: “A technically perfect website is enough”

This isn’t true either. You could have a lightning-fast, technically flawless website, but without relevant, optimised, up-to-date content, it’s unlikely to attract any visitors. Technical SEO helps “open the door”, but it’s content that invites users in and keeps them engaged.

Balance Is Key

In reality, Technical SEO and Content SEO aren’t rivals — they’re partners. A successful SEO strategy depends on both. Think of it like a car: Technical SEO is the engine and frame; Content SEO is the fuel. One without the other simply won’t go far.

That’s why in our web development process, we implement best practices for Technical SEO from the very beginning — but we also collaborate with our clients to build content strategies that deliver real results.

Conclusion: Don’t Pick a Side, Pick a Strategy

It’s not about choosing between Technical SEO or Content SEO. It’s about recognising that both are essential. The real challenge (and opportunity) lies in aligning them with your business goals and with what your users are actually searching for.

Whether you're launching a new website or improving an existing one, consider these two pillars as equally critical parts of your digital foundation. Because, at the end of the day, Google may be the engine — but it’s the content that sets the direction.