In SEO, you have to stay on top of the latest trends to be successful. Google is always updating its algorithms to try to provide the best experience for users. This means SEO experts and affiliate marketers have to keep adjusting their strategies to maintain their search rankings and website traffic.
However, when Google released its Helpful Content Update (HCU) in September 2023 and started prioritizing user-generated content (content created by regular people, not companies) over everything else, it really shook up the industry. A lot of SEO professionals struggled to keep their websites afloat after this change.
But some sharp SEOs and affiliate marketers saw this as an opportunity. They figured out how to game the system and essentially steal tons of free traffic from a popular website - Reddit. While many others in the industry were scrambling, these affiliates were able to capitalize on the algorithm shift and bring in millions of visitors to their sites.
The rise of user-generated content and the fall of traditional SEO
The HCU update was a big turning point for SEO. Google started putting much more emphasis on content created by regular users, rather than just traditional websites. This really threw a lot of SEO professionals for a loop - some even went on the /r/SEO subreddit on Reddit to declare that SEO was dead.
But as things settled down, it became clear that this update had created a whole new landscape. Now, the platforms that allow users to post their own content without needing approval from big publications - like Reddit, LinkedIn Pulse, Medium, and Quora - were the ones that held the keys to SEO success.
And since Google's algorithm update prioritized User Generated Content (UGC), traffic to these platforms skyrocketed. Reddit, in particular, saw a significant increase in traffic, as users began appending "reddit" to their Google searches to find more relevant and trustworthy information. This shift in search behavior opened up a goldmine for affiliates who were quick to capitalize on the opportunity.
Reddit traffic shot up
Linkedin traffic shot up
Medium traffic shot up
The Reddit SEO heist: Three tactics used by affiliates
1. Hijacking top comments
One tactic was to reply to a really popular comment on a relevant Reddit post, and then later edit that reply to include an affiliate link. This allowed them to take advantage of the trust and credibility that the original top comment had already built up with readers, making people more likely to click the affiliate link.
2. Creating top comments
Another approach was to submit a comment that was strategically designed to become a top comment on a post that was starting to gain traction. They would then buy upvotes to help push that comment to the very top of the thread, where it would be seen by the most people and get the most clicks on the affiliate link.
3. Creating and ranking posts
The most complex tactic was to create an entire Reddit post that was optimized to rank highly for a specific keyword. Once the post started gaining momentum and upvotes, they would then edit it to include their affiliate links. This allowed them to capture traffic from a post that was already performing well, without triggering Reddit's spam filters.
The key in all these tactics was understanding Reddit's algorithms and user behavior really well, in order to position their affiliate content in the most visible and credible places possible. It was a clever way to game the system and steal a lot of free traffic. This article lays out how those strategies can be implemented.
Case Study: Ranking for "Best VPN 2024"
One of the most profitable keywords for affiliates is "best VPN," as virtual private network (VPN) services are in high demand from people who care about their online privacy. By targeting the keyword "best VPN 2024" on Reddit, affiliates have been able to drive a lot of free traffic and earn substantial commissions.
One example is a popular Reddit post that ranks highly for "best VPN 2024."
The first comment on the post appears to be a helpful recommendation for a free trial of NordVPN, a well-known VPN service. But if you look closely, the link actually takes you to an affiliate URL instead of the official NordVPN free trial page.
This is a sneaky tactic, using markdown formatting to hide the affiliate link as a genuine recommendation. It could be done by a single person or a team using multiple accounts to maximize their reach and earnings.
The ease of creating multiple Reddit accounts
One of the reasons why affiliates have been so successful in gaming the Reddit system is the ease of creating multiple accounts on the platform. Reddit's anonymity and minimal verification requirements make it simple for marketers to set up numerous accounts to promote their affiliate links.
To create a new account, one only needs to verify their identity through Google (which can be done using phone verification services) and a SIM card (E-SIM works). With access to different types of proxies and anti-detect browsers, affiliates can create and manage multiple accounts without triggering Reddit's spam detection algorithms.
Using middleman sites for added stealth
To further obscure their affiliate links and avoid detection, some marketers use middleman sites that redirect users to their affiliate URLs. This extra layer of redirection makes it even more challenging for Reddit moderators and users to identify and report affiliate spam, allowing these tactics to remain effective for longer periods.
The impact on the SEO industry
The success of affiliates in gaming the Reddit system has had a significant impact on the SEO industry as a whole. Many SEO professionals who relied on traditional tactics to rank their sites saw their traffic and income plummet overnight following Google's algorithm update. Some have even been forced to seek employment elsewhere after a decade of working in the industry.
However, for those who were quick to adapt and capitalize on the UGC trend, the update has been a blessing in disguise. By focusing their efforts on platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, Medium, and Quora, these affiliates have been able to generate substantial traffic and commissions without the need for a website or traditional SEO tactics.
The best time to buy is when there's blood in the streets.
~ Baron Rothschild
The future of SEO: AI and social media
As Google continues to refine its algorithms and crack down on manipulative tactics, the future of SEO lies in creating high-quality, authentic content that engages users. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), it is becoming increasingly difficult for search engines to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content, leveling the playing field for marketers who can create compelling, informative content.
Moreover, the importance of social media in SEO cannot be overstated. As demonstrated by the Reddit SEO heist, having a strong social presence can significantly impact a site's visibility and traffic. Google prioritizes content that gains traction on social media, making it essential for marketers to actively engage with their audience across multiple platforms.
