What is a reverse silo? [With Example]

Knowledge Base > SEO > What is a reverse silo? [With Example]

“Reverse silo” is a term used to describe a website structure that deviates from the traditional hierarchical silo structure. In a traditional silo structure, the homepage of a website is at the top of the hierarchy, followed by categories, subcategories, and individual pages. This structure is designed to help search engines understand the organization of the website and to facilitate the flow of link equity.

A reverse silo structure, on the other hand, starts with individual pages and works its way up to broader categories. This type of structure can be effective for websites that have a lot of content that doesn’t fit neatly into specific categories, as it allows individual pages to rank for specific keywords without being held back by their position in a hierarchy.

Here’s two examples of a reverse silo structure:

Example 1: Let’s say you have a eCommerce website that sells organic skincare products. Instead of having a traditional silo structure with a homepage, followed by categories like “Face,” “Body,” and “Hair,” you might organize your website like this:

-Individual product pages for specific skincare products (e.g. “Organic Lavender Face Cream”) -Broader category pages that group similar products together (e.g. “Organic Face Care Products” or “Organic Body Care Products”)

By using a reverse silo structure, each individual product page can rank for specific keywords related to that product, while the broader category pages can rank for more general keywords related to the type of product. This can help the website to rank well for a wider range of keywords, and can be a useful strategy for websites that have a lot of individual products or pages that don’t fit neatly into specific categories.

Example 2: Let’s say you have a travel website that offers a variety of travel-related services, including vacation packages, hotel bookings, and car rentals. Instead of having a traditional silo structure with a homepage, followed by categories like “Vacation Packages,” “Hotels,” and “Car Rentals,” you might organize your website like this:

-Individual pages for specific vacation packages, hotels, and car rental options (e.g. “7-Day Hawaiian Adventure Package,” “Luxury Hotel in Paris,” “SUV Rental in Los Angeles”) -Broader category pages that group similar options together (e.g. “Adventure Vacation Packages,” “Luxury Hotels,” “Car Rentals”)

Useful Links:

  1. Authority Hacker interview with Kyle Roof
  2. What is Silo Structure and Why It’s Crucial for SEO

Common Questions

  • How does a reverse silo differ from a traditional hierarchical silo structure in SEO?

    In a traditional hierarchical silo structure in SEO, the website’s homepage is at the top of the hierarchy, followed by categories, subcategories, and individual pages. This structure is designed to help search engines understand the organization of the website and to facilitate the flow of link equity. In contrast, a reverse silo structure starts with individual pages and works its way up to broader categories.

    This type of structure can be effective for websites that have a lot of content that doesn’t fit neatly into specific categories, as it allows individual pages to rank for specific keywords without being held back by their position in a hierarchy. Additionally, a reverse silo structure can be more flexible and adaptive to the website’s content and can be useful for websites that offer a variety of services or products that are difficult to categorize.

  • How does a reverse silo structure impact website navigation and user experience?

    A reverse silo structure can impact website navigation and user experience in a few ways. On the one hand, a reverse silo structure may make it more difficult for users to navigate the website, as it does not follow the traditional hierarchical structure that many users are accustomed to. However, on the other hand, a reverse silo structure can also provide more flexibility and allow users to discover content that they may not have found otherwise.

    Additionally, a reverse silo structure can make it easier for users to find specific content by allowing individual pages to rank for specific keywords, rather than being limited by their position in a hierarchy. Overall, the impact of a reverse silo structure on website navigation and user experience will depend on the specific implementation and the preferences of the website’s target audience.

  • How does keyword research impact the development of a reverse silo structure?

    Keyword research can play an important role in the development of a reverse silo structure, as it can help identify the specific topics and keywords that individual pages should target. By identifying the keywords that users are searching for, website owners can create individual pages that are optimized for those specific keywords and then group those pages together into broader categories.

    This can help individual pages to rank for specific keywords and can also help the website to rank well for broader topics or themes. Additionally, keyword research can help website owners to identify gaps in their content and opportunities to create new pages or categories to target specific keywords or themes. Overall, keyword research can be a valuable tool in developing a reverse silo structure that is optimized for search engines and user experience.

  • How can internal linking be used to support a reverse silo structure and improve SEO?

    Internal linking can be used to support a reverse silo structure and improve SEO by establishing connections between individual pages and broader categories. By including links between individual pages and relevant category pages, website owners can help search engines to understand the organization of the website and the relationships between different pieces of content.

    This can also help to distribute link equity throughout the website and can help individual pages to rank for specific keywords. Additionally, internal linking can help to guide users through the website and encourage them to explore related content, which can improve user experience and lead to increased engagement and conversions.

    Overall, effective internal linking is an important element of a successful reverse silo structure and can help to improve SEO and user experience.