iGaming Heroes. Alexander Strizh: Google doesn't give a f*ck about your fantasies”

Today’s guest on our interview series is Alexander StriJ – an SEO legend.

From a fan site about “Cossacks” to the top ranks of the gambling industry.

Where did it all begin, where is SEO heading, and how do you become a successful SEO expert?

Let’s find out in the interview.

Let’s go! 👇

🔵How did you start out and get into the SEO field?

I began my journey in 2003 by setting up a website on Narod.ru, using a dial-up modem. Initially, this was just a small experiment, but soon after, I created a site dedicated to the game Cossacks: Back to War, which I was deeply involved in at the time. It started as a clan page but eventually grew into a full-fledged gaming portal filled with useful content.

This attracted enough attention to generate the first advertising revenue, and the site gained popularity. Ultimately, I sold the project and shifted my focus to managing gaming traffic, redirecting it to various CPA networks.

By 2013, I expanded into the gambling industry, starting with a poker room ratings platform, and that's where things really took off.

🔵Best advice you've ever been given?

Trust no one.

🔵Who can become a successful SEO specialist nowadays? What influences? Personal qualities, age, language?

Someone who is obsessed with it, spending days and nights reading, analyzing, and pursuing it with relentless passion. Neither age nor language has any influence.

🔵The most useful tool for an SEO specialist today?

Negotiation skills )

It's difficult to overstate the importance of Ahrefs. However, the most crucial tools remain Google and Yandex analytics.

🔵The top 3 trends SEO is following today?

Behavioral factors, links, drops.

🔵What rake do all SEO specialists always step on?

Many newcomers mistakenly believe that simply creating and perfecting a website guarantees top rankings on Google or Yandex. Unfortunately, that's not the case. =)

Remember:

Google doesn't give a f*ck about your fantasies ;)

🔵If you had the chance, what would you change?

Thinking...
Yes, there have been personal moments, but I've moved on. I wouldn’t change anything—it’s tough dwelling on the past.

Better to keep moving forward without regrets. =)

#iGamingHeroes

ROIads 🤝 3SNET — more profit with smarter advertising! 📈

Looking for high-performing push and pop traffic?
Meet our top partner — ROIads

⚡️ With AI bidding, microbidding, 150+ GEOs (including the US and Germany), premium traffic, and ready-to-use creatives — you’ve got everything you need to launch and scale your campaigns with confidence.

🎁 Use promo code 3SROI and get +10% on your first deposit — no time limit!

🔍 Learn more about ROIads opportunities on 3SNET
👉 Activate the promo and start earning now

👑 3SNET Shortlisted for the Affpapa iGaming Awards 2025!

We’re thrilled to be in the running for not just one, but two prestigious categories:

🔹Affiliate Network of the Year
🔹Commission Offer of the Year

This nomination is a testament to our amazing team, partners, and everyone who’s growing and scaling with us!

And now — we really need your support!

Cast your vote for our CPA network on the award website — it takes less than a minute.

Your support is our superpower ⚡️

👉 VOTE NOW

📉 How Do CPA Networks Lose Budgets to Fraud — and How Can You Protect Your Traffic?

Ad fraud is getting more and more sophisticated: bots, AI algorithms, data spoofing — all of this leads to wasted budgets and declining conversions.

CPA networks and affiliates are losing up to 30% of their budgets to fraud, especially in gambling, crypto, and betting verticals.

⚡️ Together with Kaminari Click, we’ve prepared two powerful insights on the topic:

🔵The 3SNET team shares how to minimize ad losses in traffic arbitrage and what tools can help boost the performance of your campaigns.

🔗LINK ⚡️

🔵Laminar I Click breaks down how CPA networks fight fraud using anti-fraud tools and fingerprinting technology to protect their traffic.

🔗LINK ⚡️

🎁 Bonus from Kaminari Click:

Get

15% off

your first integration +

100k free checks

with the promo code:

3SKAMI

👉 CLAIM YOUR PROMO

🇧🇷 Still not over Brazil?

Let’s keep that Latin American vibe alive!

⚡️ We’ve got legal offers for this GEO and localized creatives tailored for the Brazilian audience. Everything you need to run smooth and scale hard!

📱 Hit up your manager for all the details.

And while you're at it — here’s a little throwback from SiGMA Americas in São Paulo 📹

It was hot — and it’s only getting better!