{"id":2881,"date":"2025-03-31T09:59:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T09:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/how-to-build-trust-and-rank-higher-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-03-31T09:59:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T09:59:06","slug":"how-to-build-trust-and-rank-higher-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/how-to-build-trust-and-rank-higher-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build Trust and Rank Higher in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div class=\"intro-txt\">\n<p>This guide is designed to help financial institutions of all sizes navigate the unique challenges of increasing visibility in Google Search \u2014 from local credit unions and solo advisors to national investment firms and fintech platforms. We\u2019ll walk through practical strategies to help you earn trust, demonstrate expertise, attract qualified leads, and stay compliant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The tactics are broadly applicable, but how you apply them will depend on your business model. A local firm might focus on community-driven content and local SEO, while a digital-first platform might lean into educational resources and national visibility.<\/p>\n<p>To write this guide to medical SEO, I interviewed eleven experienced finance SEOs:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/organic-growth\/\">Elie Berreby<\/a>, Senior SEO strategist, <a href=\"http:\/\/semking.com\">Semking.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robcmay90\/\">Rob May<\/a>, Director &amp; Freelance SEO Consultant, <a href=\"https:\/\/robmayseo.com\/\">Rob May\u00a0SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ryanchilton\/\">Ryan Chilton<\/a>, Senior SEO &amp; Digital Marketing Specialist, <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalsurfer.com.au\/\">Digital Surfer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/v\">Garit Boothe<\/a>, FinTech SEO Consultant, <a href=\"https:\/\/garitboothe.com\/\">Garit Boothe SEO Consulting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/michael-john-sandford\/\">Michael Sandford<\/a>, Account Director, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seoworks.co.uk\/\">The SEO\u00a0Works<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/molly-flynn-39aaa412a\/\">Molly Flynn<\/a>, SEO Pod Leader, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seoworks.co.uk\/\">The SEO\u00a0Works<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashley-jay-seager-90625331\/\">Ashley Jay Seager<\/a>, Digital Marketing Manager, <a href=\"http:\/\/moneyfactscompare.co.uk\">Moneyfactscompare.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alex-whyles-0a16a031\/\">Alex Whyles<\/a>, Freelance SEO consultant with over 16 years in\u00a0SEO<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/victor-andr%C3%A9-enselmann\/\">Victor Andr\u00e9 Enselmann<\/a>, Founder, <a href=\"http:\/\/modeva.dk\">Modeva.dk<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/despina-gavoyannis\/\">Despina Gavoyannis<\/a>, Senior SEO, <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\">Ahrefs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/josh-spies\/\">Josh Spies<\/a>, Chief Dragon, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dicedragons.co.uk\/\">Dice Dragons<\/a> (previously Moneybarn.com)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1820\" height=\"2266\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts.jpg\" alt=\"Example of structured data in financial content via Ahrefs SEO Toolbar.\" class=\"wp-image-186723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts-341x425.jpg 341w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts-768x956.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts-1234x1536.jpg 1234w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/financial-seo-experts-1645x2048.jpg 1645w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1820px) 100vw, 1820px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"The unique challenges of finance SEO strategy\" data-section=\"the-unique-challenges-of-finance-seo-strategy\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_u1cpk1osj8ni\"\/>The unique challenges of finance SEO strategy<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Financial SEO isn\u2019t simply applying standard SEO practices to a financial website. It presents a unique set of challenges:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Google classifies financial topics under the \u201cYour Money or Your Life\u201d (YMYL) category<\/strong>, which triggers much stricter content quality standards. Inaccurate or misleading financial information can lead to real-world consequences, like poor investment decisions or financial loss. Because of that, Google\u2019s algorithms are particularly sensitive to the accuracy, trustworthiness, and authority of any content in this\u00a0space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The financial industry is one of the most competitive spaces in search<\/strong>. You\u2019re up against national banks, major insurance companies, and fintech giants \u2014 all of whom have deep pockets, strong brand recognition, and entire teams focused on\u00a0SEO.<\/li>\n<li><strong>High-value financial keywords are some of the most competitive<\/strong> in both organic and paid search. In paid channels, the cost-per-click can easily range from $30 to $150 making it a serious investment just to get visibility.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Financial institutions operate under stringent regulations from bodies<\/strong> like the SEC, FINRA, and CFPB in the US (and similar organizations internationally). These regulations govern marketing practices, and content must be meticulously reviewed for compliance to avoid substantial penalties and lasting reputational damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s see how the experts advise us to overcome these obstacles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"1. Showcase author expertise and prominently display trust signals\" data-section=\"1-showcase-author-expertise-and-prominently-display-trust-signals\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_x4jjv9ymp9ud\"\/>1. Showcase author expertise and prominently display trust signals<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In financial SEO, who\u2019s creating the content matters just as much as what the content says. If your content touches on people\u2019s money, it needs to come from someone who clearly knows what they\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n<p>To demonstrate real expertise, go beyond simply listing an author\u2019s name. Create detailed author profiles that showcase specific financial credentials, such as CFA, CFP, or CPA designations, along with years of experience in relevant areas like banking, investment management, or insurance.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to match the right expert to the right topic because that can help build credibility and show that you truly understand the topic. If you\u2019re covering complex investment strategies, have a CFA write it or at least review it. If the topic is retirement planning, tap an experienced retirement advisor.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1303\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials-.png\" alt=\"Example of signaling author credentials. \" class=\"wp-image-186684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--668x425.png 668w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--260x166.png 260w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--1536x977.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1303\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials-.png\" alt=\"Example of signaling author credentials. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--668x425.png 668w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--260x166.png 260w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-signaling-author-credentials--1536x977.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>You should also use schema markup to clearly signal your authors\u2019 credentials to search engines \u2014 this extra layer of detail helps Google better understand the credibility behind your content and can give you a visibility boost in the\u00a0SERPs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1426\" height=\"1120\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi.png\" alt=\"Example of structured data in financial content via Ahrefs SEO Toolbar. \" class=\"wp-image-186685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi.png 1426w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi-541x425.png 541w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi-768x603.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1426px) 100vw, 1426px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1426\" height=\"1120\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi.png\" alt=\"Example of structured data in financial content via Ahrefs SEO Toolbar. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi.png 1426w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi-541x425.png 541w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-structured-data-in-financial-content-vi-768x603.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1426px) 100vw, 1426px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Example of structured data in financial content via Ahrefs SEO Toolbar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Tag authors and editors with structured data like author, jobTitle, alumniOf, and knowsAbout to showcase their qualifications, education, and areas of expertise. To generate the code, you can use free tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/technicalseo.com\/tools\/schema-markup-generator\/\">Merkle\u2019s Schema Markup Generator<\/a> or any ChatGPT-like AI.<\/p>\n<p>Author credentials are just one piece of the trust puzzle. To really build credibility, your entire website should reflect it. Start by showcasing ratings and reviews from trusted third-party platforms like Clutch, Expertise.com, and the Better Business Bureau.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1056\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third-.png\" alt=\"Showcasing ratings and reviews from trusted third-party platforms\" class=\"wp-image-186686\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third-.png 1056w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third--680x381.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third--768x431.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1056px) 100vw, 1056px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1056\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third-.png\" alt=\"Showcasing ratings and reviews from trusted third-party platforms\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186686\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third-.png 1056w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third--680x381.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/showcasing-ratings-and-reviews-from-trusted-third--768x431.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1056px) 100vw, 1056px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Be upfront about your regulatory status, too. Prominently display statements like \u201cAuthorized and regulated by the FCA\u201d or \u201cMember FDIC\u201d in your footer and on relevant product pages.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1958\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page-.png\" alt=\"EEAT signals in the footer of a page. \" class=\"wp-image-186687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page-.png 1958w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--680x137.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--768x155.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--1536x309.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1958px) 100vw, 1958px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1958\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page-.png\" alt=\"EEAT signals in the footer of a page. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page-.png 1958w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--680x137.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--768x155.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eeat-signals-in-the-footer-of-a-page--1536x309.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1958px) 100vw, 1958px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>You can also take it a step further by dedicating space on your About page (or a separate compliance page) to explain your credentials, licenses, and code of ethics. This About page from a tax advisor firm in Chicago is a good example.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1430\" height=\"1780\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials-.jpg\" alt=\"About page with team credentials. \" class=\"wp-image-186688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials-.jpg 1430w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--341x425.jpg 341w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--768x956.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--1234x1536.jpg 1234w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1430px) 100vw, 1430px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1430\" height=\"1780\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials-.jpg\" alt=\"About page with team credentials. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials-.jpg 1430w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--341x425.jpg 341w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--768x956.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/about-page-with-team-credentials--1234x1536.jpg 1234w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1430px) 100vw, 1430px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>And don\u2019t forget the basics \u2014 things like <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/what-is-https\/\">HTTPS<\/a> and visible security badges signal that you take privacy and security seriously, which is critical when you\u2019re dealing with sensitive financial information.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"2. Build a compliance-focused content workflow with clear roles and templates\" data-section=\"2-build-a-compliance-focused-content-workflow-with-clear-roles-and-templates\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_xm0x1c2wh0yp\"\/>2. Build a compliance-focused content workflow with clear roles and templates<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In financial SEO, compliance with industry regulations is mission-critical. One mistake can lead to steep fines and serious damage to your brand\u2019s reputation. That\u2019s why you need a rock-solid content workflow built with compliance at its\u00a0core.<\/p>\n<p>Take it from Josh Spies, who shared a real-world example from his time at a UK challenger bank. His team worked closely with compliance team to to rewrite a vague, unoptimised \u201cguaranteed car finance\u201d page. Instead of avoiding the topic, they tackled it head-on \u2014 clearly explaining that \u201cguaranteed\u201d finance doesn\u2019t exist, citing FCA regulations, and tailoring the message to users who were often dealing with poor credit.<\/p>\n<p>The result? The updated page not only ranked well\u2014it also set a new standard. Competitors started mimicking the transparent, user-first approach. It\u2019s a perfect example of how collaboration with the compliance tam can improve both trust and SEO performance.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"784\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart-.jpg\" alt=\"Ranking history chart. \" class=\"wp-image-186689\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--680x260.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--768x294.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--1536x588.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"784\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart-.jpg\" alt=\"Ranking history chart. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186689\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--680x260.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--768x294.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ranking-history-chart--1536x588.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Based on insights from my experts, here\u2019s how to build a content workflow that keeps compliance front and center without slowing everything down:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Define clear handoffs:<\/strong> Map out every step from content creation to approval, with clearly assigned roles \u2014 SEO specialists, writers, compliance officers, and legal (if needed).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Centralize everything:<\/strong> Use project management tools to keep track of content progress, deadlines, and approvals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pre-approved disclaimers:<\/strong> Build a repository of standardized disclaimers for different product types \u2014 investments, loans, insurance, etc. This helps ensure consistency and minimizes errors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Templates with built-in compliance:<\/strong> Develop content templates for key formats like product pages, comparison guides, and blog posts. Include placeholders for disclosures and regulatory language so nothing gets missed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay aligned: <\/strong>Set up monthly or quarterly meetings between your content and compliance teams to flag upcoming topics, stay ahead of regulatory changes, and resolve potential issues early.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Automate time-sensitive updates:<\/strong> Check daily for updates to interest rates, stock data, or regulatory deadlines \u2014 especially for pages tied to financial markets.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Set up regulation alerts:<\/strong> Subscribe to industry newsletters or set Google Alerts to catch regulatory shifts that may impact your content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Run regular content audits:<\/strong> Review your site quarterly or bi-annually to catch outdated content, broken links to sources, and compliance gaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A good idea would be to keep a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/site-audit\">Ahrefs\u2019 Site Audit<\/a> part of your workflow for technical SEO. It automatically monitors broken links, and you can set up custom issues to track specific phrases or dates(perfect for spotting outdated content).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1257\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit.jpg\" alt=\"Setting up an outdated content alert in Site Audit. \" class=\"wp-image-186690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-680x417.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-768x471.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-1536x943.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1257\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit.jpg\" alt=\"Setting up an outdated content alert in Site Audit. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-680x417.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-768x471.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/setting-up-an-outdated-content-alert-in-site-audit-1536x943.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"3. Create a structured, three-layer human-AI content review process\" data-section=\"3-create-a-structured-three-layer-human-ai-content-review-process\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_snypsmyzhn46\"\/>3. Create a structured, three-layer human-AI content review process<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Using AI in financial content creation is a grey area \u2014 and for good reason. While AI can speed things up and help scale production, the risks in a highly regulated industry like finance are too big to ignore (from losing reputation to being fined or\u00a0sued).<\/p>\n<p>Some take a cautious, hybrid approach. They use AI to handle early-stage tasks like generating content variations for long-tail keywords, summarizing complex documents, researching topics, or tailoring messaging to different audiences. But every piece still goes through thorough human review.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, Rob May shared that he\u2019s \u201cused it successfully to summarise content in an article by adding a \u2018key takeaways\u2019 section.\u201d According to him, this can help secure <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/featured-snippets\/\">featured snippets<\/a> and boost clarity for readers (and I agree). That said, he also stresses the importance of \u201crigorous content sign-off processes with compliance teams\u201d to ensure that even AI-assisted content is safe, accurate, and brand-aligned.<\/p>\n<p>Others avoid AI entirely when it comes to financial content. Their concern? Accuracy, compliance, and trust. AI can make confident-sounding errors, struggle with regulatory nuance, and ultimately put your reputation and legal standing at risk if the content misleads users.<\/p>\n<p>For example, Elie Berreby warned: \u201cAI-generated content is one of the fastest ways to drive a financial brand off a cliff.\u201d He points to the high likelihood of \u201cerrors, inaccuracies, and hallucinations at scale,\u201d especially in the context of YMYL topics where factual integrity is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n<p>In my opinion, the bottom line is that human oversight is absolutely essential if AI is used at all. You can use this three-layer approach:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AI generation<\/strong>: Start with a detailed prompt that includes clear guidance, compliance rules, and any relevant regulatory constraints. The more specific the input, the safer and more accurate the output.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expert editorial review<\/strong>: Have a qualified financial professional \u2014 someone with credentials like CFA or CFP \u2014 review and refine the content. They\u2019re responsible for fact-checking, adding nuance, and ensuring the final piece meets a high standard of accuracy and clarity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Final compliance check<\/strong>: Before anything goes live, a compliance officer should review the content to make sure it aligns with all relevant regulations and legal requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"4. Use proven content formats and don\u2019t chase keywords you\u2019re not ready for\" data-section=\"4-use-proven-content-formats-and-don-t-chase-keywords-you-re-not-ready-for\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_8ah0mecm0yan\"\/>4. Use proven content formats and don\u2019t chase keywords you\u2019re not ready\u00a0for<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In financial SEO, some content formats just work. They attract traffic, build trust, and move people closer to a decision. Think:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Comparison pages<\/strong> that help users choose between products or services (e.g., \u201cTraditional IRA vs Roth\u00a0IRA\u201d)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Curated tool roundups<\/strong>: Create lists like \u201cBest Retirement Planning Tools for Self-Employed Professionals\u201d that highlight useful resources based on specific needs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Industry-specific financial guides<\/strong>: Go deep on niche audiences with content like \u201cBest Accounting Software for Small E-commerce Businesses.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Step-by-step guides<\/strong> that simplify complex financial decisions (e.g., \u201cHow to refinance a mortgage without hurting your credit\u201d)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interactive tools<\/strong> like calculators, checklists, and filters that help people take action (e.g., \u201cLoan repayment calculator\u201d or \u201cBest credit cards for travel \u2014 customized by spending habits\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is where keyword research comes in. It does more than just identify topics with traffic potential; it can also guide your content format strategy based on your business\u2019s current stage.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Newer brands<\/strong> should focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/long-tail-keywords\/\">long-tail<\/a>, low-competition keywords that match question-based searches or specific comparisons. These are perfect for how-to guides and lightweight tools. You\u2019ll win faster and start building topical authority.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Growing brands<\/strong> can step up to broader commercial keywords \u2014 especially those tied to product categories or high-intent queries. This is the time to publish deeper guides, advanced calculators, and comparison tables that align with core offerings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Established brands<\/strong> should target competitive head terms and focus on maximizing SERP visibility \u2014 through schema, featured snippets, AI Overviews, and multimedia formats. At this level, content needs to be comprehensive, authoritative, and constantly optimized.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Start by identifying keywords directly related to your products or services. Use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate a list of relevant seed keywords. If you\u2019re using Ahrefs, try the AI features in <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/keywords-explorer\">Ahrefs\u2019 Keywords Explorer<\/a> to brainstorm seed keywords and expand from\u00a0there.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1616\" height=\"968\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see.png\" alt=\"Using built-in AI in Keywords Explorer to find seed keywords. \" class=\"wp-image-186691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see.png 1616w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-680x407.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-768x460.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1536x920.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1616px) 100vw, 1616px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1616\" height=\"968\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see.png\" alt=\"Using built-in AI in Keywords Explorer to find seed keywords. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see.png 1616w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-680x407.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-768x460.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1536x920.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1616px) 100vw, 1616px\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1614\" height=\"1358\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1.png\" alt=\"Using built-in AI in Keywords Explorer to find seed keywords. \" class=\"wp-image-186692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1.png 1614w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-505x425.png 505w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-768x646.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-1536x1292.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1614px) 100vw, 1614px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1614\" height=\"1358\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1.png\" alt=\"Using built-in AI in Keywords Explorer to find seed keywords. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1.png 1614w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-505x425.png 505w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-768x646.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-ai-in-keywords-explorer-to-find-see-1-1536x1292.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1614px) 100vw, 1614px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Next, go to the terms match and use the predefined filters to quickly uncover different types of keywords we discussed above, including long tail, low competition, local (if you own physical locations), questions, and comparisons.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1129\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research-.jpg\" alt=\"Using built-in presets in keyword research. \" class=\"wp-image-186693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--680x375.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--768x423.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--1536x847.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1129\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research-.jpg\" alt=\"Using built-in presets in keyword research. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--680x375.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--768x423.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/using-built-in-presets-in-keyword-research--1536x847.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>And here\u2019s how to find keywords related to online calculators in a few seconds: enter \u201ccalculator\u201d into the search bar of Keywords Explorer and click on the Matching terms report.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2036\" height=\"1810\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat.jpg\" alt=\"Looking for keywords related to financial calculators. \" class=\"wp-image-186694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat.jpg 2036w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-478x425.jpg 478w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-768x683.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-1536x1366.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2036px) 100vw, 2036px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2036\" height=\"1810\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat.jpg\" alt=\"Looking for keywords related to financial calculators. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat.jpg 2036w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-478x425.jpg 478w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-768x683.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-related-to-financial-calculat-1536x1366.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2036px) 100vw, 2036px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"5. Fix technical issues that actually matter\" data-section=\"5-fix-technical-issues-that-actually-matter\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_2vdv7f4p86v7\"\/>5. Fix technical issues that actually matter<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Technical SEO might not be as complex or time-consuming for financial sites as it is for giant e-commerce platforms, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can afford to ignore it. These few foundational elements go a long\u00a0way:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure your site is fully responsive. A big chunk of your audience is browsing on mobile, and any friction there can cost you lost\u00a0leads.<\/li>\n<li>Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can hurt rankings.<\/li>\n<li>If your site isn\u2019t encrypted, you\u2019re not just risking SEO penalties \u2014 you\u2019re signaling to visitors that their data might not be\u00a0safe.<\/li>\n<li>Your navigation should make sense to both users and search engines. Clear page hierarchy, intuitive menus, and a solid internal linking strategy all\u00a0help.<\/li>\n<li>As mentioned earlier, structured data helps search engines understand your content, your authors, and your services, boosting visibility in search features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The simplest solution to keep your site in good shape is to use a tool like Ahrefs\u2019 Site Audit which monitors your site for over 170 issues, shows where they occur and how to fix\u00a0them.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1267\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit-.png\" alt=\"Automated technical SEO adit with Site Audit. \" class=\"wp-image-186695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--680x421.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--1536x950.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1267\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit-.png\" alt=\"Automated technical SEO adit with Site Audit. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--680x421.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/automated-technical-seo-adit-with-site-audit--1536x950.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"6. Earn backlinks through expert commentary, original research, and helpful resources\" data-section=\"6-earn-backlinks-through-expert-commentary-original-research-and-helpful-resources\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_529w94nhd1ky\"\/>6. Earn backlinks through expert commentary, original research, and helpful resources<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/what-are-backlinks\/\">Backlinks<\/a> are still one of the strongest signals in Google\u2019s ranking algorithm, but quality matters far more than volume. A handful of links from trusted, authoritative sources can carry more weight than dozens of low-quality ones.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how to earn backlinks that move the needle:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Publish original research:<\/strong> Use proprietary data like loan applications, investment trends, or customer insights to create reports that others will want to cite. When your content becomes a go-to reference, backlinks follow naturally.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Create comprehensive, expert-level guides:<\/strong> Cover complex financial topics in depth, offering clarity where others don\u2019t. These types of resources often become link magnets within the industry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Build link-worthy tools:<\/strong> Interactive calculators, comparison tools, or financial planning resources that solve real problems are more likely to get shared and linked to.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optimize your business profiles:<\/strong> Claim and enhance your listings on trusted platforms like G2, Crunchbase, Capterra, and LinkedIn. Not only do these send trust signals to users, but they also give you high-authority backlinks that help boost your domain strength.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A real-world example of this is from Bankly, a Danish fintech startup. As Victor Enselmann shared, Bankly was up against established competitors with stronger backlink profiles. Here\u2019s what his team did to close the\u00a0gap:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bankly conducted a unique \u201cdebt analysis,\u201d using nationwide data to identify Danish municipalities and regions with the highest and lowest debt per capita.<\/li>\n<li>To add credibility and depth, they secured quotes from well-known economists from high-level banks.<\/li>\n<li>The data story, enriched with expert commentary, was pitched to both local and national journalists.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1589\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study-.jpg\" alt=\"Bankly's case study. \" class=\"wp-image-186696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--548x425.jpg 548w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--1536x1192.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1589\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study-.jpg\" alt=\"Bankly's case study. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--548x425.jpg 548w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/banklys-case-study--1536x1192.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>This single <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/digital-pr\/\">Digital PR<\/a> campaign resulted in over 20 links from high-authority media outlets \u2014 not an easy number to get in the Danish market, as Victor later explained to me. The high-quality backlinks earned through this targeted Digital PR effort were a major factor in Bankly achieving #1 rankings for highly competitive personal loan keywords (like l\u00e5n penge, which translates to \u201cborrow money,\u201d or samlel\u00e5n, Danish for \u201cdebt consolidation loan\u201d) and driving significant visitor growth within roughly 1.5\u00a0years.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_70o2ac74pxf4\"\/><\/p>\n<figure><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"835\" class=\"wp-image-186697\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10-.png\" alt=\"Bankly ranking in top 10. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--680x277.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--1536x626.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"835\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186697\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10-.png\" alt=\"Bankly ranking in top 10. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--680x277.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bankly-ranking-in-top-10--1536x626.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"7. Aim for maximum search visibility beyond regular organic results\" data-section=\"7-aim-for-maximum-search-visibility-beyond-regular-organic-results\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_l0q0bm4977v2\"\/>7. Aim for maximum search visibility beyond regular organic results<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ranking well in organic search is the goal, but it shouldn\u2019t be your only visibility strategy. There are other smart ways to get in front of your audience and build trust towards your brand at the same\u00a0time.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_i5rvsn9n8xon\"\/>Optimize for featured snippets and AI Overviews<\/h3>\n<p>Optimizing for both <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/featured-snippets\/\">featured snippets<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/google-ai-overviews\/\">Google\u2019s AI Overviews<\/a> is actually pretty similar. They both reward clear, concise answers and well-structured content.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re aiming for featured snippets, you\u2019ll want to focus on directly answering common questions, using headings that match search queries, and formatting answers in lists, tables, or short paragraphs. In essence, you have to match what\u2019s already included in featured snippets but make it a bit better.<\/p>\n<p>But AI Overviews go a step further. What appears to be working is adding new, unique information to your articles, i.e. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalz.co\/blog\/information-gain\/\">information gain<\/a>. For example, Google cites our only blog posts for almost, and entire section on crafting compelling content because we provided the most detailed, actionable tips.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1262\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example-.jpg\" alt=\"AI overview example. \" class=\"wp-image-186698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--680x419.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--1536x947.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1262\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example-.jpg\" alt=\"AI overview example. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--680x419.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ai-overview-example--1536x947.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>You can track your presence in both featured snippets and overviews using <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/rank-tracker\">Ahrefs\u2019 Rank Tracker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1889\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker-.png\" alt=\"Tracking AI overviews in Rank Tracker. \" class=\"wp-image-186699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--461x425.png 461w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--768x708.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--1536x1417.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1889\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker-.png\" alt=\"Tracking AI overviews in Rank Tracker. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--461x425.png 461w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--768x708.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/tracking-ai-overviews-in-rank-tracker--1536x1417.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_swd2jq5kr8wh\"\/>Run Google Ads for competitive keywords<\/h3>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/buyer-intent-keywords\/\">high-intent keywords<\/a> that are tough to rank organically, paid search can give you immediate exposure while your SEO gains traction.<\/p>\n<p>You can identify these keywords with three clicks in Keywords Explorer: insert your keywords, set Keyword Difficulty (KD) to 50 to display the more difficult half of the keywords, and sort the results by descending CPC (Cost Per\u00a0Click).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1030\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc-.png\" alt=\"Looking for competitive keywords with low CPC. \" class=\"wp-image-186700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--680x342.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--768x386.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--1536x773.png 1536w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--400x200.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1030\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc-.png\" alt=\"Looking for competitive keywords with low CPC. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--680x342.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--768x386.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--1536x773.png 1536w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-competitive-keywords-with-low-cpc--400x200.png 400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_db6ptag42mdh\"\/>Claim your space on directories and review platforms<\/h3>\n<p>Start by claiming and optimizing your listings on platforms your audience actually uses and trusts. For local visibility means using Google Business Profile, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. For finance-specific trust, think bigger: Trustpilot, Bankrate, NerdWallet.<\/p>\n<p>A well-maintained profile on these sites does a few things:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Builds instant credibility<\/strong>: When potential clients see consistent information and positive reviews across multiple third-party sites, it reinforces that you\u2019re legit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improves local SEO<\/strong>: Verified listings with accurate <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/local-citations\/\">NAP (Name, Address, Phone)<\/a> info, business hours, and categories help you show up in map packs and local searches.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Generates backlinks<\/strong>: Many directories offer high-authority <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/nofollow-links\/\">dofollow or nofollow links <\/a>to your site, which still help with visibility and crawlability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Feeds Google trust signals<\/strong>: According to several SEO pros in our expert interview, Google gives more weight to third-party trust signals like reviews and brand mentions when ranking YMYL content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1678\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se.png\" alt=\"Example of directories suitable for the finance services. \" class=\"wp-image-186701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se.png 1678w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-495x425.png 495w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-768x659.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-1536x1318.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1678px) 100vw, 1678px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1678\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se.png\" alt=\"Example of directories suitable for the finance services. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se.png 1678w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-495x425.png 495w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-768x659.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-directories-suitable-for-the-finance-se-1536x1318.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1678px) 100vw, 1678px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Once your listings are live, don\u2019t stop there \u2014 get proactive. Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews, and make it easy for them by linking directly to your review pages in follow-up emails or thank-you messages.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_427z14uyhsao\"\/>Optimize Google Business Profile for each branch<\/h3>\n<p>Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most underrated power plays in local SEO. It\u2019s a free listing that shows up in both Google Search (in the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/glossary\/local-pack\">local pack or map pack<\/a>) and Maps, and most of the time it outranks even the biggest aggregators.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1996\" height=\"1530\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack-.jpg\" alt=\"Example of google map pack. \" class=\"wp-image-186702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack-.jpg 1996w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--554x425.jpg 554w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--1536x1177.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1996px) 100vw, 1996px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1996\" height=\"1530\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack-.jpg\" alt=\"Example of google map pack. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack-.jpg 1996w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--554x425.jpg 554w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-google-map-pack--1536x1177.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1996px) 100vw, 1996px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re a local financial advisor, credit union, or regional lender, this is one of your best opportunities to punch above your weight and outrank national competitors. A well-optimized GBP gives you front-and-center visibility, especially for high-intent searches like \u201cfinancial planner near me\u201d or \u201cbest mortgage rates in [city].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And if you list all your branches separately, you can even double dip on some search terms, like this tax advisory:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1037\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack-.jpg\" alt=\"GBPs double dipping in the map pack. \" class=\"wp-image-186703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--680x344.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--768x389.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--1536x778.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1037\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack-.jpg\" alt=\"GBPs double dipping in the map pack. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--680x344.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--768x389.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gbps-double-dipping-in-the-map-pack--1536x778.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Even if someone hears about your firm through a referral or paid ad, they\u2019re probably Googling you before reaching out. What they see in your GBP listing \u2014 reviews, photos, services, and how (or if) you respond to comments \u2014 can make or break the decision to contact you.<\/p>\n<p>Three fundamental tips to optimize your GBP listing(s):<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>List each of your branches separately.<\/li>\n<li>List all services you offer, amenities, and features that may be important to your customers.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage positive reviews.<\/li>\n<li>Use the photos feed to showcase who you are and how you\u00a0work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1036\" height=\"1136\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em.jpg\" alt=\"A photo with happy customers shows the power of emotional connection \u2014 proof that when people feel understood and supported, trust naturally follows. \" class=\"wp-image-186704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em.jpg 1036w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em-388x425.jpg 388w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em-768x842.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1036px) 100vw, 1036px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1036\" height=\"1136\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em.jpg\" alt=\"A photo with happy customers shows the power of emotional connection \u2014 proof that when people feel understood and supported, trust naturally follows. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em.jpg 1036w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em-388x425.jpg 388w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-photo-with-happy-customers-shows-the-power-of-em-768x842.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1036px) 100vw, 1036px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A photo with happy customers shows the power of emotional connection \u2014 proof that when people feel understood and supported, trust naturally follows.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1060\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa.jpg\" alt=\"A rare find: a tax advisory that actually understands crypto. \" class=\"wp-image-186705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa.jpg 1870w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-680x385.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-1536x871.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1060\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa.jpg\" alt=\"A rare find: a tax advisory that actually understands crypto. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa.jpg 1870w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-680x385.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a-rare-find-a-tax-advisory-that-actually-understa-1536x871.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rare find: a tax advisory that actually understands crypto.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_si0e3l8utwr7\"\/>Extend your reach through social<\/h3>\n<p>Social media might not directly boost your rankings, but it absolutely supports your content by amplifying, driving referral traffic, and building trust with users. It can also earn you more backlinks.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s something we do at Ahrefs all of the\u00a0time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content-.jpg\" alt=\"Example of repurposing content. \" class=\"wp-image-186706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--680x235.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--768x266.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--1536x531.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content-.jpg\" alt=\"Example of repurposing content. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--680x235.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--768x266.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/example-of-repurposing-content--1536x531.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Use social to:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promote new blog posts, guides, and\u00a0tools.<\/li>\n<li>Share commentary on news and trends (especially if you\u2019re in fintech or investments).<\/li>\n<li>Highlight client success stories (with their permission, of course).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/repurposing-content\/\">Repurpose high-performing content<\/a> into bite-sized tips or visuals.<\/li>\n<li>Build authority by featuring your team\u2019s expertise \u2014 video Q&amp;As, quotes, and thought leadership.<\/li>\n<li>Test messaging before scaling it to your site. If something resonates on social media, that\u2019s a strong signal that it could work as long-form content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>YouTube can also be a major SEO asset because Google often shows video results right on page one. Certain keywords trigger YouTube snippets in the SERPs, and this may be your opportunity to jump the\u00a0line:<\/p>\n<p>You can find these keywords using the SERP features filter in Keywords Explorer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets-.png\" alt=\"Looking for keywords with video snippets. \" class=\"wp-image-186707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--680x302.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--768x341.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--1536x683.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets-.png\" alt=\"Looking for keywords with video snippets. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--680x302.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--768x341.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/looking-for-keywords-with-video-snippets--1536x683.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 14 14\" style=\"\"><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\"\/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style=\"\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"8. Go beyond rankings: measure SEO by trust and user signals\" data-section=\"8-go-beyond-rankings-measure-seo-by-trust-and-user-signals\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_hd0aorwh688g\"\/>8. Go beyond rankings: measure SEO by trust and user signals<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rankings and traffic are the baseline metrics, but they\u2019re only part of the picture. SEO in this space isn\u2019t just about visibility; it\u2019s about credibility.<\/p>\n<p>As Rob May puts\u00a0it:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"small\">\n<div class=\"quote-content\">\n<p>Google relies more heavily on wider trust signals to determine the credibility of a brand in the financial services industry. Things such as reviews, brand mentions, and brand searches have more weight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote-info clearfix\">\n<div class=\"quote-photo\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rob May\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Rob-May-small.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img class=\"lazyload\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rob May\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Rob-May-small.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Elie Berreby makes it even clearer:\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"small\">\n<div class=\"quote-content\">\n<p>The strategy I\u2019ve consistently seen deliver exceptional results isn\u2019t an SEO strategy per se: it is building a trusted brand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"quote-info clearfix\">\n<div class=\"quote-photo\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Elie Berreby\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elie-Berreby.jpeg\"\/><\/noscript><img class=\"lazyload\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Elie Berreby\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elie-Berreby.jpeg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>So, if you want to gauge the real impact of your SEO, you need to go deeper than keyword positions. Are more people searching for your brand by name? Are trusted outlets linking to you or mentioning your content?<\/p>\n<p>These are the signals that show your strategy is working. They tell Google (and your audience) that you\u2019re not just another option \u2014 you\u2019re the authority. Just look at how thousands of people add \u201cnerdwallet\u201d before the actual thing that they are looking for.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1458\" height=\"1182\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search-.jpg\" alt=\"Signal of a strong brand - branded search. \" class=\"wp-image-186708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search-.jpg 1458w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search--524x425.jpg 524w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search--768x623.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1458px) 100vw, 1458px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1458\" height=\"1182\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search-.jpg\" alt=\"Signal of a strong brand - branded search. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search-.jpg 1458w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search--524x425.jpg 524w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/signal-of-a-strong-brand-branded-search--768x623.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1458px) 100vw, 1458px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Brand monitoring is a whole topic on its own. We\u2019re breaking down exactly what you need to monitor and how to act on those insights in <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/brand-monitoring\/\">this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommendation\">\n<p>Tip<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommendation-content\">\n<p><strong>Check out our new Brand Radar tool.<\/strong> It can look through all keywords and Google AI overviews for mentions of your brand products and also competitors and give you a picture of your market share. Free on all plans while in\u00a0Beta.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2026\" height=\"1394\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar-.jpg\" alt=\"Ahrefs' new Brand Radar. \" class=\"wp-image-186709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar-.jpg 2026w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--618x425.jpg 618w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--1536x1057.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2026px) 100vw, 2026px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2026\" height=\"1394\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar-.jpg\" alt=\"Ahrefs' new Brand Radar. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar-.jpg 2026w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--618x425.jpg 618w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/ahrefs-new-brand-radar--1536x1057.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2026px) 100vw, 2026px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>My sources also mention that it\u2019s a good idea to track user engagement signals. I have to admit I used to be skeptical about those metrics having a big stake in SEO, but I\u2019m seeing more and more evidence (like this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/FR5WGwK_yOk\">recent video from Google\u2019s Office Hours<\/a>) that this may be the\u00a0case.<\/p>\n<p>So, it might be a good idea to use metrics like visit duration, return visits, bounce rate, and scroll depth to gauge whether your content is actually resonating. If you\u2019re seeing unusually low engagement, this may be a sign your content doesn\u2019t match the search intent and could soon fall in rankings.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid.png\" alt=\"You can track basic engagement metrics right inside Ahrefs with the new Web Analytics tool. \" class=\"wp-image-186710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-680x285.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-1536x643.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid.png\" alt=\"You can track basic engagement metrics right inside Ahrefs with the new Web Analytics tool. \" class=\"lazyload wp-image-186710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-680x285.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/you-can-track-basic-engagement-metrics-right-insid-1536x643.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You can track basic engagement metrics right inside Ahrefs with the new Web Analytics tool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-186682-_emylrsvj5x0f\"\/>Final thoughts: how to prepare for future search changes<\/h2>\n<p>Even with all the tactics in place, I was curious: is it possible to futureproof your SEO strategy? To get consistent free traffic despite AI overviews and constant algorithm changes?<\/p>\n<p>According to the experts I interviewed, the answer is\u00a0yes:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Double down on helpful, high-quality content. <\/strong>This hasn\u2019t changed \u2014 and probably won\u2019t. The best way to win in search is to create genuinely useful content that answers your audience\u2019s questions better than anyone else. Be the source people trust so much they stop searching.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Build direct audience relationships. <\/strong>Don\u2019t put all your eggs in the search traffic basket. Case in point: our latest research by <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/google-looking-out-for-number-one\/\">Louise Linehan<\/a> \u2014 definitely worth a read. Grow your owned channels: email lists, social media, Slack groups, community forums, whatever fits your\u00a0brand.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay on top of compliance. <\/strong>Financial regulations change all the time. What\u2019s compliant today might be outdated tomorrow. Align your content with current rules in every market you serve, but build systems that make it easy to review and\u00a0adapt.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Got questions or comments? Find me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mateusz-makosiewicz\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\nif(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','1511271639109289');fbq('track','PageView');<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/seo-for-financial-services\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This guide is designed to help financial institutions of all sizes navigate the unique challenges of increasing visibility in Google Search \u2014 from local credit unions and solo advisors to national investment firms and fintech platforms. We\u2019ll walk through practical strategies to help you earn trust, demonstrate expertise, attract qualified leads, and stay compliant. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2881\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ewebtoolz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}