How tf is this site ranking??

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MenacingGeese

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outrankus (.) com ... this 1-year old site is ranking for "seo syracuse" in the #1 spot, ahead of sites with far superior backlink profiles, have older domains, etc.

I don't see any PBN links or any spammy tiered links... the only things I can think of are that 1) the homepage has a shitload of content (5800 words) and 2) the company name is exact-match, so all the backlinks contain "syracuse seo" ... but that doesn't seem like enough to outrank the caliber of sites below it. Curious if anyone has any ideas here?

And to add to the mystery: the homepage doesn't have an h1 or any h2s
 
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MenacingGeese said:
outrankus (.) com ... this 1-year old site is ranking for "seo syracuse" in the #1 spot, ahead of sites with far superior backlink profiles, have older domains, etc.

I don't see any PBN links or any spammy tiered links... the only things I can think of are that 1) the homepage has a shitload of content (5800 words) and 2) the company name is exact-match, so all the backlinks contain "syracuse seo" ... but that doesn't seem like enough to outrank the caliber of sites below it. Curious if anyone has any ideas here?

And to add to the mystery: the homepage doesn't have an h1 or any h2s
Click to expand...
Turst flow impact on SEO this is 100 true. TF can increase only when owner take high quality backlinks.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if they are hiding their backlinks
 
My opinion on this would be, Check out how that top-ranking site for 'seo syracuse' did it—look into their approach with detailed homepage content, using their exact-match company name in backlinks, and paying attention to on-page elements like header tags.
 
The same situation exists with my competitors. My own site is better in terms of content, structure and usability. (much better) When I look at the backlinks, the guy has maybe tens of thousands of backlinks, but even though most of them are malicious (adult+18) and fraudsters, he is still equal to first place. I was expecting the last update to fix this problem, but I realized that it only worked to his benefit, to my detriment.
 
What the fudge!!! They even have the guts to offer web design services..

This website looks like it was designed during a coffee break in 1995; I'm half expecting to see a dancing baby GIF somewhere on that homepage! :alien:
 
MenacingGeese said:
outrankus (.) com ... this 1-year old site is ranking for "seo syracuse" in the #1 spot, ahead of sites with far superior backlink profiles, have older domains, etc.

I don't see any PBN links or any spammy tiered links... the only things I can think of are that 1) the homepage has a shitload of content (5800 words) and 2) the company name is exact-match, so all the backlinks contain "syracuse seo" ... but that doesn't seem like enough to outrank the caliber of sites below it. Curious if anyone has any ideas here?

And to add to the mystery: the homepage doesn't have an h1 or any h2s
Click to expand...

Do you guys even study the SERPs? SEO is NOT ALL backlinks. Links are important but they aren't everything. Whenever someone posts something similar, the common response is always hidden links, hidden PBNs etc. LOL.

SEO Syracuse is a local keyword, and this website is totally dedicated to Syracuse, the rest with the exception of one, are targeting a bunch of SEO location keywords across NY and other states. Google looks at relevancy, and this site pops out as dedicated Syracuse, hence it ranks in the third position. Backlinks are important, but being relevant is also important. The sites ranking #1 and #2 are not enitrely Syracuse dedicated, but their link profile is SUPER strong. The comparison of the # of links and the little effort it takes to be relevant isn't 1:1, it is like 10000000:1, if it makes any sense.

Here is another example, 'best laptop for mom' - you will see a site with DA 1 ranking in the 4th position, why? because it is called 'sonadvice.com' <-- you see how this is relevant to the search query? The site ranking #6 is a DA 67 (exactly targeting the search query) and #7 is CNET (this one is lower because it partially caters to the query 'mothers day' not for mom) but the #6 site is an exact match.

Google this keyword "best phone for kids", it has 4.5K SV monthly, you'll see Forbes and Time Magazine in top spots, but on #5 a DA 12 site called ExhaustedMama.com, again because it is relevant. Right below it is a DA 91 site targeting the exact keyword.

Everyone does not have a hidden PBN army like people here think. The fact is, most people replying to your thread have never ranked a site in their life. Take any advice with a grain of salt. You always have 10 search results for every query. All it takes is plugging in a few queries and you start seeing a pattern. Use your brain, the 'why' is right in front of you. Google is a machine, it isn't perfect but 100% predictable.
 
DeadJoe said:
Do you guys even study the SERPs? SEO is NOT ALL backlinks. Links are important but they aren't everything. Whenever someone posts something similar, the common response is always hidden links, hidden PBNs etc. LOL.

SEO Syracuse is a local keyword, and this website is totally dedicated to Syracuse, the rest with the exception of one, are targeting a bunch of SEO location keywords across NY and other states. Google looks at relevancy, and this site pops out as dedicated Syracuse, hence it ranks in the third position. Backlinks are important, but being relevant is also important. The sites ranking #1 and #2 are not enitrely Syracuse dedicated, but their link profile is SUPER strong. The comparison of the # of links and the little effort it takes to be relevant isn't 1:1, it is like 10000000:1, if it makes any sense.

Here is another example, 'best laptop for mom' - you will see a site with DA 1 ranking in the 4th position, why? because it is called 'sonadvice.com' <-- you see how this is relevant to the search query? The site ranking #6 is a DA 67 (exactly targeting the search query) and #7 is CNET (this one is lower because it partially caters to the query 'mothers day' not for mom) but the #6 site is an exact match.

Google this keyword "best phone for kids", it has 4.5K SV monthly, you'll see Forbes and Time Magazine in top spots, but on #5 a DA 12 site called ExhaustedMama.com, again because it is relevant. Right below it is a DA 91 site targeting the exact keyword.

Everyone does not have a hidden PBN army like people here think. The fact is, most people replying to your thread have never ranked a site in their life. Take any advice with a grain of salt. You always have 10 search results for every query. All it takes is plugging in a few queries and you start seeing a pattern. Use your brain, the 'why' is right in front of you. Google is a machine, it isn't perfect but 100% predictable.
Click to expand...
Clear explanation.

what is the best strategy you used to rank a new website? Other than quality content and on -page factors.
 
judealex said:
Clear explanation.

what is the best strategy you used to rank a new website? Other than quality content and on -page factors.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, a new site will need some starter links or the progression will be unsatisfactory. Links are a part of SEO, but they are not everything like they used to be back in the day. Build 20 strong links to the home page (~$150 - 200 each), and do a high end press release for brand keywords. From there you need exceptional keyword research skills, and content creation ability. Stick to one topic, cover all the easy keywords then move on. Dogs is a good topic, but bulldog isn't, there's only so many keywords there. You can build a site about dogs and find keywords for all different species. You will still be topically relevant, and topical relevance helps you rank. Don't go too broad, e.g. pets, this is a terrible topic unless you are a large company with serious man power and deep pockets.
 
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