A meta description is a short text that tells the reader what’s on the page before they click.
You’ve probably heard they’re important for SEO.
But are they really?
That’s what you will learn from the article. I will also share 11 actionable tips on how to write effective meta descriptions and answer a few common questions.
Key takeaways
Meta descriptions don’t affect rankings directly but they can do it indirectly by improving click-through rates and user experience.
Google rewrites ≈70% of all meta descriptions, but it still recommends writing quality descriptions.
Good meta descriptions concisely summarize the page, include target keywords, align with search intent, and encourage searcher clicks by showcasing page value.
What is a Meta Description
Meta description is a short HTML tag that summarizes the page content.
Here’s what it looks like for my blog:
Readers can’t see meta descriptions on the page without inspecting the code.
But they can see it in the snippet on the search engine results page, below the page URL and title.
Its job: to show readers what the page offers and persuade them to click. That’s why people often call it a page’s elevator pitch.
Are meta descriptions still important for SEO?
The short answer: meta descriptions aren’t very important for SEO.
Surprised? I bet you aren’t the only one.
After all, writing meta descriptions has always been one of the core on-page SEO best practices.
Let’s unpack why.
Meta descriptions aren’t a ranking factor for Google.
However, many SEO believe they improve rankings indirectly.
This is based on the assumptions that:
Compelling meta descriptions improve click-through rates (CTRs).
CTRs are a user signal that Google considers when ranking pages. More people clicking on your page signal to Google it satisfies their search intent.
Well-written meta descriptions improve the user experience. They show readers what they can find on the page and help them decide if they want to visit on it or not. If they do, they’re less likely to bounce, and bounce rates are a quality signal for Google.
All sounds logical but no recent large-scale studies confirm the positive impact of meta descriptions on CTR or traffic.
Experiments conducted by SEOTesting earlier this year indicated that optimizing meta descriptions barely affected traffic and a 2023 case studies by SearchPilot showed that removing them improve CTRs.
Google Rewrites Most Meta Descriptions
One reason why meta description optimization has limited impact is that Google replaces about 70% of them with content directly from the page.
Let me show you an example from one of our recent articles:
As you can see, the meta description tag reads “Discover what GPTBot is, how it works, and what its presence means for your website’s SEO, privacy, and AI data usage policies.”
However, if you search for “GPTBot,” that’s not what you find in the result snippet:
The snippet above was taken from the Key Takeaways section.
The Verdict: You Should Still Write Meta Descriptions
If Google rewrites most meta descriptions and they don’t move traffic, why bother with them?
First, social media platforms like Facebook still display the original meta description when users share the page. So, by skipping it, you reduce its visibility and shareability.
Secondly, Google itself still recommends it as means of “controlling the snippet.” Essentially, Google may use it in the SERP snippet if it answers the user query better than what Google finds on the page.
So although adding meta descriptions isn’t critical for SEO, still do it.
Yes, Google often replaces them. But you have a 30% chance that it doesn’t. If you skip the tag, you give up control of the first impression your page makes in SERPs without a fight.
How to Write a Meta Description: 11 Top Tips.
With the theory out of the way, here are 11 tips for writing meta descriptions that searchers (and Google) will like.
Stay Under 156 Characters and Front-Load
To ensure readers can see your meta description, don’t go over 156 characters and put the most key info in the first 110 characters.
Google cuts off the snippet based on pixel length: 960 pixels on desktop and 680 pixels on mobile. That’s roughly 145-155 and 110-130 characters, respectively.
Writing tools, like NeuronWriter below, feature snippet simulators, so you can preview it as you’re crafting your description, so you don’t overflow.
Check Existing Snippets
Analyzing the snippets for your keyword helps understand what kinds of descriptions Google prefers.
For example, all the meta descriptions for “motorcycle helmet” feature words like collection, range, or selection, kinds of helmets (full face, open face, flip up, etc) and brand names.
Mimick it when crafting your homepage or category page descriptions.
Satisfy Search Intent
Your meta description must reflect the search intent. Or in other words, it spell out what need it satisfies or problem that it solves.
For example, the article ranking #1 for ”keto diet’ has a definition of the diet and a brief explanation of how it works because the keyword has informational intent and that’s the kind of information users are after.
In contrast, the meta description for the homepage of Next, the UK retailer, aligns with the transactional/navigational intent. Anyone looking for ‘Next’ is likely shopping, so “Shop the latest women’s, men’s and children’s fashion…” nails it.
Highlight the Benefits
To win searchers’ clicks, show them what they will gain.
For a blog post or a guide, state what they will learn.
Like the meta description for the guide to fitting kitchen worktops, which promises to show the reader how to install it themselves without hiring a professional fitter.
For a product page, show potential customers its unique value proposition and how it will change their lives for better.
Slack’s meta description is a perfect example. It explains what the product does (“is a new way to communicate with your team”) and shows its advantages over alternatives (“faster, better organized and more secure than email”).
Use Active Verbs & Add a Compelling CTA
An effective meta description drives user action through a compelling CTA.
For a blog article, this could be “visit to learn”, for a software product page, “start free trial now”, and for a car, “Book a test drive today,” just like in the Toyota Yaris example.
The Toyota meta description starts with an imperative “enrich” which is also a common tactic to prompt readers to act.
Clearly Describe the Page Content
Effective meta descriptions summarize the page content accurately to tell the potential readers what they can find in the article to help them decide if it’s relevant.
That’s what the meta description for the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine article on how to build a garden pergola does. It tells them what the article includes (advice, ideas) and how it’s structured (a list).
Inaccurate or misleading meta descriptions backfire: if the reader expects something else from the page, they bounce. This hurts the page rankings by signaling Google that the page isn’t relevant.
Include Primary Keywords Naturally
Including target keywords in your meta description is another way to signal relevance and help the meta description stand out.
How so?
Google boldens words and phrases related to user query in the snippet.
For example, when I searched for “climbing shoes,” it returned multiple results with the keyword boldened, including the one from Rock + Run product category page.
But embed the keywords naturally.
Keyword stuffing makes no sense because A) meta descriptions aren’t a ranking factor, B) Google considers it a spammy practice will most likely replace such descriptions.
And it will do it for your own benefit because it makes text hard to follow, negatively affecting the user experience, which may harm your brand perception.
Make Your Meta Descriptions Stand Out
Stand-out meta descriptions catch user attention and stop them from scrolling past.
You can achieve this with:
Eye-catching phrases
Sensory descriptions
Rhythm and rhyme
Alliterations
Witty puns, jokes and idioms (like “make a splash” in the M&S description).
Beware of clickbait — sensational wording, contrarian opinions, or half-truths. These might be fine for certain sectors, like celebrity news sites, but won’t cut it in ecommerce or SaaS.
Likewise, spammy claims like “best in the world” don’t inspire confidence while misleading and overpromising can bite you back: users won’t get what they expect and will bounce.
Match Your Brand Voice
Whatever the vibe of your home or product pages, match it in the meta descriptions. If you nail, you will improve brand recognition. If you get it wrong, you will undermine visitor trust.
For example, Naked Coffee’s home page tag perfectly mirrors the tone of its site and social media content.
Write Unique Descriptions for Every Page
Google recommends writing unique meta descriptions to differentiate pages.
Duplicate meta descriptions confuse readers and don’t help them choose the right page.
They also signal that you may not care much about the user experience (read “you’re lazy”).
You can quickly identify meta description issues like duplicates by running the SEO Audit with Ubersuggest.
Be Consistent Across the Website
A consistent meta description format across your website provides a predictable user experience.
Mind you, it doesn’t mean ALL pages across the whole website should follow the same format.
But definitely pages of the same category. For example, all category pages and all product pages within the same category.
How to Write Meta Descriptions At Scale
For large websites with hundreds or thousands of pages, writing meta descriptions manually isn’t always feasible.
The solution?
Write them manually for the mission-critical pages, like your homepage, category pages, or top-converting product pages.
And generate the rest automatically, using:
Programmatic SEO: Create content from templates using data from structured databases or spreadsheets. Setting it up requires a certain level of technical expertise but once done, you can generate thousands of meta descriptions within minutes.
AI chatbots: Build a spreadsheet with all your pages, for example, by downloading it from the SEO tool, and prompt ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to create the descriptions. Make sure to provide all the details, like the desired length and what it should include. The downside is that you still need to import these to your CMS.
CMS plugins: Install a plugin like AI for SEO (WordPress) or Metagen (Shopfiy) to generate meta in bulk. You can do it either with AI or by inserting variables, like
Whatever approach, always review and edit the descriptions manually to avoid embarrassing misfires.
FAQs
To finish, let’s answer a few frequently asked questions about meta descriptions.
What is a meta description in SEO?
It’s a short summary that shows up under your page title in search results. It doesn’t help you rank directly, but it can boost clicks by telling people what they’ll get if they visit your page. Think of it as your page’s pitch, fast, clear, and built to earn the click.
How to write meta descriptions for SEO?
To write an effective meta description, consider including relevant keywords and phrases that accurately describe the content on your web page. Additionally, ensure: Your meta description is unique and compelling. You use active language. That you highlight the benefits or solutions visitors can find on your page. You include a call-to-action.
Do meta descriptions affect SEO?
While Google doesn’t count meta descriptions as a ranking factor, meta descriptions still play a vital role in your SEO. Why? The brief summary you provide in a meta description gives users an idea of what to expect. This entices viewers to engage as they can see that your content meets their needs. Optimized meta descriptions can also enhance click-through rates.
How long should a meta description be for SEO?
The standard length for meta descriptions is 155 characters, but up to 160 is acceptable. Don’t forget to check the pixel widths of your meta descriptions to avoid truncated results. For mobile aim for 680 pixels, and for desktop 960 pixels.
Conclusion
Meta descriptions aren’t very important because they aren’t a ranking factor and Google rewrites most of them.
But if you don’t provide a meta description, you voluntarily surrender control over how users see your page in SERPs. This means missed opportunities to attract users and shape your brand image online.
That’s why writing meta descriptions is still one of the core SEO best practices.
Google AI Mode is search with a brain. It uses AI to answer questions directly, so it’s no longer about just blue links. Type, talk, or upload a photo, and it gives you a useful summary plus follow-ups. Here’s how it works and why it matters.
Google AI Mode is a feature in Search that uses generative AI to deliver full, conversational answers instead of just showing a list of links. It breaks questions into parts, pulls information from across the web, and presents a direct, useful response at the top of the results page.
This new feature doesn’t replace traditional search just yet, but it does build on it. As a result, it changes how people explore information and how content gets surfaced.
Are you curious about how this works? Check out the video below to see Google AI Mode in action while planning an autumn trip to Banff, Canada.
Search becomes a lot smarter
AI Mode handles different types of input, not just text. You can type a question, say it out loud, or upload a photo, and it works out what you mean. That flexibility makes it easier to search however and whenever it makes sense, whether you’re speaking into your phone, typing at your desk, or pointing your camera at something you want to learn more about.
It also uses what Google calls query fan-out. That means it quietly rewrites your question into a bunch of related ones and looks for answers across those variations. Ask something broad, like “best credit card for travel,” and the system may branch off behind the scenes, looking at fees, perks, user reviews, and so on.
AI Mode also pays attention to context. It keeps your previous queries in mind and follows the thread. You can ask follow-ups and get refined answers without starting from scratch.
An example of a search in Google AI Mode
How Google AI Mode works in practice
Using Google AI Mode feels different from standard search, and that shows up in how it delivers answers.
When someone asks a question, AI Mode doesn’t just take the words at face value—it tries to understand the intent behind them. It rewrites the query in several different ways behind the scenes, each one focused on a specific angle.
For example, a search like “what are the best places to travel in fall” might also trigger more specific questions in the background, like “pleasant weather and fewer crowds,” “fall foliage and scenic beauty,” or “unique experiences and cultural events.” AI Mode runs all of those in parallel, scans multiple online sources for useful information, and pieces together a response that covers what the user likely meant, even if they didn’t spell it out.
The response doesn’t look like a typical search results page. Instead of a list of links, users see a short summary stitched together from different sources. It reads more like an answer than a directory and can include images, maps, and more.
With AI Mode, you can also keep the conversation going. You could ask follow-up suggestions like “compare destinations in Canada,” “check visa requirements for Canada,” or “see average weather in British Columbia”. It helps users toward the next thing they might want to know without making them start over. The video at the top of this article shows this in practice.
The opening screen of Google’s AI Mode where you enter your questions
Behind the scenes, AI Mode uses passage-level retrieval. Rather than ranking entire pages, it scans individual sections, like a single paragraph, list, or sentence, to find the parts that answer specific pieces of the question.
That means a well-written section buried halfway down a product guide or FAQ could be surfaced, even if the full page wouldn’t normally show up high in the results.
This alone could make us rethink visibility. It’s less about a page’s overall ranking and more about whether any part of it directly addresses what someone is asking.
The focus of content is changing
AI Mode shifts how content gets discovered. It’s less about ranking in the traditional sense and more about providing answers that are both useful and directly relevant to what someone is asking.
The system is looking for content that fits into a specific response. That means structure matters, like clear headings, focused sections, and formatting that makes key points easy to extract. But usefulness on its own doesn’t guarantee visibility. The content has to align with the intent of the query in a very specific way.
Covering a topic from different angles helps. It gives your content more chances to match how people frame their questions, even when those questions vary in wording, detail, or focus. Visibility often depends not just on quality, but on precision.
Google AI Mode does several searches at the same time, while also looking at a large number of sites
What does Google AI Mode mean for SEO?
Google AI Mode could shift what we aim for. Visibility now depends on whether your content can deliver value right away, often in small, specific pieces. Google’s pulling answers from across the web: a sentence from one page, a stat from another, maybe a checklist from a support article.
That might feel limiting, but it opens up opportunities. If others are still optimizing for old patterns, there’s space to improve. Recognizing this shift early can give your brand a real advantage.
It also rewards a stronger understanding of how people search. Pages, tools, and features that directly answer real questions and make that answer easy to find stand a better chance of getting picked up.
Google added an AI Mode button to its search homescreen
Where it’s going
Google is folding AI Mode into regular search experiences. On some questions, especially ones that ask for a comparison, a definition, or a plan, it’s already showing AI-generated results first.
That approach is expanding. More queries will likely trigger this kind of response over time, which means the way content gets surfaced will keep shifting. Long, keyword-heavy pages won’t offer the same payoff they once did. What works now is content that’s clear, helpful, and flexible enough to match how people explore a topic.
Chances are, AI Mode isn’t a side feature for long. It’s looking more and more like the future of Google Search.
How to access Google AI Mode
AI Mode is rolling out now in the U.S. and India. If you’re using Google Search or the Google app, you’ll start to see a new AI Mode tab either at the top of the results page or right in the search bar. This gives you access to more advanced AI responses, improved reasoning, and a deeper view of web content through follow-up questions and linked sources.
If you don’t see AI Mode yet, it’s likely still rolling out. Expect it to appear automatically soon. Once it shows up, you can use it without any special sign-up or activation. Once Google figures out monetization, we’ll see it roll out AI Mode to more countries soon.
You can also access it from search results. If Google thinks your query fits, a “Try in AI Mode” option may appear automatically. Trying it out firsthand gives the clearest insight into how responses are built and how your content appears.
Meet Google’s AI Mode
Google AI Mode signals a shift in how search works. It’s not just about rankings anymore. It’s about how helpful your content is and how easily it can be used to respond to real questions.
This change gives SEO and content teams a reason to look at their work differently. Clear structure, focused writing, and alignment with how people search all play a bigger role in visibility.
It’s a good time to step back, reassess what’s working, and explore areas you may have overlooked. For many, this is a chance to improve useful content, refine formats, and meet search expectations in new ways.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-24 12:00:002025-07-24 12:00:00What is Google AI Mode?
We’re excited to announce the Google Trends API alpha test. This new API will help
Researchers, Journalists, and Developers to understand Search behaviors and patterns.
While Trends data is available through the Trends website, the API provides new ways to
use the data inside your organization in a scalable way.
https://i0.wp.com/dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/web-design-creative-services.jpg?fit=1500%2C600&ssl=16001500http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-24 04:00:002025-07-24 04:00:00Introducing the Google Trends API (alpha): a new way to access Search Trends data
That’s a great example of trendjacking, or inserting your brand into viral online conversations.
It felt like every brand — from global airlines to your local coffee shop — jumped into labeling themselves. Some were hilariously on-point and others…well, not so. For every well-executed moment like a wellness brand that tailored their take to be timely, irreverent, and match their core voice, dozens more missed the mark. And like it or not, audiences can tell.
That’s the fine line with trendjacking. What was once a cheeky social media trick has become a high-stakes play for many modern social media marketers. To stand out and not alienate, brands need more than speed. They need emotional intelligence, audience awareness, and restraint to not jump on every viral moment.
How can you harness what’s trending without sounding tone-deaf or jumping the shark? Let’s break down the basics of effective trendjacking and how you can approach it in a smart way.
Key Takeaways
Trendjacking is the practice of inserting your brand into viral conversations in a way that feels timely, relevant, and authentic.
Success requires cultural awareness, audience alignment, and speed. Not every trend is right for every brand.
Smart brands use social listening tools and planned content workflows to catch trends before they peak.
Measuring trendjacking goes beyond likes. Look at sentiment shifts and meaningful engagement.
The future of trendjacking will likely be shaped by AI tools, new platforms, and the growing demand for authenticity.
What Is Trendjacking?
Trendjacking is the practice of injecting your brand into a popular or viral conversation to boost visibility, engagement, or relevance. Brands jump on trending topics like memes, social media challenges, or major pop culture moments to join the conversation in ways that are timely and clever.
Trendjacking really gained traction during the heyday of Twitter (now X), when brands like Oreo seized viral moments (the “You can still dunk in the dark” tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout) and earned massive engagement for real-time creativity. That post was a signal to marketers that being culturally responsive could pay huge engagement dividends.
Trendjacking isn’t a completely new strategy, though. It has its roots in the older PR strategy of newsjacking. Popularized by David Meerman Scott, newsjacking focused on inserting brands’ perspectives into breaking news stories to get media coverage. Trendjacking is just an evolution of that strategy, tapping into a broader range of online moments.
When you do it well, trendjacking can help your brand show personality, relevance, and humor. But it’s not a strategy without risks, especially if you do it without considering nuance or alignment to your brand’s values.
How to Pull off an Effective Trendjacking Campaign
Let’s say you’re ready to drive into trendjacking. How do you do it right? Like many effective social media strategies, the best trendjacking campaigns start long before a trend even surfaces. Success often hinges on preparation and cultural awareness, but the real secret is the agility to act fast without sacrificing your brand’s integrity.
Identify Potential Trends
Trendjacking starts with awareness. The earlier you spot a trend, the better your odds of leading the conversation rather than chasing it.
Start with traditional sources. Social listening tools such as AnswerThePublic, TikTok Creator Search Insights, or Sprout Social can surface what’s gaining traction across different platforms. The latter can help you keep an eye on places like X, Bluesky, TikTok’s trending page, Reddit threads, and even Google Trends to stay ahead of the curve. Using these tools doesn’t just tell you what’s trending. They help you catch the wave before it crests.
Effective trendjacking goes deeper than identifying meme formats or hashtags, though. Ask yourself these questions:
Why is this trending?
What emotion is it tapping into?
What cultural shift or behavioral insight is at play?
Take, for example, the “Girl Dinner” trend. It wasn’t just a meme. It was a commentary on autonomy, wellness fatigue, and the pushback against curated perfection.
In addition to staying on top of developing trends, think ahead. Certain events almost always spawn viral moments: award shows, the Met Gala, political debates, and major sporting events are excellent fodder for trends. Develop a calendar of these events and build a properly resourced team that can act when the internet lights up.
Assess the Trend’s Relevance
Before you jump into the trend, assess whether or not it’s right for you. Ask important, hard questions, like “Does this trend actually align with our brand?” and “Will our audience care?” Finally, will it feel authentic or forced?
Many brands falter here. Chasing a trend that’s off-brand does more than fall flat; it risks damaging your credibility. The Duolingo x Scrub Daddy “cursed collab” worked because both brands share a quirky, unfiltered tone. If a serious financial brand tried the same joke? Cue the confused and cringing followers.
Assess risk, too. Some trends carry baggage, like political undercurrents, social controversies, or rapidly shifting sentiment. Your internal team should include diverse perspectives to help flag possible missteps.
Beyond relevance, hopping on the trend should add to your brand’s story. If it doesn’t connect to your values or content pillars, it might be better to skip it. Not every viral moment is worth jumping into. Restraint is often what separates trend-chasers from trend leaders.
Produce the Content—Quickly!
Once you’ve vetted a trend, it’s “go time.” Timing is everything in trendjacking. Wait too long, and you’re just adding noise to an already crowded feed.
In practice, your team needs a streamlined workflow to move from idea to pressing the publish button in hours, not days. Empower social managers with decision-making autonomy. Maintain a library of pre-approved assets like brand visuals, fonts, and tone examples so your team can capitalize on trends without needing to create a full-scale design from scratch.
Creating internal “trend kits” or rapid response playbooks can help your team execute quickly and safely. Remember: the most memorable trendjacks feel both spontaneous and strategically on-brand because they are.
Creating Impactful Trendjacking Content
Once you’ve identified the right trend and confirmed it makes sense for your brand to participate, the real magic begins: creating content to hit the sweet spot of relevance, creativity, and authenticity. Not every trendjacking post needs to be laugh-out-loud funny or ultra-slick, but it should always bring something fresh and on-brand to the table. Some tried-and-true strategies for creating trendjacking content that resonates include:
1. Customize by Platform
What works on TikTok might not work on LinkedIn, and vice versa. Tailor your content’s tone, format, and visuals to the platform you’re posting on. Wendy’s built their brand on X with snarky one-liners, but the food chain takes a more curated and visual approach on Instagram.
2. Embrace the Weird (Strategically)
Humor, absurdity, and left-field creativity often fuel viral trends. But you can’t force it. Duolingo’s TikTok presence leans fully into weirdness, but it’s consistent with their edgy, millennial-savvy voice.
Add Value. Don’t Just Copy
Don’t simply copy-paste a trending meme format. Add your brand’s POV, a clever twist, or insights that enhance the original. For example, Canva recently leveraged the app’s ability to create color schemes with the growing popularity of Labubu toys.
4. Prioritize Authenticity
Your audience can smell a cash grab a mile away. If the trend doesn’t align with your values or voice, skip it. If you really feel like you need to participate, subtly nod to the trend without trying to dominate it. Engage, like, or reply to accounts that have posted content in the trend without creating new assets on your own.
5. Keep the Content High-Quality
Even in a fast-moving trend cycle, visuals (and sound) matter. Low-res graphics or clunky text overlays can kill your momentum. Use templates or pre-approved brand assets to keep things polished under pressure.
Trendjacking is not the time to let the copywriter have the keys to the Canva account.
When Trendjacking Goes Wrong…
Trendjacking is a real double-edged sword. When done right, it’s clever, memorable, and engaging. When done wrong, it’s also memorable, but for the wrong reasons; it’s tone-deaf, confusing, or even damaging to your brand. Avoid these common pitfalls.
Tone-deaf or Insensitive Posting
Some trends are tied to serious or sensitive events, and misjudging the tone can result in intense backlash. That’s what happened to Pepsi in 2017 for their ad that featured Kendall Jenner, which co-opted protest imagery to sell soda (and promptly got called out for trivializing real social movements).
Just because a topic is trending doesn’t mean it’s safe territory. Assign someone on your team to assess social sentiment and cultural context before engaging.
Jumping in Too Late
Timing is critical. A trend that peaked two days ago may already feel stale, especially if your post doesn’t add anything new. Joining late makes your brand look like it’s scrambling to stay relevant, not leading the conversation.
To avoid this, consider streamlining your approvals process and having brand-safe assets ready to go.
Misunderstanding the Trend
One of the fastest ways to make a brand look out of touch is to misinterpret the trend altogether. Imagine someone at your company wanted to tweet a meme that referenced “Netflix and chill,” without realizing its NSFW subtext. The internet might notice and not in a good way.
Before trendjacking, do a quick sentiment check. What does this trend actually mean to the people participating in it?
Forcing the Fit
If the trend doesn’t suit your brand voice, values, or audience, don’t force it. It’s painfully obvious when a B2B SaaS brand shoehorns itself into a Gen Z meme format meant for fashion or pop culture. This usually results in low engagement at best and audience cringe at worst.
Brands need a straightforward internal process for evaluating the risk of trendjacking campaigns. Who gets to greenlight? What criteria does the content meet? Building a lightweight risk assessment checklist or review board (creative + legal + DEI leads) can help you act quickly and responsibly.
Lack of Crisis Planning
Even with the best of intentions, things can go sideways fast. That’s why it’s smart to develop a basic crisis response protocol before engaging with fast-moving or culturally sensitive trends. Know who will respond, how quickly, and what steps to take if content sparks backlash.
Measuring Success and Finding Learnings for the Future
With your trendjacking content out in the world, it’s time to answer the big question: Did it work?
Start by measuring the basics: likes, shares, reach, and impressions. These top-level metrics help assess immediate visibility and initial audience reaction.
Smart marketers go further, though. The most impactful trendjacking efforts don’t just rack up views. They strengthen brand equity and move the needle on meaningful outcomes. Ask yourself:
Was the engagement meaningful? Analyze the sentiment and depth of conversation in your engagement. Did people share it with thoughtful comments or tag their friends, or was the engagement just a flood of indifferent likes?
Did it shape perception or sentiment? Use social listening tools to see if brand sentiment improved during and after the campaign. Google Analytics and UTM parameters can help tie social moments back to web traffic and conversion goals.
Did it drive real behavior? Track clicks, sign-ups, or sales lifts during and after the campaign. This is another instance where Google Analytics and UTM parameters can help tie those moments back to web traffic and conversion goals.
Did it strengthen community? Great trendjacking does more than entertain. It builds a sense of belonging. If the post sparked DMs, follow-up content ideas, or user-generated content (UGC), that’s a sign your audience is invested.
Want to level up your campaign? Try aligning your trendjacking posts with keyword-focused content or campaign themes. This gives your SEO strategy a boost, especially in a world where Search Everywhere is the norm (and users can Google the trend and stumble onto your brand).
Upcoming Trendjacking Trends
The art and science of trendjacking will only evolve as the digital landscape shifts. Marketers who want to stay ahead of the curve will need to keep a pulse on what’s trending and how those trends take shape and spread. The future of trendjacking will evolve thanks to things like AI, new platforms, and the rise of “unpolished” realness.
1. AI-powered Content Creation
AI is creating massive shifts in real-time marketing as tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Runway help brands generate reactive content faster than ever. From clever captions to custom visuals, the future of trendjacking likely includes AI-enhanced creativity. The big challenge for brands is to remain authentic in the face of automation.
Could ChatGPT help brands jump on the enthusiasm for Labubu without spending the time to go out and source a doll? Possibly.
2. New and Niche Platforms
Instagram, TikTok, and X may reign supreme among platforms, but that won’t always be the case. Bluesky is becoming increasingly popular, and YouTube Shorts has challenged TikTok as a vehicle for short-form video content creation. Expect trendjacking to require more platform-specific fluency, understanding not just the content but the culture of each channel.
3. The Rise of “Unpolished” Realness
Consumers are tired of overproduced content. The next wave of trendjacking will favor brands that show up with honesty, humor, and heart. Even if that means posting something that feels more lo-fi than high-concept. Authenticity isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore. It’s a prerequisite for engagement.
Bobe’s Pizza may be a small Indiana brand, but they lean on authentic content that resonates with their core audience.
The bottom line is that the future of trendjacking isn’t about being fast. It’s about being fast, smart, and real while building systems to let your brand respond with agility and intention.
FAQs
What is the difference between trendjacking and newsjacking?
While both strategies involve jumping into timely conversations, the difference lies in what you’re responding to. Newsjacking is about inserting your brand into breaking news stories — typically through PR or expert commentary — while trendjacking taps into broader online trends, like memes, pop culture moments, or viral challenges. Trendjacking is more social and creative, whereas newsjacking is often more formal and media-facing.
What is an example of trendjacking?
A classic example is Oreo’s “You can still dunk in the dark” tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout. The brand reacted in real time with a witty graphic and caption, and the internet loved it. More recently, brands like Ryanair and Duolingo have gone viral for trendjacking TikTok memes using their unique, offbeat brand voices. The key to successful trendjacking? Speed, creativity, and cultural fluency.
What is the trendjacking strategy?
When done well, trendjacking helps brands increase visibility, boost engagement, and connect with audiences in a culturally relevant way. It shows your brand has personality and a pulse. Beyond racking up likes, the real value comes from building brand affinity, sparking conversations, and staying top-of-mind in an increasingly noisy digital space.
Conclusion
Trendjacking is about moving fast and smart. When you do it right, it can drive massive visibility and deepen brand affinity. It takes planning, awareness, and a clear voice to avoid the pitfalls and stand out in the scroll. Whether it’s memes, moments, or movements, show up with purpose.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-22 19:00:002025-07-22 19:00:00What Is Trendjacking & How to Do it for Your Brand
Black Friday is the biggest rush of the year for most ecommerce businesses, and it is right around the corner. The most successful merchants prepare for Black Friday early and follow a structured plan to prepare their stores, ensure visibility, and convert first-time visitors into long-term customers.
This guide breaks down your preparation into three categories: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each section builds on the last so that you can grow your readiness over time, regardless of your team size or budget.
Basic: Start with what you can control for Black Friday
These actions lay the groundwork for everything else. Without these, no advanced strategy will stick.
1. Optimize your metadata
First impressions matter, and your metadata is the first thing users see in search results. So make it count and leave a lasting impact.
Why it matters: Strong metadata can improve visibility and attract more clicks. When your titles and descriptions align with what shoppers seek, your chances of standing out rise significantly.
Actionable tips:
Prioritize metadata for high-traffic products and category pages.
Include seasonal keywords such as “Black Friday deals” or “holiday gift ideas.”
Keep titles and descriptions concise and compelling.
With Yoast SEO for Shopify and Yoast WooCommerce SEO, you can preview and improve your metadata in real time. The tools flag missing or duplicated fields and guide you on how to write content that earns clicks.
2. Optimize product pages for both humans and search engines
Product pages are the moment of truth. They’re where curiosity turns into clicks and clicks turn into customers.
Why it matters: No matter how great your traffic or ads are, most people will leave without buying if the product page feels confusing or incomplete. A well-structured page improves your chances of ranking in search and helps buyers feel confident in their decision.
Actionable tips:
Lead with benefits, not just specs. Tell shoppers how the product fits into their lives.
Use bullet points and headers to make details skimmable.
Reinforce trust by showing stock levels, customer reviews, and delivery clarity.
Bulk update how you showcase your product on Shopify using Yoast SEO for Shopify Content Templates feature.
Yoast WooCommerce SEO and Yoast SEO for Shopify help your product pages appear cleanly and clearly in search results. They add structured data behind the scenes and check your content for SEO and readability so you can focus on turning visitors into buyers.
3. Use internal links to guide traffic
Internal linking guides customer to surface key pages, maps user behavior, and boosts your site’s SEO.
Why it matters: Internal linking helps search engines understand your site structure, distributes authority to key pages, and guides visitors toward high-converting content. It keeps users engaged, supports SEO, and makes your promotions easier to surface across your site.
Actionable tips:
Link to your Black Friday page from key blogs and evergreen content.
Feature top categories or bestsellers in your navigation.
Use anchor text that aligns with what users are searching for.
Yoast WooCommerce SEO offers internal linking suggestions as you write, making keeping your content connected and strategic easier.
Fast wins and common pitfalls
Once you have set up the basics, some steps can help you boost impact quicker and avoid costly missed opportunities.
Fast wins:
Swap stock photos for original product shots
Double-check coupon logic and expiration dates
Test any gift wrap or personalization options on product pages
Big pitfalls to avoid:
Waiting until November to publish seasonal content
Using duplicate product descriptions from suppliers
Letting broken links or outdated pages remain live
Intermediate: Strengthen your SEO and campaign strategy
Once the technical foundation is stable, it’s time to focus on your content and promotions.
4. Test and improve your site’s speed
Site speed directly impacts user experience, especially during high-traffic periods like Black Friday. Slow-loading pages frustrate shoppers and lead to lost sales.
Why it matters: A fast site supports smoother browsing and quicker checkout. Search engines consider page performance in rankings, and users are more likely to buy when the experience feels seamless.
Actionable tips:
Use performance monitoring tools to identify slow pages.
Compress and resize large images to reduce page load times.
Deactivate unused plugins (WooCommerce) or apps (Shopify).
Clean up excessive code or bulky page elements.
While Yoast SEO is not a speed optimization tool, clean site structure and proper internal linking help improve crawlability and engagement, indirectly supporting performance.
5. Create a focused Black Friday landing page
Your landing page is the command center for your seasonal promotions. It’s where visitors decide to browse further or bounce.
Why it matters: A dedicated page gives your Black Friday campaign direction and cohesion. Instead of scattering your offers across the site, it provides a clear path for shoppers to follow. It simplifies navigation, allows for better internal linking, and gives you a consistent, trackable URL for email campaigns, ads, and site banners. Plus, it’s reusable! Just update the content each year.
Actionable tips:
Create a short, memorable URL like /black-friday-deals and keep it live year-round.
Showcase limited-time offers, bundles, top-selling categories, and exclusive discounts.
Use persuasive headers, quick-loading images, and CTA buttons that lead directly to product pages.
Answer common buyer concerns upfront, e.g., shipping deadlines, return windows, and local pickup options.
6. Segment your email list and automate flows
Email isn’t just another marketing channel during Black Friday; it’s your direct line to customers ready to buy.
Why it matters: Blasting the same message with monotonous tone to everyone no longer works. Crafting compelling emails with personalized messages that resonate with the reader is key to email marketing. People are more likely to open, click, and shop when an email speaks to their pain points and highlights the solution. A segmented email list means you’re talking to people based on what they care about: early access, bundles, or a product they viewed or left in their cart.
Actionable tips:
Break your list into clear segments, e.g., loyal customers, cart abandoners, and holiday-only shoppers.
Map out your flow: teaser email, early access offer, launch announcement, final hours.
Track performance with UTM parameters like utm_campaign=bf25 so you can optimize in real time.
7. Create content that helps people find your deals earlier
Buyers don’t always search for discounts. Many start with questions or ideas like “affordable gifts for coworkers” or “best tech gift under $100.”
Why it matters: Helpful blog posts and gift guides pull in people who aren’t searching for your brand yet. These early touchpoints introduce your products and lead them toward your Black Friday offers.
Actionable tips:
Write guides and roundups tied to real shopper intent.
Use long-tail keywords that match seasonal search habits.
Add smart internal links to featured products or your Black Friday landing page.
Fast wins and common pitfalls
Once your product pages are polished, tighten up the surrounding details.
Fast wins:
Set a calendar reminder for your campaign email and social media schedule
Add an announcement banner linking to your Black Friday page
Test your email signup and welcome flow to catch any issues
Big pitfalls to avoid:
Forgetting to link email campaigns to relevant landing pages
Using inconsistent messaging and UTMs across channels
Launching your Black Friday page too late for indexing and ranking
Buy WooCommerce SEO now!
Unlock powerful features and much more for your online store with Yoast WooCommerce SEO!
Advanced Black Friday preparation: Boost visibility, trust, and retention
If you’re already doing the essentials well, these strategies will help you scale.
7. Improve your chances of showing up in local search
If you offer in-store pickup or have a physical store, don’t miss out on the people searching near you. Shoppers looking for same-day purchases often skip past online-only stores.
Why it matters: When someone searches for a product near them, being present in the results can drive instant foot traffic and build trust before they even walk in.
Actionable tips:
Ensure your name, address, and phone (NAP) are identical across all pages and listings.
Update your opening hours and add clear pickup instructions.
Add content to your site that mentions your location, city, or neighborhood.
Yoast Local SEO is included in the Yoast WooCommerce SEO. It helps you create and manage local schema and landing pages that appear in search. (It is not available for Shopify.)
8. Use structured data to stand out in search
When someone searches for a product and your listing shows price, availability, or reviews, that’s not luck. That’s structured data.
Why it matters: Rich snippets give your products more space in search results, credibility, and clicks.
Actionable tips:
Add structured data (schema) for Product, Offer, and Review to top-selling listings.
Use Google’s tools to check that your schema is implemented correctly.
Use product variant schema to improve your chances of showing in rich search results.
9. Set up post-purchase flows before the sale starts
Black Friday may be over at checkout, but it’s just the beginning of your relationship with a new customer.
Why it matters: People who buy during Black Friday often need reassurance and support. They’re far more likely to come back if they feel taken care of.
Actionable tips:
Set up automated flows for thank-you messages, setup tips, and review requests.
Offer a discount for a second purchase or referral.
Guide people back to your product pages or Google review profile.
Taking care of this now means you can focus on fulfillment and service during the Black Friday rush.
Fast wins and common pitfalls
A thoughtful follow-up and last check make sure you build on opportunities and are ready for what might come your way.
Fast wins:
Recheck your sitemap to ensure new pages are indexed
Update your business hours and contact details in your footer
Enable review requests to trigger automatically post-purchase
Big pitfalls to avoid:
Making last-minute technical changes with no buffer
Ignoring mobile performance and checkout testing
Overlooking schema validation or broken structured data
Final thoughts
Preparing for Black Friday is about being proactive, not reactive. Every SEO improvement you make now, from product pages to local visibility, will help you attract more shoppers and turn clicks into customers.
Yoast gives you the tools to stay ahead: clearer product listings, stronger search visibility, and smart automations that scale with your store. Whether you’re using Shopify or WooCommerce, optimize now to be ready before the crowds arrive.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-22 12:40:022025-07-22 12:40:02How to prep your Shopify or WooCommerce store for Black Friday before the rush starts
The summer is well on its way. Should you already start preparing for Black Friday and the holiday season? Yes! They’re the biggest sales of the year, and ranking in Google is something you take time to do. It’s never too early to start getting your deals ready. So, if you are a merchant with an online store or an ecommerce business, let’s start working on your holiday season and Black Friday SEO immediately!
Don’t forget that Black Friday (November 28, 2025) and Cyber Monday (December 1, 2025) are kicking off this year’s holiday shopping season. You can set up a lot of content for all occasions. In this post, we’ll review some things you can do to prepare!
Today, people are used to shopping online. It’s easy and convenient. You don’t have to travel only to find something out of stock. Plus, online stores often offer payment plans. Shopping online is so popular that online sales during the holiday season keep hitting record after record. And the numbers will only continue to rise. That’s why it’s safe to assume that people will buy many (if not most) holiday gifts online this year.
Staying on top of trends to prepare for the holiday season is good. E-commerce is still growing, and consumers expect more every year. Here are some actionable tips for the upcoming Black Friday and holiday season to improve your SEO:
Discount deals and alternative payment options (Buy now, pay later) should be part of your ecommerce strategy
Brands should provide a consistent purchasing experience across digital/online and physical stores
To minimize returns, brands should make their product pages as comprehensive as possible
Holiday season marketing campaigns should be tailored to each platform to ensure maximum effectiveness
Online is where it’s at
Of course, in-store or curbside pick-up will still prove popular. However, most people research their ecommerce purchases online – sometimes weeks in advance! So don’t be surprised when the holiday shopping season starts well before Black Friday and continues for weeks.
Extending Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday season online deals for a few days or weeks can be a good idea. This is especially true if you want to prevent huge crowds from gathering at your store on a specific day. That won’t be a good shopping experience for anyone involved, so spreading these deals over an extended time is probably better.
Start preparing in time
Dive into the data you amassed during previous Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, and see if you can come up with improvements for your e-commerce holiday season SEO. Bear in mind that it takes a while for content to rank. So, to keep up with the competition, try to get your content in gear at least 45 days ahead. That’s often recommended. Of course, you can always start preparing earlier if that works better for you. Your schedule could look something like this:
45 Days in advance: Post your promotion to your website calendar and post a save-the-date post on social media and in your email newsletter.
7 Days in advance: Post upcoming events/promotions on social media and via email. Try to encourage other (small) businesses to share it with their followers.
1 Day in advance: Post an event reminder on social media.
It’s a good rule to remember these steps and time frames. However, you can do much more than set up new pages and renew old ones. Let’s look at a few practical tips.
1. Do holiday season keyword research
Keyword research is important all year, but especially during the season when your online store starts having big sales. You have probably worked on this research previously, but now is the time to dive in again. There are always things to learn, like developments in your industry, changes in consumer behavior, or new trends and topics to discuss.
Start early with your research to give yourself enough time to produce high-quality, helpful content that helps reach those new audiences. While using generative AI tools to generate holiday season SEO content for your e-commerce business is enticing, please be careful with that. Generative AI can help you do your job, but it can’t replace your valuable insights and opinions.
First, we must consider what category or particular landing pages make sense for the upcoming holidays. You can always set up pages like ‘Best gifts for parents/millennials/teens’, ‘Newest deals for your 6/10/12-year-old’, and ‘Best friend/grandparents/coworker discounts’. You could also think of ‘Top 10 gifts for outdoor/skiing/parasailing enthusiasts’ and ‘Top 3 deals for stay-at-home parents’, etcetera.
To increase the chances of your gift pages ranking, boost their internal linking structure. You can also link the previous all-year holiday season pages, such as specific Christmas landing pages (‘Top 7/10/25 gifts for under the Christmas tree’) to boost these when the time has come. That could be around the 45-day mark, but we would be okay with stretching that to 60 days. You’ll need to give Google and other search engines enough time to follow your links and find your specific holiday season SEO landing pages with deals.
3. Promote on social media and in your newsletter
Social media like X and Instagram can play a massive role in the success of your (online) Black Friday sale. Take Pinterest, for instance. Many people have a Pinterest Christmas wish list. As a merchant, it would be amazing to get your products on people’s wish lists, which can positively impact your reach and maybe even your sales.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to share your Black Friday gift pages on Facebook and other social media. Maybe even make short videos to post on TikTok. In the previous section, we mentioned the top ten lists. We all know these still work pretty well on social media. Yoast SEO can help you optimize your social media posts before you share them.
Email marketing
Last but not least, remember your email marketing! For many companies, newsletters provide a steady stream of income. Be sure to plan a good campaign for your newsletters.
For example, we recommend setting up holiday gift guides and sharing these. You can create an excellent overview of many gifts that many people will enjoy. ELLE and Target have pages like that, and so do more companies.
4. Introduce new products
The holiday season is an excellent time to pitch new products. If you know of potential bestsellers for the upcoming holiday season, start writing content about these products now. You can compare it to tech sites writing about concept iPhones, features that Apple might add, etc.
The more you write about new products upfront, the more likely the sales pages for these products will rank when it matters. You should link all pages you made in advance to that one main page you’ll set up when the product is released and available to buy. Treat that page like cornerstone content.
5. Add structured data to your product pages
When adding or changing your product pages to fit the holiday season, don’t forget to optimize them. Check, for instance, whether you’ve added structured data to your product pages. Rich results that show ratings and prices can give you an edge over your competitors. Our WooCommerce SEO plugin, Local SEO plugin (included in Yoast SEO Premium), or Yoast SEO for Shopify app can help you do this to improve your holiday season!
Example of a product appearing in the search results if you use structured data.
Don’t forget to optimize your e-commerce product feeds for Black Friday and holiday season SEO. This maximizes visibility and sales during this high-traffic online shopping period. Start by ensuring all product information, such as titles, descriptions, prices, and availability, is accurate and up-to-date. Check if the products that need them have relevant Black Friday keywords to enhance discoverability. Use high-quality, clear images to showcase your product.
Use the promotions feature in Google Merchant Center to prominently display special deals and discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This way, you’ll make your offers more attractive to potential buyers. Please update your feed regularly to reflect real-time inventory changes and fix errors to maintain product visibility.
7. Reuse content
There’s no shame in serving old wine in a new bottle. If you have a Black Friday or a Christmas gift guide for 2024, feel free to reuse it in 2025. Update the year and details like popular brands and products for that year. If the slug of your URL is /black-friday-guide-2024/, change it to /black-friday-guide-2025/ around August next year, and redirect the old URL to the new one. No need to create a new page. It would be a waste of nice inbound links not to reuse that old URL. Of course, this is even easier if you don’t include the year in the URL, so /black-friday-guide/ is also an excellent slug.
In the months before the holiday season, you could even simply repost popular posts from last year (a bit adjusted or updated if needed) on social media. Valentine’s Day might even become Secret Santa. Cyber Monday might match your child’s favorite gifts for Ramadan. These are probably small adjustments; perhaps just adding ‘this Ramadan’ to a meta description or title will do.
It’s a good idea to check and optimize your website for speed and mobile use. Trust us; you’ll get these recommendations from an SEO blog or consultant daily. And with good reason! Mobile, site speed, and user experience are essential to get people to spend money on your ecommerce business this Black Friday. When preparing your online store for the holiday sale season, this is as good a time as any to check your mobile website and site speed, and update or improve them if possible.
Investing in local SEO for Black Friday and Christmas shopping is essential for local businesses aiming to attract more customers. Begin by optimizing your Google Business Profile with accurate business information, including address, phone number, business hours, and any special Black Friday/Cyber Monday hours or promotions. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. Use local keywords in your content, focusing on terms your community will likely search for, such as “Black Friday deals in [Your City].” Additionally, engage with your local community on social media by promoting special deals to drive more foot traffic to your store.
10. Create a measurement plan
All set? Remember to make a measurement plan to analyze your success. Write down all your plans, then think about how to track all your actions. This is key to knowing what to focus on next year. For detailed instructions on analyzing your Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Cinco de Mayo shopping, read our post with five tips to measure your holiday sales success.
What should you do when the holiday season is over?
How do you handle the product pages of holiday gift sets after the holidays? Even if the gift set or product was a great success, and you want to offer it again next year, it’ll take a while for the page to be relevant again. What is the best way to deal with these pages in the meantime?
Our advice: Keep the pages up. However, you don’t necessarily want them visible to people browsing your site. So, have the page up without linking, then link to it again during the holiday season. This is better than deleting it and starting again.
Conclusion on holiday season SEO
In short, now’s the time to buckle down and start writing holiday gift pages and content for new products. Remember to plan your social media promotion and analytics. After all, you can never start too early when your online business depends on the holiday season. Be prepared; begin now with your SEO. Good luck with your holiday season sale!
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Think a website redesign is just about fixing your homepage or refreshing the layout? Think again.
Too often, these projects focus on changing the look or chasing the latest trends. But if your redesign doesn’t fix what’s actually broken, your site won’t perform any better or win you more business.
In this guide, I’ll show you what a website redesign really involves and walk you through my agency’s 11-step process — including mistakes to avoid.
Key Takeaways:
A true website redesign is more than just cosmetic, involving rebuilding your website to create a strong foundation for visual design, UX, SEO, and technical infrastructure.
Mobile devices have generated over 50% of all website traffic since 2017, so use a mobile-first approach during your redesign process to appeal to the largest percentage of users.
If you take a “set it and forget it” approach to website redesign, you’ll end up back where you started. Make a plan to monitor and optimize your site post-launch to keep hitting your goals.
What Is a Website Redesign?
A website redesign is a process that involves changing a site’s appearance, content, and functionality.
The goal? Developing a website that better meets both user needs and business goals.
A website refresh involves making small-scale changes (like making a few tweaks to the homepage layout). But a full redesign basically rebuilds your existing website from scratch.
A site redesign checklist typically includes these elements:
Visual Design: How the site looks, including the layout, color schemes, typography, and branding
User Experience (UX): How the site functions for users, including the navigation and interactive elements
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): How the site appears in search, including keywords and metadata
Site Architecture: How the site is organized, including page hierarchies, URL structures, and internal links
Technical Infrastructure: How the site functions on the backend, including site speed and security
Accessibility: How well all users can understand and interact with your website
When to Consider a Website Redesign Project
Not sure if a web design is really necessary? Here are a few signals that it’s time for an overhaul.
Outdated Design
Does your site look like it was designed in 2010? Potential customers might question if your business is still operating — or if it can meet their current needs.
New Branding or Positioning
Has your company refreshed its branding or updated its competitive positioning? Your site is one of the first places you’ll want to roll out these changes.
Subpar User Experience
Do site visitors frequently tell you they can’t find anything on your site?
Bad Mobile Experience
Is your site the opposite of mobile-friendly? Since 2017, mobile devices have generated over half of website traffic. Which means mobile responsiveness is essential for every site.
Content Management System Limitations
Does your content management system (CMS) limit your site’s functionality or the plugins you can add? Switching from WordPress, Webflow, or any other CMS is a great reason to rebuild your site from the ground up.
Poor Site Performance
Does your site take ages to load — even though you’ve tried everything to speed it up? A complete redesign gives you an opportunity to address technical issues.
How to Redesign Your Website in 11 Steps
Now that you know when it’s time for a redesign, here’s how to do it step by step. I’ll break down my process into phases, from discovery and planning to launch and performance monitoring.
Discovery and Planning
Start by doing research and getting clear on your strategy.
Step 1: Audit Your Current Website
The first step is understanding what’s happening on your website and benchmarking its current performance.
Use Google Analytics to check website visitor data like total traffic, bounce rates, and conversion paths.
Analyze SEO tool data and identify top-ranking pages — and those that don’t rank for many keywords.
The idea is to assess what’s working on your website and what isn’t. This way, you can preserve the elements that serve your site well (like top-ranking content) and update those that don’t (like a design that loads slowly on mobile devices).
Step 2: Conduct User and Competitive Research
Validate your research by talking with your actual prospects and customers. Add surveys to your site so you can automatically poll site visitors. Or reach out to customers manually.
Ask them what they like about your site, from the design to the functionality. Learn what they dislike about your site. Prompt them to highlight points of friction that prevent them from finding information or accomplishing tasks.
Then, make a list of competitors and analyze their websites. Identify areas where your competitors’ sites outperform yours and opportunities where your new site can do a superior job.
Step 3: Define Goals and Align Stakeholders
After auditing your website and understanding your current situation, you’re ready to set redesign goals. What does success look like for your new site?
Get crystal clear on what you want to achieve. For example, you might want to:
Create a better UX so website visitors can easily find the information they need. Which should make your site easy to navigate, decrease bounce rates, and build trust.
Implement a new CMS that integrates with the marketing automation tools your team uses. And that allows your team to publish new content more consistently.
Improve conversion rates by reducing friction for website users and guiding customers to next steps like signing up for a list, booking a call, or making a purchase.
Create a timeline and establish clear deadlines for each phase of the process.
Then, assemble a website design team with all essential stakeholders. For example, you’ll need someone to sign off on branding and design, website copy, SEO, and legal compliance.
Site Structure and Content Strategy
Map out the site architecture and content before developing mockups.
Step 4: Confirm the Navigation and the Content Strategy
Put your research to work. Design navigation that prioritizes user goals so your target audience can easily use the site. Add user-friendly navigation menus to simplify how they access important content.
Don’t forget about SEO best practices. Use a logical hierarchy that organizes content into categories. Make sure most content is no more than three clicks from the homepage.
While you’re at it, clarify your content strategy. Audit your existing content and determine if and how it fits into the new site structure.
Make a plan to combine redundant pages, unpublish outdated content, and identify content gaps that you’ll need to fill with new landing pages.
Step 5: Draft Website Copy
Now you’re ready to create or update the content for the most important pages on your website. Start with your homepage and then systematically work through product or service pages, use case pages, and industry pages. Include existing offer pages and conversion pages in this part of your website redesign plan.
Write for your audience, speaking to their goals and pain points
Incorporate your brand voice, including your style and tone of voice
Make website copy easy to skim with clear page structure and subheadings
Add calls to action (CTAs) that prompt prospects to take the next step
Design and Prototyping
This is where the redesign process gets visual — and when stakeholders weigh in.
Step 6: Create Wireframes and a Design System
Design wireframes that show the website navigation, user flow, and content placement. Then, create a design system that shows the color palette, typography, and visual style.
By now, you should start to get a sense of how the new site will look and feel.
I recommend incorporating accessibility into this stage of your website redesign strategy. Choose accessible colors with sufficient contrast and fonts that are easy for site visitors to read.
Step 7: Build Mockups or Prototypes
Next, turn your wireframes and visual guidelines into website mockups or prototypes. Again, start with the most important pages on your website — like your homepage and product or service pages.
Apply the design to actual content drafts so stakeholders can see how the web copy will fit on the site, complete with the text hierarchy, white space, navigation, and design elements.
Develop prototypes for various screen sizes. While mobile devices will likely make up a large percentage of your site traffic, they won’t account for all of it. Make sure your site is just as easy for desktop users to navigate.
Step 8: Get Stakeholder Sign Off
The key to a successful redesign is getting everyone on board with your decisions. So once you’ve confirmed major design and copy decisions, present the prototypes to your stakeholders.
Walk them through how users will navigate the site based on typical journeys. Explain why you’ve made certain design decisions or built specific pages.
Gather feedback and make necessary revisions. Document every comment and change throughout the process. Then, get your team to sign off on the design, UX, and copy.
Development and Technical Setup
Set up your new website for success with a strong technical foundation.
Step 9: Develop the Website
Now you’re ready to hand off the design to your development team. Work with the website developers to choose a CMS that supports your design, marketing automation, and compliance needs.
Use clean, descriptive URLs with relevant keywords and a logical hierarchy. If necessary, create 301 redirects to update the location of content from your old website.
Largest Contentful Paint, which reflects content loading performance
Interaction to Next Paint, which reflects the responsiveness of your site
Cumulative Layout Shift, which reflects the visual stability of your site
Build SEO foundations into your site so you can easily optimize your content for search engine rankings. Incorporate schema markup and metadata into the backend to help each page rank for relevant keywords.
Step 10: Test and Optimize the Site
Before launching your new site, take time to test it thoroughly. Recruit team members and beta users to check how your site performs on various devices, browsers, and screen sizes. Check for consistent appearance and functionality.
Work with your dev team to create a testing checklist. This way, nothing will fall through the cracks. Here are a few elements to add to your list:
Broken links
Missing images
Formatting issues
Faulty integrations
Slow loading speeds
Form submission issues
Launch and Performance Monitoring
Go live with the new design and monitor performance closely.
Step 11: Launch and Monitor the Site
Now you’re ready to launch the redesigned website. With your dev team, go through a complete checklist to set the stage for a successful website launch.
Update DNS settings
Set up SSL certificates
Confirm any 301 redirects
Check analytics tracking
Monitor the site closely for the first day or two. Make sure your dev team is available to quickly address any bugs.
Then, regularly review technical aspects like page load speeds, performance aspects like conversion rates, and SEO aspects like keyword rankings. Use your insights to create a plan to continue optimizing your site.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Website Redesign
Don’t make the same missteps many web designers do. Watch for these mistakes to make the website redesign process as smooth as possible.
Mistake
Phase
How to Fix It
Missing Performance Benchmarks
Planning
Document baseline metrics like website traffic, conversion rates, and page load times before the redesign. Set specific goals for each.
Misaligned Goals
Planning
Set clear goals at the beginning of your redesign process. Communicate them to stakeholders and provide regular updates.
Navigation Issues
Strategy
Test the proposed navigation with a group of real users. Monitor how they use the site and where they get stuck.
Poor Mobile UX
Design
Use a mobile-first design, then scale up to a desktop design. Test for usability issues before launching the website.
Inconsistent Branding
Design
Create a style guide with branding guidelines, including hex codes, typography, font size, and spacing rules.
Ignoring SEO Essentials
Development
Establish your new URL structure and create 301 redirects as necessary. Implement structured markup and metadata.
No QA Process
Development
Assign a QA lead and recruit real users. Follow a clear checklist to test the site and make it easy for users to report bugs.
Post-Launch Neglect
Post-Launch
Use analytics and SEO tools to monitor site performance. Schedule 30-, 60-, and 90-day reviews and plan for continuous optimization.
FAQs
What is a website redesign?
It’s a full rebuild of your site, going beyond just a visual update. You’re reworking the design, structure, content, and functionality so your site works better for your users and supports your business goals.
How do you redesign a website?
Start by figuring out what’s working and what’s not. Talk to users. Check your analytics. Map out a new site structure and write better copy. Then design, develop, test, and launch. Keep it focused on solving real problems instead of chasing trends.
How often should you redesign your website?
Whenever your site stops pulling its weight. That might be every few years or sooner if your tech, brand, or audience changes. If it’s slow, confusing, or outdated, it’s time.
Why redesign a website?
Because the old one isn’t doing its job. Maybe it’s hard to use. Maybe it’s off-brand. Maybe it just doesn’t convert. A redesign lets you fix what’s broken and build a better experience for the people you want to reach.
Final Thoughts on Website Redesign
Many businesses make design decisions on a whim — no plan, no discussion, and no website redesign goals. This can lead to underwhelming results. Or worse, ongoing updates that leave customers confused.
But with a clear workflow to follow, your website redesign doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Use my 11-step approach to set clear goals, get everyone on board, and design a new website that gets the results you want.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-19 19:00:002025-07-19 19:00:00Website Redesign: 11-Step Process From Audit to Launch
Off-page SEO is everything you do outside of your website to help it rank better in the SERPs. On-page SEO focuses on content, site structure, and technical improvements, but off-page SEO looks at building credibility from outside. There are many ways to get there, from link building to social media to earning those coveted brand mentions.
With off-page SEO, you try to gain trust and credibility for yourself or your business. A big part of this strategy concerns link building, which involves getting other websites to link back to yours. Doing this shows search engines that your content is helpful and worth looking at.
Remember that it’s about the quality of links, instead of the quantity. A few high-quality links from trusted websites will help more than lots of links from low-authority ones. But links aren’t the only signals that matter.
Mentions of your brand name or domain from other websites also help build authority. Even without direct links, consistent references in articles and forums show that people are engaging with your brand.
Social media builds on that exposure. Sharing content where your audience spends time can boost visibility, which in turn can lead to more mentions, traffic, and backlinks.
Local SEO is another area of off-page SEO. Using tools like Google Business Profile and getting reviews helps your business appear in location-based searches. It’s especially useful for service businesses or companies with physical locations.
You can also experiment with creating content for different audiences to naturally attract attention. Reusing content in different formats, like videos, blog posts, or infographics, keeps your reach wide. You can also work with experts or influencers, as these can introduce your brand to new audiences and help build visibility.
Why off-page SEO matters for your site
Search engines want searchers to see trustworthy content. With off-page SEO, you can prove your site is dependable, and the quickest way to do this is when others refer to or recommend it. Good links from strong websites act like references, building confidence in your content’s value.
Even unlinked brand mentions help. When your name keeps coming up across the web, algorithms pick up on it. A strong digital presence makes a difference, whether that’s engaging with others online, through media coverage, partnerships, or content sharing.
While not directly tied to rankings, increasing your online visibility can lead to more searches, shares, and links, which can lead to increased traffic.
All these efforts support the broader goal of demonstrating that your website is run by real people with knowledge and experience. They help search engines judge how much they can rely on your content.
Link building is a big part of off-page SEO
Links from other websites tell search engines that your content is worth showing. That’s why link building is one of the key parts of off-page SEO, but not every link is equal.
Search engines find links from high-authority, topic-relevant sites more important. Getting those kinds of links usually means creating content that people want to reference, such as guides, studies, or tools.
Outreach plays a role, too. You can connect with other websites, offer guest posts, or share original insights. Over time, this builds relationships and can lead to higher-quality backlinks.
PR and content marketing also help, whether you contribute expert opinions to news outlets or create something worth citing. It’s more effective than mass emailing or buying links, the latter of which you shouldn’t do anyway.
Part of your job should be managing your existing links. SEO tools such as Ahrefs and Semrush can monitor broken or lost links and help fix or replace them.
If you are successful, link building can be more than just a tactic. It can show that others recognize your site as trustworthy, and that recognition, measured through linking, can improve rankings and drive traffic.
Social media’s impact
Social media doesn’t directly affect ranking, but it helps people discover and share your content. That kind of exposure can lead to links, searches, and increased brand familiarity.
Platforms like LinkedIn, X, Reddit, and Instagram let you speak to your audience and encourage interaction. When people find value in what you publish, they tend to share it or come back to it.
In time, these interactions build brand recognition. While this might not have a clear SEO metric attached, it does support and improve your visibility. Collaborating with influencers expands your audience even more. If they share something you’ve created, it can get picked up and linked to by others.
Video is playing an increasingly important role in this. Research from BrightLocal shows that many U.S. consumers are drawn to video content directly from businesses discussing their products or services. Over a third of consumers prefer this type of video, even more than those shared by friends, influencers, or typical social media reviewers. Additionally, 31% of individuals find value in watching videos from regular social media users.
Use insights from these platforms to spot what your audience cares about. That helps shape better content, which can trigger organic shares and mentions.
Local SEO as an off-page SEO strategy
For locally oriented businesses, off-page SEO means being easy to find and well-reviewed locally. Start with accurate business info across online directories, so make sure that your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent. Search engines use this to match your business to search results.
Your Google Business Profile needs regular attention, so photos, updates, and timely responses to reviews all help. In that same BrightLocal research, 89% of respondents say they expect merchants and business owners to reply to all types of reviews.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave public reviews. New reviews show search engines and potential visitors that your business stays active and involved. A complete, active listing stands out to local customers and improves your chances of appearing in map results.
Try building links from other local businesses or organizations. These carry weight in local SEO. Sponsoring events or working with local publications can lead to mentions and coverage.
Being visible in your area is not just about what local content you have on your site, but also about how your local audience views your business online.
Carefully replying to your reviews manages your online reputation
Expertise and trust
With off-page SEO, you have many opportunities to show your expertise. Sharing your knowledge can build trust, which in itself can create useful input for search engines.
Guest posting on reputable websites reaches people already interested in what you have to say. If those sites link back, it’s a plus for SEO, except when shady things happen, of course.
You can also take part in forums and Q&A sites. Offering useful, relevant insights gets your name out and sometimes leads to mentions from others who find your content helpful.
Podcasts, webinars, and speaking events work the same way. Participating in discussions in your space helps establish expertise and can result in new traffic or backlinks from media coverage or event promotions.
Collaborating with other professionals through research or shared content introduces your work to their audience and can lead to more recognition and links over time.
You shouldn’t just focus on creating more content, but try to actively lead in your field. If your business is perceived as the go-to place, this builds trust with both your audience and search engines.
How off-page SEO impacts AI-driven search
Search is changing quicker than ever. Beyond the classic search results, people are now using AI tools like Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, and chat assistants like ChatGPT to find answers. These tools use large language models (LLMs) to pull information from across the web, and off-page SEO plays a role in how your content shows up.
When your brand or website appears on high-quality, trusted sites, it increases the chances that AI tools recognize your content as reliable. Structured citations, strong backlinks, and consistent brand mentions all help LLMs “see” your site as a good source. This can lead to your content influencing or being featured in AI-generated summaries and answers.
Authority, trust, and topic alignment are all important. The more your content is referenced or quoted by reputable sources, the more likely it is to appear in conversational search results or be used to answer common questions. Find out how to optimize content for AI LLM comprehension using Yoast’s tools.
Off-page SEO now supports not just link-driven visibility, but also discoverability in AI search and chat tools. It helps improve your overall presence, so it doesn’t matter whether someone uses Google, social media, or an AI chatbot to find information about you.
Off-page SEO helps widen the scope
Off-page SEO works together with on-page work to strengthen your website’s reputation across the web. First, it helps your users, but it also helps search engines and AI tools recognize your content as trustworthy and relevant.
Whether you’re earning backlinks, encouraging brand mentions, engaging on social platforms, or building local visibility, each off-page signal adds to your authority. Collaborations, reviews, and expert participation show real experience behind your site.
These strategies now also influence how content surfaces in AI-generated results. That means off-page SEO doesn’t just support traditional rankings, but it also helps your brand stay discoverable in new, AI-powered ways.
The more consistent, trusted, and present your brand is across the web, the more likely it is to show up wherever people are searching, even if they’re not using a classic search engine. Build trust, stay visible, and let your off-page efforts work across search formats, now and into the future.
Some YouTube videos gain millions of views, while others struggle to find an audience. The reason often comes down to the algorithm. YouTube’s algorithm isn’t guesswork—it’s a sophisticated system predicting what viewers will most likely watch and enjoy.
Whether you’re a marketer, content creator, or business owner, understanding how the YouTube algorithm works can help you grow your channel and reach more viewers. In this article, we’ll break down how the YouTube algorithm works in 2025 and share strategies to help you succeed.
Key Takeaways
The YouTube algorithm in focuses on understanding individual viewers through their behavior, preferences, and watch history.
YouTube serves videos in three main ways. The homepage shows videos based on viewer history, suggested videos appear alongside a video being watched, and search results combine relevance and viewer preferences.
Metrics like watch time, click-through rates (CTR), likes, comments, and shares are key factors in determining a video’s visibility.
Including YouTube Shorts, live streams, and playlists in your strategy can help you connect with wider audiences.
Regular uploads and active audience engagement signal to the algorithm that your channel offers value.
Features like polls, Q&A sessions, and multilingual subtitles increase engagement and appeal to diverse audiences.
Algorithm optimization has seven components: create a click-worthy title, add detail to your description, design an attractive thumbnail, increase watch duration, encourage action after the video, maintain engagement with video series and playlists, and improve content using analytics over the long term.
What Is the YouTube Algorithm?
The YouTube algorithm is a recommendation system that serves videos to users based on their histories and (if they’re actively searching) search queries. The algorithm evaluates over 80 billion signals, according to the official YouTube blog.
The algorithm matters because YouTube is a powerful organic channel. Understanding how to increase the reach of your videos can increase revenue significantly.
In fact, research conducted by my team at NP Digital found it’s the top organic social channel, outperforming sales from all other platforms by a large margin.
YouTube provides recommendations in four main areas:
Homepage: Features videos based on viewer history and content performance.
Suggested videos: Highlights related content next to the video being watched.
Search results: Combines relevance and viewer preferences to rank results.
Shorts: Shows short-form videos in the shorts feed based on user history.
Let’s look at each of these in detail.
Recommended Videos: A Whopping 70% of All Views
Recommended videos appear on the homepage and alongside videos on “watch pages,” on-screen at the end of videos, and in the suggested videos sidebar.
A mixture of personalization factors—based on the user’s history—and individual video performance signals are used to make recommendations.
Search Results: The Web’s Sixth Biggest Search Engine
Results page videos are served in response to YouTube search bar queries. The algorithm uses a mix of relevance (in relation to the search phrase) and personalization to rank videos.
Despite accounting for only 30% of views, the number of searches on YouTube is still high enough to make it the sixth largest search engine on the web. My research found that YouTube has 3.3 billion searches every day.
Shorts: Casual Scrolling
The “shorts algorithm” serves videos based on user history, in a similar way to the homepage and watch page suggestions. However, videos are viewed in a scrolling format, typically on mobile.
My team and I looked at the engagement levels of different types of content and found that shorts account for 31.3% of all social media content engagement, beating every other category. Shorts are excellent for building your audience, and I publish them regularly on my channel.
Trending: What’s Hot In Your Country
The “Trending” tab in YouTube displays videos that are going viral and generating high viewing figures. According to the YouTube Help Center, “Trending isn’t personalized and displays the same list of trending videos to all viewers in the same country.”
The YouTube Algorithm’s Evolution
The YouTube algorithm has evolved significantly over the years. Early versions rewarded videos based on view counts alone, encouraging clickbait tactics. In 2012, the focus shifted to watch time, prioritizing videos that kept viewers engaged for more extended periods.
In 2025, AI-driven personalization will play a central role. The algorithm analyzes viewer behavior to recommend videos that align with individual preferences. Metrics like watch time, click-through rates (CTR), and satisfaction surveys have a major impact on video ranking.
Short-form videos, like YouTube Shorts, are now a major factor in discoverability. They grab attention quickly, making them effective for engaging new viewers. Creators who include Shorts in their strategy often see significant growth in views and subscribers.
The evolution of the algorithm shows that success on YouTube depends on adaptability. Content that engages viewers across formats and metrics is more likely to gain visibility.
How the Algorithm Works: A Complete Overview
So, how does the algorithm work?
Let’s look at official and reputable third-party sources to piece together an understanding of what YouTube looks at to recommend and rank videos.
Official YouTube Documentation: Personalization and Performance
“…we start with the knowledge that everyone has unique viewing habits. Our system then compares your viewing habits with those that are similar to you and uses that information to suggest other content you may want to watch.”
“Our algorithm doesn’t pay attention to videos, it pays attention to viewers. So, rather than trying to make videos that’ll make an algorithm happy, focus on making videos that make your viewers happy.”
In addition, a paper published in 2016 titled Deep Neural Networks for YouTube Recommendations explained that the YouTube recommendation model works in two stages. Although it has evolved since the paper was published, there’s a strong likelihood that the underlying ideas have remained the same.
First, the algorithm goes through a “corpus” of millions of videos to retrieve a subset of videos that match the user’s preferences based on their history. Second, it evaluates multiple video and user factors to rank these candidates, returning what it determines to be the best-fit recommendations.
A Discussion Between YouTube Insiders: No One “Number”
In early 2025, YouTube Creator Liaison Rene Ritchie and Todd Beaupré, who leads the Growth and Discovery team, discussed the YouTube algorithm in depth.
Rene Ritchie asked, “We often hear from creators, ‘What’s the one number? Is it click-through rates? Is it watch time?” How do creators optimize for all of these factors?”
Beaupré answered by saying, “One thing to understand is there’s no single answer to that question, as much as creators would love to have one. But the reality is that we’ve enabled the system to learn that different factors have different importance in different contexts.”
He also added, “While we do look at how long people watch videos, it’s only one of the factors we consider…we introduced this concept of satisfaction…where we’re trying to understand not just viewers’ behavior but also how they feel.”
The key point is that YouTube considers a wide range of context-dependent factors. But the emphasis is on user “satisfaction.” Factors like relevance, watch time, and engagement all fit neatly into this category.
7 Key YouTube Algorithm Signals
A mix of official documentation and third-party testing highlights seven key areas that YouTube looks at in order to evaluate what Todd Beaupré calls “satisfaction.”
Here’s a working roundup of YouTube algorithm signals:
Content characteristics: The algorithm uses metadata, such as titles, descriptions, and transcripts, to determine a video’s relevance to a viewer’s query. Optimized metadata increases a video’s chances of being recommended.
Watch time: Longer viewing sessions suggest valuable content. While there is significant variance across topics, my team and I found that 3.06 minutes is the average watch time on YouTube, and this is a good benchmark to keep in mind for longer videos.
Click-through rate (CTR): This is the percentage of impressions that turn into clicks. Attractive titles and thumbnails draw more clicks and indicate relevance.
Likes, comments, and shares: Viewer interactions show the content’s relevance and appeal. Videos with strong engagement are more likely to be promoted.
Viewer behavior: Content is prioritized based on individual viewing history, likes, and repeated interactions. It also considers patterns among viewers with similar interests to recommend content.
Relevance:Research by the Pew Research Center found that 32% of adults in the US use YouTube to stay up to date with current events, making it one of the web’s most popular news platforms. Because of this, the relevance of news-related content is likely a strong ranking factor.
Handling misinformation: Channels with authority and consistent, trustworthy content are favored. The algorithm also flags and limits the reach of misleading videos, so aligning with YouTube’s policies is critical. According to YouTube, consumption of “borderline content” recommended by the algorithm is lower than 1%. This is content that doesn’t violate YouTube’s terms of service but comes close.
How to Improve Your Organic Reach: 7-Step Framework
Improving organic reach on YouTube is about focusing on three factors: engagement, relevance, and viewer satisfaction.
Creating useful, attention-grabbing content should be your priority. However, there are also powerful tweaks that can give your rankings an extra lift.
1. Pick a Catchy Title
YouTube looks at your video’s title to understand what it’s about. A well-crafted title makes it more likely that you’ll be recommended to users and appear in search results for relevant queries.
Here’s how to nail your video titles:
Pick a primary high-volume keyword: Enter the core topic of your video into the YouTube search bar to generate specific keyword variations and pick one of these for your title. You can also run potential keywords through a tool like Ubersuggest, as there is significant overlap between Google and YouTube search term volumes.
Describe a clear benefit: A catchy title isn’t just for telling the algorithm what your video is about. It’s also for building interest and driving clicks. Articulate a clear, precise outcome or benefit, as I have done with “social media mastery” in my video below. “How to” titles also work very well on YouTube.
Don’t get too hung up on tags: There’s no harm in adding tags in the Show more section of the Details page of the upload window. However, don’t worry too much about these as their value is limited. Three or four keywords that describe your video will do the job.
2. Optimize Your Description
Descriptions do more than summarize your video—they help the algorithm understand and categorize your content.
Here’s how to create a killer description:
Focus on the first two lines: These appear in search results. Start with an engaging preview that highlights what viewers will learn.
Provide details: Outline key takeaways and include timestamps for longer videos. Use bullets in your description to make it easy for readers to skim.
Add calls to action (CTAs) where appropriate: Direct viewers to related videos or encourage them to subscribe when it’s appropriate to do so.
Here’s an example of a helpful description from one of my videos. It’s comprehensive—giving plenty of info to YouTube—and pulls readers in with a clear description of what they’ll learn.
3. Create a Captivating Thumbnail
Your thumbnail is an invaluable opportunity to stop scrollers, restate the benefits of watching your video, and encourage clicks. And if you’re not a natural designer, AI tools can fill the gap.
Here’s how to create thumbnails that get noticed:
Reiterate the benefit in a different way: Use the thumbnail as an opportunity to reiterate the main promise or learning of your video in a slightly different way to attract viewers that may not have found your title compelling.
Keep your design professional (without breaking the bank): Platforms like Canva and Adobe Express, which now have AI features, create professional-looking thumbnails that grab attention.
Split Testing: Test different thumbnails across your videos to see which combinations perform best.
You can see a selection of thumbnails for my videos below. In all cases I include my ugly mug—ahem, beautiful visage—and reiterate the main promise of the video in a slightly different way to the title.
4. Aim for Longer Watch Durations
The algorithm rewards content that keeps viewers watching from start to finish. Strong video storytelling holds those eyeballs and boosts watch time.
Here are my four top tips for improving average watch duration:
Start strong: Hook your audience in the first 10 seconds with a clear and engaging statement.
Match expectations: Align your video content with what the title and thumbnail promise.
Add chapters: Divide longer videos into sections with timestamps so viewers can skip to the parts they’re most interested in.
Modify your strategy based on feedback: Analyze audience retention graphs in YouTube Studio to see where viewers drop off and refine your content strategy accordingly, removing sections that might be seen as boring or not useful.
I hit all these criteria in my video “I’ve Closed $100M+ in Sales, Here’s How to Sell Anything to Anyone.” It opens strong, provides exactly what it promises (with practical examples), includes chapters, and cuts all nonessential fluff.
Oh, and don’t be afraid of creating lo-fi (or low-fidelity) videos if your audience is already engaging with content that’s more casual. This content isn’t overly polished and is designed to communicate authenticity. My research found that it tends to outperform high-fidelity content.
5. Don’t Skip the Conclusion
How you end your videos matters. A good conclusion keeps viewers engaged and encourages them to either subscribe, watch another video, or visit a landing page.
Add all of the following to your conclusions:
End screens: Add an end screen with a CTA and a link to your landing page or subscribe button.
Verbal calls to action (CTAs): Suggest specific videos or playlists that viewers can watch next.
Add cards: Reference related content from your channel and use clickable cards to drive traffic to it.
Here’s an example of a video from Russell Brunson with an end screen that includes a CTA, a card of a related video, and links to his channel page (the picture of his face) and his commercial website.
6. Create Series and Playlists
Serial content keeps viewers engaged for longer and increases session time as they watch the whole series, which the algorithm values. Creating binge-worthy videos also encourages viewers to subscribe to your channel.
There are two ways to offer serial content:
Playlists: Group related videos into playlists that autoplay. This keeps viewers watching without needing to search for the next video.
Episodic, well-labeled series: Structure your content in a way that builds anticipation, such as a step-by-step tutorial or a multi-part series that is clearly labeled—“Part One,” “Video One,” etc.
When signing off from videos in a series, don’t underestimate cliffhanger endings. A teaser for what’s coming next can make all the difference in keeping viewers watching.
Here’s an example from my SEO Unlocked course on SEO fundamentals, with a link at the end of the video to part two.
7. Monitor Analytics to Find Opportunities
YouTube Studio offers tools to analyze your performance, refine your strategy, and align content with audience preferences.
Audience retention: Identify drop-off points and adjust your content to keep viewers engaged.
Click-through rate (CTR): Measure how well your titles and thumbnails attract clicks.
Engagement metrics: Look at likes, comments, and shares to understand what resonates.
Demographics and traffic sources: Learn about your audience and adjust to appeal to core groups.
Bonus Tip: Make the Most of YouTube Shorts
As we’ve mentioned before, YouTube Shorts are a powerful way to reach new audiences and promote your main content. Their quick, engaging format is perfect for grabbing attention. But they work slightly differently from long-form videos.
Follow these best practices for maximizing the reach of your shorts:
Focus on one idea: Keep it simple and clear. Shorts are most effective when they focus on a single concept.
Use captions: Many viewers watch without sound, so captions help convey your message.
Repurpose content: Highlight key moments from your long-form videos to attract new viewers.
Here’s an example from my YouTube channel. In under a minute, it delivers a quick lesson on social media engagement.
Adapting to Trends in 2025
Staying competitive on YouTube in 2025 requires keeping up with audience expectations and platform trends. Interactive content and a focus on sustainability and inclusivity shape how creators connect with viewers.
Interactive Content
Interactive features like polls, Q&A sessions, and community posts help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. These tools encourage participation, making viewers feel more connected to your content. This engagement also signals to the algorithm that your videos resonate with your audience.
This simple and easy addition makes the video more engaging and can even spark future conversations and video ideas.
Live streams are another way to build engagement. Use live chats to answer questions or collect feedback directly from viewers. These real-time interactions create a sense of community and keep your audience coming back for more.
Sustainability and Inclusivity
Audiences are increasingly drawn to creators who reflect their values. Content incorporating sustainable practices, like reducing waste during production, can appeal to eco-conscious viewers. Inclusivity is equally important. Multilingual subtitles, diverse representation, and accessible formats help you reach a broader audience while improving viewer satisfaction.
Focusing on these areas can strengthen your brand and improve your chances of gaining visibility on the platform.
Is AI Changing the Way the Algorithm Works?
I believe that the future looks bright for YouTube creators in the age of AI.
The algorithm has evolved significantly over the years. Early versions rewarded videos based on view counts alone, encouraging clickbait tactics. In 2012, the focus shifted to watch time, prioritizing videos that kept viewers engaged for more extended periods.
In 2025 and beyond, AI algorithms will continue to focus on relevance, watch time, click-through rates (CTR), and satisfaction. My view is that it will get better and better at measuring these signals, which means that high-quality content is the best path to success.
In addition, my team and I have found that AI engines often cite YouTube videos, with a 414% uptick in citations in AI overviews since launch. This points towards continued growth in the consumption of YouTube videos as AI search becomes more pervasive.
FAQs
How does the YouTube algorithm work?
The YouTube algorithm matches videos to viewers based on relevance, engagement, and personal preferences. It analyzes metadata, watch time, and viewer behavior to recommend content that keeps audiences engaged.
What is the YouTube algorithm?
The YouTube algorithm is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to determine which videos to recommend to users. It evaluates individual preferences, engagement metrics, and channel authority to prioritize content.
What 4 things does the algorithm prioritize on YouTube?
Watch Time: Videos with longer viewing durations and those contributing to session watch time perform better.
Engagement: Likes, comments, and shares improve visibility.
Relevance: Titles, tags, and descriptions matched to user queries.Viewer History: Recommendations based on past watch and search behavior.
Conclusion
Mastering the YouTube algorithm is about creating engaging content that connects with your audience. The algorithm prioritizes watch time, relevance, and engagement, so aligning your videos with these factors is critical.
Focus on building quality content that addresses viewer needs, optimizing it with strong YouTube SEO practices. Use features like interactive tools, live streams, and Shorts to connect with your audience and expand your reach. Embracing sustainable and inclusive practices can also strengthen your brand and attract diverse viewers. Whether you’re improving your video marketing strategy or experimenting with new formats, staying focused on your audience will keep your channel growing.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-17 19:00:002025-07-17 19:00:00How the YouTube Algorithm Works (Data-Backed Answer)
I asked ChatGPT: “What are the best resources to learn SEO in 2025?”
The response mentioned Backlinko twice.
Here’s the thing: We don’t rank #1 in Google for “best SEO resources.” (Ads, Reddit, and AI Overviews take up that real estate).
We haven’t even optimized for “best SEO resources,” but we got mentioned anyway.
That’s LLM seeding in action.
Organic traffic is dropping across the board. Large language models (LLMs) are now answering your audience’s questions directly, quietly hijacking the clicks you used to count on.
Maybe you’ve already seen the dip. Maybe you see the writing on the wall.
Either way, it’s time to fight back — with a new kind of visibility strategy.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
What to publish so LLMs actually cite you
Where to seed your content for maximum pickup
And how to track whether your brand is showing up
Get your brand into the conversation now — so you don’t get left behind.
What the Heck Is LLM Seeding?
LLM seeding is the practice of publishing content in the formats and places LLMs are most likely to scrape, summarize, and cite.
Here’s an example of a Backlinko article that encourages scraping with an LLM-friendly format:
In other words: You’re not just optimizing for Google.
You’re optimizing for ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and any other LLMs or AI search engines your audience uses.
Here’s how it works:
You create AI-friendly content, such as comparison posts with tables and FAQ sections.
And publish it in places LLMs look for information. (More on this later.)
When people ask LLMs for information related to your industry, they mention your brand in the answer.
Often, they don’t include a link to your site.
Still, that mention sticks.
Users notice it, remember it, and later search for your brand directly.
Over time, these citations drive more branded searches, direct traffic, and trust in your name.
While LLM seeding is a new strategy, you’re not starting from scratch.
It builds on everything you already know about SEO, content marketing, and PR.
The difference? It requires a fundamental mindset shift.
You’re no longer optimizing for clicks. You’re optimizing for citations.
And instead of trying to rank #1, you’re influencing what AI tools say about your brand.
Adopting this new approach means rethinking how you show up online.
But it’s how you’ll stay visible and influential as search continues to evolve.
3 Big Benefits of LLM Seeding
Still chasing backlinks and rankings?
According to a Semrush study, AI search traffic will surpass traditional search by the end of 2027.
Shift your focus to LLM seeding now to stay competitive.
And prepare for a zero-click, LLM-driven world.
1. Brand Exposure Without Traffic Dependence
Here’s the problem:
Searchers no longer have to click search results to get the information they need.
Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode provide detailed answers to questions and step-by-step instructions.
LLMs allow searchers to bypass Google and other search engines entirely.
They provide product recommendations, summaries, answers … you name it.
For many site owners, this is resulting in a noticeable decline in traffic.
So, what’s the answer?
Becoming the answer.
When LLMs cite your brand, you become part of the conversation.
Which helps your brand stay top of mind, even without the click.
2. Authority by Association
One of the biggest wins of LLM seeding? Instant credibility.
When large language models mention your brand alongside industry leaders, it boosts your authority.
Case in point: I asked ChatGPT to recommend products for dogs with leaky gut.
It suggested Purina and Zesty Paws, two huge brands.
But it also recommended Adored Beast, a much lesser-known pet brand.
That’s the beauty of LLM seeding.
You don’t need a massive budget or a #1 ranking.
You just need to publish content that LLMs want to cite.
3. Leveled Playing Field
In traditional search, the highest-ranking content wins.
But LLMs work differently.
They prioritize the best answers, no matter what page they’re on.
In fact, almost 90% of ChatGPT citations come from positions 21+, according to Semrush’s study.
So, your comparison post on page 4 could get cited more than a competitor ranking in Google’s top 5 — if your content provides better answers.
Sounds good? Now, I’ll cover how to create LLM-friendly content.
What to Publish (So You Get Cited by LLMs)
LLMs are citation machines. But they need content from credible sources.
Here are the formats that consistently get picked up:
Structured “Best Of” Lists
Both readers and LLMs appreciate a “best of” list — especially ones with clear structure and useful comparisons.
For example, I asked Perplexity what the best mattresses are for back pain.
And review site Sleep Advisor was one of its sources.
This site publishes “best of” articles often and has a rigorous testing process, two important components of LLM citations.
But to get cited, your list needs to go beyond the basics.
Start by explaining how you selected the items on your list.
LLMs prioritize content that shows transparent, well-reasoned decision-making. (Just like your readers do.)
This added context also helps LLMs match your content to the questions people are asking.
Sleep Advisor includes details about its testing process upfront in articles so readers (and LLMs) can’t miss it.
Another AI-friendly component of a “best of” list?
Giving each item a “best” rating that matches search behavior:
Best for freelancers on a budget
Best for advanced analytics
Best all-in-one solution for remote teams
If you’ve used LLMs, you know they quote these phrases in responses.
But it also helps users self-identify, which can increase leads and conversions.
For instance, Sleep Advisor awards mattresses with targeted “best” ratings.
Like “best mattress for upper back pain” and “best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain.”
Now, consider your content’s structure.
This is where semantic chunking comes in.
Semantic chunking means organizing your content into short, clearly labeled sections that focus on a single idea or answer.
Why does it matter?
Chunked content with natural language headers makes it easier for AI to parse, understand, and pull relevant snippets into responses.
Use the same layout for every entry. A repeatable structure signals credibility and makes your content easier to extract and cite.
For example:
Item name + best rating
Quick summary
Key features or standout capabilities
Pros and cons
Pricing
Take it even further by adding scoring systems or ratings.
Sleep Advisor awards a 1-to-5-star rating based on hands-on testing across categories like pressure relief, motion isolation, cooling, and responsiveness.
That kind of structured, criteria-based scoring makes your content more credible … and easier for LLMs to cite.
Overall, anything that makes your content easier to skim and read will also help make it LLM-friendly.
This includes bullet lists, tables, and summary boxes.
First-Person Product Reviews
Authentic, hands-on reviews are another format LLMs tend to favor.
Why?
Because real testing equals real credibility.
LLMs surface these types of reviews because they:
Include measurable outcomes
Follow repeatable testing processes
Use specific, quotable phrasing
Let’s look at Wirecutter’s electric standing desk review, for example.
They have a “Why you should trust us section” that states they’ve tested 40+ adjustable desks since 2013.
This is a clear, measurable signal of expertise.
So, get granular and provide all your testing details:
Explain how many items you tested
Describe who did the testing, what their credentials are, and when it was conducted
Outline your methodology or criteria
This shows LLMs and your audience that your review is authentic.
Short, declarative lines are also important to include because they’re extract-friendly.
Here’s an example from the Wirecutter article:
The Branch Duo Standing Desk is a good option if you have limited space or are over 5-foot-8. But it doesn’t offer nearly as many customizable features as the Uplift, and there’s no option to upgrade to an advanced keypad.
Did you notice it includes both positives and negatives?
Balanced statements show you’re giving a fair, experience-based evaluation, not a sales pitch.
That kind of transparency helps establish trust with users and LLMs.
Comparison Tables (Especially Brand vs. Brand)
Mid-funnel users use AI platforms to help make purchasing decisions.
This is why it’s crucial to create content that compares your product to alternatives.
The key?
Present it in a clean, structured format, such as a table or chart.
Like this Backlinko article that includes a table to help readers choose the best PPC tool for their needs.
To make your comparison tables citation-worthy, focus on three things:
Use-case verdicts: Don’t just compare features. Tell readers which option is better for freelancers, agencies, enterprise teams, and more.
Highlight tradeoffs: Include both strengths and weaknesses for each option to add credibility
Citation-ready phrasing: Make each recommendation easy to cite. Instead of “Tool A is more feature-packed,” write “Tool A is the best choice for teams on a budget that need features like multi-user logins and grammar checking.”
This kind of clarity makes it easy for LLMs to quote your content when users ask: “Which one is better for [my specific use case]?”
FAQ-Style Content
LLMs are trained on Q&A content from platforms like Quora, Reddit, and other public forums.
So, it’s no surprise that FAQ formats perform well. They match the structure LLMs were built to understand.
For this reason, you’ll want to add FAQ-style posts to your content rotation.
You can identify customer questions in the following ways:
Once you’ve chosen your questions, structure them as subheadings in your article.
And write concise responses that start with a direct answer.
Semrush’s SEO FAQ article is a good example of this LLM-friendly format.
It includes questions as clear subheadings, including:
What Is SEO?
How Long Does It Take to Rank on Google?
Why Has My Organic Traffic Dropped?
This is the type of post that probably wouldn’t rank super well in Google.
But is EXACTLY what LLMs use to train on.
Importantly, the content provides clear, direct answers to the questions.
Adding structured data is another smart way to help AI search engines and LLMs better parse and interpret your content.
WordPress plugins like RankMath and Yoast can automatically add FAQPage structured data to help increase your citations.
Opinion‑Led Pieces with Clear Takeaways
Want to increase LLM citations? Come up with a unique take on something in your industry.
This could be a contrarian industry opinion or a surprising prediction — anything works when it’s done well.
The caveat?
You’ll need industry authority, experience, and evidence to support your stance.
But remember — structure matters more than ever before.
Ensure it’s well-structured and easy to summarize.
Otherwise, it’s unlikely to stand out (or get cited).
For example, in a YouTube video (yes, LLMs can pull from video transcripts and descriptions), digital growth marketer Grace Leung challenges outdated content strategies.
She explains why they’re holding brands back and what to do instead.
Her format is viewer- and AI-friendly with defined sections and actionable takeaways.
And she shares a strong opinion throughout the piece that is backed up by her expertise.
Want to do the same?
Include details that help LLMs understand and trust your content:
Author credentials: Briefly explain who you are and why you’re qualified to cover the topic. This adds credibility for both readers and LLMs.
Content overview: State what the piece covers early on (in your blog post intro or video description) so it’s easy to parse and summarize
Internal links: Link to related posts or supporting content to signal depth and strengthen your topical coverage
In Grace’s case, her video’s description includes all of the above (and more): a video summary, quick author bio, newsletter link, and related content.
But it’s also another way to give LLMs more context about your content.
Make your visuals LLM-friendly with these tips:
Write full-sentence captions that explain what’s pictured and why it matters. Think: “Peach cobbler cookie from Good Cakes and Bakes, one of Detroit’s most beloved bakeries,” not just “Cookies on a plate.”
Reference visuals directly in your copy. Instead of skipping over an image, say, “As you can see in the photo, this bakery’s seasonal peach cobbler cookies are a local favorite.”
Add alt text that reflects both the subject and its importance. Try: “Peach cobbler cookie at Good Cakes and Bakes, a popular Detroit bakery known for seasonal desserts.”
Use descriptive file names, like detroit-good-cakes-peach-cookie.jpg, to reinforce meaning for AI crawlers.
Tools, Templates, and Frameworks
Offer valuable resources that solve real problems to get referenced in LLM conversations.
For instance, I asked Perplexity how I can check keyword rankings for free.
Depending on your industry, you might create free templates, frameworks, calculators, or interactive tools.
To make your resource citation-worthy, give it a clear, descriptive title that matches how users search.
Like “Budget Calculator for Freelancers” and “Free Grammar Checker.”
Include an intro that explains who it’s for, what it does, and how to use it.
Then, add supporting content (like examples, FAQs, or use cases) so LLMs understand its context and value.
The more useful and well-structured your resource is, the more likely it is to earn mentions from your target audience and AI platforms.
For example, our free rank checker lets users check rankings in seconds.
The tool’s design is clean and user-friendly.
And the description sums up the tool’s benefits well, which is important for scraping:
Discover who’s linking to you and your competitors to find the latest opportunities and enhance your backlink profile.
Since the tool is both easy to use and genuinely helpful, it’s recommended by third parties in blogs and forums.
These mentions are vital because LLMs pick up on them when deciding what to cite.
Where to Seed Your Content for Maximum LLM Pickup
Publishing great content is only half the battle.
The other half? Getting it in front of the right crawlers.
Publish in places that LLMs trust, crawl frequently, and find easy to parse.
Here’s where to focus your efforts:
Third-Party Platforms
Certain third-party platforms are LLM magnets.
Why?
Their clean layout, clear headings, and consistent quality make them easy for AI to read and cite.
This includes:
Medium: Repurpose your long-form blog content here. Medium’s minimalist layout and semantic structure make it ideal for LLMs. Include section headers, summaries, and internal links for added context.
Substack: A great home for newsletter-style content and thought leadership commentary. Its emphasis on editorial voice and topical depth adds authority and makes your content easier for AI to recognize as expert-driven.
LinkedIn articles: These articles are indexed well and often tied to real profiles (which gives your content a credibility bonus in LLMs)
Trusted Industry Publications
LLMs are more likely to trust and cite content that comes from respected industry sources.
So, create a strategy to share content and quotes in high-impact publications to boost your LLM visibility.
Here’s how:
Create Guest Posts
No, guest posting isn’t dead — it’s just not all about the links anymore.
It’s about visibility.
Choose topics that align with popular LLM prompts (like product comparisons, trends, or how-tos).
And format your content clearly with subheads, summaries, and data points.
Offer Expert Quotes
Reach out to journalists, editors, and bloggers in your niche.
Provide non-promotional, insight-driven quotes to increase your chances of being featured in articles that LLMs frequently reference.
Tools like HARO or Featured.com can help you find opportunities to share your expertise.
Get Featured in Roundups
As you’ve learned, LLMs love “best of,” “top tools,” and “expert tips” formats.
Pitch to writers creating these lists — whether newsletters, LinkedIn posts, videos, or blog posts.
And make it easy to include your brand by providing a concise, structured blurb with supporting context or proof points.
User-Generated Content Hubs
Why do LLMs and AI search engines love user-generated content hubs?
Because they’re full of real people asking real (often long-tail) questions. And subject matter experts providing highly specific, detailed answers.
Ones you often won’t find elsewhere.
That makes these platforms powerful spots to seed your expertise.
Here’s where to focus:
Reddit
LLMs cite Reddit more than any other source, according to Semrush.
So, if Reddit wasn’t on your radar before, it should be now.
Participate in relevant subreddits where you can highlight your expertise and add genuine value.
Answer questions and respond to comments.
And then do it all over again.
Make Reddit a part of your regular rotation to boost your chances of LLM citations.
Quora
Reddit may be the darling of LLMs, but Quora isn’t far behind.
For this reason, you’ll want to add this platform into the mix as well.
Side note: Quora is the most commonly cited website in Google’s AI Overviews, according to Semrush’s AI search study.
Provide comprehensive answers to industry questions.
Include specific examples, comparisons, or step-by-step explanations to increase your chances of LLM citations.
But don’t let formatting slide just because you’re on an informal platform.
Add clear headlines, subheads, and bullet points to increase your chances of LLM scraping.
GitHub Discussions
Have a technical brand?
Get involved in community discussions beyond your product.
Share helpful bug fixes, answer questions, and offer support.
Building credibility makes it easier to reference your tool or solution when it’s genuinely relevant.
Niche Forums and Public Facebook Groups
Don’t overlook specialized communities.
LLMs scan niche forums and public Facebook groups for in-depth, experience-based insights.
Look for active, topic-specific forums like:
ContractorTalk: Home improvement and construction professionals
Chronicle Forums: Equestrian and horse care advice
GardenWeb forum: Gardening and plant tips and advice
AVS Forum: Home theater and tech product discussions
Contribute regularly with meaningful, non-promotional input.
Answer niche questions, clarify common misconceptions, or share first-hand experience.
These authentic contributions increase your chances of getting cited in AI-generated responses where nuance and expertise matter most.
Editorial-Style Microsites
Want to boost your chances of getting cited by LLMs? Build an editorial-style microsite.
These standalone sites tend to carry more credibility than heavily branded company pages.
Why?
Because you can structure them like independent publications.
Like this microsite IKEA built to highlight original research:
The goal is to create a trusted, well-organized resource that covers your entire industry, not just your own product.
For example, IKEA’s microsite includes statistics on happiness and enjoyment at home, which ties into its core offering: home products.
To earn trust (from both readers and LLMs), focus on E-E-A-T signals.
Include author bios with credentials, cite reputable sources, and make your editorial policies easy to find.
Clearly state who’s behind the site and why it exists.
Comparison and Review Sites
Content from review platforms is often cited in LLMs, and for good reason.
Sites like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius follow a formula that attracts LLMs:
Pinterest: Ideal for visual brands — but only if your pins include rich descriptions and link to structured content
Instagram: As of July 2025, Instagram posts (if opted in) can be indexed by search engines and LLMs. Add captions, alt text, and hashtags to help shape how your brand appears in AI platforms.
How to Track LLM Seeding Success
Here’s where things get tricky.
Understanding LLM impact isn’t as straightforward as tracking clicks or traffic.
So, how do you measure this influence?
Here are a few smart ways to assess your brand’s visibility across LLMs.
Branded and Direct Traffic Growth
Noticed something weird going on in Google Search Console lately?
Your impressions are increasing … but clicks are decreasing.
LLMs might be to blame.
For example, at Backlinko, our impressions increased by 54% over the past three months, while our clicks decreased by 15%.
Here’s what’s happening:
Users see your brand mentioned in AI responses, make a mental note, then research you directly days or weeks later.
They’re not clicking through immediately. They’re bookmarking your name in their minds.
This creates declining organic clicks paired with stable or growing branded searches. And it’s the signature pattern of LLM influence.
Here’s how to spot it in your data.
Open Google Analytics (GA) and go to Reports > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition.
Compare your direct traffic trends over the past three to six months.
If your direct traffic increased, this is a positive sign that LLMs are mentioning your brand.
Next, compare these patterns to your organic traffic changes in Google Search Console (GSC).
Go to Performance > Search results.
Declining clicks + growing direct traffic = LLM visibility.
If your data is pointing to LLM influence, this is a good thing.
But it’s important to verify your findings with manual prompt analysis.
Pro tip: Getting branded traffic? Great. Now, ensure your branded SERP is optimized so users searching for your name land on high-converting pages. Like product quizzes, comparison guides, or testimonials.
Brand Mentions in AI Tools
The clearest way to gauge your LLM visibility is to see if (and how) your brand shows up in AI-generated answers.
Run manual prompts across different tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini.
Use a private or incognito browser to avoid skewed results from past queries or personalization.
Then, search the way your audience would … naturally and with clear search intent.
Try prompts like:
Best project management tools for remote teams
What is the best project management software for startups
Top budget-friendly productivity tools for small businesses
Document the sentiment and context of each mention.
Are you positioned as a budget option? A premium choice? The innovative newcomer?
Do certain LLMs recommend your product more or less?
Document these results monthly in a spreadsheet or tracking doc.
Include the tool used, the prompt, the exact language cited, and your position in the response.
This lets you identify shifts in brand positioning, message clarity, and which prompts consistently trigger mentions.
Not showing up yet?
You’ll still learn what LLMs are citing so you can reverse-engineer how to get included.
Pro tip: Make your LLM citations work harder. Add email capture opportunities to your top pages. (Especially ones on topics LLMs are likely to mention.) Use content upgrades, templates, and discounts to turn visitors into subscribers.
Unlinked Brand Mentions
Not every brand mention includes a link to your site, making this influence harder to track.
But since LLMs weigh authentic, third-party references heavily when determining what content (and brands) to trust and cite, these mentions are vital.
Set up alerts for your brand name, product names, and key team members.
As you get mentions, dig into the context.
Are you being cited as an expert?
Recommended as a tool?
Compared to a competitor?
If you’re not getting many mentions, look for opportunities to contribute.
Pitch newsletter authors or podcast hosts with useful, non-promotional content that fits their audience.
Join relevant discussions, offer expert insights, and speak at industry events.
Continue tracking mentions over time to measure whether your efforts result in increased LLM visibility.
LLM Visibility Across Platforms
We’re all used to tracking rankings and referral traffic.
But those signals no longer tell the full story.
Tracking your performance across AI platforms is now a core part of measuring your success.
But you’ll need specialized tools for this.
Semrush’s Enterprise AIO lets you track how your brand is perceived and cited in popular AI platforms.
Once you set it up with the AI models and prompts that you want to track, it’ll tell you how your LLM visibility compares to competitors.
That’s just scratching the surface. You can also track your brand’s overall market share, sentiment, and consumer engagement across AI platforms.
Semrush’s AI Toolkit also lets you track how your domain and overall brand are perceived by individual models. It’s not super customizable yet, but you can still gain a lot of insights.
From there, individual reports break those metrics down by platform.
This gives you a clear view of where you’re gaining traction. And where you may be falling behind.
For example, pet company Petlibro currently holds a much smaller market share in ChatGPT than its competitors.
But in Google’s AI Mode, Petlibro significantly outperforms those same brands.
This is important data because it shows that performance can vary widely by platform.
And tells you where to focus your efforts.
The toolkit also provides sentiment analysis reports so you know how AI platforms describe your brand.
Whether positively, neutrally, or negatively.
This gives you a clearer picture of how LLMs frame your brand in their responses.
Petlibro, for instance, has a 64% favorable overall sentiment score, indicating generally positive positioning.
But also room to strengthen how it’s perceived.
You can drill down further to see what’s behind your sentiment score.
Both the positives and the pain points.
For Petlibro, strengths like convenience, automation, and food freshness drive favorable mentions.
On the flip side, app connectivity issues and limited advanced features are flagged as recurring concerns.
This insight tells you what to highlight in content.
And identifies potential fixes to maintain or improve sentiment.
You’ll also learn the types of queries users ask about your brand. And the intent behind them.
For Petlibro, the majority are educational, followed by research-based queries.
This tells you exactly what types of content to prioritize in your LLM seeding strategy.
For Petlibro, the toolkit suggests creating comparison charts, highlighting smart features, and showcasing testimonials that reinforce brand strengths.
As you gather data, refine your seeding strategy.
Double down on what’s working, whether it’s a specific content format, platform, or message.
And use gaps in visibility or sentiment as signals for where to publish, what to say, and how to position your brand for maximum LLM impact.
Make LLMs Work for You, Not Against You
Moral of the story? Don’t fight the machine — work with it.
AI isn’t coming. It’s here.
And it’s already changing how your audience discovers, evaluates, and chooses brands.
The brands that get cited in AI answers will win mindshare — even if they never rank #1 or get a single click.
That’s what LLM seeding is about.
You’re not optimizing for traffic. You’re engineering trust.
You’re not chasing backlinks. You’re earning brand mentions.
So, if you want to stay relevant?
Get your brand into the conversation now so you don’t get left behind.
Then, use our Search Everywhere Optimization guide to expand that visibility across every surface your customers trust — from AI to Amazon and beyond.
http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png00http://dubadosolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dubado-logo-1.png2025-07-16 15:48:372025-07-16 15:48:37LLM Seeding: A New Strategy to Get Mentioned and Cited by LLMs
