#12 “No” Isn’t Personal—It’s Just Part of the Process
“Can we inject the country name into the page title across all our pages?”—No.
“Can we consider a single-language approach and serve regional content with JS? I know we have the capability and expertise to do it…”—No.
“Can we noindex a bunch of regions that don’t really matter to us?”—No.
Rejection isn’t rare in enterprise SEO. It’s the norm.
Years ago, every “no” felt like a personal blow. I’d question my ideas, my strategy, and even my ability to contribute. But here’s what I’ve learned: It’s never personal.
Why Rejection Happens
Sometimes, it’s about timing.
Sometimes, it’s about resources.
And sometimes, it’s because I haven’t communicated the problem well enough.
Take my current challenge: International SEO.
When I joined Adobe, I knew nothing about hreflang. Today, I understand the basics—what it does, how it’s implemented, and why Google often ignores it. Solving this challenge has been a journey, filled with victories and setbacks.
You’ve probably faced something similar. You’re focused on solving a business-critical problem. You know the value. You know the ROI. And yet, you keep hearing “no.”
But the people thriving in your organization aren’t better than you—they’ve simply learned that every “no” is an opportunity.
How to Work Through the Gatekeepers
In enterprise life, gatekeepers are everywhere.
Want to meet with an SVP? There’s an EA for that.
Need something fixed? There’s a PgM, PM, and a Jira ticket for that.
Want to roll out a new test? There’s a channel for that too.
The trick isn’t avoiding “no.” It’s navigating it.
Next time you face rejection, ask:
1. Is there a specific part of this request that concerns you?
Often, the issue isn’t the idea—it’s how you’re presenting it. Listening to feedback can help you reframe the problem in a way that resonates.
2. Are there alternative solutions we can explore?
Enterprise SEO is rarely about a single path. There’s almost always another route to the same goal. Collaboration often unlocks new possibilities, even if it takes longer.
Clever Ways to Flip the Script
1. Leverage casual moments.
Being in the office can spark serendipitous conversations with decision-makers. A hallway chat can lead to meaningful follow-ups.
2. Ask strategic questions.
Let’s say someone suggests adding more CTAs to improve conversion rates. Instead of defending why it’s a bad idea, turn the question back on them:
“Are you saying we want a flood of unqualified leads?”
Suddenly, they’re defending their position, not you. It’s a subtle but powerful shift in dynamics.
When to Let It Go
Sometimes, the best move is to accept the “no” and wait for a better opportunity.
Case in point: I was told to drop the idea of a single-language website. It wasn’t just a “no”—it was a firm never mention this again.
Rather than push back, I listened. I respected the feedback. And I moved on.
A year later, the landscape changed. Senior leadership revisited the same idea—this time, with urgency and buy-in.
Why Rejection Isn’t Failure
Rejection is feedback. It’s part of working in complex organizations. And it’s an opportunity to refine your approach.
If you’re agency-side or consulting:
- Why weren’t your content changes approved?
- Why weren’t your technical recommendations actioned?
- Why can’t you execute link-building strategies?
The answer is rarely about the idea itself. Dig deeper, find the concerns, and reposition your solution.
Wrapping It Up
Rejection isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a conversation.
So the next time you hear “no,” don’t take it personally. Probe further. Ask better questions. Collaborate. And above all, play the long game.
Call to Action:
If you’re navigating “no” in your career, don’t let it hold you back. Share your toughest rejection story in the comments—or message me directly. Let’s uncover ways to turn that “no” into your next big win.
Because the best SEOs? They know rejection is just a stepping stone to success.