How To Think About SEO In 2025

TL;DR

Focus on existing keywords and content quality to boost SEO.

Transcript

I focus in on the existing keywords first before I even think about going after new keywords and the reason for that is because what happens is most websites are already sitting on a gold mine of opportunity right so from keywords from positions 2 to 15 like I love those keywords those are the best keywords okay because what I do is I go okay beaut... Read More

Key Insights

• Nathan emphasizes the importance of optimizing existing keywords, particularly those ranking between positions 2 to 15, to maximize click-through rates.
• He shares his journey from starting a baseball pitching blog to becoming an SEO expert, highlighting the evolution of his strategies over time.
• Keyword research is crucial, and Nathan advocates for focusing on transactional keywords that have the most revenue potential.
• Content quality is paramount, and Nathan suggests updating existing content before creating new assets to maintain relevance and authority.
• He discusses the role of backlinks in determining content quality and Google's perception of helpful content.
• Nathan transitioned from agency work to launching his SEO academy, focusing on training and content creation.
• Being deeply involved and passionate about your niche can significantly impact the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.
• He advises using a mix of link bait and experimental content to diversify content strategy and attract links.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Nathan's approach to keyword research?

Nathan's approach to keyword research involves focusing on transactional keywords that have the highest revenue potential. He suggests starting with a broad keyword in tools like Ahrefs and then analyzing top competitors to extract valuable keyword ideas. Prioritizing keywords based on intent and relevance to the core offer is crucial.

Q: Why does Nathan prioritize updating existing content?

Nathan prioritizes updating existing content because it often provides a quicker return on investment compared to creating new content. Existing content that ranks between positions 2 to 15 can be optimized to improve click-through rates significantly. Small adjustments can lead to substantial traffic increases, making it a more efficient strategy.

Q: How does Nathan view the role of backlinks in SEO?

Nathan views backlinks as a critical signal for content quality and authority. He believes that Google's perception of helpful content is largely influenced by the number and quality of backlinks a page receives. High-quality, relevant backlinks are essential for maintaining ranking stability and authority, especially during algorithm updates.

Q: What is Nathan's strategy for content creation?

Nathan's content creation strategy involves following the 80/20 rule, where 80% of content is built around searchable keyword phrases, and 20% is experimental or link bait. He emphasizes creating high-quality, linkable content that addresses user needs and builds trust in the brand. Content should be the best for its specific keyword.

Q: How did Nathan transition from agency work to his SEO academy?

Nathan transitioned from agency work to launching his SEO academy in 2016. He realized that client work was not a sustainable long-term option for him and decided to diversify his revenue streams by creating a training course. His academy now forms the core of his business, focusing on providing SEO education and training.

Q: What is the significance of being deeply involved in your niche?

Being deeply involved in your niche is crucial for creating authentic and authoritative content. Nathan believes that having a passion or expertise in your niche makes it easier to produce high-quality content and stay motivated. It also enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of the content, which is vital for SEO success.

Q: What does Nathan say about the interplay between content quality and link building?

Nathan emphasizes that content quality and link building are closely linked. High-quality content is more likely to attract backlinks, which are essential for improving rankings and maintaining authority. He suggests incorporating linkable elements into content to enhance its appeal and shareability, thus boosting its potential to earn backlinks.

Q: How does Nathan suggest handling new SEO trends and updates?

Nathan suggests staying updated with new SEO trends and updates by being actively involved in your niche and monitoring platforms like TikTok and Reddit. He advises creating content quickly in response to trending topics to capture early search interest. However, he warns against relying solely on trend jacking and recommends a balanced content strategy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nathan Gotch discusses his journey in SEO, starting with a baseball pitching blog and evolving to become a recognized expert in the field. His focus has always been on optimizing existing keywords to maximize click-through rates and improve rankings.

• Keyword research is a cornerstone of Nathan's strategy. He emphasizes the importance of targeting transactional keywords with high revenue potential and suggests using tools like Ahrefs to build a comprehensive keyword database.

• Content quality and link building are intertwined in Nathan's approach. He highlights the importance of updating existing content and creating linkable assets to attract high-quality backlinks, which are crucial for maintaining authority and ranking stability.