Google’s algorithm updates are giving discussion forums a boost, making them more prominent in search results. This means big opportunities for brands to take advantage of platforms like Reddit in their SEO strategy.
Often overlooked for SEO strategies, with its vast, engaged user base and content-rich communities, Reddit offers unique opportunities and challenges for those looking to enhance their online visibility.
Ever wondered how you can leverage Reddit in your SEO strategy, look no further as an SEO agency we’ve got you covered. This guide will help you leverage the power of Reddit.
What is Reddit?
Reddit is a social news aggregation and discussion website where registered users submit content in the form of text posts, links, images or videos, which are then voted up or down by other users. This voting system determines the position of posts on the site’s pages and creates a hierarchy of popular content.
Reddit is organised into various communities called “subreddits,” each dedicated to a specific topic or interest. This structure allows users to find and participate in discussions on a wide range of subjects, from politics and science to hobbies and humour.
With millions of active users and a wide variety of niche communities, Reddit is a significant hub for diverse discussions, opinions and content, making it a powerful platform for content sharing and audience engagement.
Do Reddit threads show in SERPs on Google?
Yes, Reddit threads often appear in Google’s SERPs. Due to the high level of user engagement and the continuous influx of fresh content, Reddit posts tend to rank prominently on Google. Sistrix reports that Reddit estimates that it receives about 11.4 million daily clicks from Google searches. Because of this visibility, incorporating Reddit into your SEO strategy can significantly enhance your website’s ranking and presence in Google search results.
Reddit.com ranks as the 6th most visited website in the United Kingdom as of July 2024, with over 298 million visits. This high level of traffic, combined with Reddit’s strong user engagement and fresh content, contributes to its threads frequently appearing in Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs). With a significant portion of its traffic coming from search engines, Reddit’s dominance in the UK market highlights its growing role in SEO strategies, as its threads often outrank other types of content.
Does posting on Reddit help SEO?
Reddit has become a popular destination for discussions on virtually any topic. It’s so widely used that searchers often append the word “Reddit” to their queries to find content directly from Reddit and avoid Google’s search results altogether.
Posting on Reddit can significantly help your SEO, but it requires a careful, community-focused approach. Reddit communities value genuine, valuable contributions over blatant self-promotion. By engaging in relevant subreddits, sharing helpful insights and answering questions, you can build authority and drive traffic to your website.
Reddit’s website traffic has grown 39% compared to the previous year, which has increased Reddit’s visibility in Google search results, which means that valuable content shared on Reddit is more likely to appear in search results, further enhancing your SEO efforts.
Here’s how Reddit useful for SEO
- Increased visibility: Sharing your high-quality content on relevant subreddits gets it in front of a targeted audience actively seeking information. This can lead to organic traffic back to your website, boosting its visibility
- Brand awareness: Engaging in discussions on Reddit allows you to establish your brand as a thought leader within your niche. Consistent, valuable contributions build trust and recognition
- Keyword research and user intent: Reddit is a goldmine for keyword research. Analyse trending topics and discussions to understand what users are searching for and tailor your content accordingly. This helps you target the right keywords with high search intent
- Content promotion: Sharing well-written, informative content on relevant subreddits can lead to upvotes and discussions around your topic. This organic promotion can attract new audiences and drive traffic back to your website
- Building trust and authority: Genuine participation in discussions showcases industry knowledge and expertise. This builds trust with your target audience and positions your brand as a reliable source of information
Does Reddit count as a backlink?
Technically, no. Reddit links are typically nofollow links, meaning search engines don’t directly pass on link juice (SEO value) through them. However, these links can still drive traffic and increase your brand’s visibility. The indirect benefits, such as increased engagement and the potential for other websites to link to your content, can positively impact your SEO over time.
So, while Reddit backlinks might not be a direct ranking factor, they contribute to a broader, holistic SEO strategy.
Google’s deal to show more Reddit content
Not only does posting on Reddit help with your SEO but in a recent move, Google announced a $60 million deal to license Reddit data for AI products.
Google will feature more Reddit content in various Google products, which may be included in its search results, highlighting the platform’s growing importance in SEO.
This partnership aligns with Google’s focus on delivering diverse, community-driven perspectives in search results. For SEO professionals, this means that high-quality, well-engaged content on Reddit is more likely to surface in search results, providing an additional avenue to boost visibility and drive traffic to your site. By actively contributing to relevant discussions on Reddit, you can capitalise on this new opportunity to enhance your SEO efforts.
Rajan Patel, Vice President at Google explains how they will be using the content:
“Over the years, we’ve seen that people increasingly use Google to search for helpful content on Reddit to find product recommendations, travel advice and much more. We know people find this information useful, so we’re developing ways to make it even easier to access across Google products. This partnership will facilitate more content-forward displays of Reddit information that will make our products more helpful for our users and make it easier to participate in Reddit communities and conversations.”
Reddit shares:
“Our work with Google will make it easier for people to find, discover, and engage in content and communities on Reddit that are most relevant to them.“
The growing importance of forum content in SEO
As noted by Search Engine Journal, there has been a steady increase in the share of discussion and forum content in search engine results pages (SERPs).
This shift is part of Google’s strategy to prioritise “helpful content,” which often allows forum discussions to outrank expert-written articles.
Recent data from SEMrush further highlights Reddit’s dominant share of SERP features, consistently around 48.56% to 49.13% from April to June 2024. In contrast, Quora’s share slightly declined and other platforms saw a modest increase. This highlights Reddit’s leading role in shaping search visibility and further emphasises the value of engaging with its communities for SEO gains.
Top brands excelling on Reddit
Certain brands have mastered the art of engaging with Reddit’s unique and often challenging audience. Here are a few standout examples:
- Netflix: They regularly share trailers, behind-the-scenes content and interact with fans on its subreddit
- NVIDIA: Active in tech subreddits, providing expert advice and support. It is a popular place for discussions about graphics cards, gaming and technology
- Taco Bell: Taco Bell has a dedicated subreddit where fans share memes, discuss new menu items, and even create fan art
- Xbox: Xbox has a dedicated subreddit where fans discuss games, hardware, and share their experiences
These brands thrive by being authentic, responsive, and genuinely adding value to the communities they engage with.
Building a strong Reddit community
To effectively leverage Reddit for SEO, it’s crucial to build a strong and engaged community. Here are some strategies to help you achieve this:
1. Identify and join relevant subreddits
- Research: Identify subreddits that align with your brand’s niche and target audience. Use Reddit’s search function or explore popular subreddits to find relevant communities
- Analyse: Study the rules, guidelines and community culture of each subreddit to ensure your content fits in
- Engage authentically
- Add value: Share informative, helpful and relevant content that contributes to the community’s discussions
- Be respectful: Adhere to the subreddit’s rules and avoid spamming or promoting your content excessively
- Participate actively: Engage in conversations, answer questions and provide feedback to other members
3. Build relationships
- Connect with influencers: Identify and interact with influential members of the community to gain visibility and credibility
- Collaborate with others: Partner with like-minded users to create joint projects or content
4. Listen and adapt
- Pay attention to feedback: Monitor comments and discussions to understand the community’s needs and preferences
- Adjust your strategy: Adapt your content and engagement approach based on the feedback you receive
5. Leverage Reddit’s tools
- Use Flair: Customise your profile with flair to indicate your interests or affiliations
- Create polls: Gather feedback and spark discussions on relevant topics
- Utilise Reddit’s search function: Find existing threads related to your content and contribute to them
By following these guidelines, you can establish a strong presence within Reddit communities, build trust with your target audience and enhance your brand’s visibility. Remember, building a thriving community takes time and effort, but the rewards in terms of SEO and brand reputation can be significant.
Maximising Reddit’s potential for SEO success
Remember, SEO on Reddit is a long-term game. Marketers can leverage this by being consistent, valuable participation builds trust, brand awareness and ultimately, drives organic traffic to your website.
As Google continues to prioritise community-driven content, leveraging Reddit effectively can give you a competitive edge in search rankings. Businesses should consider the balance between expert content and community-driven insights to optimise their SEO strategies
So, get out there, join the conversation and harness the power of Reddit for your SEO success. If Reddit isn’t your bag and want to incorporate it into your SEO strategy and need a professional hand, get in touch with us today for expert guidance.