Tangential SEO focuses on creating content indirectly related to your core offerings to attract a broader audience. By targeting related topics, businesses can drive traffic, build brand authority, and gain backlinks without always pushing their primary product or service.
TLDR: What is Tangential SEO?
Tangential SEO involves producing content that aligns with broader topics, engaging potential customers outside of direct sales pitches. This approach is designed to enhance organic visibility, drive diverse traffic, and increase credibility through unique content strategies.
What We Will Cover
- Definition and purpose of tangential SEO
- How it differs from traditional SEO approaches
- Tangential content creation strategies
- Benefits of adopting tangential SEO
- Common challenges and solutions
- Real-world examples of successful implementation
- Tools and metrics to measure success
Why Use Tangential SEO?
Traditional SEO focuses on creating content directly tied to your business offerings. For example, a fitness brand might produce guides on exercise routines. Tangential SEO takes a broader approach by creating content about health, nutrition trends, or even mental wellness—topics that interest the audience but don’t directly promote the product.
This strategy works because it engages people who aren’t necessarily looking to buy but are open to engaging with related content. Over time, this builds familiarity and positions the brand as an authority.
Tangential SEO vs. Traditional SEO
Traditional SEO:
Directly targets keywords related to your product or service. For example:
- Keyword: “Buy running shoes online”
- Content: A product page featuring running shoes.
Tangential SEO:
Focuses on topics indirectly related to your business. For example:
- Keyword: “Benefits of barefoot running”
- Content: An article discussing the pros and cons of barefoot running, subtly linking to your shoe catalog.
This method broadens your reach to include individuals who may not currently be in the market for your product but might become customers later.
How to Create Effective Tangential Content
- Identify Relevant Topics
Use keyword research tools to find queries related to your industry. Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can reveal terms that overlap with broader audience interests.Example:- Core Product: Yoga mats
- Tangential Topics: “Best stretches for office workers” or “How to set up a home meditation corner”
- Leverage Data and Trends
Analyze trending topics on platforms like Google Trends and Reddit. These can provide inspiration for content that attracts a wider audience. - Craft Engaging Formats
- Create how-to guides
- Develop infographics summarizing research
- Publish opinion pieces tied to current events
- Connect Back to Your Brand
Ensure the content subtly links back to your core offering. For example, a post on “Benefits of staying hydrated” could link to your brand’s reusable water bottles.
Benefits of Tangential SEO
- Increased Traffic
By targeting a broader range of keywords, tangential content attracts visitors who may not have discovered your site otherwise. - Stronger Backlink Profile
Unique, engaging topics are more likely to be shared and referenced by other websites, increasing your domain authority. - Improved Brand Authority
Regularly producing high-quality, tangential content demonstrates your expertise and fosters trust with your audience. - Diversified Audience
Reaching beyond your primary market introduces your brand to a new demographic, increasing long-term growth potential.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Staying Relevant
Content should be tangential but still connect to your brand. Avoid straying too far from your niche.
Solution: Regularly reassess topics to ensure they align with your audience’s needs.
2. Measuring ROI
Tangential SEO often leads to indirect results, making it hard to track effectiveness.
Solution: Use metrics like engagement rates, bounce rates, and backlinks to gauge success.
3. Content Saturation
Competing with established blogs in broader niches can dilute your efforts.
Solution: Focus on unique angles or underserved subtopics.
Real-World Examples of Tangential SEO
- Airbnb
While their core service is short-term lodging, they create content about local experiences, travel guides, and cultural highlights. - HubSpot
A CRM platform, yet they publish articles on productivity, remote work tips, and career growth, which are tangentially relevant to their audience. - Nike
Their blogs often cover topics like athlete mental health or nutrition tips, subtly linking back to their products.
Tools for Tangential SEO Success
- Google Trends: Identifies trending searches and topics.
- SEMrush: Offers insights into keyword opportunities.
- BuzzSumo: Highlights popular content within your niche.
- Ahrefs: Analyzes competitor content for inspiration.
Measuring the Success of Tangential SEO
Key metrics to monitor include:
- Organic Traffic Growth: Measure increases in site visits over time.
- Bounce Rate: Lower rates indicate more engaging content.
- Backlinks: High-quality backlinks improve domain authority.
- Social Shares: Track how often content is shared on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
FAQs
Q1: Can tangential SEO help small businesses?
Yes, it allows smaller brands to attract a wider audience without competing directly on high-cost keywords.
Q2: How long does it take to see results?
While traditional SEO may show quicker returns, tangential strategies often build momentum over months as backlinks and engagement grow.
Q3: Is tangential SEO suitable for e-commerce sites?
Absolutely. Creating articles or videos related to product use cases or adjacent interests can drive both traffic and sales.
By incorporating tangential SEO into your content strategy, you can significantly expand your reach, build trust, and secure long-term growth.
