This one-word A/B test increased Coderwall’s organic traffic by 59%

How Coderwall Boosted Organic Traffic by 59% With a Simple Content Optimization Strategy

With over 20,000 pages of developer advice, Coderwall’s challenge was clear: how to increase Google’s organic visits by making their content more visible and engaging. Through careful analysis and a simple yet effective tweak, they achieved a 59% increase in organic traffic within just 13 weeks.

Here’s how they did it:

Step 1: Identifying What Works

Coderwall analyzed their vast library of content to determine which pieces resonated most with their audience. The analysis revealed a key insight:

• The most popular content combined expert advice with relevant examples.
  This blend of actionable knowledge and practical application was what developers valued most.

Step 2: Refining the Content Strategy

Armed with this insight, they took a bold step:

1. Split the Content Into Two Categories:
   • Unique Expert Advice: High-value, original content that provided unique perspectives or solutions.
   • Content Tweaked for Visibility: The same advice, but optimized with a small but impactful change.
2. Adding “(Example)” to Titles:
   • For the second category, they appended the word “(Example)” to the end of each title.
   • This simple tweak emphasized that the content included actionable, real-world examples, making it more appealing to both users and Google’s algorithm.

Step 3: Measuring the Results

After implementing these changes, Coderwall tracked their traffic over 13 weeks. The results were remarkable:

• A 59% increase in organic traffic from Google.
• Improved engagement metrics, as users found the content more relevant and valuable.

Why This Strategy Worked

1. Enhanced Relevance for Search Engines:
   • Adding “(Example)” to titles made the content more keyword-rich and aligned with user intent. People searching for solutions often include terms like “example” or “how-to” in their queries.
2. Improved User Appeal:
   • Titles signaling practical examples are more likely to grab attention and encourage clicks.
3. Content That Delivers Value:
   • By focusing on expert advice paired with real-world examples, Coderwall ensured their content was not only optimized for search but also valuable to readers.

Lessons for Your Content Strategy

1. Analyze What Works:
   • Study your content’s performance to identify trends, such as which formats or topics resonate most with your audience.
2. Optimize for Search and Clicks:
   • Small tweaks, like adding keywords or actionable terms to titles, can significantly boost visibility and engagement.
3. Focus on Value:
   • Content that combines expert insights with practical examples is more likely to build trust and drive traffic.
4. Test and Iterate:
   • Experiment with small changes to your content and track the results over time. Even simple tweaks can lead to significant gains.

Conclusion

Coderwall’s success demonstrates the power of strategic content optimization. By understanding their audience and making small but meaningful adjustments, they transformed their massive library of content into a high-performing traffic generator.

This approach proves that with the right insights and execution, even minor changes can yield major results.

What simple tweak will you make to your content today to unlock its full potential?