SEO Experiments That Actually Work (And a Few That Blew Up in My Face)

01/03/2025 12:00 AM by SeoLivly in

SEO is like baking—you need the right ingredients, the perfect timing, and a touch of luck to get it right. But here’s the thing: not every experiment works. Some get you traffic spikes, and others? Well, let’s just say Google doesn’t appreciate clever hacks as much as you’d think.

Let’s dive into some SEO experiments that are worth your time, a few I regret trying, and why it’s always good to have a backup plan (and maybe a stiff drink).

1. The “Let’s Rewrite Old Content” Experiment

What I Did:
I took an old blog post that was barely scraping 50 hits a month and gave it a glow-up. New headlines, better formatting, and keywords that weren’t stuck in 2014.

The Result:
Within two weeks, traffic tripled. Within two months, it ranked on page 1. Turns out, Google loves fresh content, even if it’s just an old post with a new outfit.

How You Can Try It:

Use Google Search Console to find posts with high impressions but low clicks.
Update the headline, meta description, and first 100 words to match today’s SEO trends.
Add internal links to newer content.

Pro Tip:
If you can, add multimedia—like a video or infographic. Google eats that stuff up like it’s dessert.

2. The “Keyword Cannibalization” Fix

What I Did:
Realized I had five blog posts competing for the same keyword. Instead of ranking higher, they were dragging each other down. I combined them into one ultimate post.

The Result:
Two weeks later, that post hit page 1, and traffic to that keyword increased by 120%.

How You Can Try It:

Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to check if you have competing posts.
Combine similar content into one supercharged article.
Redirect old URLs to the new post (301 redirects are your friend).

3. Random Story: The “Pizza SEO” Experiment

I once optimized a blog post for “best pizza toppings for SEO professionals.” Why? No clue—it started as a joke. The weird part? It actually ranked and brought in 500 visitors in a month. Turns out, people love niche humor, especially when it involves pizza.

Takeaway:

Sometimes, leaning into something quirky can pay off.

4. The Subtopic Strategy

What I Did:
Instead of targeting competitive keywords like “email marketing,” I aimed for subtopics like “best subject lines for abandoned cart emails.” Smaller pool, less competition, faster results.

The Result:
The post ranked in the top 5 within a week, driving hyper-targeted traffic.

How You Can Try It:

Use tools like AnswerThePublic or Ubersuggest to find long-tail keywords.
Write deeply specific content that addresses niche questions.
Make your headline ultra-clickable (think BuzzFeed but less obnoxious).

5. The “Let’s Try AI-Generated Content” Experiment

What I Did:
Used ChatGPT to generate a blog post, then edited it to sound more human.

The Result:
Google ranked it—briefly. Then it tanked. Why? It read fine, but lacked depth. AI can write okay content, but it needs your voice to really connect.

How You Can Try It:

Use AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper to generate a draft.
Add your own stories, insights, and personality to make it unique.
Run it through tools like Originality.ai to check for plagiarism or overuse of AI-generated phrasing.

Pro Tip:
Google values expertise and originality, so always inject your unique perspective. AI is your assistant, not your ghostwriter.

6. The “Skyscraper Technique” Revisited

What I Did:
Found a top-ranking post in my niche, then created something better. More depth, more visuals, and more actionable advice.

The Result:
It didn’t just rank—it stole traffic from the original post. I may or may not have laughed maniacally when I saw the results.

How You Can Try It:

Use tools like Ahrefs to find high-ranking posts with lots of backlinks.
Write a post that’s more comprehensive, engaging, and updated.
Reach out to sites linking to the original and politely suggest they link to your shiny new resource instead.

7. Random Story: The Time I Tried to Rank for “Best Haunted House SEO”

This was purely for fun, inspired by a Halloween conversation about how ghosts probably have terrible Wi-Fi. Surprisingly, the post ranked in niche forums and even got a backlink from a paranormal investigation site.

Takeaway:

Don’t underestimate the power of seasonal or themed content. It might not drive traffic forever, but it can give you a quick, fun boost.

8. Optimizing for Featured Snippets

What I Did:
Targeted “People Also Ask” questions and formatted answers to match Google’s snippet style (clear, concise, bullet points).

The Result:
Within a month, one of my posts started appearing as a featured snippet. Bonus? It brought in traffic and boosted my credibility.

How You Can Try It:

Find snippet-worthy questions with SEMrush or Ubersuggest.
Write a 40-50 word answer at the top of your post.
Use headers and lists to make your content easily scannable.

Pro Tip:
Add a FAQ section at the bottom of your post for extra snippet opportunities.

9. The “Internal Link Love” Experiment

What I Did:
Went through my site and added internal links to old posts, using keyword-rich anchor text.

The Result:
Traffic to my older content increased by 40% in just a few weeks. Bonus: It also helped new posts rank faster.

How You Can Try It:

Use a tool like Yoast SEO to identify orphaned content.
Add 2-3 internal links to every new post.
Create a “pillar page” that links out to related articles, boosting overall site authority.

10. The Failed “Mass Backlink” Experiment

What I Did:
Paid for a Fiverr gig that promised “500 high-quality backlinks.” Spoiler: They weren’t high-quality. Google slapped me with a ranking penalty faster than I could say, “Whoops.”

The Lesson:
Never buy sketchy backlinks. Focus on earning them through guest posts, outreach, and genuinely shareable content.

FAQs About SEO Experiments

Q: How long does it take to see results from an SEO experiment?
A: It depends on the experiment. Some changes (like updating old content) can show results in weeks, while others (like backlink building) may take months.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake people make with SEO experiments?
A: Giving up too early. SEO takes time. Consistency and patience are key.

Q: Are there tools that can help track experiment results?
A: Absolutely! Try:

Google Analytics (for traffic and conversions).
Ahrefs or SEMrush (for rankings and backlinks).
Hotjar (for on-page behavior and heatmaps).

Final Thoughts: Experiment Boldly, Fail Gracefully

Not every SEO experiment will work, and that’s okay. The key is to learn, adapt, and keep testing. Whether you’re rewriting old posts, optimizing for snippets, or (like me) ranking for haunted house SEO, every experiment brings you closer to understanding what works for your audience.

And if it doesn’t work? At least you’ll have a good story.