TL;DR

Pages ranking just below page one are already receiving search demand. Improve those pages first, then publish and link a supporting guide to turn existing visibility into faster gains.

what does a page just below page one tell me?

A page ranking just below page one is already receiving impressions. Searchers are finding it, which shows that demand exists for the topic.

That visibility gives the work a starting point. Builders waste time chasing fresh keywords while nearly-visible pages sit untouched.

should i improve the existing page or start a new target?

Improve the page already receiving impressions. The path to a gain is shorter because the page already has visibility and search demand.

Treat impressions as a signal of where searchers are already getting close. Strengthen that page before creating a new target.

where does the supporting guide fit?

After improving the existing page, publish a supporting guide that gives the topic somewhere useful to go.

Link the supporting guide back to the page ranking just below page one. The two pages then have a clear relationship.

why is this faster than guessing at a new keyword?

Existing demand gives you a starting point. The item that mattered most was improving the page already receiving impressions, then linking the supporting guide to it.

That turns search demand already present on the page into a clearer path toward faster gains.

FAQ
what should i do with a page ranking just below page one?

Improve the page that is already receiving impressions. Existing visibility shows that search demand exists and gives the work a shorter path to a gain.

what do search impressions signal in SEO?

They show where searchers are already getting close. Use that signal to decide which existing page deserves attention first.

should a supporting guide link to the page ranking just below page one?

Yes. Publish the supporting guide and link it back to the page with existing visibility so the two pages have a clear relationship.