10 SEO ‘Tips’ Top Agencies Use to Dominate Google

In the competitive world of SEO, top agencies consistently outperform their competition by leveraging advanced strategies that many businesses overlook. While there’s no true "shortcut" to ranking on Google, certain techniques—when executed correctly—can accelerate results and provide a significant edge.

Whether you're an SEO professional or a business owner looking to improve your search visibility, these 10 SEO ‘cheat codes’ used by leading agencies can help you dominate Google. From technical optimizations to content strategies, we’ll break down the tactics that deliver real results.

1. Reverse-Engineer Your Competitors’ Backlinks

One of the fastest ways to improve your rankings is by analyzing where your competitors get their backlinks and replicating (or improving upon) their strategy.

How to Do It:

• Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to identify high-authority backlinks pointing to competing sites.
• Reach out to the same websites for guest posts, collaborations, or mentions.
• Look for unlinked brand mentions and request a backlink.

Example: If a competitor has a backlink from a major industry blog, pitch an even better piece of content to the same site.

2. Optimize for ‘People Also Ask’ (PAA) Boxes

Google’s "People Also Ask" (PAA) feature is a goldmine for organic traffic. By optimizing for these questions, you can increase visibility and capture more clicks.

How to Do It:

• Use tools like AnswerThePublic or Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to find common PAA questions.
• Structure your content with clear, concise answers to these questions.
• Use schema markup to help Google understand your content better.

Example: If you’re targeting "best running shoes," include a FAQ section answering related questions like, "What are the best running shoes for flat feet?"

3. Leverage Internal Linking Like a Pro

Top agencies maximize internal linking to boost page authority and improve crawlability.

Best Practices:

• Link from high-traffic pages to newer or underperforming pages.
• Use descriptive anchor text (avoid "click here").
• Ensure a logical linking structure that guides users and search engines.

Example: A blog post about "SEO tips" should internally link to related guides like "how to build backlinks" or "on-page SEO checklist."

4. Repurpose High-Performing Content

Instead of constantly creating new content, top agencies repurpose and update existing high-performing pieces to maintain rankings.

How to Do It:

• Update old blog posts with fresh data, new examples, and improved formatting.
• Turn blog posts into videos, infographics, or social media snippets.
• Consolidate thin content into comprehensive pillar pages.

Example: An old "2022 SEO Trends" post can be updated to "2025 SEO Trends" while keeping the original URL.

5. Target Low-Competition, High-Intent Keywords

Winning rankings isn’t always about targeting the most competitive keywords—sometimes, long-tail, low-competition keywords drive better ROI.

How to Find Them:

• Use Google’s autocomplete and "related searches" for keyword ideas.
• Look for low-Difficulty Score (KD) keywords in Ahrefs or SEMrush.
• Focus on buyer-intent keywords (e.g., "best [product] for [use case]").

Example: Instead of "weight loss tips," target "best weight loss plan for busy professionals."

6. Improve Core Web Vitals for a Ranking Boost

Google prioritizes user experience, and Core Web Vitals (loading speed, interactivity, visual stability) directly impact rankings.

Quick Fixes:

• Compress images with TinyPNG or WebP format.
• Use a CDN (Cloudflare, BunnyCDN) to improve load times.
• Minimize JavaScript and CSS blocking resources.

Example: A site improving its LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) from 4s to 1.5s can see ranking improvements.

7. Build ‘Skyscraper’ Content That Outperforms Competitors

The Skyscraper Technique involves creating content that’s better than the top-ranking pages for your target keyword.

How to Do It:

• Analyze top-ranking pages for your keyword.
• Identify gaps (missing information, poor formatting, outdated data).
• Create a longer, more detailed, and better-designed version.

Example: If the #1 ranking post on "best email marketing tools" lacks pricing details, include a comparison table in your version.

8. Use Schema Markup for Rich Snippets

Schema markup helps search engines understand your content better, increasing chances of appearing in rich snippets (FAQs, reviews, events).

How to Implement It:

• Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper.
• Focus on FAQ, How-To, and Product schemas.
• Test markup with Google’s Rich Results Test.

Example: A recipe site using Recipe schema can appear with star ratings and cooking time directly in search results.

9. Secure High-Authority .edu and .gov Backlinks

Backlinks from .edu and .gov domains carry significant weight due to their high trust factor.

How to Get Them:

• Offer free tools or resources for educational institutions.
• Participate in government grant programs or studies.
• Publish research-based content and pitch it to universities.

Example: A cybersecurity company could create a free "Student Guide to Online Safety" and pitch it to university blogs.

10. Automate and Scale Link Building with HARO

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) connects journalists with expert sources—landing you high-quality backlinks from major publications.

How to Use HARO Effectively:

• Sign up as a source in your niche.
• Respond quickly to relevant queries with detailed, expert insights.
• Include a backlink to your site when relevant.

Example: A finance expert quoted in Forbes or Business Insider via HARO gains a powerful backlink.

Conclusion

While SEO success requires time and effort, these 10 cheat codes used by top agencies can give you a competitive advantage. From reverse-engineering backlinks to optimizing for People Also Ask and leveraging HARO for high-authority links, each strategy is designed to maximize visibility and rankings.

Implement these tactics systematically, track your progress, and watch your organic traffic grow. Remember, SEO is a long-term game consistency and adaptation are key to staying ahead.