Sites that Survived the HCU Update did this

Summary

• I have a Master’s degree in electrical engineering and worked in Silicon Valley startups for 10 years.
• When solving SEO problems, I rely on data and extensive testing.
• My team and I analyzed over 1,000 content sites to understand the ranking factors affecting their performance.
• We examined more than 40 different ranking factors, including real authors, brand knowledge panels, real product images, and display density.
• From our analysis, we identified four high-likelihood ranking factors for successful sites:
  1. A decent amount of brand search volume.
  2. Traffic diversity, meaning the site received traffic from social media, paid ads, and organic search.
  3. Monetization diversity.
  4. Fewer pages on the site with zero traffic.
• Focusing on these factors can help improve your site’s SEO performance.

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How To Take Action

Implementing the lessons and strategies from my experience can really boost your SEO performance. Here are some simple, high-value suggestions:

Focus on Brand Search Volume

A good way to start is by increasing your brand search volume. Encourage your customers to search for your brand directly. This can be done through:

• Content Marketing: Create engaging blog posts and social media updates that mention your brand name.
• Customer Engagement: Send out emails or newsletters that prompt users to visit your site directly.
• Referral Programs: Offer incentives for customers to share your brand with others.

Diversify Your Traffic Sources

Relying on just one type of traffic isn’t enough. You need a mix! Here are quick ways to achieve that:

• Social Media Posts: Keep your social media pages active with regular posts linking back to your site.
• Paid Ads: Start small with targeted ads on platforms like Facebook or Google.
• Organic Search: Optimize your web pages with relevant keywords to boost organic traffic.

Monetization Diversity

Having different ways to make money ensures you’re not reliant on just one stream. Consider:

• Adding Affiliate Links: Partner with other companies and add their links to your site.
• Selling Products: Offer different types of products or services directly on your website.
• Subscription Models: If applicable, offer subscription plans for premium content or services.

Reduce Zero-Traffic Pages

Pages with no traffic are dragging you down. Clean them up:

• Audit Content: Regularly review your website’s content to identify low-performing pages.
• Update or Delete: Either improve these pages with better content or remove them altogether.

Starting small with these steps can make a huge difference. Focus on one area at a time and gradually build up. Good luck!