I don’t claim to be a 100% SEO guy. But I do leverage it as much as possible when it comes to ranking my niche sites.
I have tried nearly every SEO trick in the book, but usually, the things that tend to work are just good ole’ fashion organization, intuition, and a systemized approach to producing great content.
With that in mind, introducing Topical Maps Unlocked (TMU) by Yoyao Hsueh.
In this Topical Maps Unlocked review, I will discuss whether the information in TMU is worth the price tag.
TLDR: Is Topical Maps Unlocked Worth it?
Topical Maps Unlocked is worth it. TMU simplifies an advanced SEO strategy with direct, step-by-step, and actionable advice. Once you have gone through the course, you will have the roadmap to a perfect site structure which will equal more money for your business.
This course is EPIC and worth every penny of the asking price. The reason for this is the knowledge you attain when putting together the strategy will undoubtedly grow your site in traffic and, of course, revenue.
I feel this is a no-brainer for bloggers and publishers already making money. But if you are just starting off, it may be a bit of a pill to swallow, but you won't have to worry about ambiguous site structure ever again.
What is Topical Authority?
The “new” SEO nowadays is nabbing true topical authority.
The reality is if you want to rank for “best protein shake,” you will not get away with simply writing one article about the subject and moving on. You need to cover the topic entirely so that google sees you as… you guessed it, an authority in the subject.
Topical Authority isn’t new, but it became popularized when Koray Tugberk began visually conceptualizing semantic content marketing.
That’s just a fancy way of saying that he made a “map” based solely on covering a topic from A to Z to clearly show Google you know what you are talking about.
And as great as Koray is, I find it hard to understand his accent at times which makes viewing his videos (on an already involved subject) difficult for me.
Then again, my wife says I don’t listen to her and she speaks very straightforward English, haha. So take that for what it is worth.
Do you need a topical map?
The quick answer to this is no.
But do you need a car? Do you need a laptop? Do you need a cell phone?
No. But it’s definitely nice to have.
I believe it is the same with a topical map. The problem with bloggers (especially new ones) is a lack of organization. The thinking is that you just need a few blog posts and you can make tons of money.
You need to attack your niche with your know-how to establish that authority. And if you have a hard time visualizing what your site needs to look like, mind-mapping it with a topical map will help you not duplicate content and have boxes to check as you continue to add content to your site.
Here are a few screenshots of websites that used topical maps and thrived (some on fresh domains, the growth is unreal)
What is Topical Maps Unlocked?
Topical Maps Unlocked will help you establish topical authority by creating and using a comprehensive topical map.
The course includes everything you will need from beginning to end, which involves tools, ideas, and direction.
Who is TMU For?
After going through TMU, I conclude it is for anyone needing a clearer idea of their site structure.
Setting up a niche site is more than just adding a few articles haphazardly, and TMU puts a stop to that so you can build with confidence and intentionality.
That said, it’s great for beginners and veteran SEOs alike. You do not even need to be a seasoned SEO as Yoyao does an excellent job at breaking down a rather mundane topic.
What’s Covered in TMU?
TMU contains 30+ lessons explaining everything you need to know to build a topical map for your business.
This includes:
- the tools needed
- the approach you will employ
- site structure
- Choosing a Niche
- Analyzing, Filtering, and Clustering Keywords
- Creating the actual map (with free tools)
- Proper internal link and anchor text structure
- Even avoiding keyword cannibalization
Phew…. that’s quite a bit, huh?
But it’s all necessary and succinct.
Topical Maps Review — Pros and Cons
Here are some pros and cons
- No Fluff, lessons are concise and to the point
- Yoyao is easy to listen to and organized
- Great course layout
- "Class Project" Over-the-shoulder video of Yoyao mapping out from A to Z
- Community
- Yoyao's availability for questions
- Spreadsheets
- Building out a Topical Map is, well... boring
- Course platform video player settings are not saved from video to video
What I LIKED about TMU?
Hands down, the organization of the information and the delivery by Yoyao.
To many people, topical authority is not a “cool” topic to discuss, but Yoyao’s delivery helps make the course feel informative and always moving. No stagnation, no umm’s or ahhhh’s… no time wasted.
Another thing I thoroughly appreciated was the spreadsheets that are included in the course. It’s the same ones that Yoyao uses in the lessons, making it easy to follow along and start filling out your map.
Another thing I liked was the emphasis on using affordable tools to build this map.
Most of what TMU uses are free tools or tools that are no more than a few bucks. The tool he uses to build the map is excellent, and the free version works just fine.
Finally, the “Class Project” within the course is a “chef’s kiss.”
Yoyao takes a few hours to break down a topical map from start to finish in one sitting. That is what is missing from a lot of courses. The step-by-step is nice, but the over-the-shoulder is essential to really understand this stuff.
What did I NOT like about TMU?
As mentioned in the cons above, this is not a fun topic.
I love all things blogging and SEO, so it was great and an easy listen. But even my excitement was flatlined when I tried to explain what I was learning to my wife.
The glazed look was all I needed to understand that you really need to see the value in learning this subject to really enjoy every minute of it.
But chances are, you wouldn’t purchase a course like Topical Maps Unlocked if you were not at least into the subject and understand the value of using a tried and true method to grow a website.
The teachings here can easily give you enough ammo to land a client gig to fix their SEO. So it’s THAT powerful.
What’s Included in the Purchase?
The course material includes 30+ videos, multiple spreadsheets, discount coupons with a couple of tools, a responsive community, and the Class Project.
Plus, the most invaluable thing is access to the creator, who is, thankfully, very attentive and answers questions readily.
Alternatives to Topical Maps Unlocked
As of right now, I have a hard time thinking of alternatives to TMU. Outside of a few YouTube videos discussing the topic, nothing comes close to how the information is presented within TMU.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are just a few questions I thought of…
Do you need an active website to use TMU?
No. It’s better if you did not so you can structure your site correctly from the beginning. With that said, if you have a site, he has training specific to you, so you know how to pick up where you are and get to mapping!
Is TMU for beginners or Advanced SEOs?
It’s for both.
Anyone that want’s to take site structure seriously will want and need this course. That said, TMU is very focused. If you need help configuring a niche site on WordPress, you will need to figure that out somewhere else.
The assumption is that you know how to build a site but need help with the proper structure.
Verdict… Should You Invest in Topical Maps Unlocked?
Yes. Blogger Evolution fully endorses Topical Maps Unlocked because it is a great course teaching a very crucial subject in our little blogging space.
In fact, you can pick it up right here.
If you want to see your site grow its traffic predictably, this is the course for you.
This course is EPIC and worth every penny of the asking price. The reason for this is the knowledge you attain when putting together the strategy will undoubtedly grow your site in traffic and, of course, revenue.
I feel this is a no-brainer for bloggers and publishers already making money. But if you are just starting off, it may be a bit of a pill to swallow, but you won't have to worry about ambiguous site structure ever again.