How WikiZilla.org achieved over 500k/mo traffic - Our expert analysis

Welcome to The Weekly Click by Adogy, where we explore expert tips and tricks by analyzing interesting websites. We set out to provide actionable takeaways that you can apply to your website to help you rank higher in search results.

WikiZilla.org was registered December 23rd, 2015, according to ICANN's Lookup tool. Over the next 8 years, the site would grow to host over 3,300 referring domains and 136,000 backlinks.

Wikizilla stands as the go-to source for everything Godzilla-related, from bloodlines to cultural translations to appearances in games and TV shows. They've built their reputation as the ultimate fan knowledge base for Godzilla enthusiasts.

The Godzilla market shows interesting patterns tied to movie releases. The recent Godzilla x Kong release in March 2024 sparked a surge in search interest. What's fascinating is how viewers often search for deeper information after watching these films, creating ongoing traffic opportunities.

In this week's analysis, I look at a MediaWiki-powered site that's become the authority in Godzilla knowledge. The site receives 220,000 monthly visitors according to Ahrefs estimates.

Here’s what I cover in this report:

• Website overview

• Major highlights

• Competitor overview

• Easy wins to increase revenue and/or traffic

• Actionable takeaways you can apply

Let’s get into it.

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Website Overview & First Thoughts

Traffic patterns tell an interesting story. In May, WikiZilla peaked at over 500,000 organic visitors. Currently, they're seeing around 220,000 monthly visitors according to Ahrefs data. This is likely due to the March 2024 core update. That is still massive traffic!

Their backlink profile shows impressive authority, with links from major platforms like Fandom, Wikipedia, ArsTechnica, and Slashdot. This mix of entertainment and tech-focused backlinks strengthens their position as a trusted source.

The site runs on a MediaWiki template that might remind you of internet circa 2009. But don't let that fool you - it's actually perfect for their SEO strategy. The sidebar navigation breaks down topics by eras and categories, making it easy for both users and search engines to understand their content structure.

Highlights

• Laser-focus on Godzilla content

• 2008-circa template built for Google scrapers and wiki-like support

• Specific keywords no one would think to write about like Shimo

• Strong traffic trends when new movies/trends release

• Global traffic potential

Why is this site winning?

Three things make this site stand out. First, their laser focus on Godzilla content makes Google see them as a true topic authority. Second, they've built a smart content structure that helps both users and search engines understand their information. Third, they're winning big with specific terms - like getting 34,000 visitors just from people searching about "Shimo" (a type of Godzilla).

Their MediaWiki platform might look outdated, but it's working perfectly for their SEO needs. By organizing information in a clear hierarchy and focusing solely on Godzilla-related content, they've positioned themselves as the definitive source in this niche.

Top 3 competitors

• godzilla.com

• godzilla-movies.com

• tohokingdom.com

🚀 4 Easy Wins to Grow This Site

1. Run a content gap analysis

2. Start a Godzilla fan newsletter

3. Repurpose content for Pinterest

4. Translate the site into other languages

Win 1: Run a content gap analysis

A thorough analysis comparing Wikizilla.org's content against competitors would show opportunities they're missing. This data-driven approach would help them fill critical content gaps. For example, Godzilla versus Kong 2 is 26,000 search volume. Godzilla.com is ranking for this, but Wikizilla is not

Win 2: Start a Godzilla fan newsletter

Newsletters can build owned audience that can consistently bring visitors back to your site. Instead of having to rank for stuff, your audience can visit your site to see fun facts that you deliver straight to their inbox.

Win 3: Repurpose image-related content for Pinterest

Use images, facts, and information that you already have on the site. Repurpose this on Pinterest to gain another source of traffic. When people click on the image, they will redirect to your wikisite. If they use the image, they can provide image backlinks to your website.

Win 4: Translate the site into other languages

Automatic translation could help the website grow in other languages and countries. Since Godzilla has global appeal and recognition, this could be a huge traffic multiplier. I would recommend translating both the URLs and the pages. This will multiply your content accessibility with little additional effort.

However, be careful if part of your advertisers are exclusively US-only. They don’t want to pay for impressions outside the United States for the most part.

Takeaways for your website

• Understanding what successful competitors rank for helps identify valuable content opportunities.

• A newsletter can help retain your audience, so you can rely less on other traffic sources.

• Image-based platforms offer untapped growth opportunities for wiki-style sites.

• International markets present huge growth opportunities when handled correctly.

What do you think about these strategies? Have you seen other wiki-style sites successfully expand into new markets? Share your thoughts in the comments below - I'd love to hear about your experiences with similar sites.

The information and views expressed in this newsletter are based on independent research conducted by the Adogy team. To ask how you can have your website featured on the weekly click, email [email protected].