One clear sign is when an agency promises you the number one spot on Google within a few days or weeks. No one can guarantee that because Google controls where websites rank. Another sign is when they refuse to explain what they are actually doing for you. A good SEO company will send reports and break down their work in simple language. If they keep saying trust us without showing results or a clear plan after months of paying, that is a big red flag. How do you think people can better protect themselves from bad SEO agencies?