By a Copywriter Who Actually Knows What SEO Looks Like in 2025
When people talk SEO, they jump straight to keyword research tools, backlink strategies, and maybe a sprinkle of AI if they’re feeling trendy. But here’s what most miss: Reddit and Medium are quietly dominating long-tail visibility.
Reddit, the dark, sticky corner of the internet. Yes, it has problems. But it’s one of the first places I look when I need real answers. Need to figure out what that weird car part is? Post a photo on Reddit. Need to identify a plant your kid or pet just ate so you know if the ER is next? Reddit again.
Because of this, Reddit threads regularly outrank official websites, especially for “real person” queries. People trust the hive mind, and Google knows it. Posting smart, non-spammy content in relevant subreddits can generate both organic traffic and backlinks, if you don’t sound like a marketer.
Then there’s Medium. For $5/month, it’s an SEO tool most people overlook. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it skews tech-heavy. But Medium posts rank fast, especially for niche and intent-driven searches. It also has built-in distribution (remember that?), giving your content a real chance to surface, unlike most business blogs.
That said, there’s a catch: you have to be approved by Medium.
Until then, your posts won’t show up in Medium’s internal search or on Google. You’ll need to post consistently, focus on quality (not AI filler), and share your work on your social channels to drive initial traffic. But once you’re approved, it’s smooth sailing.
Neither Reddit nor Medium replaces your own domain, but if you’re not syndicating, testing, or linking through these platforms, you’re missing out on traffic.
Sometimes SEO isn’t about tools. It’s about showing up where people are already looking.