Startups usually do not have the time or budget to run SEO like a large company.
The team is small, the roadmap is full, and every growth channel is competing for attention. That means SEO only works when it feels simple, focused, and clearly tied to outcomes. If it feels like a giant research project, it gets delayed. If it feels like a list of technical chores, it gets ignored. Startup SEO has to be practical enough to fit into real operating cycles.