The Hack That Landed Me on Google’s First Page in 24 Hours

👨🏽‍💻 Story by Austin Dowel - Marketing & SEO Expert at Simple Traffic.

Let’s be honest—getting on the first page of Google feels like striking gold. Most people think it takes months of hard work and maybe a bit of good luck. But what if I told you that I managed to pull it off in just a few days? No gimmicks, just a straightforward approach that actually worked.

For high to medium competition keywords it usually takes 244-365 days of creating content and building backlinks to get on the first page of Google.

But what if I told you that I managed to pull it off in just a few days? No gimmicks, just a straightforward approach that actually worked.

I’m going to share exactly how I made it happen, walking you through the steps I took and the strategy that got me there.

And guess what? It was surprisingly easy, read on to learn how.

Why is the First Page of Google So Important?

Landing on the first page of Google isn’t just a digital milestone—it’s a game changer for your business. Here’s a few reasons why getting on Google’s first page is absolutely essential for making your business discoverable and driving sales:

1. More Clicks: The first page of Google captures 86.6% of all clicks, translating to more traffic, customers, and sales.
2. Boosted Credibility: Ranking high on Google makes your business look more trustworthy and authoritative.
3. Targeted Leads: First-page rankings attract users actively searching for what you offer, increasing the chances of conversions.
4. Edge Over Competitors: Outranking competitors gives you a bigger market share and positions you as an industry leader.
5. Long-Term Value: Unlike paid ads, organic rankings continue to drive traffic without ongoing costs.

Being on the first page of Google is not just about visibility; it’s about ensuring that when people search for solutions, they find you first. It’s the difference between being a hidden gem and a go-to choice in your industry.

My First Page Results in Just 24 Hours

So, lets see the results first hand. Here is a news story I wrote about Simple Traffic ranking on the first page of Google:

As you can see in the screenshot above, I got a news story ranked at the very top of google for the term "Unlock the Power of Targeted Traffic", and I don't pay thousands a month to have this article about my business there.

And how about this:

Thats the 2nd spot for "Visitor Forwarding Platform" a short, but high intent keyword"

Infact, I ranked for not just one keyword on the first page of Google, but many long tail keywords and branded keywords:

What may impress you even more, is how quickly I was able to do this, just 24 hours!

How I Ranked on Google's First Page

Now that you’ve seen the results, let’s dive into how it all came together. Ranking on the first page of Google isn’t just about having the right keywords or lucking out with an algorithm change. It’s about leveraging a combination of smart strategy and the right tool.

Step 1: Understanding the Power of PR

The first thing you need to know is that traditional SEO isn’t the only game in town. While optimizing your website and creating great content are crucial, they can take months to bear fruit. That’s where PR comes in. By getting featured in reputable news outlets, you’re not just building backlinks—you’re showing authority. Google loves authority.

Getting your website on the first page of Google can take a very long time, but what about getting a news story or advertorial on the first page? You would essentially be getting a landing page right at the top of Google without all the struggle you have with your main website.

Step 2: Crafting a Newsworthy Story

To get the kind of PR that actually moves the needle, you need a story that’s worth telling. I didn’t just write any article; I crafted a piece that was timely, relevant, and valuable to the audience. The goal was to create content that news outlets would want to publish and that readers would find genuinely helpful.

Here is the exact article I used, feel free to use it as a template:
Download the Simple Traffic News Story

Now a days you could use ChatGPT to write the news story for you, but if you're not a writer yourself, I would highly recommend hiring a professional.

Step 3: Targeting the Right Outlets

Once the story was ready, the next step was getting it in front of the right eyes. This is where knowing which news outlets to target is crucial. I focused on outlets that had a strong reputation and a history of ranking well on Google such as Yahoo Finance.

But that would cost thousands right? Wrong! This is where PR agencies come in, they can help get you published on premium news outlets like Yahoo Finance and more for just a fraction of the price you would normally pay. This is because PR agencies usually have access to far better rates than you would as an individual trying to sponsor a news story on a premium oulet.

There are many PR agencies trying to offer similar services, but below is the one I picked:

The Tool That Got Me on Google’s First Page

The key to my success wasn’t just in the strategy—it was in the tool I used to execute it. After researching various PR agencies and services, I decided to go with Brand Push. Here’s why:

Why I Chose Brand Push

I needed a PR partner that could not only get my story in front of the right audience but also ensure it was published on reputable platforms that Google values. Brand Push stood out because of their strong track record and their ability to secure placements on high-authority news sites. These are not just any sites—they’re platforms that Google frequently crawls and indexes quickly, giving your content the best chance of ranking high.

The reason this tool works so well is because of the high-authority publications it provides. Google sees publications on these premium outlets as expert opinions and ranks them high on Google.

While Yahoo Finance worked the best for me, I also ordered Brand Push's Ultimate Package to get my article published on over 500 news outlets, this was massive boost in online exposure and practically guaranteed something landed on Googles First Page.

👉 Check out BrandPush.co to get started.

The Packages & Options I Used

Now for the secret sauce—here’s exactly what I chose when working with BrandPush:

First, head over to their order form and select the following:

Publishing Package: Ultimate

Below the publishing packages click on the More News Outlets button to then add premium outlets.

Premium Outlet Addons: MSN & Yahoo Finance

In my experience, Yahoo Finance is a must-have—it’s the outlet that ranked for the most keywords. I also found MSN to be pretty effective, and Business Insider (which is included in the Ultimate Package) wasn’t too shabby either.

Writing Package: Upload your own

Since I’ve got a decent amount of experience writing news stories and press releases, I decided to upload my own. But if writing isn’t your thing, or you’re short on time, go ahead and choose one of their writing packages.

Just a heads up—avoid the Short News Story option since 350 words might not give you the ranking power you’re looking for.

And that’s it! Just follow the prompts to fill out your business details and upload your story.

Once I made the payment, I got a confirmation email with the payment details, followed by another one a few hours later letting me know they’d started working on my order. Three days later, I received the report you see below.

As you can see, they identified 25 keywords that the posts were ranking for. But when I took a closer look and searched for keywords directly from the article, I was actually able to find even more.

Cost Breakdown

The packages I went with cost me $2,085 in total, which is a pretty solid investment. But here’s the thing—if you check the publishing date, you’ll see the article went live in August 2023, and it’s still holding strong on the first page of Google for a bunch of keywords. Considering the long-term visibility and traffic it’s generating, I’d say that’s a bargain.

If you’re looking to save a bit, you might consider skipping MSN and opting for a smaller package, while still keeping Yahoo Finance in the mix. This way, you can reduce your costs to $990 without sacrificing the key benefits that come with being published on a high-authority site.

TIP: I used the coupon code AC1HB6YSVB to save $40. I’m not sure how long it’ll work, so I suggest trying it ASAP.

👉 Fill out the order form at Brand Push to get started

Key Considerations

Before you dive in, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, there are certain topics they can’t cover—things like cryptocurrency or supplements. They do have a Limited Package for these niches, but honestly, I’m not sure the smaller news outlets in that package will give you the same Google ranking power. Another thing to watch out for is their editorial guidelines—they’re pretty strict. To save you some headaches, here are a few tips to make sure your article gets approved without a hitch:

• Headline: Make sure it includes your company name and reads like a business announcement.
• Summary: Include a short, concise summary right below the headline.
• Tone: Keep the story neutral and avoid sounding too promotional.
• Language: Steer clear of direct language like “you,” “your,” “we,” or “us.”
• Offers: Skip any mention of discounts or coupon codes in the article.
• Formatting: For premium outlets like Yahoo Finance, avoid using subheadings.

And here are some tips to help you get the most out of your news story:

• Length: Aim for at least 500 words to give your article some substance.
• Links: Include a few links to your website and other relevant resources.
• Images: Add an image below the summary to grab the reader’s attention right off the bat.

Additional Perks

Getting published in the news isnt just about ranking on Google, there are a magnitude of added benefits.

Trust Badge:
One of the coolest extras is the trust badge you can display on your website. It’s like a seal of approval that shows visitors you’ve been featured in major news outlets. This not only boosts your credibility but also helps increase conversions. People are more likely to trust and buy from a brand that’s been recognized by the media.

Organic Traffic:
Another great benefit is the organic traffic that flows from people reading the news story. Make sure to include links to your site within the article so readers can easily click through to learn more or make a purchase. Even without a direct link, many readers will Google your brand or type your URL directly into their browser to find out more. It’s a fantastic way to attract interested visitors who are already primed to engage with your brand.

SEO Boost:
And of course, there’s the SEO boost. Having your story linked from high-authority news sites can work wonders for your own website’s ranking. Take Yahoo Finance, for example, which has a Moz.com Domain Authority of 93—a level that’s nearly impossible to achieve through traditional SEO efforts alone. Just one backlink from a site like that can give your SEO a serious lift, helping your site climb higher in Google’s search results.

Potential Discounts:
PR Agencies usually offer promotions during events like Christmas, Easter, and Black Friday, so those are prime times to order. If you can’t wait, try using the coupon code I used: AC1HB6YSVB. It knocked $40 off my total at BrandPush.co

About the Author

Hi, I’m Austin, and I’ve been in the digital marketing game for over 15 years. From the early days of basic keyword stuffing to today’s sophisticated, data-driven strategies, I’ve seen it all. As the Head of Marketing at Simple Traffic, I’ve worked with everyone from nimble startups to well-established brands, helping them navigate the ever-evolving world of online marketing. My focus is on practical, results-oriented techniques that actually drive traffic and conversions, rather than just chasing the latest trends.

Whether it’s getting content on the first page of Google or optimizing a site for maximum impact, I’m all about finding what works and delivering measurable results. When I’m not knee-deep in analytics or refining content strategies, I’m sharing insights on industry blogs, speaking at conferences, or experimenting with the latest SEO tools—all with the goal of helping businesses like yours thrive in the digital space.