You may have seen the news last week detailing how Google SERPS made a notable shift by outsourcing long-tail keyword searches to Reddit.
This move leveraged the platform’s vast, user-generated content to enhance search result relevance, focusing on community-driven information rather than generic content written for search responses. This approach is part of Google’s broader “helpful content update,” and was aimed at prioritizing authentic discussions for more complex queries.
But what does that all really mean for you?
We asked an industry leading SEO expert to give us the lowdown on what this really means and how it may impact the relationship that exists between advertisers and SEO affiliate referring partners.
Impact on Affiliates and Advertisers
Whilst we don’t yet understand the impact of how this might impact both affiliates and advertiser brands there are some guidelines to think about and consider while we see how this plays out:
For Affiliates:
- Engagement: Affiliates will need to actively participate in Reddit communities, creating content that aligns with specific long tail keywords to maintain visibility around customer interests.
- SEO Adjustments: SEO strategies should now include optimizing content for Reddit, focusing on long-tail keywords and engaging in relevant discussions where possible with in the platform.
- Participate in Subreddits: Engage in relevant subreddits, providing valuable insights.
- High-Quality Content: Create content addressing specific user queries and problems.
- Trend Monitoring: Track trending Reddit discussions to adapt content strategies.
- User Feedback: Utilize community and customer feedback to refine your approach and build more relationships.
For Brands and Advertisers:
- Community Monitoring: Brands should track Reddit conversations to gauge consumer sentiment and engage authentically via their publisher partnerships or direct. They should also be monitoring long tail keyword results for branding and compliance infringements.
- Content Strategy: Shifting budget towards valuable, community-centric content and topical discussions can improve search performance and build trust at the top of the awareness piece when consumers start their product search and consideration flow.
- Monitor Metrics: Track content performance on Reddit and adjust strategies accordingly to find new partners entering the long tail space with content that’s authentic and allied to your brand
- Keyword Research: Use Reddit to identify long-tail keywords and common questions then see how you can help affiliates to tackle the gaps on your behalf and share insights so they can promote your products or services to plug these gaps.
What does our SEO expert say?
Rishi Lakhani, a leading UK SEO responded with his thoughts on how this move may impact affiliates longer term.
“This will depend niche to niche, of course. Some niches are totally untouched by Reddit infusion, while others may have to adapt to building community credibility and respond to Q&A with their affiliate links. Take this shoes keyword for example. The freshest thread is from six months ago, but there are multiple threads. Historically, the first 5-6 sites would have been affiliate review sites.”
To reach that audience, you have one of two options: become community experts in the subject with well-rounded profiles or become community spammers. Unfortunately, neither are ideal. Google may devalue those results anyway after you invest in boosting your Reddit presence. Other sources, like more video content, have been introduced on such review key phrases.
“My advice is therefore to work with advertising within those communities with some light touch profile building and investigate which of your keywords have been hit by the Reddit/Quora takeover and focus on those that haven’t. Then build alternative traffic sources that aren’t reliant on Google, as the algorithm is increasingly anti-affiliate. Focus on high-quality video review content for such key phrases. This content can be used on platforms like Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok, enhancing visibility.”
By understanding and adapting to Google’s integration with Reddit, affiliates and brands can leverage this shift to enhance their digital marketing strategies and achieve better engagement and visibility.
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