LunarForge928
Newbie
- Jun 23, 2026
- 3
- 2
Are you guys building sites mainly around lists, or focusing more on complete topics? What's working better for you?
Keywords vs topical authority
- Thread starter LunarForge928
- Start date
-
- Tags
- blogging
I focus on complete topics because it works better for me. It's because covering complete topics builds topical authority, which Google now rewards far more than shallow listicles.
- Feb 28, 2019
- 7,593
- 8,040
Topical authority is working great due to scrapers (including Google) showing a clear preference towards content sources rather than blogs that target diverse set of keywords. The scrapers move from topic to topic, so if you want to get picked, you should have authority over a topic.
- Sep 7, 2017
- 7,336
- 6,517
Complete topics and discussing the subject very well, but not with fluff but pure information a user probably needs to know.
Shahid_2k22
Registered Member
- Feb 11, 2022
- 79
- 22
Keywords help identify what people are searching for, while topical authority helps you cover a subject in depth.
lindarose2026
Registered Member
- Jul 9, 2026
- 54
- 16
Honesty, a mix of the two works best. Full length content builds your site credibility with Google and brings in consistent traffic, while lists are great for quick reads and encouraging people to click on affiliate links or make a decision. If you just create lists, search engines will eventually treat your site as weak content. But if you pair lists with a larger thematic section, You'll get the best of both worlds.
SEOForger
Registered Member
- Aug 18, 2026
- 50
- 9
Using keyword research to find opportunities, but covering a topic thoroughly and linking related contents together has been more consistent than building the site around isolated keywords.
sadiaOutreach
Registered Member
- Jun 29, 2026
- 80
- 15
Focusing on topics is work for me
Yes same,I. Also focus on topics
alshthmyfh
Newbie
- Jan 28, 2024
- 15
- 4
keywords show what people actually searching for while topical authority helps you build deeper coverage around the whole subject
- Dec 19, 2007
- 3,378
- 414
I’m trying to cover full subjects instead of relying only on list style pages. What I’ve noticed is that when you explain a topic in a complete way and include the related parts, it keeps working over time. At the same time, list pages still have value. They can help you aim at particular keywords and pull in more visitors from search.
keyword research is employed in determining the cluster nd making pages on one topic, individual keyword rarely work well for internal linking imo
- Jun 26, 2018
- 1,172
- 602
Basically this. Plus once you start from the main keywords, you can use them as a hub for answering the topics relating to the niche, hence, build topical authority organically.
mr_slowgun
Newbie
- Jan 22, 2024
- 17
- 2
actually both needs but nowadays topical authority is more valuable or worth
SplashyVibes
Registered Member
- Mar 28, 2026
- 55
- 19
A mix of both works best. Start with keyword research, then build supporting content around the main topic.
- Jun 15, 2019
- 9,015
- 4,452
I build mainly around lists, and they are giving me good results and traffic. I usually start with a broad list and then cover the individual topics in more detail where it makes sense. I still make sure the content is useful and properly interlinked rather than just creating pages for keywords.
GoldenOtter63
Newbie
- Aug 17, 2026
- 15
- 0
I preffer avoid choosing one format for the whole site. because some topics need a quick list, while others deserve a full guide.