Is 75 a good SEO score?
Why the same score means different things on different tools
SEO scores from different tools are not directly comparable because each tool applies its own weighting to its own set of checks. A 75 from one tool might flag mostly minor issues (slightly-too-long descriptions, one image missing alt text), while a 75 from another might include more serious technical problems. The score is a starting point, not the conclusion โ what matters is the specific issues behind the number, not the number itself. Two pages with identical scores of 75 from the same tool can have completely different underlying issue profiles.
What issues typically prevent a score above 75?
Common issues that keep scores in the 70-80 range rather than 80+ typically include: multiple pages with duplicate or missing meta descriptions (often because a CMS template is generating them automatically and poorly), images without alt text, page speed scores that are acceptable but not excellent, or one or two redirect chains that haven't been cleaned up. These are fixable, not fundamental problems, and addressing them consistently is what moves a site from the 70-80 range into the 80+ range over time.
What a score tells you vs what it doesn't
SEO scores are useful as a relative benchmark and as a trend indicator โ your score improving over time is generally a positive signal. They're less useful as an absolute measure of ranking potential, since a technically perfect page (score 100) with weak content and no backlinks will still rank poorly, while a page with a score of 70 on genuinely excellent content for a low-competition query can rank first. Use the score to track technical progress, and use actual rankings and organic traffic to measure real-world SEO performance.
Key Takeaways
- 75 is reasonable but 80+ is the more comfortable target for consistent performance.
- The same score means different things across different tools โ look at the issues, not just the number.
- SEO scores measure technical health; actual rankings and traffic measure real-world performance.