How to beat Wikipedia article from the top spot on SERPS?

[myclicks-163603]

Hi Guys,

One of our clients has a good web site with lots of content that is ranked already on #2 for the top keyword (singular and plural) on Google UK. The keyword itself is a competitive one. The top spot is occupied by a wikipedia article that doesn't have much content in general.  Can anyone come up with an advice what strategy we have to apply to outplace that article? Thanks!

[SimonCullum]

Hi Ivaylo

I shall share a few pointers with you here for consideration;

1. Perform an on-page analysis of the website to identify and help resolve any issues that might come up, such as too many on-page links or too many no-followed links pointing in, any issues with titles or descriptions... (The SEOmoz toolset is great at helping with this).

2. Research what valuable links are pointing to the Wiki page and try and get some of the same links pointing to your clients' site (new followed links from different reputable websites will help a lot). Also, identify existing links where the anchor text could be improved.

3. Keep the content fresh, relevant and interesting.

4. Depending on what your clients' site offers, consider if there are any tools/widgets that could be developed to help make the site more useful.

5. Consider building upon the Social aspect, such as engaging with people on Twitter, Forums and Guest Blogging to attract more visitors and more sharing of your content.

Hope that helps,

Regards

Simon

[myclicks-163603]

Thanks Simon, will try those. Do you think that google applies different ranking factors when it comes to Wikipedia in general?

[SimonCullum]

I wouldn't suspect so. Wiki is seen as an incredibly Authoritive site and has many high quality links pointing to it, so it's high rankings are mainly down to the site being so authoritive and huge.

Wiki fulfills many of the factors within the periodic table of SEO ranking factors at http://searchengineland.com/seotable  It's a difficult site to beat, though can and is certainly achieved.

Glad you like the suggestions, they will help to get there.

Regards

Simon

[JamesNorquay]

I have seen some results for Wikipedia where you pull your hair out hehe, but the thing is the site is soo high authority and the internal link value it holds.

To be honest I have had experience taking down Wikipedia where you deal with big brand websites and you can highly target the site.

Really do some analysis on the links the wikipedia page has, see what you may be missing if content is not the problem.

Just keep pushing fresh content and social signals too if you can try and implement people to search for your website and drive higher CTR on the serp page.

[EGOL]

Wikipedia can be really really really hard to beat.... did I say really really really really hard to beat?

Just keep working on your site like wikipedia was any other competitor. Build great content that gets liked and tweeted.. .stuff that engages your visitors.

There is no special bullet for killing wikipedia.  You simply must overpower them by brute force of a great website.

Good luck.

[myclicks-163603]

Thank you guys!