12 Advanced SEO Techniques Proved by Professionals

Today, Google evaluates content like a user, prioritizing authority, engagement, and usability. Most websites struggle because they chase keywords without understanding intent, buy backlinks instead of earning authority, and ignore technical difficulties that silently kill rankings. But your path is different, and this guide will show you how to apply advanced SEO techniques to ensure your site meets modern search criteria.

1. Create Highly Citable Content

In SEO, it is often said that links should be earned, not bought. But how exactly do you do that? The answer is simple. Citable content is what helps websites gain links naturally.

Other websites are far more likely to link to high-authority giants like Forbes or Ahrefs. But you can provide more value than they do. If your article, research, or guide is so useful that even competitors have to cite it as a source, your advanced SEO strategy has a high SEO potential. But how do you create this kind of content?

Analyze Competitors and Identify Content Gaps

Before creating content, analyze search results and competitors. Enter your target keyword in Google and review the top-ranking pages. Assess their structure, depth, use of data, examples, and visuals. What are they missing? Use Ahrefs and SEMrush to find keywords driving traffic to competitors that are not fully covered with content. Then, there are two main approaches:

• Create content that the market needs but does not yet exist
• Take an existing topic and cover it in more depth.

Choose the Right Content Format

Some assume that only research and statistics work as linkable content (content that naturally earns backlinks). For example, Backlinko’s article on Google ranking factors earned 17.2K backlinks because of its data accuracy and well-structured format:

To some extent, this is true. Journalists, bloggers, and companies prefer to cite up-to-date numbers. Statistics or research can indeed attract a high volume of backlinks. However, depending on the niche, other formats can work just as well:

• Guides and how-to articles
• Data visualizations
• Templates and checklists
• Comparison and review articles

2. Synergy of CRO & SEO

SEO without conversions does not deliver business results. That is why a true advanced SEO technique is a comprehensive approach that includes conversion rate optimization (CRO). Here are a few tactics to make SEO and CRO work together:

Refine Search Intent

Organic traffic often suffers from intent mismatches. Google may rank a page for a query, but if the content does not provide a clear answer, users leave. How to check:

• Use Search Console → click on the CTR report → identify queries with high impressions but low CTR. This indicates that the snippet is not attracting clicks.
• Open Ahrefs Site Explorer or Semrush → find pages with low organic traffic to conversion rate → compare them with competitors ranking for the same queries.

To fix the issue, assess whether the content matches user intent. For example, if the query is informational (how to choose a CRM), but the page is purely transactional, it will not convert. The solution is to add valuable content and a clear CTA for a logical transition to conversion.

Analyze UX and Identify Drop-Off Points

If the intent matches the content, but users still do not engage, the issue is likely UX-related. How to check:

• Hotjar, Clarity → heatmaps and session recordings. If users do not reach the CTA, it may be poorly placed, or the content does not guide them toward action.
• Google Analytics → set up scroll tracking. If 80 percent of users do not scroll past the first screen, important elements may be hidden too far down the page.

A few strategies can help improve engagement. First, move the CTA higher. If competitors in the top three have their CTA above the fold while yours is at the bottom, test repositioning it. Second, eliminate unnecessary text. The headline and first paragraph should clearly communicate value.

Optimize Content Structure

Good content is a balance between logical flow and proper emphasis. Here’s what to check:

• F-pattern reading behavior (based on Nielsen Norman Group research): Users scan the left side of the screen quickly. If your CTA and key takeaways are buried in the text, they might go unnoticed.
• Behavioral signals (time on page, depth of engagement): If the content is long but lacks internal links or logical transitions, users may lose interest.

To keep visitors engaged, break content into clear sections. Each part should guide users toward conversion. Use bullet points, tables, and images to improve readability and speed up information processing.

Align Pages with Commercial Signals

Google evaluates behavioral signals and commercial factors. If a page looks like a basic blog post without trust indicators, it may be harder to convert. How to check:

• Search Console → behavioral metrics (bounce rate, CTR, time on page).
• Compare with competitors that convert well. Do they have social proof, pricing tables, or customer reviews?

To fix the issue and provide both users and search engines with trust signals, take two key steps. First, add a guarantee or offer near the CTA. Second, include client logos, star ratings, testimonials, and other credibility markers that reinforce your brand’s authority. Here’s how we do that on our website:

If the CRO is structured correctly, PPC costs can gradually be reduced and eventually eliminated. According to our SEO ROI statistics, 70% of marketers confirm that SEO generates more sales than PPC. But this only works when a website functions as a conversion tool, not just a visual showcase.

Get Your Advanced SEO Strategy

Quick SEO fixes don’t last. SeoProfy applies advanced techniques that build a strong foundation for future growth:

• Content development that earns citations and backlinks
• Enhancements to site structure and user experience
• Local SEO strategies to attract high-intent customers

Discuss Your Strategy

3. Scaling SEO with AI & Automation

Automation is at its peak popularity in 2025. Let’s see which tools can enhance SEO strategies and whether any tasks can be fully delegated to AI:

• Automating SEO routine tasks: Screaming Frog SEO Spider and Sitebulb detect broken links, meta tag errors, and other issues. However, a specialist is still required to interpret the data and implement the necessary fixes.
• Keyword research and analysis: Ahrefs and SEMrush provide search volume, competition levels, and related queries. These tools help gather insights, but strategic keyword selection and content integration remain expert-driven tasks.
• Content generation and optimization: ChatGPT and Copy.ai can generate text based on specific inputs. However, AI struggles to create expert-level content, often producing generic and shallow material. This limits its usefulness to specific tasks rather than full-scale content creation.
• Backlink analysis: Ahrefs and Moz Link Explorer collect off-page data on the quantity and quality of backlinks. However, professionals still need to develop link building strategies and build partnerships, as automation alone cannot replace the outreach and negotiation process.

So, AI SEO tools can help at various stages of work and significantly speed up processes like audits, keyword analysis, and link prospecting. However, they are only assistive tools, and SEO professionals still need to understand advanced SEO nuances to apply insights effectively.

4. Advanced Link Building Strategy

Advanced link building tactics are not about directories, guest posts, or PBNs. What works is creating value and integrating organically into your industry’s information ecosystem:

Unlinked Brand Mentions

Google uses brand mentions as a trust signal. Monitor unlinked brand mentions using Google Alerts, Ahrefs Alerts, or Mention. If someone references your brand but does not link to your site, reach out to the author and suggest adding a link.

LinkedIn as a Link Building Source

LinkedIn is an underrated SEO tool. Unlike other social media platforms, its posts can rank well in search engine results. For example:

Publish research, case studies, or personal insights. If the content resonates, media outlets and blogs may reference it and link back to the original source.

Links from YouTube and Podcasts

YouTube creators and podcast hosts almost always include links in their descriptions. Take Vogue’s YouTube channel as an example. Their video descriptions feature multiple external links:

Find 50 relevant channels and pitch expert interviews, guest commentary, or participation in an episode. Compared to blogs, podcasts and video content offer a higher chance of securing a link since guests are typically provided with promotional materials.

5. Make Technical SEO Enhancements

Technical SEO removes barriers between a website and search engines. Let’s look at the tech components of an advanced SEO tactic that deliver real results:

• Dynamic parameters for pagination: Google still struggles with pagination. Should it be ?page=2 or /category/page/2/? Without proper canonical and rel=”prev/next” settings, search engines may index secondary pages, diluting link equity. There are two solutions: set rel=”canonical” to the first page or implement an infinite scroll with lazy loading.
• Sitemap visualization: An XML sitemap is not just for search engines but for you, too. Screaming Frog allows you to visualize site structure, identify orphan pages, and fix weak internal linking points.
• Redirect minimization: The more redirects, the slower the load time. Use Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to find redirect chains, break unnecessary loops, and point old URLs directly to the final destination.
• HTML optimization: Reduce code without losing functionality. Remove inline styles, combine CSS and JS, and enable minification and defer loading. A clean codebase means a faster site, which leads to better rankings.
• Schema markup: In the past, structured data helped content appear in featured snippets, but today, it is more about ensuring Google correctly understands the content. Use Google’s Rich Results Test or Schema Markup Validator to check if your markup is implemented correctly.

But if a site takes five seconds to load and its mobile version falls apart, no dynamic pagination and other advanced settings will help. Always start by checking your pages through Google PageSpeed Insights and improving the three key metrics that Google evaluates.

Do not forget to run these tests not only for the desktop version but also for the mobile version. Having a mobile-friendly website was important last year, became even more critical this year, and will likely be even more so next year. Take a look at this increase in mobile traffic:

On-page SEO, including technical optimization, requires advanced skills. That is why these tasks are often a part of various organic SEO services, where specialists know how to implement complex solutions correctly.

6. Reoptimizing & Repurposing Old Content

Content loses relevance over time, and Google values content freshness, which means that outdated materials may drop in rankings. But that is not a reason to delete them. Proper re-optimization can restore lost rankings.

First, identify declining pages. Use Google Search Console and Ahrefs Site Explorer to find pages that have lost traffic over the past 6 to 12 months. Pay attention to:

• Ranking drops in SERPs (performance report in GSC).
• Declining clicks and lower CTR.
• Keywords the page no longer ranks for (Ahrefs → Organic Keywords report).

Before updating content, analyze how the top search results have changed. If competitors have added new sections, restructured their pages, or provided deeper analysis, use that as a benchmark.

Next, update the content. Find recent studies, verify recommendations, and include missing examples.

Once updated, the page needs to be re-promoted. Submit it for reindexing in Google Search Console, and add internal links from other pages on your site.

You can also repurpose content for multiple channels. One piece of content can be transformed into multiple formats:

• Infographics: Share on social media to attract backlinks. About 56% of marketers use this for content distribution.
• Videos: Turn the article into a YouTube video with a CTA leading back to your site.
• Presentations: Upload to LinkedIn and SlideShare to increase citations.

Re-optimization often delivers results faster than creating new content. An improved article already has search history, backlinks, and authority. Refine it, and it will start attracting traffic again. But to justify the effort, businesses need a clear framework for measuring SEO ROI: tracking organic traffic recovery, engagement, and conversion rates after updates.

7. Fixing Keyword Cannibalization & Thin Content Issues

Keyword cannibalization hurts SEO. If multiple pages compete for the same keyword, Google splits ranking potential between them. Thin content also clogs the index. These are pages without value that slow down site crawling and reduce efficiency. Here are a few SEO tips to prevent these issues from affecting your site’s performance:

• Identify keyword cannibalization: Use Google Search Console to check which pages rank for the same keywords. In Ahrefs (Organic Keywords report), identify URLs that compete with each other.
• Merge or rework competing pages: If two articles cover the same topic, combine them into one and set up a 301 redirect. If the pages serve different search intents, optimize each for its specific query.
• Block unnecessary pages from indexing: Duplicate content in SEO is something that deserves special attention. If the content is duplicated but cannot be deleted, use noindex in the meta tag. Another option is setting a canonical tag to the main page.
• Fix thin content: In Screaming Frog, find pages with low word counts. Expand them with research and data. If a page has no purpose, delete it.

8. Spy on Your Competitors’ SEO Strategy

Competitors’ strategies are your best source of insights. Their data is publicly available. Analyze it, adopt what works, correct their mistakes, start your successful SEO campaign, and take their traffic.

Keywords and Content

In Ahrefs → Site Explorer, enter the competitor’s URL. The Top Pages report shows which articles bring them the most traffic. Suppose Zapier is our main competitor:

If you do not have similar pages, create them. If you do, but they rank lower, improve them.

Open the Organic Keywords section to see which queries they rank for. For example, Zapier is getting traffic for “AI image generator.” If your content only covers “image generator,” create a separate article to cover AI solutions specifically.

Backlink Profile

In Ahrefs → Backlinks, check who is linking to their pages. If these are blogs, podcasts, or media outlets, pitch them your content or case studies. Of course, the likelihood of securing such a backlink will depend on the referring site, its authority, the skill level of your outreach team, and lots of other factors.

Technical Factors

Run the competitor’s site through Lighthouse or Screaming Frog. Check their page speed, heading structure, and internal linking. If your site is weak in these areas, fix it.

9. Use Short Videos and Animated Images to Increase Time on Site

The longer a user stays on a page, the more valuable it appears to Google. Videos, animations, and interactive elements hold attention and reduce bounce rates. Check out how to use them:

• Short videos: Video conveys ideas faster than text. According to our SEO statistics, 45% of marketers consider it the most effective format. Here is how Ahrefs integrates video into its content:
• Animated illustrations: GIFs, micro-animations, and SVG animations help retain attention and simplify data presentation.
• Embedded interactive elements: Step-by-step animations and scroll-triggered content increase engagement and keep users on the page longer.

Videos and animations should not slow down the site. Optimize files in WebM instead of MP4 lazy loading and add subtitles since 50% of users watch without sound.

10. Use the Potential of Internal Links

Internal links help search engines understand which pages are most important and guide users to areas where they are more likely to convert. This is one of the most powerful techniques that is part of SEO for lead generation. Yet, many websites fail to use it effectively. But there are a few tips on how to do it right:

• Direct users to key pages: If a blog post attracts organic traffic, use it to guide readers to landing pages, product pages, or lead magnets.
• Link content logically: Internal links should help users find additional resources within topic clusters. For example, if an article discusses the health benefits of a balanced diet, it would be appropriate to include a link to a vitamins and minerals guide:
• Monitor click depth: Important pages should be accessible within three clicks from the homepage. If a page is buried deep in the site structure, it receives less attention from both Google and users.

A strong internal linking strategy increases engagement, reduces bounce rates, and helps achieve SEO goals faster. Build link flows in a way that makes navigation natural and convenient for users.

11. Use Comparison Keywords Your Target Audience is Searching

Users searching for A vs B or X for Y are already in the decision-making stage. So, creating content that addresses comparison queries helps marry traffic and sales quickly. Let’s see how to use this advanced SEO strategy:

• Identify what your audience is comparing; In Ahrefs → Keywords Explorer, enter your niche and filter by terms like vs, best, and alternative.
• Add a clear comparison table; Often, people do not read blocks of text. They scan pages. A table with key features helps users make decisions faster. Enhance it with infographics, interface screenshots, etc.
• Optimize titles for search demand: If users search for “Wix vs WordPress: which one to choose?”, adjust your title to “Wix vs WordPress: A Small Business Guide.” This improves CTR and signals relevance.

12. SEO for Local Business & Lead Generation

Local businesses rely on visibility in Google to attract customers. But local optimization can easily be classified as advanced SEO due to the number of critical nuances involved.

Google Business Profile is the primary source of organic traffic. According to our local SEO statistics, experienced marketers confirmed that GBP optimization is one of the strongest ranking factors in local SEO. The more detailed your business profile is, the higher your chances of improving search engine ranking.

Also, your website content must be locally optimized. Use Ahrefs or SEMrush for keyword research to find location-specific queries. Include them in H1, service pages, and headings, but most importantly, demonstrate real local presence. Add your address, phone number, an embedded map, and case studies from the area.

Local backlinks strengthen authority. Get listed in directories, partner websites, and local media. If reputable regional sources mention your business, it signals to Google that your company is truly active in the area.

There is a powerful advanced SEO technique for finding local link opportunities. It involves conducting a competitive analysis in Ahrefs. Enter competitor URLs and check who is linking to them but not to you.

If you have multiple locations, create separate pages for each city. Do not copy content. Add local case studies, photos, reviews, and unique advantages specific to that location.

Conclusion

Mastering advanced SEO requires more than just implementing best practices — it demands a strategic approach that adapts to ever-evolving search algorithms and user expectations. The techniques outlined in this guide are proven to enhance rankings, drive organic traffic, and improve conversion rates. From creating highly citable content and leveraging AI for automation to refining technical SEO and optimizing for local search, each method contributes to sustainable growth.

SeoProfy specializes in advanced marketing strategies backed by in-depth SEO case studies and data-driven insights. Whether you’re optimizing an enterprise-level website or a local business, integrating these SEO techniques will position your site for long-term success. Now is the time to apply these methods, monitor performance, and stay ahead of competitors in search rankings.

If you’re ready to take your SEO to the next level, let’s discuss the best SEO strategy that aligns with your business goals.

Author

Andrew Shum

Andrew is the Head of SEO at SeoProfy, leading a team of more than 20 experienced SEO specialists. He has been involved in search engine optimization and digital marketing since 2016, gaining hands-on experience across various niches and regions. Andrew possesses strong analytical and strategic skills, particularly in planning SEO strategies for highly competitive projects.