Candice LandauLast Updated on October 27, 2024 by Candice Landau
In the vast and mysterious ocean, where creatures of all shapes and sizes dwell, one tiny sea slug has surfaced to claim the spotlight. Meet the sea bunny (Jorunna parva), the internet’s darling and the unexpected star of countless blog posts vying for your clicks. But why is everyone and their grandmother writing about this fingernail-sized nudibranch?
I’m going to give you a wee bit of background on the sea bunny as well as explore how and why it made (and is still making) waves in both marine and SEO circles. At the end of it all, I hope you’ll have learned something about SEO, trending topics and content creation, as well as nudibranchs in general.
And, if this little fellow throbs at your heart strings I have good news—there’s a whole world of nudibranchs out there for you, many of whom are just as cute, if not cuter (IMO)! All you have to do is learn to scuba dive.
>> Related Reading: Red Flabellina: The Nudibranch Diver’s Love
Meet the sea bunny
At first glance, the sea bunny looks like a tiny, aquatic rabbit. Sporting what appear to be perky ears and a fluffy tail, this nudibranch has captivated the imaginations of people worldwide. Those “ears” are actually rhinophores—sensory organs that help detect chemicals in the water—and the “tail” is a cluster of gill structures.
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, this adorable creature measures less than an inch long but has made a giant splash online. Okay, they do look a lot bigger when you’re under the water but really, they are wee tiny.
Despite its cuddly appearance, the sea bunny is a toxic little critter. It accumulates toxins from the sponges it eats, making it less appealing to predators. While it won’t harm you, for anything suspecting that might think it’s a snack, well, let’s just say the end won’t be pretty…
How the sea bunny broke the internet
The sea bunny first hopped into the limelight when photos and videos began circulating on social media. Suddenly the internet couldn’t get enough. Memes were made, fan art was created, and hashtags like #SeaBunny and #OceanBunny started trending. In a world thirsty for wholesome and positive content, the sea bunny was a refreshing sip of water—toxins aside, of course.
Bloggers dive in and the race to rank begins
Sensing an opportunity, content creators sprang into action. Suddenly, articles about the sea bunny started popping up everywhere. From marine biology websites to lifestyle blogs, everyone was eager to share their thoughts on the sea bunny, or just write an article about it and pray for some eyeballs.
Articles included the funny, the informative, and the heartwarming. Meet the Adorable “Sea Bunny” Taking Over the Internet National Geographic proclaimed. Sea Bunnies: Japan Is Going Crazy About These Furry Sea Slugs said Bored Panda. PADI joined too and shared 10 Facts About the Sea Bunny Slug.
But why the feeding frenzy? In a word: SEO.
Riding the wave of trending topics
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the art (and science) of tailoring online content to rank higher in search engine results. One of the key strategies is to capitalize on trending keywords—like “sea bunny.” The logic is simple: high search volume + low competition = a golden opportunity for traffic. There are plenty of tools to help you figure out these trends, though a word to the wise—you can get really caught up in trying to rank for the same terms every body else is. It does become a bit of a vicious circle. I mean look at me…writing a post about sea bunnies.
Why the sea bunny became an SEO darling
- High search volume: As the sea bunny went viral, people flocked to search engines to learn more.
- Low initial competition: Early adopters faced little competition, making it easier to secure top spots in search results. Today this isn’t as true, though pretty much every ocean-related website has written an article on sea bunnies. Yes, even when it barely seems relevant.
- Engaging content: Cute animals are shareable, increasing the likelihood of backlinks and social media exposure. Grump cat anyone?
Bloggers and websites scrambled to outdo each other, stuffing their articles with keywords like “sea bunny,” “cute sea slug,” and “fluffy marine creature.” It was an all-out race to capture the elusive first page of Google results. It still is to this day. Notice that keyword stuffing I just did?! Good thing I don’t actually care whether or not I rank for this term.
The irony of oversaturation
In their rush to capitalize on the trend, content creators inadvertently flooded the market. The internet became so saturated with sea bunny articles that standing out became as challenging as finding a real bunny in a magician’s hat. Users searching for information were met with repetitive content, and the once-effective keyword strategy started to lose its edge. The sea bunny, literally became the Starbucks of marine life on the internet, with one sea bunny article on every ocean-related blog.
Can you still rank in a sea of sea bunny content?
For those still keen on writing about the sea bunny (guilty as charged), the challenge is to offer something unique. This is true of anything everyone is writing about. This might include providing original research from primary sources, or sharing firsthand observations. You could also offer a funny or educational take on the subject (point in case) which hopefully will engage readers more than a generic informational article. Alternatively, and especially if you have access to sea bunnies, consider sharing photos and videos. This is sure to captivate readers and viewers alike.
Writing about writing about the sea bunny
Frankly, I’m enjoying the delicious irony of this article. Yes, I’m adding another piece of content to the pile of sea bunny articles out there. But hey, I’m self-aware. I know why I’m doing it—I find some SEO trends ridiculous and I want to share with you a strategy for ranking for a keyword or key phrase.
I really just think the sea bunny’s rise to fame is a fascinating case study in how viral content and SEO strategies intersect. What started as a simple appreciation for a cute sea slug evolved into a competitive scramble for online visibility. While the sea bunny continues to charm the masses, it’s also a reminder of the ever-changing tides of internet trends. What’s ranking now? If not on the Googs, what about on social? Can you capitalize on it in any way?
Above all, don’t forget that though it’s tempting to jump on every trending topic for a quick traffic boost, sustainable SEO success comes from providing genuine value to your readers. For a long time, for me, it was solely focused around cold water diving, and in the Pacific Northwest. It has branched out since then as I’ve become a bit of a nomad, but that’s still a cornerstone section of my content—content I can rank pretty quickly for.
Instead of just chasing the latest buzz, focus on creating content that is informative, engaging, and unique. After all, the internet doesn’t need another cookie-cutter article—it needs your unique voice. I held off on writing an article about sea bunnies for a long time but finally caved when I couldn’t stop thinking about how ridiculous it is that everyone tries to rank for it. I wanted to share why that happens for some terms, critters, etc, even if it meant I too would have a sea bunny article.
And so, there you have it, my benevolent conclusion.
