Are you tired of reading the same old beginner SEO advice like “create great content”? If so, you’re in the right place. Here, we dive deep into 17 advanced SEO strategies and techniques that have significantly boosted my organic traffic, bringing in 360,408 visitors per month from Google.
Let’s explore these actionable steps to dominate Google rankings.
1. Rank for “Journalist Keywords”
Journalist Keywords are terms that journalists search for when writing their articles. Ranking for these can help you build backlinks at scale. For instance, a page speed study we published started ranking for keywords like “average page loading time.” This resulted in journalists citing our study in their articles, boosting our backlink profile significantly.
2. Use Animated Images to Improve Time On Site
Time on site correlates with higher Google rankings. Incorporating high-res animated images, like animated SVGs, can significantly enhance user engagement. These animations catch the eye and keep visitors on your page longer. For example, a post on Backlinko with animated images saw an average session duration of 3:27.
3. Create Content Hubs
Content hubs act like mini Wikipedia pages on specific topics. Our SEO Marketing Hub, for example, organizes SEO resources by category, each optimized around a single keyword. This structure not only boosts SEO through internal linking but also matches user search intent perfectly.
4. Target Comparison Keywords
Comparison Keywords, such as “iPhone vs Android” or “SEO tools vs Content marketing tools,” target advanced users who are closer to making a decision. These keywords typically have lower competition and can drive significant traffic. For instance, our post comparing Ahrefs and SEMrush quickly ranked in the top 3 for that keyword.
5. Use Dynamic Parameters for Pagination
Switching from static to dynamic parameters in pagination URLs can help Google crawl your site more efficiently. This adjustment can significantly improve the indexing speed of your new content. For example, we changed our URL format at Exploding Topics, which led to a faster crawl rate and better indexing.
6. Build Backlinks With Podcasts
Podcasts are the new guest posts. Appearing on podcasts not only builds backlinks but also enhances your authority. Start with smaller podcasts to build experience and leverage those appearances to get on bigger shows. This strategy was instrumental in building backlinks for Exploding Topics.
7. Forge a Content Alliance
Partnering with other businesses or blogs on content can be mutually beneficial. For instance, we teamed up with BuzzSumo for a content analysis, which resulted in a post that brought in over 20,000 visitors in its first month. Collaborations can provide access to data or audiences you wouldn’t have on your own.
8. Maximize SERP Real Estate
Controlling more pixels on Google’s first page increases your chances of getting clicks. Achieve this by aiming for Featured Snippets, ranking YouTube videos, and writing guest posts. For example, ranking a YouTube video on the first page alongside a Featured Snippet can triple your SERP real estate.
9. Embed Original Images In Your Content
High-quality, original images enhance your content’s value and can indirectly improve rankings. Avoid using stock photos. Instead, create custom visuals and charts, which are more likely to be shared and linked to by other sites, boosting your SEO.
10. Optimize Your Content For Keyword Relevance
Incorporate LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords to confirm to Google that your content is highly relevant. Tools like Clearscope and Surfer SEO can help you find these keywords by analyzing top-ranking content for your target terms.
11. Create a Comments Section On Your Blog
Comments sections add user-generated content to your pages, which Google indexes and ranks. They can also increase dwell time by giving visitors more to read. Ensure your comments section is well-moderated to maintain high quality.
12. Uncover People Also Ask Keywords
“People Also Ask” sections are prevalent in search results and worth optimizing for. Use tools like Answer The Public to find these questions and incorporate them into your content to capture this valuable traffic.
13. Add “Content Features” To Your Page
Enhance your content with features like calculators, comparison charts, and pros and cons lists. These elements not only make your content more useful but can also directly and indirectly improve your rankings by increasing user engagement and satisfaction.
14. Publish Topic + Year Content
Creating content that focuses on current trends, such as “SEO 2024,” can capture high-intent traffic. These posts need to be comprehensive and updated annually to maintain their relevance and ranking potential.
15. Get Backlinks From Unlinked Brand Mentions
Identify mentions of your brand that don’t include a backlink using tools like BuzzSumo’s Brand Alerts. Reach out to the authors and request a link. This method typically has a high success rate since the authors are already familiar with your brand.
16. Optimize for Google Discover
Google Discover can drive significant traffic by showing your content in a personalized feed. Ensure your posts have high-quality, original images and focus on timely, engaging content to increase your chances of appearing in Discover.
17. Find Low-Competition Keywords From Reddit
Use tools like Semrush to analyze subreddits and identify keywords that Reddit pages rank for. These keywords often have low competition and can be easier to rank for with well-structured, informative content.
Bonus Strategy #1: Visualize Your Sitemap
A flat site architecture is crucial for SEO. Use tools like Semrush’s site audit feature or VisualSitemaps to visualize your site structure and ensure it’s optimized for search engines.
Bonus Strategy #2: Find Hidden Terms With Google Keyword Planner
Instead of just using seed keywords, input a URL into Google Keyword Planner to uncover keyword ideas that are not typically shown. This can help you find unique opportunities to target.
Conclusion
There you have it: 17 advanced SEO strategies that are currently working wonders. Which strategy will you try first? Do you want to optimize for “People Also Ask” keywords, or perhaps visualize your sitemap? Let me know in the comments section below!
