The Top 7 SEO Strategies That Get No Love: Google

September 4, 2024

If you’re looking to dominate the search engine rankings, chances are you’ve already heard of the basics like optimizing your content for keywords or building backlink. But what if there are advanced strategies out there that most marketers are NOT talking about, even though they’re clearly outlined in Google’s SEO guides – the SEO Strategies that are part of the “Google Bible”? These are the hidden gems, the equivalent of finding rocket fuel for your business in a crowded space station.

In this post, we’ll uncover 7 underrated SEO strategies that you should be focusing on today. These tactics aren’t the flashy ones you’ll hear in every webinar, but they pack a punch when executed properly.

DALL·E 2024-09-04 06.39.39 - An artistic 3D rendition of search engine optimization (SEO) in a 16_9 aspect ratio. The scene features interconnected digital elements like gears, ma | Business Blog Articles & Reviews - BB.AI

“All the time that little trends keep coming and going, the Bob Segers, Bruce Springsteens, and the Billy Squiers keep staying.”
Billy Squier – Rock musician

1. Forum-Based Inbound Link Building

Most SEO specialists are focused on getting backlinks from guest posts or high-authority sites, but Google loves links that come from forums, as long as they’re relevant and natural.

Why It Works:
When users post links to your site on a relevant forum, it shows that you are part of the community and providing valuable insights. Google looks for this organic engagement, viewing these links as trust signals.

How to Do It:

Find Niche Forums: Use tools like BoardReader to identify active forums related to your industry.
Be an Active Contributor: Don’t just drop your links; become part of the conversation. Share useful tips and respond to other users’ questions.
Target Long-Tail Keywords: Each time you contribute, try to mention topics related to long-tail keywords that drive more qualified traffic.

Imagine your forum posts as fueling up your SEO rocket—they may seem small and steady, but over time, they propel your authority higher and higher in Google’s orbit.

2. Google My Business (GMB) Q&A Optimization

Most local businesses set up a Google My Business (GMB) page, but few are actively optimizing the Q&A section. This is a goldmine for capturing user intent and dominating local search.

Why It Works:
Google’s local search algorithm heavily relies on customer engagement with your business. The more you interact through GMB, the more trust signals Google gets that your business is relevant and responsive.

How to Do It:

Seed Questions: You don’t have to wait for customers to ask questions. Proactively post questions and provide well-crafted answers that showcase your expertise.
Include Keywords in Answers: Answer questions naturally but include relevant local keywords where appropriate, especially ones related to your services and location.

Think of GMB Q&A as your communication hub—just like mission control for astronauts, this section ensures you stay in touch with your customers and Google alike.

3. Optimize for Passage Ranking

In 2020, Google launched passage ranking, which allows the algorithm to rank specific passages within a piece of content, not just the overall page. While most marketers focus on entire pages, optimizing individual passages can skyrocket your SEO results.

Why It Works:
Google can now pull out small sections of your content to answer very specific queries. This means you have a higher chance of ranking, even if your entire page doesn’t rank for a broader term.

How to Do It:

Focus on Subheadings: Make sure each subheading answers a distinct question.
Use Precise, Informative Paragraphs: Break up your content into short, concise paragraphs that directly address different aspects of your main topic.
Leverage Schema Markup: Use FAQ schema to help Google identify key passages on your page.

Think of passage ranking like finding hidden rocket thrusters. It might not be the main engine pushing your page to the top, but those small boosts in specific areas help you soar above the competition.

4. Image Optimization for Visual Search

With the rise of Google Lens and visual search, many businesses are sleeping on the opportunity to optimize images for visual search queries.

Why It Works:
As users search for products by snapping photos rather than typing keywords, Google’s AI can identify your products if your images are properly optimized. This can drive a whole new type of traffic to your website.

How to Do It:

Descriptive Filenames: Avoid generic names like “IMG_1234.jpg” and instead use descriptive filenames that include keywords (e.g., “red-wool-scarf.jpg”).
Alt Text for Visual Search: Ensure each image has detailed alt text that matches potential search queries.
Leverage Image Sitemaps: Add an image sitemap to help Google index your images properly.

Visual search is like finding a shortcut in space travel—a new path that can connect your business with an audience searching in entirely different ways.

5. Hyperlocal Content Using Google Maps Integration

Local SEO isn’t just about adding a city name to your title tag anymore. You can take things up a notch by integrating Google Maps directly into your website and optimizing hyperlocal content.

Why It Works:
Google prioritizes businesses that show they’re tied to a specific neighborhood or district, and embedding a custom map pinpoints your exact relevance to a geographical area.

How to Do It:

Create a Custom Google Map showing specific landmarks or routes to your location, and embed it on your website.
Add Local Guides: Write about local attractions or services near your business that your customers might find useful (e.g., “Best coffee shops near [your business]”).
Optimize for ‘Near Me’ Searches: Use hyperlocal keywords in your content to catch users searching for things “near me.”

Imagine Google Maps as your flight path—the more accurate and tailored to your location it is, the better you guide users (and Google) directly to your business.

6. E-A-T Focused Content Updates

Google’s E-A-T guidelines (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) are critical, but many marketers focus only on creating new content. Instead, updating your existing content to reflect E-A-T principles can dramatically boost your rankings.

Why It Works:
Google rewards content that stays fresh and relevant. By revisiting older content and making sure it reflects your current expertise, you signal to Google that your site is up-to-date and authoritative.

How to Do It:

Cite Authoritative Sources: Regularly update your posts with links to new research, studies, or news that show you’re on top of your industry.
Highlight Author Credentials: Ensure that the authors of your posts have verifiable credentials and add author bios where applicable.
Update Publishing Dates: Reflect the latest updates by changing the publication date to show Google the content is fresh.

Think of updating your content like giving your spacecraft routine maintenance—even the most cutting-edge tech needs periodic checkups to perform at peak efficiency.

7. Voice Search Optimization

As more users rely on smart speakers and mobile voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri, optimizing for voice search is becoming essential. Yet, it’s still underutilized in many industries.

Why It Works:
Voice search queries are often longer and more conversational than typed searches. Optimizing for these “natural language” queries gives you an edge in a rapidly growing field.

How to Do It:

Focus on Question-Based Keywords: Include phrases like “how,” “what,” and “why” in your content to match the natural queries users make with voice search.
Create FAQ Pages: Google loves to pull answers from FAQ pages for voice queries.
Optimize for Featured Snippets: These short answers are the most likely to be read aloud by Google Assistant or Alexa, making them prime real estate for voice search.

Voice search is the futuristic tech guiding the next era of search, just like NASA’s latest voice-activated controls. It’s the future, and it’s already here—just waiting for you to leverage it.

Final Launch Checklist

Incorporating these lesser-known, Google-approved SEO strategies is like finding untapped rocket fuel for your website. The strategies outlined here—such as forum-based links, Google My Business Q&A optimization, and voice search optimization—aren’t just trendy; they are rooted in how Google’s algorithm works and where it’s heading.

By applying these advanced SEO techniques, your business can gain a significant edge over competitors still using outdated strategies. Keep your site well-maintained, your content fresh, and always be on the lookout for new ways to propel your SEO into the stratosphere!

Ready to blast off with these underutilized SEO strategies? Let us know how these tips helped you optimize your rankings!