Best Kept SEO Secrets Brands Don’t Want You to Know 🔍
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying on top of the latest SEO strategies can feel like trying to catch a moving target. As Google updates its algorithms and user behaviour shifts, SEO tactics need to be refined regularly to keep your brand visible. The truth is, some brands have mastered these techniques, but they often keep their best-kept SEO secrets to themselves. Today, we’re going to break that cycle by revealing 7 proven SEO strategies that brands don’t want you to know. These insights can help you not only improve your rankings but also outshine your competition in search engine results.
1. User Experience is Key
Let’s start with something fundamental; user experience (UX). It’s not just about what your website looks like or the content it holds; it’s about how users interact with it. Google is paying more attention than ever to how visitors behave on your site, from how quickly it loads to whether it’s mobile-friendly.
Why UX Matters to SEO
Google uses complex metrics to measure how users experience your website. Factors like bounce rate, time spent on page, and pages per session all play a role in determining your rank. A poor UX can lead to higher bounce rates, signalling to Google that users aren’t finding what they’re looking for on your site, which may result in lower rankings.
How to Optimize UX for Better SEO
- Improve Page Speed: Use tools like Google Page Speed Insights to evaluate how quickly your pages load. Anything over 3 seconds is considered slow by today’s standards, and a slow website can lead to higher bounce rates. Compress your images, reduce HTTP requests, and consider enabling browser caching to give your site a speed boost.
- Prioritize Mobile Optimization: With over 50% of global web traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s crucial that your website is mobile-friendly. Google even uses a mobile-first indexing approach, which means it looks at the mobile version of your website first when determining rankings. Make sure your design is responsive, meaning it adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes.
- Simplify Navigation: A cluttered website with poor navigation will frustrate users and reduce the time they spend on your site. Streamline your menus, create clear paths for users to find the information they need, and include internal links to keep visitors moving through your content.
Real-World Example:
In a case study by Google Think, a major online retailer found that improving their site speed by just one second increased conversions by 10%. This is a small yet powerful example of how a better user experience can directly affect both your SEO and your bottom line.
💡 Pro Tip: Not sure where to start with UX improvements? Use Hotjar or Crazy Egg to create heat maps of your website, which show where users click, scroll, or drop off. This data can inform your UX redesign.
2. Focus on Topic Clusters, Not Keywords
Gone are the days when keyword stuffing was the secret sauce to SEO success. Modern SEO is all about relevance, and Google is getting smarter at recognizing content that offers real value. This is where topic clusters come in; a strategy that shifts the focus from individual keywords to broader themes.
What Are Topic Clusters?
A topic cluster is a group of related content pieces that revolve around a central theme, often called a pillar page. This central page addresses a broad topic in-depth, while subtopic pages link back to it, each covering a more specific aspect of the broader topic. This internal linking structure signals to Google that your website has a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, boosting your authority and rankings.
Why Topic Clusters Work
Google’s algorithms are getting better at understanding the context of content, not just the keywords. When you organize your content into topic clusters, you’re telling Google that your site covers the subject comprehensively. This not only improves your rankings but also enhances the user experience by making it easier for visitors to find related content on your site.
How to Implement Topic Clusters
- Identify a Core Topic: Start by selecting a broad topic that’s relevant to your audience. For example, if you run a digital marketing blog, your core topic might be SEO strategies.
- Create a Pillar Page: This page will serve as the main hub for your topic cluster. It should cover the broad topic comprehensively, linking to subtopics in greater detail. For example, your pillar page on SEO strategies might include sections on on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and technical SEO.
- Write Supporting Content: These are your subtopic pages that dive deeper into specific areas of the core topic. For example, one of your subtopics might be an article specifically about backlink strategies. Make sure to link each subtopic back to the pillar page and to other relevant subtopics.
Real-World Example:
HubSpot has been a pioneer of the topic cluster model. After restructuring their blog around clusters, they saw a massive increase in traffic and rankings for their targeted keywords. This approach allowed them to dominate the SERPs for their primary topics.
💡 Pro Tip: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to help identify topic clusters in your niche. These tools can reveal related subtopics that are ripe for exploration.
3. Long-Form Content Wins
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Content is king,” but not all content is created equal. In today’s SEO landscape, long-form content is your ticket to higher rankings. According to various studies, articles with over 2,000 words consistently outperform shorter ones in search engine results.
Why Long-Form Content Works
There are several reasons why long-form content tends to rank higher:
- In-Depth Coverage: Long-form content allows you to cover a topic thoroughly, which keeps users on your page longer (lowering your bounce rate and increasing dwell time). Google takes this as a sign that your content is valuable.
- More Opportunities for Backlinks: Comprehensive, well-researched articles are more likely to attract backlinks from other websites. The more backlinks you have from reputable sources, the more authority your site gains in Google’s eyes.
- User Engagement: Longer articles tend to get shared more on social media. People are more likely to share content that they feel is informative and valuable.
How to Create Effective Long-Form Content
- Do Your Research: Long-form content requires more research and data than shorter articles. Include statistics, quotes from industry experts, and case studies to back up your points. This adds credibility and increases the likelihood of earning backlinks.
- Use a Clear Structure: Break your content up into easily digestible sections with subheadings, bullet points, and images. This makes it easier for readers to follow along and for Google to crawl your content.
- Focus on Quality, Not Just Length: Just because an article is long doesn’t mean it’s valuable. Make sure you’re providing useful information throughout the entire piece, not just filling space with fluff.
Real-World Example:
A study by Backlinko found that the average length of content that ranks on the first page of Google is 1,890 words. This shows a clear correlation between length and rankings, especially when the content is detailed and valuable.
💡 Pro Tip: Use BuzzSumo to find popular long-form content in your industry. Analyze what makes these articles successful and incorporate those elements into your own content.
4. Backlinks Are Gold
If there’s one thing that remains constant in SEO, it’s the importance of backlinks. Google views backlinks as endorsements from other websites. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more credible your site appears, which leads to higher rankings.
Not All Backlinks Are Created Equal
While backlinks are important, not all of them carry the same weight. A backlink from an authoritative site like Forbes or CNN will do much more for your SEO than one from a small, low-traffic blog. Google places more value on backlinks that come from reputable, high-authority websites.
How to Build Quality Backlinks
- Guest Blogging: Reach out to authoritative blogs in your industry and offer to write guest posts. In exchange, you can include a link back to your website within the post.
- Create Link-Worthy Content: High-quality, valuable content naturally attracts backlinks. Think of content like infographics, original research, or comprehensive guides that people will want to share and link to.
- Outreach to Industry Leaders: Build relationships with influencers or key players in your niche. Share your content with them and ask for feedback. If they find it valuable, they may link back to it on their own platforms.
- Leverage Broken Link Building: This strategy involves finding broken links on other websites and suggesting your own content as a replacement. Tools like Ahrefs can help you find broken links related to your niche.
Real-World Example:
With Blastily, your brand can be discovered in websites thereby cementing trust between you and potential clients.
5. Featured Snippets: The Fast Lane to #1
If you’ve ever Googled something and seen a highlighted answer box at the top of the search results, you’ve encountered a featured snippet. These are quick, concise answers to users’ queries that appear above all other results, often referred to as position zero. Securing a featured snippet can dramatically increase your visibility and traffic since it’s the first thing users see.
How to Optimize for Featured Snippets
Google pulls featured snippets from pages that answer a query in a clear and structured manner. Here’s how to optimize your content to increase your chances of landing a snippet:
- Focus on Answering Questions: Many featured snippets are responses to question-based searches. Use tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s own People Also Ask section to find common questions in your niche. Address these questions clearly within your content.
- Structure Matters: Organize your content in ways that Google can easily extract. Use bullet points, numbered lists, or short paragraphs to answer specific queries directly.
- Include Data and Stats: Google favors snippets that provide valuable and factual information, especially in industries like health, finance, or technology. Adding numbers, percentages, or statistics can increase your chances of being featured.
Real-World Example:
A study by Ahrefs found that 12.3% of search queries have featured snippets. Many companies, such as Moz, have seen tremendous growth in organic traffic after landing featured snippets for key search terms.
💡 Pro Tip: To improve your chances, format content in a way that’s easy for Google to pull; FAQs, headers that clearly indicate questions, and summaries.
6. Optimize for Voice Search
The rise of digital assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri has led to an increasing number of voice searches. By 2024, it’s estimated that 50% of all searches will be done through voice. This means the way people search is changing, and your content needs to adapt.
Why Voice Search Matters for SEO
Voice searches tend to be more conversational and often longer than traditional text searches. People ask questions in full sentences, and they expect clear, precise answers. If you want to tap into the growing market of voice search, optimizing your content with natural language is essential.
How to Optimize for Voice Search
- Use Conversational Keywords: Think about how people ask questions when speaking, not typing. For example, instead of focusing on the keyword “best SEO strategies,” you might optimize for “What are the best SEO strategies for small businesses?”
- Answer Direct Questions: Many voice search queries are in the form of questions, so your content should aim to answer these directly. Start blog posts or sections with phrases like “Here’s how to…” or “The best way to….”
- Improve Local SEO: A significant portion of voice searches are local, such as “Where is the best pizza near me?” Make sure your business information is up-to-date on Google My Business and other local directories to capture local voice searches.
Real-World Example:
Domino’s Pizza was one of the early adopters of voice search technology. They made it possible for users to order pizza through voice commands using Alexa, capitalizing on the trend and making it easier for customers to connect with them.
💡 Pro Tip: Create content that answers long-tail, conversational queries, and format your page to be voice-friendly by structuring responses succinctly.
7. Regularly Update Old Content
One of the most overlooked yet effective SEO strategies is updating old content. Instead of always creating new content, refreshing your old blog posts can yield tremendous benefits. Google loves fresh, relevant content, and updating older articles gives them new life in the SERPs.
Why You Should Update Old Content
Over time, your existing content can lose its relevance, traffic, and rankings. By updating these posts, you’re telling Google that the information is current and useful, which can help you regain lost rankings. Additionally, updating content is often quicker and easier than creating something new from scratch.
How to Update Content for Better SEO
- Add New Information: If there have been new developments or trends in your industry, add those to your old posts to keep them relevant.
- Optimize for New Keywords: When updating old content, perform keyword research to find any new terms that have gained popularity. Add these keywords naturally to your post to capture new traffic.
- Improve Internal Linking: Ensure that your updated post links to newer, relevant articles on your website. This helps Google better understand the context of your content.
- Update Meta Descriptions and Title Tags: Often overlooked, meta tags play a significant role in how your content ranks. Updating these with your refreshed keywords can make a big difference.
Real-World Example:
HubSpot saw a 106% increase in organic traffic after revamping their old blog content. They focused on updating outdated statistics, refining their SEO strategies, and adding relevant keywords to old posts.
💡 Pro Tip: Tools like Google Analytics or Google Search Console can help you identify older posts that have seen a drop in traffic or rankings, making them prime candidates for a refresh.
Closing Thoughts: Unlock Your SEO Potential
Closing Thoughts: Unlock Your SEO Potential with Blastily and Wikipedia
SEO can often feel like a maze, full of algorithms, rankings, and constant changes, but the key is mastering the fundamental strategies that drive real results. By applying these best-kept SEO secrets, you’ll be well on your way to improving your site’s visibility and staying ahead of the competition.
Think of SEO as a long-term investment in your brand’s future. It’s not about quick fixes or instant wins; it’s about building a solid foundation that allows your content and website to grow and thrive organically. Whether it’s enhancing your user experience, creating long-form content, or securing quality backlinks, each tactic contributes to a holistic approach that will consistently reward you with higher rankings and more engaged traffic.
A powerful, yet often overlooked, SEO strategy is to leverage Wikipedia. Being listed on Wikipedia lends a level of credibility and recognition that can significantly boost your brand’s visibility. When potential customers or search engines see your business referenced on such an authoritative platform, it adds an additional layer of trust and helps you stand out from the competition. Getting yourself or your brand on Wikipedia isn’t always easy, but with Blastily, you can make that process seamless and effective.
At Blastily, we offer a specialized service where businesses and individuals can gain visibility by getting listed on Wikipedia, with our tagline being, “Be Searchable, Be Found.” By securing a spot on Wikipedia, you’re not just increasing your digital footprint; you’re solidifying your brand’s status as an authority in your industry. This is one of the most potent SEO hacks you can apply today to not only gain recognition but also improve your rankings.
Beyond Wikipedia, user experience remains a cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. Google’s algorithms continue to prioritize websites that provide a seamless, engaging experience for visitors. In today’s mobile-first world, ensuring that your site is fast, responsive, and easy to navigate on all devices can significantly improve your SEO performance and user satisfaction.
At the same time, the shift toward topic clusters is an important evolution in content marketing, emphasizing depth and authority over superficial keyword targeting. By organizing your content around broad topics and providing comprehensive answers to users’ questions, you position yourself as an expert in your field.
Don’t underestimate the power of long-form content and backlinks either. Both play crucial roles in signalling to Google that your site offers in-depth, trustworthy information. Creating content that is not only informative but also engaging can help you secure those valuable backlinks that elevate your brand’s authority.
As search behaviour continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of voice search and Google’s emphasis on featured snippets, being agile and staying ahead of these trends will be critical to your SEO success.
The truth is, the best brands may not want to share these secrets, but now that you have them, it’s time to take action. Don’t just aim for a higher ranking, strive to create meaningful, valuable content that resonates with your audience. In doing so, you’ll naturally rise in the ranks, establish your brand as an authority, and, most importantly, grow your online presence in a sustainable, impactful way.
Remember, SEO is a journey, not a destination. Keep testing, learning, and adapting, and before long, you’ll start seeing your efforts pay off. Blastily’s SEO services ensure your brand is not only visible but thrives. We optimize Wikipedia pages to meet notability standards, boosting your searchability and credibility. With our SEO strategies, your brand will be easily found, rank higher, and stand out in the digital space. Let Blastily help you grow by making sure your brand is always in the spotlight. Now that you have the inside scoop, go ahead and put it to good use!