Rafael Gállego, BetBrothers: “SEO Is Still One of the Most Powerful and Scalable Channels”

Few industries evolve as rapidly as iGaming. Navigating its landscape requires more than just technical know-how, as it demands adaptability, local insight, and a user-first mindset.

We sat down with Rafael Gállego, SEO Manager at BetBrothers, to explore what makes organic traffic a lasting growth engine in such a competitive space. Rafael’s journey began in 2017 at Game Lounge, where he started as a content writer before transitioning into SEO. In early 2025, he joined BetBrothers, where he now plays a key role in shaping organic growth strategies for Spanish-speaking markets.

BetBrothers has a notable presence with its Spanish websites. From an SEO perspective, what are the differences when optimizing for the Spanish market compared to other regions?

When optimizing for Spanish-speaking markets, one of the first things we consider is that Spanish is not the same language everywhere. There are major differences between Spain, Mexico, Peru, and the rest of LATAM. Not just in vocabulary, but in search behavior and user expectations too.

From an SEO point of view, this means our approach has to go beyond simple translation. We work with localized keyword research for each country, because the same query can have different volumes, intent, or competition depending on the region. For example, users in Spain might search for “apuestas online”, while in Mexico they’re more likely to use “apuestas en línea”.

Another key factor is building trust. In LATAM, elements like local payment options, bonuses in local currency, or even having a .mx or .pe extension can strongly influence user behavior. And indirectly, organic performance.

In short, SEO for Spanish markets requires a highly localized strategy that respects linguistic nuances, adapts to different user intents, and aligns with each market needs.

There’s some talk about SEO becoming less effective as a marketing channel. What are you actually seeing? Is it still a key growth tool for affiliates, or are things changing?

From our perspective at BetBrothers, SEO is still a core growth channel for affiliates. Especially in the betting and casino verticals. What’s changing is that it’s getting more competitive and more resource-demanding. It’s not that SEO is becoming less effective, but rather that the barrier to entry is higher than it used to be.

Google continues to evolve, and organic visibility is increasingly tied to E-E-A-T, technical health, UX, and content quality. That means affiliates can’t rely on quick wins or shortcuts anymore. You need a solid product, strong topical authority, and consistent effort to maintain and grow rankings.

That said, the intent behind SEO traffic remains unmatched. Users landing on affiliate pages through organic search are actively looking for information, comparisons, or to convert. That makes SEO one of the most valuable acquisition channels in terms of ROI.

So yes, things are changing, but SEO is far from dead. For affiliates who take it seriously, it’s still one of the most powerful and scalable channels.

With the rise of AI-generated content, and Google’s strong emphasis on E-E-A-T, how do you see its role? Do you think AI content can be effectively used by iGaming affiliates, or is a human touch indispensable for maintaining trust and rankings?

AI-generated content definitely has a role, especially when it comes to scaling certain types of content (like data-driven pages, FAQs, or supporting articles). At BetBrothers, AI helps us speed up processes and improve efficiency, but it’s not a substitute for human expertise.

In iGaming, trust and authority are key. And that’s where E-E-A-T comes in. Users (and Google) expect content to show experience, transparency, and relevance. That’s hard to fake. For example, when we write reviews, guides, or betting strategies, we make sure they’re backed by real insights, updated market knowledge, and a clear editorial voice. That requires a human touch.

We’ve experimented with AI to support content creation, but every piece still goes through human review and editing. In this industry, credibility matters. So while AI is useful, it needs to be part of a broader content strategy focused on quality, accuracy, and user value.

When a significant Google algorithm update rolls out – say, a core update that shakes up rankings – can you walk us through BetBrothers typical process for analyzing the impact, identifying necessary adjustments, and implementing changes for your affiliate sites?

When Google rolls out a major algorithm update, we follow a clear, structured process to assess and respond.

First, we monitor key metrics across our portfolio (traffic, rankings, user engagement, etc) to quickly spot any significant changes. We rely on tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and Ahrefs to identify which sites and pages are most impacted.

Then, we analyze the winners and losers within our niche to understand what Google is prioritizing. We look closely at factors like content quality, user experience, and technical SEO to identify patterns.

For action, we focus on high-impact pages based on their traffic and revenue potential. Our main efforts target improving content depth, enhancing user experience, and strengthening E-E-A-T signals. Instead of broad, sweeping changes, we implement precise, data-driven adjustments and closely monitor their impact.

Throughout, we stay grounded in our core philosophy: delivering genuine value to users.

What technological or market shifts do you think could radically impact SEO in iGaming in the next five years?

We’re already seeing major shifts that are transforming SEO in iGaming, and that pace is only accelerating. One of the biggest changes is Google’s integration of AI into search through SGE (Search Generative Experience). As Google answers more queries directly — especially informational ones — traditional results are seeing lower visibility and CTR. For affiliates, this makes it even more important to focus on transactional keywords and build strong, recognizable brands that users trust.

Another ongoing shift is regulation. Markets like Spain, Mexico, and Colombia are constantly evolving. Changes — like a rumoured potential ban on welcome bonuses in Spain — can happen fast. When they do, SEO strategies need to adapt quickly.

And looking a bit into the crystal ball, we also notice the possibility of search engines applying stricter filters to gambling content based on compliance trends. That could radically change how we approach SEO.

Lastly, the growing role of first-party data and UX signals is changing how we measure and optimize performance. At BetBrothers, we’re investing in collecting direct user feedback to better tailor our content. As Google rewards trust, engagement, and relevance, SEO in iGaming is becoming less about technical tweaks and more about product quality, user insight, and long-term credibility.