For many, SEO is almost synonymous with ranking well on Google.
But in 2026, it’s not just about search engines anymore. AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, etc., are becoming traffic goldmines too.
The good news?
With the right SEO hacks, you can rank in both.
Think of it as a double win, you’re showing up when people Google your keywords and when AI tools recommend answers. With the right hacks, you’ll rank in search engines and get picked up by AI assistants, gaining visibility where competitors aren’t looking yet.
Let’s know about all the hacks that you might not know about.
1. Google Search Console Hack
Instead of cranking out new blog posts, check Google Search Console for keywords (I mean relevant keywords) you already rank in positions 8–20 with high impressions.
- Refresh those pages by adding a People Also Ask section
- Add 2–3 internal links from strong pages
- Adjust headers for search intent
This small update often bumps you into the top 3 results, where most clicks happen.
A real-life example:
2. Refresh Existing Content
The most underrated SEO strategy is existing content optimization.
Search engines and AI reward freshness, and users prefer up-to-date information, so revisiting older articles and updating them with new insights, stats, etc., can give them a ranking boost.
It’s often faster and more effective than starting from scratch.
A real-life example:
3. Positive Google Reviews
This SEO hack is for local business owners.
Always, try to collect Google reviews from happy customers.
Reviews act as fresh user-generated content that strengthens your business’s credibility and signals trustworthiness to both search engines and potential customers.
Positive reviews can directly boost your local search rankings, making it easier for people to find your business on search engines or AI. Beyond rankings, reviews improve CTR.
A real-life example:
4. Emoji Hack
An effective SEO tactic is adding emojis to titles and meta descriptions (note that Google may use a different meta description). This small change makes search results stand out visually.
Especially on mobile, where users are scrolling quickly. By catching attention in a fun and relatable way, emojis can encourage more clicks. The result is a boost in click-through rates (CTR).
A real-life example:
5. Stock Photos for Backlinks
An underrated SEO tip that drives real results is leveraging free photo platforms like Unsplash or Pexels. By uploading high-quality photos, you make it easy for other sites to use your images.
Instead of crediting the platform, you can ask them to link back to your site.
A real-life example:
Image backlinks are so powerful.
6. Exact Match Domain
The most controversial SEO hack is Exact Match Domain or EMD.
By choosing a domain name that matches your target root keyword, you can gain an immediate advantage in rankings. This tactic helps new sites start generating traffic within the 1st month.
Even a thin website with an exact match domain can sometimes outrank established competitors with stronger backlink profiles, but this is not a long-term thing.
But, EMDs are great for niche markets.
A real-life example:
7. Scandals Hack
This is the funniest one so far.
An unusual SEO strategy that brings massive results is to engage in scandals.
This means that when a CEO or business figure is involved in a controversy, it generates high engagement in news coverage, online conversations, and social media platforms.
And helps to get lots of backlinks.
A real-life example:
8. AI Featured Snippets
This hack is for local businesses.
A strong strategy means focusing on user intent and visibility, not just keywords. Build authority with third-party sites, and create content that answers the exact questions people are asking.
Action:
- Optimize profiles on Yelp, TripAdvisor, and similar sites.
- Write content that answers specific user questions, not just keywords.
- Share your answers on Reddit to boost visibility and backlinks.
- Add timestamps and regularly refresh even evergreen content.
- Answer complex, multi-part questions with structured content.
A real-life example:
It will help you drive traffic from both search engines and AI platforms.
9. Comparison Section
An effective SEO strategy is adding “vs [competitor]” sections directly to your existing product or service pages instead of creating separate comparison posts (but you can create if you want).
This type of small comparison block on the main page allows you to capture all those “[product] vs [competitor]” searches. And this approach prevents diluting link authority across multiple pages while still targeting valuable comparison queries.
You can call it a comparison keywords or vs keywords strategy.
This tactic works especially well in the SaaS space, where potential customers often search for product alternatives. In one case, a client saw a 60% increase in organic traffic simply by integrating competitor comparisons into their main feature pages.
A real-life example:
It is a highly impactful way to boost visibility and conversions.
10. Free Tools
A powerful and free growth hack for boosting SEO is to build free tools in your niche. Tools naturally attract links and shares, making them far more effective than regular content alone.
A real-life example:
So, build tools and keep them free.
11. Business Cards
By printing business cards with a QR code linking to your Google Business Profile and a special discount (for those who will receive the cards), you can drive local traffic easily.
Distributing these cards to homes within your target area helps attract highly relevant visitors or traffic and signals strong local engagement to Google.
It will easily improve your search engine rankings.
Once the campaign is complete, your business will rank higher on Google and generate consistent leads. You can then retarget those people with Google Ads for consistent leads.
A real-life example:
Short steps:
- Make business cards with a QR code with discounts linked to your Google Business Profile.
- Distribute cards to target homes in your service area.
It will drive local traffic and engagement, boosting rankings.
12. SEO Wins Database
If you are looking for more hacks like the above that will attract lots of visitors from search engines and AI in a very short time of use, then I would recommend using the SEO Wins database.
It contains over 150 SEO and AI SEO strategies.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, ranking higher online isn’t just about following the same old playbook, it’s about being smarter and faster than your current or future competitors.
The right SEO hacks can help you get noticed on Google and put your brand in front of the AI-powered platform that millions of people now rely on for answers.
Whether you’re chasing more traffic, leads, or authority, these hacks give you the edge to win in both search engines and AI. Start small, test what works, and keep stacking these hacks.
Because in SEO, wins often come from small changes.
More Strategies:
- 49,000+ Website Visitors By Using People Also Ask
- I Get 0 to 40 Visitors Per Day Using The HOOK Strategy
- 30,650 Monthly Visitors Using Ultimate Guides