How To Be Better At SEO | People Who Rank Without Even Trying

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is considered by many to be a very advanced, complex, and scary subject. How to be better at SEO? Read books? Try methods? All these things are true. It earns some people millions of dollars through their page ranking #1 overnight. It also loses other people’s money they thought they had because a Google search algorithm changed and put them in an unfavorable position. Why do we consider this science to be advanced, complex, or scary? For the same reason that math or language is considered such. Because it’s a cohesive system that has to be learned and interpreted on a human level for each individual person, as every person learns differently.

How to be Better at SEO – What is SEO and How Does It Work?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the art and science of enhancing your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. The higher your site ranks in search results, the more likely you are to attract visitors. Here’s a simplified look at how it works:

• Keywords: The foundation of SEO. These are the terms people type into search engines. Knowing and using the right keywords can drive traffic to your site.
• Content: High-quality, relevant content is king. Regularly updated content keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to return.
• Links: Both internal and external links help search engines understand your site’s relevance and authority.
• Technical SEO: Ensuring your website is technically sound can improve its crawlability and indexability by search engines.

Some who achieve success through SEO try to get their results by actually putting in “SEO work” and labeling it that way in their heads. They try to find out how to be better at SEO, they’re aware of what SEO is, what the search algorithm is, and the entire school of thought behind optimizing your site to a piece of software (Google’s Algorithm) that is trying to determine your legitimacy based on your alphanumeric or Cartesian standings within the goings-on of social media. However, a good amount of independent business professionals don’t even know when they’re doing SEO on their own business, name, or brand. How can this happen? How can people rank on Google without even knowing what SEO means? This axiomatically must happen since there are more possible search results in Google than people who are SEOs in the world.

How to Learn to Be Better at SEO from People Who Do Well at SEO But Don’t Know It

Believe it or not, you can learn how to be better at SEO from those who excel at SEO already. This is because Google’s algorithm measures the relevancy of web pages based on a topic. For instance, someone might pick profitable keywords by dumb luck for their business. If their best keyword happens to be “Cleveland Car Sales” and they build their site around this term, they can rank well without even realizing the significance of their actions.

Here’s how you can learn from such individuals:

• Observe: Look at how they structure their content, use keywords, and engage with their audience.
• Emulate: Adopt some of their practices, such as creating engaging content and maintaining an active social media presence.

Google’s algorithm is designed to measure relevancy based on several metrics, including content quality, keyword usage, and social media engagement. So, if someone happens to engage their audience naturally and consistently, they might rank highly without even trying to “do SEO.”

For example, imagine a small business owner who frequently updates their website with blog posts about industry trends, answers common customer questions, and shares behind-the-scenes looks at their operations. They might naturally incorporate relevant keywords and topics without intentionally doing so, thus boosting their SEO efforts. Additionally, if they share this content on social media and engage with their audience, they’re further enhancing their online presence and search engine ranking.

Improving Rankings Through Social Media

Social media marketing is objectively the wave of ‘the future’ of the web, or more accurately, the current zeitgeist as a whole. As technology drives the progressive new ways we conduct our day-to-day lives, the importance of social media in creating efficiency will only grow. Here’s how to leverage social media for better SEO:

• Consistent Posting: Regular updates on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can drive traffic to your site.
• Engagement: Interact with your followers, respond to comments, and join relevant conversations.
• Shareable Content: Create content that is easy to share. The more your content is shared, the more traffic you get.
• Platform-Specific Strategies: Tailor your content and engagement strategies to fit the unique features and audience of each social media platform.
• Utilize Multimedia: Use a mix of text, images, videos, and infographics to keep your audience engaged and encourage sharing.

Social media profiles often rank in search engines, and active engagement on these platforms can drive significant traffic to your website. For instance, 71% of adults are using Facebook if they’re on the internet. Ignoring such platforms can lead to missed opportunities for relevance in Google’s eyes. The number for Twitter is probably similar too. By considering what’s popular on the internet through social means and emulating what’s natural, you can create a real content campaign on these sites, linking back to your main site for increased authority and social signals.

In addition to increasing traffic, social media engagement helps build your brand’s authority and trustworthiness. When users see consistent, high-quality content and active engagement, they’re more likely to view your brand as a leader in your industry. This perception can lead to more backlinks, further boosting your SEO efforts.

How to Get Better at SEO by Studying Your Competition

The best way to improve your rankings is to analyze your competition. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify Competitors: Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find your top competitors.
2. Analyze Keywords: Look at the keywords they are ranking for and identify opportunities.
3. Review Content: Study their content to see what works and what doesn’t.
4. Check Backlinks: Use tools to find out where their backlinks are coming from and try to get similar links.
5. Examine Social Media: Observe how they use social media to drive traffic and engagement.
6. Evaluate Technical SEO: Analyze their site’s technical aspects, such as load speed, mobile-friendliness, and overall user experience.

By understanding why your competitors are ranking, you can adopt similar strategies. If they’re using special types of links or content strategies, you can try to replicate or improve upon these methods. If certain keywords are too competitive, consider targeting less competitive ones.

Additionally, studying your competitors’ social media strategies can provide insights into what resonates with your shared audience. Look at the types of content they post, the frequency of their posts, and the level of engagement they receive. Use this information to refine your own social media and content strategies.

Moreover, evaluating the technical aspects of your competitors’ websites can highlight areas for improvement on your own site. For instance, if their site loads faster or offers a better mobile experience, you can take steps to enhance your site’s performance in these areas, leading to better user experience and higher search engine rankings.

People to Emulate

Learning from the experts can significantly shorten your learning curve. Here are some influential figures in the SEO world whose insights and strategies can help you become better at SEO:

• Rand Fishkin: Co-founder of Moz and SparkToro, Rand is a prominent voice in the SEO community. His Whiteboard Friday sessions on Moz are a treasure trove of SEO tips and best practices. Follow him on Twitter @randfish for regular updates.
• Neil Patel: A prolific marketer and SEO expert, Neil offers practical advice and detailed guides on his blog NeilPatel.com. His YouTube channel also provides step-by-step tutorials on various SEO strategies.
• Brian Dean: The founder of Backlinko, Brian Dean is known for his in-depth SEO case studies and actionable tips. His blog posts and SEO training courses are highly regarded in the industry. Check out his work at Backlinko.
• Aleyda Solis: An international SEO consultant and speaker, Aleyda provides valuable insights into technical SEO and international SEO strategies. Follow her on Twitter @aleyda and visit her site Orainti for expert advice.
• Barry Schwartz: The founder of Search Engine Roundtable and news editor at Search Engine Land, Barry provides timely updates on SEO news, algorithm changes, and industry trends. His Twitter handle @rustybrick is a must-follow for the latest in SEO.
• Lily Ray: SEO Director at Path Interactive, Lily shares insights on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and the impact of Google’s algorithm updates. Follow her on Twitter @lilyraynyc for her expert analysis.
• John Mueller: As a Webmaster Trends Analyst at Google, John provides valuable information straight from the source. His regular contributions on the Google Webmaster Central Blog and Twitter @JohnMu are essential for staying up-to-date with Google’s practices.

By following these experts, you can stay informed about the latest SEO trends, learn proven strategies, and get actionable advice to improve your SEO efforts. Each of these professionals brings unique insights and experiences, making them invaluable resources in your ranking journey.

 

Conclusion: Mastering SEO

Mastering SEO is a journey, not a destination. By understanding the basics, observing successful practices, leveraging social media, and studying your competition, you can significantly improve your SEO game. Remember, SEO is about being natural but enhanced – create quality content, engage authentically, and optimize technically. Happy optimizing! 🚀

Featured image by Webaroo.com.au