HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Run an 'I Tested 10 X' Investigative Listicle

Run an 'I Tested 10 X' Investigative Listicle is a seo & organic tactic for getting your first users: Publish a long, brutally honest 'I hired/tested 10 agencies (or tools) and here's what happened' comparison that ranks options and funnels readers to your recommended pick.

It's a strong fit for Agencies / services teams, and works especially well for affiliate, agency, and tool-comparison niches. As a seo & organic play, plan for high effort and expect results to build gradually over time, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

SEO & organicHigh effortSlow

Why does seo & organic work for this?

A data-rich, contrarian comparison ranks for commercial-intent keywords, and the honesty framing disarms skepticism while steering the click.

The exact steps (6)

The full step-by-step this founder ran, what they posted, where, and in what order, plus the watch-outs, is part of the library.

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Sources

Works for
Agencies / services

Frequently asked

What kind of products does the "Run an 'I Tested 10 X' Investigative Listicle" tactic work for?
It is a good fit for Agencies / services — pick it when your product looks like that, since the play is shaped around how those users find new tools.
How is the "Run an 'I Tested 10 X' Investigative Listicle" tactic verified?
It is drawn from 1 primary source — a real founder write-up or interview, not generic advice. It is linked in the Sources section above so you can read the original account yourself.
How much effort is it and how fast are results?
It is high effort, and results tend to be slow.
Where can I see the exact step-by-step?
The full step-by-step a founder ran, documented via Source — IndieHackers, is in the paid library.

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