The SEO landscape has undergone significant changes over the past 18 months. These shifts have created new opportunities for some businesses while presenting challenges for others. Depending on the type of site you operate, these changes could be either a blessing or a curse. For instance, if you run an affiliate or small publishing site, you may need to overhaul your strategy entirely. On the other hand, forums, eCommerce sites, and similar platforms may find new ranking opportunities opening up to them.
In the wake of recent algorithm updates, leaked Google documents, and the introduction (and rollback) of AI-generated content in SERPs, the key question for small businesses remains: what Riverside SEO tactics are still effective in 2024? This article will delve into eight strategies of SEO that continue to work and provide insights on how to leverage them for your small to mid-sized site.
1. Link Building
Link building remains a cornerstone of SEO, and its importance has not diminished in 2024. However, the focus has shifted towards building high-quality links rather than simply accumulating as many as possible. Google’s algorithms have become more sophisticated, placing greater emphasis on the quality and relevance of links rather than their sheer volume.
Recent insights from leaked Google documents reveal that the value of a link is influenced by the traffic that the linking page receives. This means that securing links from pages that not only come from reputable sites but also attract real visitors is crucial. Links from high-traffic, authoritative pages are more likely to boost your rankings and enhance your site’s credibility.
Moreover, the recent Helpful Content Update (HCU) has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean link profile. Sites that were penalized by the HCU but later recovered often did so by purging low-quality or spammy links. This highlights the need for businesses to be vigilant about the quality of links pointing to their site, as well as the anchor text used in those links.
2. Content Reworks
If your site has experienced a decline in rankings or traffic, particularly for older content, it may be time to revisit and refresh those pages. Content reworks are an effective strategy to breathe new life into outdated pages and realign them with current SEO best practices.
Google’s preferences for content and user intent can change over time. For example, a page optimized for “AI writing software” two years ago may need updates to remain relevant today. Search results for the same keyword might now feature more diverse content types, such as lists, comparison guides, or video tutorials. Adjusting your content to reflect these changes can help it regain its competitive edge.
Additionally, as part of the content rework process, it’s essential to audit the internal and external links pointing to key pages. Ensure that the anchor text is not overly optimized for a single keyword and that the links support the updated content. This comprehensive approach can improve your content’s relevance and authority in the eyes of search engines.
3. Establishing Your Site as a “Real” Business
In today’s SEO environment, it’s not enough to simply be a legitimate business—you need to signal this clearly to search engines. Many small businesses, particularly those with limited SEO investment, may struggle with a lack of external links, minimal directory listings, and low brand search volume. These factors can negatively impact your site’s credibility and ranking potential.
To counteract this, it’s important to ensure your business is accurately represented across various online platforms. This includes building citations and maintaining consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP) information across directories and business data providers, especially Google Business Profile. These steps help establish your site as a legitimate and trustworthy entity in the eyes of search engines, boosting your overall SEO efforts.
4. Forums and User-Generated Content
Forums and user-generated content (UGC) platforms like Reddit, Quora, and niche-specific forums have seen a resurgence in visibility within search results. These platforms offer valuable, authentic content that resonates with users, and search engines are increasingly recognizing their value.
For small businesses, integrating a community element such as a niche forum or user discussion board can significantly enhance engagement and content diversity. If starting a forum from scratch seems daunting, consider acquiring an existing one within your niche. This strategy can provide an immediate boost in content and user engagement, contributing to improved rankings and traffic.
5. Parasite Content
“Parasite” content, which involves creating content hosted on authoritative domains to rank for specific keywords, remains effective despite Google’s attempts to clamp down on this tactic. This strategy involves publishing content on high-authority third-party sites with the aim of capturing rankings for competitive keywords.
While this approach may not be suitable for all businesses, it can be a viable option for those looking to gain visibility in highly competitive SERPs. For example, you might consider partnering with authoritative sites to publish content that promotes your products or services. Even if you don’t engage in the more aggressive forms of parasite content, creating high-quality content that lives on reputable third-party domains can help you rank for valuable search terms.
6. Programmatic SEO
Programmatic SEO involves the automated generation of content pages, often with the assistance of AI tools. This approach can be particularly effective for creating content at scale, such as location-specific pages, product comparisons, or templated content.
However, programmatic SEO comes with risks. Rolling out large volumes of low-quality, duplicated content can harm your site’s reputation and rankings. To succeed with programmatic SEO, it’s crucial to focus on quality and relevance. Use unique data and well-crafted templates to create content that genuinely adds value to users. When executed correctly, programmatic SEO can be a powerful tool for expanding your site’s reach and driving traffic.
7. Tools and Calculator Sites
Sites that offer tools or calculators have proven to be resilient in the face of recent algorithm updates. These sites provide practical value to users, making them a natural fit for ad-supported or affiliate business models.
If your small business site doesn’t currently offer tools or calculators, consider adding them to enhance your value proposition. Alternatively, you might explore acquiring an existing tool site within your niche. Offering useful tools can increase user engagement, build authority, and improve your chances of ranking well in search results.
8. Capitalizing on “Best of” Queries
Product roundups, or “best of” lists, are a popular query type that has undergone significant changes in recent years. While traditional affiliate and ad-supported sites have seen their visibility decline, small business sites can still capitalize on these queries by adopting new eight strategies.
For example, if you run an eCommerce site, you can create product roundups that promote your own products or services alongside competitors. This approach not only helps you capture search traffic but also positions your brand as a trusted source of recommendations. Alternatively, you can create affiliate partnerships with related products and promote them in your roundups. This strategy allows you to monetize your content while providing valuable information to your audience.
Conclusion
As with any SEO strategy, the effectiveness of these tactics will depend on your specific site and business goals. It’s essential to evaluate each tactic in the context of your site’s unique needs and test different approaches to determine what works best. By staying adaptable and focusing on what still works in 2024, you can navigate the ever-changing Riverview SEO landscape and achieve sustainable growth for your business.
Great advice! I’ll definitely be implementing some of these tips.