The Wealthy Affiliate "Rank Trap": What it Should be and What it Should not

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This post is VERY short, but I just wanted to chime in on a topic I see people writing about nearly every day. I call it the Wealthy Affiliate "rank trap".

It's nearly every day that I'll see a post where people are patting themselves on the back about rank. I understand it feels good to achieve something, but I think often times, they miss the genuine transformation because they're focused on a vanity metric.

Why Pay Attention to Vanity Metrics

In essence, rank is a vanity metric. I love that it's there because I think it causes people to put emphasis on underlying metrics that truly matter, but often times, I've noticed many people are focused on the superficial top-level metric.

What's bad about paying attention to rank and not the real metrics is it doesn't say (with 100% validity) how large your real circle of influence is, how many people you're really helping, or how your income is increasing.

I adamantly didn't want to rank without being able to do it naturally AND being able to see my income, circle of influence expand (inside and outside of WA), and legitimately help people to grow their businesses. What would be the benefit of ranking if I could stop paying my Wealthy Affiliate membership and walk away without any added benefit?

Not that I'll ever do that because I love this platform beyond words, but you get what I mean, right?

I Think WA Rank is Intended for More

I genuinely think Kyle and Carson put WA rank there for more than to have it "gamed" by people who are posting to post, commenting to comment, or trying to "spike their rank" without having results in other areas simultaneously.

How I Got to Rank #4

I've been asked this multiple times. "How did you get to rank #4?". Let me share my "secret" recipe...Hahahaha.

I was able to make it to rank #4 by being focused on the genuine transformation of myself, and it's reflecting inside and outside of this platform. By applying the principles of genuinely being helpful, you'll notice results that don't simply impact a vanity metric. Instead, you'll notice results that impact metrics that will live with you on and off of Wealthy Affiliate. Metrics like:

  • The size of your circle of influence
  • Your income
  • Your level of mastery
  • Your level of empathy
  • Your level of assertiveness
  • Your level of business savviness
  • Your knowledge of audience growth and ability to satisfy them
  • and, You'll also have a better understanding of the market dynamics which positions you better for successful product launches and sales

My Evolution

I've shared my income growth on my case studies. In my training, my blog, and my Youtube channel, you can observe my level of mastery growing. My referrals and followers is growing on every platform I'm on (except the ones where I'm not helpful-hahaha).

I don't back down when people challenge me (even when they accuse me or when there are naysayers). I try to be respectful but not a pushover, nice but not dishonest or flattering, and encouraging but not overtly optimistic. I started out not so good at many of the skills taught here and now, I'm getting better and better, and my rank has been a natural byproduct--not a focal point AT ALL.

I've gotten much better at targeting specific and relevant audiences, identifying what they would like to see, and creating content to satisfy their demands. As a result of my practice inside and outside of here, I know the skills I've been learning will transcend into every walk of my life: professional and personal life.

How I've Noticed People go Down the "Rabbit Hole"

From what I understand, most people come here to start or grow businesses, but along the way, some get more satisfaction from getting their ears tickled and from feeling a sense of belonging. I love how this platform can satisfy people who want to grow businesses and how it can be satisfying to give a sense of belonging, but I'd like to see people who come here with the goal of growing a business maintain the focus on growing a business. What can we do to avoid the trap of simply "ranking" and make sure we get all of the above?

My Challenge to You

I'd like to challenge everyone who reads this post to beat these metrics. Beat how much:

  • Beat (or try to catch up) how often an internet marketer whose achieved a metric you want have given free content
  • Beat (or try to catch up) with how many people those who are successful (full time incomes or beyond) have helped
  • Beat (or catch) with promoting the quality of products those who have been in the business for decades or more are promoting
  • Beat (or catch up) with growing your circle of influence where hundreds, thousands, or millions of people know, like, and trust YOU where they come to YOU to know what YOU would do about problems they're having, and trust YOU above others.

It's not about achieving the challenge, but it's about putting the habits in place and getting in the right race. If you even attempt to achieve what I'm challenging you to do, you likely won't be a commodity and you'll see your rank increase here, your influence go up, and your income will go up too. The good thing about this challenge is it will impact you inside and outside of WA.

Will you accept the challenge? Leave "Yes" in the comments and add any other tips and advice that can help each of us here to grow in the metrics that really matter.

At this point, this is the challenge I apply to myself.

My Takeaway for you: "Don't simply push for Wealthy Affiliate Rank. Push for the underlying metrics to grow and WA rank as a byproduct."

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Recent Comments

83

I found the knowledge part very true. In the beginning, I opted to touch base and follow the top 100 who would converse and allow me to follow them.

A few months later I noticed who was knowledgable and not.
This led me to make sure I cared more about learning and focus on achievements in my business, and the content I was giving to my websites.
There will always be those who want the status, and those who you can tell are genuine in their assistance and success. Good post Tiffany.

I think most people who are new expect the rank to mean something like income, knowledge, a servant attitude, and ability to help. I did the same thing by following people in the top 100, then I realized some people didn't want to help, some weren't knowledgeable, and some didn't make money. I'd like to see people who embrace all of the metrics in ranking positions even if that means I'll go down to someone more deserving.

I actually have met and keep up with some ranked in the thousands who are doing very well online incomewise. It became obvious this way that their focus was the income metric.
I like to give as well as get, so I am trying to work on the most important parts.
Take care, Tiffany. Have an awesome start of the week.

Giving and receiving is a good thing--that's signs of healthy boundaries. You also have a great week!

Yes - You make a great point, several. It is easy to get caught up in the rank trap, learning to control my habits to focus more on website development and training. Thanks so much for sharing these important truths.
Ray

It's very easy but it's important to balance it. Sounds like you're headed in the right direction.

You are so right. WA rank is not a measure of success, but a measure of activity here on WA. What we truly want is a financial success. To achieve a good blog site, to draw and increase traffic to our site and then to earn money from the site. Being helpful within WA is great but not a true measure of what we came here for and that is to succeed with our blogsites to earn money.

I think it can be a contributing measure in success, but it's definitely not a standalone metric. The primary focus should be on building genuine relationships and solve problems wherever you decide to plant yourself, and your website growth will be a byproduct of that.

I will admit that some of those challenges went over my head because I believe that I haven't been in the game long enough. I said yes and am trying to do a number of things that you suggest by making conversation in discussions. I have to be further along to provide substance to others.
Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Take the challenges one at a time. Nice meeting you here. Best wishes in your business.

I've been on the fence with the ranking system since it's been introduced. It works well to keep people active in the community, and that's the part I think is good.

However, I've seen some serious abuses with it too, where it creates a false sense of status and elevation. The ranking is mostly about people who are active and while that is a good thing, it doesn't automatically make them knowledgeable. It just makes them active.

To be honest, personally I don't pay much attention to rank and it has never been a motivation for me to help out. I have tried to help people as much as I can in my years here at WA. I do understand that rank is important to some people, however.

Good post. People should concentrate on the right metrics, I am with you on that completely, Tiffany. At the end of the day it should be attend to business first and help out here at WA second. The experience of working the business will help others out in the long run.

Best Regards,
Jim

I think you can have both, but I think when you look at helping people (inside and outside of the platform) in effort to grow genuine relationships, it will positively impact your circle of influence which proceeds income growth.

I think this platform is great for creating engagement and connecting with like-minded people, so being active here has been a wise decision for me.

I don't think it has to be a "one" or the other type of thing. Help people everywhere and you'll grow everywhere--that's my take.

I like this post and agree with what you wrote as I can relate to it

To me rank really isn't important, not as much as contributing good content to help others though answers to questions or posting blogs that are designed to be helpful

When I first started it was rank or nothing but that changed when my business got neglected

Since reversing that choice my rank plummeted, my business grew and now my rank fluctuates but as long as its between 100 and 200 with Solid beneficial contributions I'm happy and agree in the main with your post

I agree. Contributing great and helpful content is key. Rank should be a byproduct of that. If it's not, I'd leave it alone. I think you can have both though.

You can if you get the balance right I agree

This is unfortunately happening over and over again -- and one of the first things I wrote about people wasting their time on -- unless -- they are trying to position themselves to sell WA. Otherwise, there really is no reason to grow WA rank, if one's chosen niche is not selling WA. It does make someone look and feel good, though.

I think if you're in a niche that isn't so relevant, then it would be harder to grow a relevant network here. I think it can still be done, but it would be more of a challenge. I don't think WA rank should ever be a standalone "focal point" without the others. Great points!

Now if this were the only thing we needed to figure out about being successful in internet marketing ;);) :)

Yes..that is an easy one as i already do it ☺☺

Sounds like you're on the right track.

Yep i figure rank comes with helping but not a priority my business is and as such my rank flutuates and i am ok with that ☺

Great post Tiffany.

Thanks Horace!

Love this post and I agree with you completely. It can be so easy to worry about rank and to do so at the detriment of the growth of your business and knowledge. Thanks for posting.

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