6 free ways to get on the first page of Google 

Getting on the first page of Google can feel like trying to crash an exclusive party without an invite. The competition is fierce, the rules are always changing, and you’re up against companies with bottomless marketing budgets. 

But the good news is that you can still get there without spending a dime. All it takes is some strategy, patience, and clever use of the resources already around you.

1. Leverage promo offers from popular platforms 

There’s a little known but powerful trick: tapping into special offers from platforms that already have SEO juice. 

For example, let’s take Malaysia’s online casinos into consideration. Bonus offers and promotions are one of the main attraction points of these sites. You can get ringgit deposits accepted in no time, free spins, or other types of bonuses and promotions like welcome and no-deposit. Where’s the catch when it comes to Google search? They also lead to a ton of user searches, affiliate coverage, and backlinks from high-traffic comparison sites. 

If you’re running a business, getting featured on platforms offering these deals (or running your own promotions in a similar model) can lead to visibility beyond your own site. For non-casino brands, think along the same lines. Can you partner with a popular marketplace or offer a timed discount that earns you backlinks or mentions from reputable blogs?

It’s free marketing fueled by incentives, and yes, it can help you ride that wave straight to Google’s front page.

2. Get on Google My Business 

If you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile yet, do it now. It’s not just for cafes and hair salons. 

Here are some ideas about what you can do:

• Fill out every field, especially your business hours, phone number, and description
• Add recent photos (even if you’re remote, use graphics or product mockups)
• Encourage happy customers to leave reviews

When people Google something like “online tutoring near me” or “online bookstore,” optimized local profiles dominate the top of the page.

3. Start blogging with intention 

If you think blogging is dead, think again. It’s never gone, just more strategic nowadays. 

Don’t just write about your product. Write about the problems your customers are Googling. For example, if you run a travel blog, a guide on “How to Travel in China with a Tight Budget” could drive more traffic than a generic listicle.

The trick is to use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find terms that people are already searching. Then, write high-value content around those topics, using the keyword in the title, URL, and subheadings.

4. Appear on niche forums and communities 

Reddit, Quora, and even Facebook Groups still have sway, especially when your niche audience hangs out there.

Let’s say you’re promoting an online language app. Pop into language-learning communities and answer real questions, linking back to your site only when it’s genuinely helpful. Over time, those links get picked up by Google, and you’ll start building a profile of authority.

Oh, and the same goes for forums that review services like online casinos or tech apps. So, if your brand gets mentioned there, it might just land a spot on the first page.

5. Collaborate with others in your space 

Cross-promotion is a free and underrated move. If you’re an fashion blogger, team up with a local photographer. If you’re building a new fintech app, talk to digital security bloggers who might write a feature in exchange for a quote or interview.

The goal is to appear on sites outside your own, ideally with dofollow backlinks, which pass SEO value to your domain. When enough trusted sources link to your site, Google starts thinking you must be important.

6. Repurpose and reshare old content 

If you have a blog post that didn’t get much traction, you can always revive it. 

For instance, you can update it with new stats or trends. Turn it into an infographic using a free tool like Canva. Or read it out loud and post it as a YouTube video or Instagram Reel. Every time you put content in front of a new audience, you create another chance to be found and linked.

Have in mind that Google also favors fresh content, so even a small update can improve your ranking.