In SEO, where understanding algorithms is as critical as keeping an eye on the competition, there’s no denying the effectiveness of rebellious and over-the-top techniques and experiments that go way beyond the conventional.
Yes, traditional practices remain the mainstay, but when you begin to explore lesser-known tactics and get creative, the results may surprise you!
We asked the BoostMyDomain community of leaders and experts (and rebels) if any of their unconventional SEO techniques delivered extraordinary results, and the responses we received sure built a case in favor of innovative approaches to SEO.
Read on!
The “Broken Link Opportunity” Strategy
Over the past 15 years, I’ve driven campaigns for companies like IKEA, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola, always looking for unconventional ways to achieve standout results.
In one instance, I experimented with what I call a “broken link opportunity” strategy. I noticed how outdated references on high-authority pages like Wikipedia often lead to dead ends. I identified several broken links in a niche I was targeting, created fresh, valuable content to fill those gaps, and offered my resource as a replacement.
This didn’t just repair the ecosystem—it positioned my content as an authority by association. Within a few months, I saw a significant spike in traffic, with organic visitors increasing by more than 30%.
This tactic worked because it was highly targeted and solved a problem for others while benefiting our brand.
Roland Jakob
Managing Partner, BlazeKin.Media
Leveraging User-Generated Content
One of the most unexpected wins for us came from leveraging user-generated content.
By encouraging our clients to share their experiences and insights on our platform, we not only enriched our content but also improved our search rankings. This organic influx of diverse content created a more engaging user experience and attracted backlinks naturally.
Another unconventional approach involved utilising interactive content, such as quizzes and calculators. These tools not only increased user engagement but also led to a remarkable boost in traffic. Users were more inclined to share their results on social media, which further enhanced our visibility.
Balázs Keszthelyi
Founder & CEO, TechnoLynx
The Unconventional Approach to User Intent
One of our most unexpected SEO wins came from diving deep into user intent, but not in the traditional way.
Instead of focusing solely on keyword optimization, we began targeting long-tail phrases embedded in conversational searches, especially those that don’t directly relate to our core services. By analysing comment sections, Q&A platforms, and user reviews, we uncovered a wealth of organic search phrases that our competitors weren’t tapping into.
The surprise came when these conversational keywords, which we initially thought were too niche to make an impact, started driving significant traffic. It was a win because it allowed us to rank for more specific, high-conversion terms.
The result? A noticeable jump in organic traffic and better engagement rates than ever before.
Riding the Meme Culture Wave
I’m really interested in meme culture when it comes to internet marketing. Making friends this way is so much fun because it’s quick, easy, and interesting.
I have seen that brands feel more real when they use memes, especially when they use what’s popular at the moment. As an example, I’ve worked on projects where memes got more people to interact with them on social media because they seemed like real conversations instead of ads.
Also, memes have an amazing ability to spread like wildfire, which can greatly expand the reach of a business. If done right, they make a business seem friendlier and more real. Seriously, I think that memes can be a very important way to connect with people in a way that lasts.
You know sometimes exploring outside the box can also be a great thing. Do not be confined in your comfort zone.
Filip Dimitrijevski
Business Development Manager, CLICKVISION
Niche but High-Relevance Long-Tail Keywords
Focusing on long-tail keywords that were niche but highly relevant to our audience. Instead of targeting competitive broad keywords, I created content around very specific user queries.
This unconventional approach led to a noticeable increase in organic traffic from a highly engaged audience. Additionally, we leveraged user-generated content and reviews, which helped boost rankings for targeted terms while building trust.
The result was higher visibility, better conversion rates, and an improved ROI. It proved that sometimes, the most overlooked strategies can be the most effective.
Rongzhong Li
CEO/Founder, Petoi
The "Reverse SEO" Strategy
Once, we tested a “reverse SEO” strategy: instead of optimizing our own pages, we targeted competitors’ weaknesses.
We analyzed their content gaps, created better resources, and strategically amplified them through social buzz and partnerships.
Then, we anonymously sponsored discussions about their shortcomings on niche forums, driving curious users straight to us. It was unconventional, even risky, but within months, their rankings dropped while ours skyrocketed.
This taught us a crucial lesson: SEO isn’t just about playing by the book—it’s about rewriting the rules. Sometimes, the best way forward is to challenge the norm and spark a reaction.
An Influx of Authentic, Diverse UGC
My biggest SEO win came from an unexpected approach: leveraging user-generated content (UGC).
I created a campaign encouraging users to share their experiences and reviews on my website. Initially, I was skeptical about the quality and impact of this content. However, the results were astounding.
The influx of authentic, diverse content not only boosted engagement but also significantly improved my site’s SEO. Search engines favored the fresh, relevant content, leading to a noticeable increase in organic traffic and higher rankings for several key terms.
This experience taught me the power of community involvement and the value of thinking outside the box in SEO strategies.
Erika Mac Donald
CEO & Founder, Engaging New Media
Developing Interactive Content Hubs
One unorthodox strategy I tried as an SEO consultant was developing interactive content hubs for certain audiences.
I created several dynamic tools that matched long-tail keywords, such as calculators and visual quizzes, in place of the usual blog-based clusters.
For instance, in addition to fulfilling a practical need, a ‘Content ROI Calculator’ naturally drew backlinks from trade blogs that addressed marketing effectiveness. I offered the tool as a value-added resource to websites that were already ranking for related terms as part of a focused outreach strategy.
Unexpectedly, this strategy improved results for some competitive keywords and increased organic traffic by 40% in just three months.
It showed me how important it is to combine user interaction with SEO tactics because when users enjoy your content, search engines recognise its value and reward it with higher visibility.
This experience reinforced my belief in the power of creative, user-first SEO strategies to deliver impactful results.
Muhammad Ummar Rashid
SEO Specialist, Digital Willow
A Creative Approach to Local SEO
At Photo2Painting, an unexpected SEO win came from focusing on local SEO in a creative way.
Instead of just optimizing for broad keywords, we started targeting location-specific terms, like “custom artwork in.”
We created content around local art events and collaborations with local artists, which not only improved our local search rankings but also built a stronger connection with our community.
This unconventional strategy helped drive traffic from nearby customers who were more likely to engage with our service. It showed us the power of focusing on niche, local content to build visibility in a way that’s both practical and personal.
George Silagadze
Co-founder & CEO, Photo2Painting
The BoostMyDomain team thanks these experts and leaders for taking the time to let us in on valuable (and rebellious) SEO techniques that have delivered proven results.
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