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By Ruchi Pardal
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20 Nov, 2024
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~ 8 minutes to read
20 Nov, 2024
~ 8 minutes to read
Why are forums suddenly gaining popularity in the SEO space? If you have noticed a decline in traffic to your specialized website while these forums are flourishing, you are not alone.
Recent changes to Google’s algorithm appear to favor community-driven websites like Quora and Reddit. However, what is causing this, and how can you adjust to this shift?
Moreover, an SEO service company can help you navigate this shift and optimize your website for better visibility. According to Semrush, Reddit’s organic traffic increased by an astounding 253.3% in 2023 between July and June 2024.
Keep reading to explore why Google prefers forums and how to adapt your SEO approach to take advantage of this trend.
The reasons behind Google’s recent preference for forum sites are the subject of much speculation.
Source: Stan Ventures
Now, Google’s search engines are becoming increasingly adept at identifying high-quality content. One excellent example is forums, which facilitate authentic communication and information exchange.
When users engage in real-life discussions on your website, Google knows it is a valuable tool. This sincerity and engagement can significantly boost your website’s credibility and search engine rankings.
Forums work like online town squares, where people can share information and have ongoing conversations.
This constant stream of fresh content keeps your website looking fresh and search engine optimized. Google favors websites that are regularly updated with new and useful content, and forums are a great place to do this.
By encouraging vibrant discussions and information sharing, you can keep your website current and search engine-friendly.
Imagine a community in which people come together to talk and share information. The presence of such a thriving community around your forum creates confidence and trust.
Users are more inclined to believe that your website is a trustworthy source of information when they observe other people actively using and benefiting from the content.
This increased confidence can result in a significant improvement in your website’s search engine rankings.
The new “A” word that enclosed everything is authenticity. Despite all of its flaws, when you visit a website like Reddit or Quora, you can be sure you are seeing real conversations with real people.
The public’s strength combined with platforms encouraging open and free communication can often get you there, but sometimes you have to take the scenic route to get a response.
The LLM trained on the most valuable data—rather than the one with the most technology—will ultimately be the most powerful.
Reddit and Quora are experts in interacting with their communities. They promote in-depth conversations and information exchange on their platforms. Google values access to a wealth of reliable, raw and user insights.
On Reddit, for example, if a user asks a challenging technical question, the community can provide a comprehensive, instructive response that is often better than what an expert would write. This kind of user-generated content informs Google that the platform is a valuable resource.
Google has always given preference to reputable websites run by well-known companies and specialists.
However, recent algorithmic changes indicate a shift toward supporting a range of content formats that provide users with the most relevant and helpful information.
One example of this is user-generated content, which offers a variety of viewpoints and first-hand accounts.
Google’s recent investments, like the $60 million it spent to grant Reddit access to its data, show this trend toward appreciating authenticity.
For example, the Reddit community promptly offers a variety of viewpoints, experiences, and suggestions in response to a user’s query on a new technological device.
Imagine a vibrant marketplace of ideas where millions of individuals congregate to exchange ideas and personal stories. This is the truth about sites like Quora and Reddit.
Millions of people use these networks, and they generate massive amounts of content every day. This constant flow of fresh content keeps the platforms relevant to Google’s algorithms, engaging, and up to date.
Google believes that these platforms are excellent venues for exchanging knowledge and information because of the volume of user-generated content.
Do you remember Google Answers from 2002, Google Questions and Answers from 2007, and Google Question Hub from 2019? No one else does either.
Google made these desperate attempts to use crowdsourcing to build its own knowledge base.
They learned from this experience that people use Google.com to find answers rather than to contribute.
It should not be surprising that at this time, websites such as Quora and Reddit were gaining popularity. What factors have made some websites successful while others have not?
Websites such as Google Question Hub and Yahoo Answers gradually lost all of their credibility and confidence as a result of their inability to control spam and phony accounts.
Google essentially hired outside companies to manage the process of assessing the “human” nature of information.
These websites enable users to have candid and open discussions and exchange ideas. This opens up nuances and details about a topic that would not otherwise be accessible on a static website.
From the perspective of search and AI, that exposes the incredibly large tail that no one is covering.
On websites like Quora and Reddit, there are not hundreds of moderators monitoring every discussion. They instead create communities that self-regulate.
For example, each subreddit has its own set of rules, and moderators and members will quickly call out anyone who breaks them.
Creating your own forum with a specific purpose will help you get back into the spotlight and create a vibrant brand community. By taking the following steps, you can optimize forums’ usefulness for your SEO strategy:
A thriving community is the foundation of a successful forum. “If you build it, they will come” is not true in this case. To understand your audience, you need to ask yourself, “What is in it for me?”
When you invite them to visit, you are asking them to read the questions and write the answers. In exchange, what are the advantages they receive?
Here are a few pointers for creating a vibrant community:
The next stage is to turn your forum into an active community after completing the technical requirements. Adapt your forum to your specialized audience’s particular requirements and preferences. The specificity of your forum will make it an incredible resource.
You can send them an email to market to them or use social media ads to target them. Search engines can also be used to advertise your community.
Want to elevate your website’s visibility and drive more organic traffic? By engaging in the right forums, sharing insightful commentary, and creating valuable content, you can make a lasting impact. ResultFirst is here to help you capitalize on this powerful strategy.
Our team of SEO experts will guide you every step of the way—helping you choose the best forums, craft engaging content, and execute a winning forum marketing strategy tailored to your business.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to amplify your reach and grow your brand. Let’s make it happen—Contact Us now and watch your business thrive!
