That\u2019s precisely what this guide delivers\u201412 tried-and-tested SEO tactics designed to increase your SEO traffic using all of these methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s your roadmap to staying ahead of the curve by focusing on what works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Remove Major Blockers Affecting SEO Traffic Performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before optimizing for growth, you need to remove any roadblocks that prevent Google from discovering, crawling, and indexing your site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major issues affecting your site\u2019s SEO visibility can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Technical performance and site health issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Manual penalties<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mass low-quality content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- No index tags or blocked robots<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Weak branding<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Crawl budget limitations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before you take any action to increase your website traffic, start with an in-depth website analysis<\/a> to ensure nothing prevents your SEO efforts from taking hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs Site Audit, and Google Analytics are perfect for diagnosing such issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04162731\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Indexed-Not-Indexed.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Rewrite Underperforming Content (Likely an Intent Misalignment)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not all content performs as expected, and one of the biggest reasons is intent misalignment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When your content doesn\u2019t fully match what searchers are looking for, it will struggle to get organic traffic, no matter how many links you build to the page. That\u2019s when you\u2019ll likely need to re-write the content to match the dominant search intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When done right, this tactic increases SEO traffic by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Attracting new audiences searching for target keywords<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Poaching competitor traffic on these target keywords<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gaining visibility for keywords you haven\u2019t ranked for in the past<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
To find underperforming pages that could use a re-write, search your website in Ahrefs\u2019 Top Pages report and filter for pages with low (or no) traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs\u2019](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04162810\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Up-to-0.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou can also try the following filters for better insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Status<\/strong>: Only show new pages and pages with no change.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compare Pages<\/strong>: Switch this on for the graph to show you each page\u2019s traffic history.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Date Filters<\/strong>: Use these to compare performance between two points in time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Once you have your list of pages that have not performed particularly well, you can re-write them in a tool like Ahrefs\u2019 AI Content Helper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It automatically takes into account search intent for each post\u2019s target keyword and chooses the competitor content that aligns with that intent: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04162837\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Select-Your-Competitors.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Improve Older Posts That Have Lost SEO Traffic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even great content can lose traffic over time due to algorithm updates, shifting search intent, content decay, or stronger competition. If once-successful posts have declined in rankings, updating them can help reclaim lost traffic and improve visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find posts that need updating in Ahrefs Site Explorer > Top Pages report with these settings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Date Filter<\/strong>: To explore content declines, set a specific time period. For a starting point, try the last six or twelve months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Traffic Filter<\/strong>: Set this to \u201cDeclined.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Traffic Change Column<\/strong>: Sort this in descending order to get the pages with the biggest traffic losses at the top.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04162916\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Top-Pages.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor each of these pages, click the little down arrow next to the URL and then check out the Overview tab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Overview](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04162954\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Site-Explorer-Overview.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLook at the traffic graph showing when the traffic loss took place. Try correlating this with events like algorithm updates or if you made any major content edits before the traffic drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, this page\u2019s traffic drop correlates with two algorithm updates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163023\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Organic-Traffic-Chart-August-2024.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKnowing why the page lost traffic will help you decide whether to rewrite it or add a few new sections to cover the topic more deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either way, refreshing older content is one of the fastest ways to win back lost rankings and boost SEO traffic with minimal effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Boost Rankings for Keywords Stuck in Positions 4-15<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You’re missing out on most clicks when you rank on page one of Google results (but not in the top spots). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find low-hanging fruit keywords that need minor optimization to break into top-position rankings. Minor effort, major traffic gains when done right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can easily find these keywords in your SEO tool by finding the keywords you already rank for, then filtering for anything in positions 4-15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Ahrefs has a pre-built report that gives you this exact list in Site Explorer > Opportunities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163105\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Opportunities.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThese keywords have high potential and just need some optimization to break into top spots, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Optimizing the page title and description to include the keyword<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adding internal links from high-authority pages with these keywords as anchor text<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expanding the content to cover missing sub-topics represented in these keywords<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These minor refinements can turn a mid-ranking page into a top performer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Increase Traffic From Existing Top-Ranking Keywords <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuy low, sell high\u201d is a common ideology when trading stocks. However, the most successful day traders use a more nuanced and powerful approach: \u201cBuy high, sell higher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use the same principle to get more traffic from keywords you\u2019re already performing quite well for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can do this by improving your listing\u2019s visibility so it draws more attention than your competitors. Think conversion optimization<\/a> rather than keyword optimization.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re already ranking, so your SEO is working. Now it\u2019s about earning more clicks by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Adding a benefit or selling proposition to your page title (after the keyword of course)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Making sure your logo and favicon are showing clearly and professionally<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adding schema to attract more attention, especially review stars if applicable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Choosing eye-catching images that stand out in search results<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For example, for the keyword \u201cface filler before and afters\u201d, the second listing is more likely to draw attention than the first due to it\u2019s image:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Google](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163143\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Image.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is a small conversion hack that can improve its traffic from this keyword and effectively neutralizes the competitor\u2019s higher ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Steal Competitor Traffic With Content Gap Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your competitors are already ranking for keywords you haven\u2019t targeted yet\u2014and that\u2019s an opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A content gap analysis helps you identify high-value topics for which your competitors are attracting traffic. This allows you to create better, more optimized content and steal their audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find these opportunities, go to Ahrefs’ Competitor Analysis tool and enter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Your domain (as the target site)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3-5 competitor domains (to compare against)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Click Show Keywords to reveal terms they rank for\u2014but you don\u2019t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163216\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Competitive-Analysis.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLook for similar keywords that you can target with a single post. Once you have a list of content ideas, you can use Ahrefs\u2019 AI Content Helper to write these new pages and close the gap with your competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If competitors rank with thin content, longer-form, well-researched content can help you outrank them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Increase Visibility in More SERP Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another way to use your existing rankings to earn more traffic is to appear in SERP features like featured snippets, schema results, and AI Overviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These features grab a lot of attention and drive a lot of traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can start by searching Google for some of your target keywords to see what features show up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Featured snippets<\/strong>: Optimize content with clear, concise answers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Schema-enriched results<\/strong>: Add structured data (FAQ, How-To, Reviews) to eligible pages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AI Overviews<\/strong>: Ensure your content is authoritative, well-structured, and linked from high-quality sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- People Also Ask (PAA)<\/strong>: Answer related questions concisely to appear in Google\u2019s FAQ boxes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Image Packs & Video Carousels<\/strong>: Optimize visual content with descriptive file names, alt text, and video schema.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Local Packs<\/strong>: For location-based searches, optimize Google Business Profile and earn local citations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can also use the SERP features filter in SEO tools like Ahrefs to see which ones show up for your keywords and which drive the most traffic to your competitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"SERP](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163304\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-On-SERP.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, update your content with stronger formatting, better structuring, and relevant schema markup to increase your chances of being featured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Show Up in Reddit Threads Ranking for Your Target Keywords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reddit, Quora and other forum websites have had a huge increase in visibility in Google\u2019s search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Organic](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163333\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Organic-Traffic.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou can use this to your advantage to get more traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of optimizing your website to rank better or for more keywords (like most of the above tactics), the focus here is on capturing traffic from people who click on Reddit instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can either do a manual search on Google or use a tool like Ahrefs to see which Reddit threads rank quite well for your keywords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, in Ahrefs Keywords Explorer, enter your list of target keywords. Then use the \u201ctarget\u201d filter to add Reddit and see the keywords it ranks for in the top 10:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163546\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Target-Reddit.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nExport this list, and you\u2019ll get the exact Reddit threads that rank for each keyword. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, it\u2019s just a matter of finding creative ways to get your brand inserted into these conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Get Backlinks From Sites With Real Audiences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not all backlinks are created equal. Links from high-authority sites with real traffic carry far more weight than those from low-quality domains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Securing backlinks from trusted, relevant sources helps improve your traffic in a few ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- They improve your rankings, especially when directed to internal pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They drive referral traffic to your website, allowing you to tap into another brand\u2019s audience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They can increase your brand\u2019s searches on Google, a positive signal improving brand authority<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Use your preferred SEO tool to find websites that earn traffic, and that you can get links from. You can also reverse-engineer your competitor\u2019s best links as a starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, in Ahrefs, you can check out any competitor\u2019s backlinks, paying attention to the amount of traffic the linking pages get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ahrefs](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163743\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Backlinks.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou can also check out the authors linking to each competitor and whose content draws the biggest audience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Linking](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04163852\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Linking-Authors.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, reach out to these sites and authors to negotiate a brand mention and link placement. Check out these link prospecting methods<\/a> for ideas on angles you can use when reaching out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Earn Backlinks From Pages Ranking for Your Target Keywords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Schema-enriched results<\/strong>: Add structured data (FAQ, How-To, Reviews) to eligible pages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Featured snippets<\/strong>: Optimize content with clear, concise answers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Traffic Filter<\/strong>: Set this to \u201cDeclined.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compare Pages<\/strong>: Switch this on for the graph to show you each page\u2019s traffic history.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Status<\/strong>: Only show new pages and pages with no change.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"SEO](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04164609\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-SEO-for-Lawyers.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Keyword](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04164708\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Ahrefs-Overview.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Keyword](\"https:\/\/ceblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/04164737\/Increase-SEO-Traffic-Ahrefs-Overview-Language.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n