Brighton Summary - October 2024

How to create topical authority to make search engines love you: Key Takeaways and Actions

Introduction

  • Case study: Swiss travel blog
  • 24% of blog posts about Interrail generated 76% of clicks
  • Average clicks per post were significantly higher for Interrail content

Understanding Topical Authority

  1. Topical Authority is a long-term strategy
  2. It requires commitment from clients or businesses
  3. Suitable for specialists rather than generalists

Steps to Create Topical Authority

Step 1: Choose the Right Topic

  • Select a specific, focused topic
  • Break down the main topic into subtopics

Step 2: Dive Deep into Research

  • Get to the ground of your topic
  • Dig deep to understand all aspects

Step 3: Write High-Quality, In-Depth Content

  • Reverse the order of your keyword list
    • Start with less competitive, long-tail keywords
    • Build up to more competitive terms as authority grows
  • Focus on creating comprehensive, valuable content

Step 4: Monitor Performance and Iterate

  • Regularly assess your content's performance
  • Make adjustments based on data and insights

Pro Tips

  1. Go Beyond Your Own Website

    • Engage in off-site activities to build authority
    • Participate in industry discussions, forums, and social media
  2. Think Holistically

    • Consider your entire online presence, not just your website

Benefits of Achieving Topical Authority

  • Improved search engine rankings
  • Increased organic traffic
  • Enhanced credibility in your niche

Action Points

  1. Assess your current content strategy and identify potential topics for building authority
  2. Conduct thorough research on your chosen topic and its subtopics
  3. Develop a content plan that covers your topic comprehensively
  4. Start with long-tail, less competitive keywords and gradually build up
  5. Create high-quality, in-depth content that provides real value to your audience
  6. Implement a monitoring system to track your content's performance
  7. Regularly review and update your content based on performance data
  8. Engage in off-site activities to build your authority beyond your website
  9. Be patient and consistent - remember that topical authority is a long-term strategy

Additional Resources

  1. Step by Step Guide to build Topical Authority: https://www.rivalflow.com/blog/topical-authority-a-step-by-step-guide

  2. Detailed Story about Dani's Travel Blog on MOZ: https://moz.com/blog/topical-authority-case-study

  3. What we can learn from the Google Leak about Topical Authority: https://danileitner.ch/en/blog/google-leak-insights-topical-authority/

  4. Link to the breakthrough article about Interrail: https://www.planbvoyage.com/interrail-italien-routen/

  5. SEO Newsletter (in German): https://danileitner.ch/seo-newsletter/

By implementing these strategies and focusing on building topical authority, you can significantly improve your search engine rankings and establish yourself as a trusted source in your niche.