I Survived the Google Updates Using Authority Stacking

Summary

In the Niche Pursuits podcast, Brian Wham shares his strategies for growing a portfolio of websites amidst Google's updates. He discusses 'Catalyst content', utilizing Reddit polls and branded traffic for social engagement. The importance of authorship and building trust is highlighted, along with monetization methods like display ads, affiliate marketing, and guest posting. Brian also covers his approach to Google News and backlinks, emphasizing the value of brand traffic and social shares in creating authoritative sites that thrive post updates.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brian Wham, a New York-based agency owner, has successfully grown his portfolio of websites through Google's updates by using a combination of strategies focusing on Catalyst content, authorship, and monetization.
• 🎯 Brian emphasizes the importance of creating a Catalyst content style that brings in brand name traffic and social traffic right away, which helps in satisfying Google's quality rater guidelines.
• 📈 He uses Reddit polls and Facebook groups to generate survey data, which is then used to create engaging content that attracts immediate traffic and social shares.
• 👥 Brian discusses the concept of building out author personas with real-life contributions, such as Google Local Guides and Google Scholars, to establish expertise and trust.
• 💼 In terms of monetization, Brian shares several strategies including display ads, affiliate revenue, guest posting, and unique approaches like branded PR pushes and creating award-style articles.
• 🔗 While backlinks are important, Brian focuses on generating them organically through Catalyst content and selectively purchasing guest posts and press releases for money content.
• 🌐 Google News approval is not deemed essential by Brian for traffic but is used for its benefits in authority, indexing, and manual review readiness.
• 🛠️ Tools like Link Whisper are mentioned for improving SEO through better internal linking, showcasing the importance of technical SEO in the overall strategy.
• 👨‍🏫 Brian offers a course called 'Authority Amplifier Pro' where he shares his strategies and provides an over-the-shoulder look at his process, indicating continuous learning and adaptation.
• 📊 The interview highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to SEO and content strategy, rather than relying on a single tactic, which aligns with the evolving landscape of digital marketing.
• 🔍 A focus on long-term business assets is recommended, suggesting that websites should be built not just for immediate gains but as entities that can be flipped or leveraged for sustained growth.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Brian Wham's strategies for growing his portfolio of websites?

Brian Wham focuses on creating a portfolio of websites that are not just dependent on PBNs (Private Blog Networks) but are true business assets. He aims to build websites that can withstand Google's core updates by focusing on Catalyst content, authorship, and various monetization strategies.

What is the 'Catalyst content style' mentioned by Brian Wham?

The 'Catalyst content style' refers to Brian's method of producing content that is not only AI-generated but also involves strategies to get it noticed, such as leveraging Reddit polls, branded traffic, and social traffic to drive engagement and search engine rankings.

How does Brian Wham approach authorship on his websites?

Brian Wham creates a web of authorship by building out author personas that have a strong online presence, including Google Local Guide accounts, Google Scholar profiles, and social media profiles. He also involves real people, like college students and professors, to contribute to his sites, adding a layer of authenticity and trust.

What unique monetization strategy does Brian Wham discuss in the podcast?

One unique monetization strategy Brian discusses is selling guest posts on his websites. By creating high-authority sites, he is able to attract businesses and individuals willing to pay for guest posting opportunities, which helps monetize the sites effectively.

How has Brian Wham's portfolio of websites performed through Google's helpful content update and subsequent core updates?

Brian Wham's portfolio has done well through Google's updates, as he has structured his sites to be authoritative, trustworthy, and to follow Google's quality rater guidelines. His strategies have helped maintain and grow traffic, even after updates that have negatively impacted other sites.

What is Brian Wham's approach to Google News and how does it benefit his websites?

Brian Wham aims to get his websites approved for Google News, which helps with indexing, authority, and driving traffic. He has developed a process to get his sites approved, which involves making sure the sites look professional, have the necessary policy pages, and produce high-quality content.

How does Brian Wham ensure his websites are seen as authoritative by both users and search engines?

Brian Wham ensures his websites are seen as authoritative by using high-quality themes, professional logos, quality stock or AI-generated images, and well-written content that is human-reviewed and cleaned up with tools like Grammarly and Haro. He also focuses on building out author personas and creating a web of authorship.

What is the significance of Reddit in Brian Wham's content strategy?

Reddit plays a significant role in Brian Wham's content strategy as he uses it to drive social traffic and brand searches. By creating polls and engaging with communities on Reddit, he gathers data and insights that he can use to create content that resonates with his audience and attracts traffic.

How does Brian Wham use backlinks to enhance his websites' performance?

Brian Wham uses backlinks to enhance his websites' performance by focusing on internal linking for his money articles and using Catalyst content to generate organic backlinks. He also purchases guest posts and press releases to power up his money content, ensuring it gets the visibility it needs.

What advice does Brian Wham give for those looking to build a portfolio of successful websites?

Brian Wham advises focusing on building websites that are true business assets, not just dependent on depreciating assets like PBNs. He recommends creating high-quality content, building strong author personas, leveraging social platforms like Reddit, and following Google's quality rater guidelines to ensure long-term success.