Episodes
-
In this episode, host Andrew Laws is joined by SEO consultant and author Ash Nallawalla. They discuss the evolving field of SEO and Ash's experiences and insights, particularly focusing on his book, "The Accidental SEO Manager."
Buy the book https://yeseo.io/go/accidental-seo-manager
Key Points:
About the Book: "The Accidental SEO Manager" offers strategic advice for SEO management rather than technical SEO skills. SEO in Business: Challenges of getting SEO projects approved within large companies and the importance of demonstrating their financial benefit. Future of SEO: Discussion on the need for industry standards and the difficulties in establishing them.What You’ll Learn:
SEO Management: How to approach SEO from a managerial perspective to make strategic decisions. Advocating for SEO: Techniques for securing organisational support and funding for SEO initiatives. Evolving SEO Practices: The need for ongoing learning and adaptation in the field.Recommended For:
Anyone interested in SEO, especially professionals looking to understand its strategic impact on business.
-
Welcome to this week's edition of "The Filter" where we delve into the pressing topics and helpful guides for the SEO and digital marketing enthusiasts. Here’s a quick roundup of the topics discussed in this episode:
1. Crafting Effective Content: The Essential GuideWriting from the heart and knowing your subject are timeless pieces of advice for any writer. This episode explores the importance of creating a content outline to align with Google's helpful content updates. Learn how to structure your articles effectively to improve your rankings.
2. Ad Hijacking: A Growing ConcernGoogle Ads is an invaluable tool for many, but ad hijacking is an issue that can affect anyone, regardless of their advertising budget. We discuss how these sketchy practices can impact your campaigns and what Google is doing to combat them.
3. Big Websites, Big PenaltiesGoogle has been active in penalizing major websites for poor user experiences, proving that no one is too big to fail. This segment highlights recent examples of Google’s manual actions against sites, reminding us of the importance of maintaining high standards for user experience.
Subscribe for More!To get exclusive access to the links and resources mentioned in the podcast, make sure to subscribe at yeseo.io/thefilter Stay informed and enhance your SEO and marketing strategies by following "The Filter".
-
Missing episodes?
-
This episode examines the history and functionality of Google's disavow tool, discussing its initial purpose and its role in current SEO practices. Your host, Andrew Laws, discusses the backdrop of link-buying strategies that led to the development of the disavow tool, which allowed webmasters to disassociate from harmful backlinks.
Key Points Discussed:
Background on Link Buying: Learn about the era when buying links was a common SEO strategy, and how it prompted the need for a disavow tool. Introduction of the Disavow Tool: Explore the reasons why Google introduced the disavow tool and how it helps webmasters clean up their link profiles. How the Disavow Tool Works: Understand the functionality of the tool within Google Search Console, where users can submit lists of links they prefer to ignore. Relevance and Effectiveness Today: Analyse the current relevance of the disavow tool, why Google has diminished its prominence, and when it might still be necessary. Insights from Industry Experts: Listen to commentary from SEO experts and real-world stories about using the disavow tool.Closing Thoughts: The episode concludes with recommendations for SEO practitioners to focus on earning high-quality, organic links and to steer clear of outdated tactics such as link buying. Andrew also invites listeners to share their experiences and views on the disavow tool.
-
In this episode, we delve into the intriguing world of SEO and explore the niche area of knowledge panels with Austine Esezobor, an experienced SEO consultant and Google knowledge panels specialist. Austine shares his journey from aspiring music producer to becoming a seasoned professional in the digital marketing sphere, particularly focusing on SEO.
Austine Esezobor is an SEO Consultant who specialises in attaining and managing Google Knowledge Panels. He is also the Founder and Host of the Democratizing SEO podcast.
https://www.democratizingseo.com/about/austine-esezobor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austineesezobor/Austine's SEO Journey
Austine is a musician and producer who has transitioned to digital marketing after being intrigued by the possibilities of SEO. He explains how SEO captivated him due to its blend of creativity, methodical planning, technical skills, and analytical thinking. Austine describes his process of self-education in SEO, which eventually led him to pursue it professionally.
Insights into Knowledge Panels
Throughout the conversation, Austine emphasises the significance of knowledge panels in the realm of SEO. He believes that knowledge graphs, which represent how search engines view relationships between different sets of data, are going to be fundamental to the future of search. This idea extends beyond traditional search engines like Google to encompass other platforms with search functionalities, such as Netflix and TikTok.
Austine suggests that knowledge graphs allow for a more structured delivery of information, making them crucial for businesses aiming to improve their online visibility. He discusses how entities—whether individuals, brands, or organisations—play a vital role in this new SEO paradigm by ensuring that they are correctly represented and connected within these graphs.
The Evolution of SEO
The discussion also touches on the evolution of SEO practices and how the focus has shifted from simple keyword optimisation to a more complex understanding of content and user intent. Austine explains that the future of SEO may rely heavily on providing direct answers to user queries rather than just listing possible sources of information, a shift from "search results" to "search answers."
Recommendations for SEO Practitioners
For SEO practitioners and business owners, Austine recommends adjusting strategies to focus more on visibility and entity representation rather than traditional metrics like keyword rankings. He advises that embracing this shift and understanding the importance of knowledge panels will be crucial for staying relevant in the rapidly changing landscape of digital marketing.
Conclusion
This episode provides valuable insights into the less-discussed areas of SEO and digital marketing strategies, particularly the use of knowledge graphs and panels. Austine’s expertise and forward-thinking approach offer a fresh perspective on how businesses can optimise their online presence in an increasingly competitive digital world.
-
Leveraging Small Scale for Big Impact in Content Creation
In today's episode, we explore why smaller companies and individual content creators have a unique advantage in digital marketing. Large corporations often suffer from slow internal communication, leading to irrelevant and less impactful content. We explore how agility and a streamlined decision-making process can lead to more effective content strategies, even for those with minimal SEO knowledge.
Key Points Discussed:
Irrelevance in Large Corporations: Large entities often publish content that does not align closely with their core business, such as property brands discussing Bitcoin or food brands discussing SEO. This phenomenon stems from slow communication channels and overly bureaucratic content approval processes.
Advantages of Being Small: Smaller size allows for quicker response times and more relevant content creation. The agility of smaller teams or individuals enables them to produce content more aligned with current events and audience needs.
Creating Content with Limited SEO Knowledge: It's possible to begin an effective SEO strategy with zero knowledge of SEO. The essence of impactful content lies in authenticity and addressing the real concerns and interests of the audience.
Developing Trust and Authority: Smaller entities can build trust and establish themselves as authorities in their field by focusing on the issues and topics that resonate with their audience.
Practical Tips for Content Creation: We discuss how to leverage the immediacy of smaller operations to react quickly to industry changes and how regularly updating content can improve Google rankings.
Inspiration for Content: Using tools like Google Search to find topics relevant to your niche and engaging with frontline staff like salespeople can provide valuable insights for content creation.
Recommended Resources:
Check out the linked Ahrefs article in the show notes for further inspiration on creating relevant content
https://ahrefs.com/blog/why-big-companies-make-bad-content/
Thank you for tuning in to today's episode. We hope these insights empower you to create more engaging and effective content strategies. For more tips and discussions, please subscribe to our channel.
-
Your host, Andrew Laws discusses the significant licensing agreement between OpenAI and the Financial Times (FT), emphasising the implications this has for the SEO industry and the broader landscape of artificial intelligence.
Key Points:
The Deal: OpenAI has licensed content from the Financial Times, enabling ChatGPT to provide current information sourced directly from FT articles. This move is significant because it showcases OpenAI's approach to using credible, high-quality sources to enhance the accuracy and reliability of its outputs. Implications for SEO: The integration of FT content into OpenAI's database could change how current events and financial news are interpreted and utilized within SEO strategies.
This development suggests a trend towards more dynamic and up-to-date content generation by AI, potentially influencing how SEO professionals approach content creation and optimization.
Future of AI and Search Engines: Andrew speculates on the evolving capabilities of AI like ChatGPT, suggesting that the way information is delivered and verified online might soon resemble current search engine results.
The potential shift away from traditional search engines like Google towards AI-driven platforms could redefine web search and SEO practices.
Best Practices for SEO: Amidst the evolving digital landscape, Andrew emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality website standards and ethical SEO practices.
He advises on the potential benefits of adopting schema markup to enhance site visibility and usability for search engines.Conclusion: In a rapidly changing digital environment, staying informed and adaptable is crucial. Andrew encourages maintaining excellence in SEO practices regardless of the technological shifts, ensuring readiness for future advancements.
More info - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/openai-to-show-content-links-in-response-to-queries/515214/
Please like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with the latest insights and trends in SEO and digital marketing. For more detailed discussions and expert advice, tune in to "The Untitled SEO Podcast."
-
Welcome back! Today's discussion revolves around a platform that often flies under the radar in the SEO world: Bing. Despite its smaller user base compared to Google, Bing is making strides that could influence your SEO strategy.
Bing's Growing InfluenceRecently, Bing announced an impressive milestone of 140 million active users. While still modest compared to Google, this growth indicates a rising relevance in the search engine landscape. This expansion may be attributed to various factors including strategic integrations and investments by Microsoft, hinting at Bing's untapped potential in SEO.
Why Consider Bing?Historically viewed with skepticism, Bing was often joked about in SEO circles as a default browser on Microsoft devices rather than a serious choice. However, this perception is outdated. Over the years, Microsoft has significantly invested in Bing, integrating advanced AI technologies like those from OpenAI, which might be enhancing user engagement.
The Technical EdgeBing's technological evolution is noteworthy. It includes features reminiscent of Google's capabilities a decade ago, such as a reliance on meta keywords. While Bing’s ability to crawl and understand context may not match Google's current standards, its simpler approach could offer unique optimization opportunities.
Practical SEO Tips for Bing Bing Webmaster Tools: Sign up for free to stay informed about how Bing views and ranks your website. This tool is crucial for anyone serious about understanding diverse search engine dynamics. SEO Strategy: Given Bing's current market position and technical capabilities, a modest investment in optimizing for Bing could yield beneficial insights and potential gains.ConclusionBing is gradually carving out a space for itself in the competitive search engine market. By integrating AI tools effectively and continuing to evolve, Bing may present a viable component of a comprehensive SEO strategy. Signing up for Bing Webmaster Tools is a simple yet effective step to leverage Bing’s potential.
For more insights and updates, remember to like, share, and subscribe. Until next time, keep optimizing!
-
In this episode, Andrew Laws dives into the often debated topic of optimal content length for SEO. He explores the myth that longer content automatically equates to better SEO, provides insights into the evolution of content evaluation by search engines like Google, and offers practical tips for crafting articles that genuinely serve the reader's interests and search intent.
**What You'll Learn:**
- **The Myth of Long Content:** Understand why the idea that "longer is better" became popular and why it's not necessarily true today.
- **SEO's Historical Context:** How Google's early limitations influenced content length strategies.
- **Practical Content Creation Tips:** Strategies for writing articles that are the ideal length for your topics without padding them unnecessarily.
- **The Importance of Quality:** Why writing for humans, not just algorithms, will actually benefit your SEO in the long run.
**Episode Highlights:**
1. **Breaking Down the Myth** (00:00:24)
- Discussion on how content length affects SEO and the origins of the myth surrounding long articles.
2. **SEO and Content Length Over Time** (00:01:13)
- How Google has evolved in assessing content quality and the diminishing importance of article length.
3. **Current Best Practices for Content Length** (00:07:09)
- Advice on determining the right length for your content based on topic complexity and competition.
4. **Writing with Authority and Passion** (00:08:22)
- The significance of expertise and genuine interest in your subject matter when creating content.
5. **Tools and Tips for Optimizing Content** (00:09:43)
- Using tools like SEMrush to analyze competitor content and adjust your strategies accordingly.
**Call to Action:**
- **Feedback:** Share your thoughts and experiences on how content length has impacted your SEO efforts.
- **Engagement:** Like, subscribe, and comment to join the conversation and help others find this podcast.
**Closing:** (00:11:34)
Andrew wraps up with a reminder that in SEO, the best answer to many questions is often "it depends," highlighting the tailored approach necessary for effective SEO
-
In this episode of The Filter, we explore three crucial aspects of SEO that every digital marketer should master. We will discuss the nuanced approach needed when using AI to generate content, how to develop a robust social media strategy that actually engages, and the essentials of backlinks and their impact on SEO.
What You'll Learn:
The Nuances of AI in SEO understanding the limitations and necessary checks when using AI for content creation.
Insights directly from Google on how to effectively use AI without compromising quality.
Crafting Effective Social Media StrategiesWhy shouting into the void on social media doesn't work.
Practical tips for engaging with other accounts and building a community around your brand.
Backlinks DemystifiedA breakdown of different types of backlinks and their roles in SEO.
How to identify quality backlinks that boost your site's visibility and credibility.Episode Resources: For more detailed information and to access exclusive content mentioned in this episode, subscribe to The Filter at yesseo.io/thefilter
-
In today's episode, Jodie Newman joins us from The Business Allotment. We explore the essential role of creativity in SEO and business strategy. Jodie shares her journey from a furniture and product design background to becoming an expert in fostering creative processes within organisations.
Find Jodie on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodienewman/
Key Discussion Points:
Creativity as a Business Tool: Jodie discusses how creativity is not just about producing art; it's a strategic tool that can propel business innovation and differentiate companies from their competition. The Mechanics of Creativity: The conversation dives into how creativity works in the brain and how businesses can systematically foster it to improve problem-solving and idea generation. Transforming Business Approaches: Jodie highlights her work with large and small businesses, using creative sessions to redefine company strategies and enhance team engagement and ownership of projects. The Power of Creative Thinking: Andrew Laws and Jodie discuss how rethinking traditional approaches can lead to significant business advantages, exemplified by Jodie’s successful reworking of promotional strategies for major clients like Shell. Practical Tips for Fostering Creativity: Listeners gain valuable insights into practical tools and methods for cultivating creativity within their teams and projects, which is crucial for standing out in competitive industries.Featured Guest: Jodie Newman - Creativity Consultant and Author
Background: Jodie specialises in integrating creative thinking into business strategies.Episode Highlights:
Jodie's Personal Journey: Learn how her educational background influenced her professional path from a design student to a creativity consultant. Creativity in Unexpected Places: Discover how even industries traditionally seen as non-creative, like SEO, can benefit immensely from creative approaches. The Impact of Creativity on Business Success: Examples of how creative thinking has transformed company strategies and led to marketing and customer engagement breakthroughs.Closing Thoughts: Creativity isn’t just an art; it’s a vital business skill. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to inject innovative thinking into their business practices, enhancing both personal and organisational growth.
Connect with Jodie: For those inspired by this episode, Jodie offers listeners a unique opportunity to receive a creative workout and tool if they connect with her on LinkedIn, mentioning this podcast. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodienewman/
-
Join us as we dive into the fundamentals of creating engaging content that not only captures the attention of your audience but also ranks well on Google. From crafting compelling titles to understanding your audience's intent, your host Andrew Laws shares invaluable tips that can help anyone—from beginners to seasoned marketers—improve their content strategy.
Key Points Discussed:
The Importance of Engaging Content:Why creating compelling content is crucial for online visibility.
The role of content in attracting and retaining audience engagement.
Starting with the Basics:Tips for crafting effective titles and introductions.
The importance of aligning your content with reader intent.
Content Creation for Humans and Search Engines:Balancing SEO needs with genuine user value.
Strategies to keep content relevant and focused.
Research and Relevance:Techniques for keyword research and using tools like SEMRush.
Ensuring your content stays on topic to maintain SEO integrity.
Engagement and Metrics:How to measure the success of your content through analytics.
The significance of user engagement metrics in content evaluation.
Content Updates and Maintenance:The benefits of regularly updating content.
How continual improvements can lead to better search engine rankings.
Practical Tips for Content Creators:Real-life examples of effective content strategies.
Recommendations for resources and further reading on content marketing.Episode Conclusion:
Andrew emphasises that good content serves the reader first, providing value that in turn leads to better SEO outcomes. He encourages creators to be generous with their knowledge, as transparency and helpfulness are key to building trust and authority in any field.Call to Action:
Listeners are encouraged to apply these strategies to their content creation efforts and share their experiences. Engage with the podcast through comments, likes, and by subscribing for more useful insights. -
Welcome back to the Untitled SEO Podcast, brought to you by SEO Daily! In today's episode, our host Andrew Laws delves into the often misunderstood topic of 404 errors and why Google suggests we shouldn't sweat it too much.
Highlights of the episode:
Understanding 404 Errors: What are they, and how do they appear during SEO audits? Andrew explains the basics and why these errors can impact user experience negatively. Types of 404 Errors: Learn about the different kinds of 404s, from the straightforward to the bizarre ones that never existed on your site. Google's Perspective: Featuring insights from Google's Gary Illyes, Andrew discusses how Google views 404 errors and their real impact on your website's ranking. Practical Tips: How to handle legitimate 404s that affect user navigation versus the 'fake' ones that Google advises you can ignore. SEO Strategies: Andrew shares tips on converting users landing on 404 pages and strategies for handling discontinued products.Additional Resources:
Andrew mentions a helpful article from Search Engine Journal, which further explores this topic. Make sure to check it out through this link https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-on-404-errors-and-ranking-drops/514377/Call to Action:
If you've noticed any quality changes in today's recording, let us know—Andrew's testing out new recording setups to enhance your listening experience. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our daily SEO insights!For more information and resources, visit our website at yeseo.io.
Thanks for tuning in, and remember to check back tomorrow for more invaluable SEO tips and updates!
-
In today's episode, Andrew Laws dives into a highly pertinent topic: whether or not to block AI crawlers from indexing your website. Starting off with a fundamental explanation of what crawling involves—essentially, search engines sending out bots to gather data from websites—Andrew discusses the conventional reasons why some might choose to restrict these digital explorers, including privacy concerns and control over content dissemination.
Find out more about ActionCoach - https://yeseo.io/go/actioncoach
However, Andrew argues against blocking these bots, particularly AI crawlers. He explains that allowing AI to index your site could bolster brand awareness and drive traffic, as AI's role in digital search evolves. Despite the fear that AI might misuse the gathered content, Andrew sees little evidence of such risks and suggests that enabling AI indexing might contribute positively to the internet's future.
Highlighting the significance of staying current with technological advances, he reflects on insights from a recent conference, emphasising the potential pitfalls of ignoring AI developments.
Conclusion: While the decision remains personal, Andrew leans towards keeping your website open to AI crawlers, viewing it as a step forward in harnessing AI's potential for positive impact.
Further Reading: Check the show notes for links to a detailed Moz article on this topic and more insights from the BizEx conference.
Connect: Join the discussion or reach out via yeseo.io or Andrew Laws on LinkedIn.
Further reading - https://moz.com/blog/who-should-block-ai-bots
-
In this week's episode of The Filter, Andrew returns from the ActionCoach Biz X conference to dive into some intriguing tech and SEO updates. Don't forget, the only way to access the articles discussed is by subscribing to The Filter email at Yeseo.io.
Find out about ActionCoach and get a free session here - https://yeseo.io/go/actioncoach-thefilter
What's in this episode:
Brave AI Integration: Brave Browser is stepping up its game with a new AI search function. Unlike traditional search engines, Brave AI presents results in a format akin to conversational AI platforms but still provides direct links to source articles. Andrew explores how this could shift SEO dynamics. Google Chrome and Third-Party Cookies: A major update is on the horizon as Google Chrome plans to block third-party cookies. This could have significant implications for privacy, website functionality, and digital marketing strategies. Andrew discusses what this means for business owners and website operators. The End of HARO: Help A Reporter Out (HARO) has been a vital tool for journalists and SEO experts seeking authoritative backlinks through high-quality journalistic content. However, it's being phased out and replaced due to challenges including AI spam. Andrew shares his experiences and mixed feelings about this change.Remember, to forward this episode to anyone you think should catch up on these tech and SEO insights, and maybe give your mum a ring too!
-
I am here at BizX 2024, and I just saw a fantastic talk by Jamil Qureshi and guess what, it relates to SEO!
He was discussing mindset in business and life in general.
He’s an incredibly quotable speaker, but one line that really connected with me was: "Great businesses in the future will be human-led and technology-enabled."
This comment came about during a conversation about the future of business, especially relating to AI and other emerging technologies.
The line about human-led, technology-enabled really resonated with me. This has been the message of Yeseo for many years now: the tools are cool, but humans lead everything.
hashtag#bizx2024 -
Your daily SEO podcast episode from BizX 2024
-
In this podcast episode, I will attempt to explain in simple terms what reputation abuse spam is, why it should be avoided, and why it’s generally confusing. As part of this discussion, I will also explore the relationship with expired domains.
There are plenty of good reasons why anyone listening to this podcast should not consider engaging in either reputation spam or expired domain SEO spam.
Explain it like I’m five years old
Reputation abuse spam is when someone uses tricky methods to make themselves or their website look better than they really are. Google doesn’t like this because it makes it harder for everyone to find the good stuff online. Expired domains are old website addresses that someone else used before, and sometimes people use them to try to trick Google too. We’re talking about why these tricks are bad and why you shouldn’t use them.
-
In today's episode of SEO Daily, host Andrew Laws dives into the crucial role brand awareness plays in SEO. Discover why establishing a strong brand can significantly boost your visibility and credibility in search engine results. Andrew explains how Google favours brands and uses brand mentions to assess trustworthiness and relevance. If you're aiming to rank higher and reach a broader audience, this episode is a must-listen!
Key Points Discussed:
Importance of Brand Names: Learn why your brand name matters more than ever in today’s SEO landscape and how it affects your search rankings. Google’s Love for Brands: Understand why Google prioritises brands and how a strong brand presence can protect you from being seen as unreliable or spammy. Building Trust with Google: Insights into how Google evaluates brands and the significance of brand mentions across various platforms. Practical Brand Building Tips: Strategies to increase your brand mentions naturally without resorting to manipulative SEO tactics. From engaging on discussion boards and social media to getting involved in public speaking and PR. SEO Can Amplify Excellence: Andrew reinforces the idea that SEO is not just about manipulation but about amplifying the genuine value that your brand offers.Call to Action:Don't forget to like, subscribe, and engage with us on our podcast! For more insights and updates, visit our website at yeseo.io.
Next Episode Tease:Tune in tomorrow for another insightful discussion on SEO Daily, where Andrew will explore another crucial aspect of search engine optimisation. Don't miss it!
-
Join Andrew Laws on today's episode of the SEO Daily Podcast by Yeseo, where we dive into the intriguing world of SEO and discover why Reddit posts are ranking astonishingly quickly in Google searches. In this episode, Andrew sheds light on Google's recent dealings with Reddit, which might be influencing search results more than you'd expect. We'll explore the impact of this on content creators and marketers, discussing practical steps you can take to potentially speed up your own content's indexing.
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/reddit-post-ranks-within-minutes/513825/
Key topics include:
Google's preferential treatment towards Reddit in search rankings. The real-time effects of content indexing on SEO strategies. Practical tips for getting your content indexed quicker, including insights on Google Business Profile and Search Console submissions.For more insights and a link to a detailed article from Search Engine Journal on this topic, check the show notes or video description. Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or just curious about how search engines are evolving, this episode is packed with valuable information.
Visit us at yeseo.io for more episodes and SEO insights!
-
Welcome to this week's episode of The Filter, brought to you by Yeseo. In this episode, Andrew Laws delves into some pressing topics at the intersection of technology and strategy. First up, we explore how SEO can be enhanced through accessibility, ensuring your website is optimised not just for visibility but also for usability by all. Next, we tackle the concerning trend of fake DMCA threats being used to manipulate SEO rankings—a must-listen for anyone managing online content. We wrap up with a look at the latest strategies for boosting your presence on LinkedIn according to new studies. Remember, the only way to access the articles discussed is by subscribing at yeseo.io/subscribe. Tune in to stay ahead in the digital space!
- Show more
