How We Achieved a 1,250% Increase in Keyword Rankings: An SEO Case Study
From Branded Searches to Category Dominance: How Strategic SEO Transformed Acenar’s Digital Presence in 6 Months
How We Achieved a 1,250% Increase in Keyword Rankings: An SEO Case Study
From Branded Searches to Category Dominance: How Strategic SEO Transformed Acenar’s Digital Presence in 6 Months
When the Embark Marketing team began working with Acenar Mexican Restaurant, we identified a critical opportunity: their existing website, while functional, wasn’t delivering the SEO performance needed to compete in San Antonio’s competitive restaurant market, especiapply within the popular River Walk tourisist district. The site lacked the usability features and search optimization necessary to capture customers actively looking for their next dining experience on the River Walk.
We recommended a complete website redesign focused on improved usability and, above all, enhanced SEO ranking potential. Acenar embraced the vision, and in May 2025, we launched their fully redesigned website. Six months later, the results speak for themselves.
The Challenge:
Invisible to the Customers Who Need You Most
Like many established local restaurants, Acenar was well-known by name but struggled to appear in searches from potential customers who didn’t already know about them. While they ranked well for “Acenar restaurant” and similar branded terms, they were missing out on the much larger audience searching for “mexican restaurant san antonio” or “best restaurants on the riverwalk.”
The challenge was clear: expand from branded visibility to category dominance while maintaining their existing search presence through a complete website transformation that prioritized both user experience and search engine performance.
The Strategy:
Building a Foundation for Organic Growth
In mid-May 2025, we launched a comprehensive SEO-optimized website redesign focused on:
- Content expansion with keyword-rich, valuable information for users
- Technical SEO optimization including proper header tag structure and meta data
- Local SEO enhancements with schema markup and complete business information
- Mobile-first responsive design for optimal user experience across all devices
- Strategic keyword targeting for high-value commercial search terms
The Challenge:
Invisible to the Customers Who Need You Most
Like many established local restaurants, Acenar was well-known by name but struggled to appear in searches from potential customers who didn’t already know about them. While they ranked well for “Acenar restaurant” and similar branded terms, they were missing out on the much larger audience searching for “mexican restaurant san antonio” or “best restaurants on the riverwalk.”
The challenge was clear: expand from branded visibility to category dominance while maintaining their existing search presence through a complete website transformation that prioritized both user experience and search engine performance.
The Strategy:
Building a Foundation for Organic Growth
In mid-May 2025, we launched a comprehensive SEO-optimized website redesign focused on:
- Content expansion with keyword-rich, valuable information for users
- Technical SEO optimization including proper header tag structure and meta data
- Local SEO enhancements with schema markup and complete business information
- Mobile-first responsive design for optimal user experience across all devices
- Strategic keyword targeting for high-value commercial search terms
The Results:
Beyond Expectations in Every Metric
After Google fully indexed the new site in September, the organic performance improvements exceeded expectations.
Dramatic Growth in High-Value Keyword Positions
The most impressive result? A 1,250% increase in position 2-3 keyword rankings — from just 2 keywords to 27 keywords in these critical “striking distance” positions.
Why does this matter? Keywords ranking in positions 2-3 are on the verge of capturing top-ranking traffic. They represent terms where the site has established strong relevance and authority, ready to move into position 1 with focused optimization.
Expansion Into Competitive Category Keywords
From “Who We Are” to “What You’re Looking For”: The Keyword Transformation
Perhaps even more significant than the ranking increases was the strategic shift in which keywords were driving traffic.
Before (February 2025) – Branded Focus:
- “acenar mexican restaurant” – Position 1
- “acenar” – Position 1
- “acenar restaurant san antonio” – Position 1
After (November 2025) – Market Expansion:
- “mexican restaurant san antonio” – Position 4 (40,500 monthly searches)
- “mexican food restaurants on the riverwalk” – Position 2 (5,400 searches)
- “best mexican restaurant san antonio” – Position 3 (6,600 searches)
This transformation means Acenar is now competing for… and winning, customers who are actively searching for Mexican restaurants but don’t yet know the Acenar brand.
SEO Results By The Numbers
- +1,250% increase in position 2-3 keyword rankings (2 → 27 keywords)
- +68% increase in page-one rankings (152 → 255 keywords)
- +14% increase in #1 position rankings (14 → 16 keywords)
- 484% increase in page content volume (106 → 619 words)
- 40,500 monthly searches for top competitive keyword now ranking position 4
The Results:
Beyond Expectations in Every Metric
After Google fully indexed the new site in September, the organic performance improvements exceeded expectations.
Dramatic Growth in High-Value Keyword Positions
The most impressive result? A 1,250% increase in position 2-3 keyword rankings — from just 2 keywords to 27 keywords in these critical “striking distance” positions.
Why does this matter? Keywords ranking in positions 2-3 are on the verge of capturing top-ranking traffic. They represent terms where the site has established strong relevance and authority, ready to move into position 1 with focused optimization.
Expansion Into Competitive Category Keywords
From “Who We Are” to “What You’re Looking For”: The Keyword Transformation
Perhaps even more significant than the ranking increases was the strategic shift in which keywords were driving traffic.
Before (February 2025) – Branded Focus:
- “acenar mexican restaurant” – Position 1
- “acenar” – Position 1
- “acenar restaurant san antonio” – Position 1
After (November 2025) – Market Expansion:
- “mexican restaurant san antonio” – Position 4 (40,500 monthly searches)
- “mexican food restaurants on the riverwalk” – Position 2 (5,400 searches)
- “best mexican restaurant san antonio” – Position 3 (6,600 searches)
This transformation means Acenar is now competing for… and winning, customers who are actively searching for Mexican restaurants but don’t yet know the Acenar brand.
SEO Results By The Numbers
- +1,250% increase in position 2-3 keyword rankings (2 → 27 keywords)
- +68% increase in page-one rankings (152 → 255 keywords)
- +14% increase in #1 position rankings (14 → 16 keywords)
- 484% increase in page content volume (106 → 619 words)
- 40,500 monthly searches for top competitive keyword now ranking position 4
What Drove These Results?
1. Content That Actually Answers User Questions
We increased the homepage content from a sparse 106 words to a comprehensive 619 words. This wasn’t just adding text for the sake of it — every word was strategically crafted to answer the questions potential customers are asking and include relevant keywords naturally.
The content now clearly communicates:
- What type of cuisine Acenar serves (Contemporary Mexican, Tex-Mex)
- Why choose Acenar (River Walk location, craft cocktails, festive atmosphere)
- What dining options are available (lunch, brunch, dinner, private dining, happy hour)
- The restaurant’s unique positioning in the San Antonio dining scene
2. Technical SEO Foundation
Title Tag Optimization: We transformed the title from a basic listing into a keyword-rich, compelling headline:
Before: “Acenar | Hotmex & Coolbar Restaurant | San Antonio River Walk : Acenar” (74 characters)
After: “Ácenar: Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk | Modern Mexican Cuisine” (86 characters)
Meta Description Enhancement: Added compelling, descriptive copy that encourages clicks: “Discover the vibrant flavors of modern Tex-Mex cuisine at Ácenar, a top-rated San Antonio River Walk restaurant. Enjoy bold dishes, craft cocktails, and a festive atmosphere in the heart of downtown.”
Header Tag Structure: Implemented a comprehensive hierarchy from H1 through H3 tags, helping search engines understand the page structure and content priorities.
3. Local SEO Excellence
We implemented a comprehensive Local Business Schema (JSON-LD) that tells search engines exactly who Acenar is and what they offer:
- Complete business information (name, address, phone, hours)
- Cuisine types and price range
- Aggregate rating data (4.2 stars, 3,374 reviews)
- Social media profiles
- Geographic coordinates
- Menu and reservation links
This structured data helps Acenar appear in rich snippets, local pack results, and “near me” searches.
4. Image Optimization
Every image on the site now includes descriptive, keyword-optimized alt text. This not only improves accessibility but also helps the images rank in Google Image Search — an often-overlooked traffic source for restaurants where visual appeal drives decisions.
Emerging Opportunity: AI Overviews
An unexpected bonus: Acenar is now appearing as a cited source in Google’s AI Overviews for Tex-Mex related searches on the San Antonio Riverwalk. With 4 citations generating an estimated 165 monthly visitors, this positions the restaurant as an authoritative source in this emerging search format — something that will likely become more valuable as AI-generated search results expand.
What Drove These Results?
1. Content That Actually Answers User Questions
We increased the homepage content from a sparse 106 words to a comprehensive 619 words. This wasn’t just adding text for the sake of it — every word was strategically crafted to answer the questions potential customers are asking and include relevant keywords naturally.
The content now clearly communicates:
- What type of cuisine Acenar serves (Contemporary Mexican, Tex-Mex)
- Why choose Acenar (River Walk location, craft cocktails, festive atmosphere)
- What dining options are available (lunch, brunch, dinner, private dining, happy hour)
- The restaurant’s unique positioning in the San Antonio dining scene
2. Technical SEO Foundation
Title Tag Optimization: We transformed the title from a basic listing into a keyword-rich, compelling headline:
Before: “Acenar | Hotmex & Coolbar Restaurant | San Antonio River Walk : Acenar” (74 characters)
After: “Ácenar: Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk | Modern Mexican Cuisine” (86 characters)
Meta Description Enhancement: Added compelling, descriptive copy that encourages clicks: “Discover the vibrant flavors of modern Tex-Mex cuisine at Ácenar, a top-rated San Antonio River Walk restaurant. Enjoy bold dishes, craft cocktails, and a festive atmosphere in the heart of downtown.”
Header Tag Structure: Implemented a comprehensive hierarchy from H1 through H3 tags, helping search engines understand the page structure and content priorities.
3. Local SEO Excellence
We implemented comprehensive Local Business Schema (JSON-LD) that tells search engines exactly who Acenar is and what they offer:
- Complete business information (name, address, phone, hours)
- Cuisine types and price range
- Aggregate rating data (4.2 stars, 3,374 reviews)
- Social media profiles
- Geographic coordinates
- Menu and reservation links
This structured data helps Acenar appear in rich snippets, local pack results, and “near me” searches.
4. Image Optimization
Every image on the site now includes descriptive, keyword-optimized alt text. This not only improves accessibility but also helps the images rank in Google Image Search — an often-overlooked traffic source for restaurants where visual appeal drives decisions.
Emerging Opportunity: AI Overviews
An unexpected bonus: Acenar is now appearing as a cited source in Google’s AI Overviews for Tex-Mex related searches on the San Antonio Riverwalk. With 4 citations generating an estimated 165 monthly visitors, this positions the restaurant as an authoritative source in this emerging search format — something that will likely become more valuable as AI-generated search results expand.
Why This Matters for Restaurant Marketing
This case study demonstrates a critical insight for restaurant SEO: ranking for your restaurant name is just the beginning. The real growth opportunity lies in capturing the much larger audience searching for category terms such as “best Mexican restaurant” or location-specific queries.
Consider the math:
- “acenar mexican restaurant” gets 8,100 monthly searches
- “mexican restaurant san antonio” gets 40,500 monthly searches
That’s 5x more potential customers searching for the category than the specific brand. By ranking position 4 for this competitive term, Acenar is now visible to thousands of potential diners who would never have discovered them otherwise.
The Competitive Advantage
Ranking in positions 2-4 for highly competitive category keywords demonstrates that Acenar has built significant domain authority in just six months. This creates a compound effect:
- Higher rankings drive more traffic
- More traffic signals quality to Google
- Quality signals lead to even better rankings
- The site becomes harder for competitors to outrank
With 27 keywords sitting in positions 2-3, Acenar is positioned for continued growth. Small optimizations to these near-top-ranking terms could push them to position 1, dramatically increasing organic traffic.
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Owners
If you’re looking to improve your restaurant’s SEO performance, this case study offers several actionable insights:
- Content matters – Comprehensive, helpful content outperforms thin pages
- Think beyond your brand name – Target category and location keywords
- Technical SEO is foundational – Proper title tags, headers, and schema markup make a measurable difference
- Local SEO is non-negotiable – Complete business information and schema help you appear in local searches
- The future is now – AI is here to stay & the more info you can provide on your website, the more likely you are to rank
- Be patient but persistent – Meaningful SEO results take 3-6 months after launch
Why This Matters for Restaurant Marketing
This case study demonstrates a critical insight for restaurant SEO: ranking for your restaurant name is just the beginning. The real growth opportunity lies in capturing the much larger audience searching for category terms such as “best Mexican restaurant” or location-specific queries.
Consider the math:
- “acenar mexican restaurant” gets 8,100 monthly searches
- “mexican restaurant san antonio” gets 40,500 monthly searches
That’s 5x more potential customers searching for the category than the specific brand. By ranking position 4 for this competitive term, Acenar is now visible to thousands of potential diners who would never have discovered them otherwise.
The Competitive Advantage
Ranking in positions 2-4 for highly competitive category keywords demonstrates that Acenar has built significant domain authority in just six months. This creates a compound effect:
- Higher rankings drive more traffic
- More traffic signals quality to Google
- Quality signals lead to even better rankings
- The site becomes harder for competitors to outrank
With 27 keywords sitting in positions 2-3, Acenar is positioned for continued growth. Small optimizations to these near-top-ranking terms could push them to position 1, dramatically increasing organic traffic.
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Owners
If you’re looking to improve your restaurant’s SEO performance, this case study offers several actionable insights:
- Content matters – Comprehensive, helpful content outperforms thin pages
- Think beyond your brand name – Target category and location keywords
- Technical SEO is foundational – Proper title tags, headers, and schema markup make a measurable difference
- Local SEO is non-negotiable – Complete business information and schema help you appear in local searches
- The future is now – AI is here to stay & the more info you can provide on your website, the more likely you are to rank
- Be patient but persistent – Meaningful SEO results take 3-6 months after launch
The Bottom Line: Strategy, Execution, and Results That Last
Acenar’s 6-month SEO journey demonstrates what’s possible with a strategic, comprehensive approach to organic search optimization. By focusing on both technical excellence and valuable content, they’ve transformed their digital presence from brand-dependent to category-competitive.
The 1,250% increase in high-value keyword rankings and strategic expansion into competitive category terms has positioned Acenar to capture significantly more organic traffic from customers actively searching for their next great meal on the San Antonio River Walk.
Most importantly, these results create a foundation for continued growth. As these position 2-4 keywords climb toward #1 rankings, the traffic and visibility gains will compound, all without ongoing advertising spend.
Ready to achieve similar results for your restaurant? Strategic SEO isn’t just about rankings, it’s about connecting with customers at the exact moment they’re searching for what you offer. Contact us to learn how we can develop a customized SEO strategy for your business.
