The internet provides businesses a massive platform to reach new audiences and sell their products/services. Beating the competition can be a challenge even for large corporations with decades of experience, let alone a small business in the initial stages of making a name for itself. Creating a beautiful and informative website isn’t enough to get you sufficient online traffic. That is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) steps in. Often underrated, Barnacle SEO is an important part of a successful SEO strategy.
What is Barnacle SEO and how does it work?
Certain keywords are so competitive and challenging that ranking for them is practically impossible. Trying to rank for them would be a waste of time and energy. Instead of giving up, you just need a different approach. You can improve your online presence by ”attaching” your name to sites and pages that rank highly for competitive terms and phrases, just like a barnacle on a ship. When internet users visit the top results and see your site mentioned or linked to, you can enjoy numerous benefits.
‘Barnacle SEO’, formerly known as ‘Parasite SEO’, is a relatively new term. It refers to the process of using websites that have higher rankings to improve the quality and ranking potential of your site and boost its traffic. This strategy uses the authority of high-ranking websites for highly competitive keywords to promote your brand, content, or products/services. ”Attaching” your business to authoritative sources increases the authority of your business.
What sites should you use?
The websites you choose for this purpose should be larger, reputable websites. You may have been listing your websites, content, and business pages on Facebook, Yelp, or Google My Business without even knowing that these activities are a part of Barnacle SEO.
Social media sites and major directories are the best platforms to implement a barnacle strategy. Here’s a list of sites most businesses choose:
- Bing
- Four Square
- Google My Business
- Superpages
- Yahoo Local
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
Focus on sites and directories that are niche-specific if you own a niche company. The more areas you’re listed on, the better your Google rankings. Therefore, list your company on as many sites and directories specific to your niche/area as possible.
Barnacle SEO vs classic SEO – What’s the basic difference between the two?
The difference between these two terms confuses many people. Unlike classic SEO, barnacle search engine optimization is not about optimizing your own site for search engines. Instead, you are helping other websites. These websites hold the highest positions for the most competitive keywords. By helping others succeed, you are also helping your own business. While classic SEO targets keywords that will improve your ranking, when doing Barnacle SEO, you should only target keywords that are not likely to get you ranked.
Barnacle search engine optimization tactics
Although getting in touch with professionals who work with SEO Company Atlanta is the best way to boost web traffic, traffic that comes through barnacle SEO efforts will be significant. As long as you do it right, of course. And the better the traffic, the higher your Google search results.
Press releases, sponsored content, community events
- Press releases. Look for news sites or other industry publications that will feature your company. Choose a relevant topic and write a press release you can distribute to a PR press release distribution site. Of course, make sure your content is of good quality.
- Sponsored content. Have an online publishing platform publish an article with your company’s branding on their site. You will have to pay, but you won’t regret it.
- Community events. Contributing to a community event will bring you a mention on the event’s official site and create additional hype around your brand.
Wikipedia page
Another great way to create a meaningful barnacle is to create a Wikipedia page for your business. Wikipedia is a popular authority in an internet search. Many people read and edit these articles. A Wikipedia page for your business can improve not only your visibility but also your credibility and reputation. Plus, it is cost-free.
Guest blogs
Guest blogging helps your business grow in several ways. Make sure you offer quality content that is relevant to your niche. Look for top blogs that publish guest articles and pitch your idea. Note that it may not be easy to get in touch with the people who work for these sites. If you plan on focusing on the most competitive keywords, it will be even harder. Therefore, you should work with a professional guest blogger with experience. Make sure you check their previous experience and references first. They often have connections with local publishers.
Social networks
Social networks also serve as search engines. Create social media accounts on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Then, add other businesses and individuals. Start actively posting, commenting, liking, and sharing. Publish appropriate posts, respond to them, and motivate others to discuss them. Additionally, prepare engaging social media content for Quora, Reddit, or Linkedin. Having a YouTube channel could also be a good idea, depending on the type of business you are running.
Roundup blog posts
A roundup blog post is a collection of quality content (quotes, interviews) by influential people in a particular industry or area. This is a great way to reach more online readers. Roundups are a popular form of barnacle SEO because they contain credible yet short pieces of information by industry experts. Both the participants and readers often share them on social media. This barnacle will not only improve your online visibility but also expand your business network.
