In this episode of The SEO 101 Podcast, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte interview SEO expert, friend, host of Webcology on WMR.FM , owner of Digital Always Media and StepForth’s first employee, Jim Hedger. The topics discussed range from the early days of SEO to Jim’s predictions for generative engine optimization over the coming years and what business types can succeed. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Jun 05, 2025•43 min
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore key updates in the SEO landscape, including Google's testing of recently viewed labels in search results and the significant launch of AI Mode for U.S. searchers. They also discuss insights on managing crawl budgets effectively for improved indexing. Tune in for valuable strategies and the latest developments that could impact your SEO practices and web publishing success! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands ...
May 30, 2025•31 min
Join us for the 500th episode of SEO 101, a special celebration of our journey together! In this milestone episode, we reflect on key moments, including significant Google updates, essential SEO best practices, and memorable guest interviews. We share personal insights and stories that highlight our growth and connection with you, our loyal listeners. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, you won’t want to miss this celebration of our shared passion! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcir...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min
In this solo episode of SEO 101, Scott Van Achte explores Google's recent core update that impacts organic ranking overlaps and highlights the importance of high-quality content. He reviews the updated Quality Raters Guidelines, discusses AI's influence on search visibility, and shares actionable strategies to enhance engagement and optimize for AI-driven searches. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min
In this episode, we explore signs of a potential Google core update affecting rankings, Reddit's sneaky ranking successes using AI, and Google's new AI-generated summaries in Knowledge Panels. We also discuss an exciting opportunity for an AI crawler version of the robots file called LLM.text. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Apr 09, 2025•21 min
In this solo episode, Ross Dunn explores the key insights from Google's March 2025 Core Update, including the effects of AI on search strategies. He discusses how to adapt to the latest changes and compares selling on marketplaces versus your own website, offering practical tips to enhance your online presence. Tune in for expert advice! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Apr 02, 2025•19 min
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss Google's March 2025 core update and its focus on quality content. They explain a mistake that can cause search engine result click-through rates to plummet, and they address the challenges of AI accuracy in search engines and its implications for digital content creators. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Mar 24, 2025•29 min
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the recent VOX Media survey revealing declining trust in Google Search, with a shift toward AI tools. They discuss Google's updates for personal info removal, local SEO strategies, and AI ranking volatility, emphasizing the need for diverse content to improve visibility in evolving search landscapes. Tune in to learn how to adapt your SEO strategy for better visibility! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Pri...
Mar 17, 2025•32 min
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the recent Google search updates, including the renaming of the “All Results” feature, the removal of pagination numbers, and new image search capabilities. They discuss the impact of local listings on organic results, the benefits of audio versions for SEO, and review count bug fixes. Don't miss these essential takeaways! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privac...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the significant decline in click-through rates due to Google's AI Overviews. They discuss new guidelines for recipe blogs to enhance user experience, and address a recent bug affecting local reviews. Tune in for insights on these critical SEO developments and their implications. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Feb 18, 2025•38 min
In this episode of the SEO 101 Podcast, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss Google’s removal of mobile breadcrumbs, disruptions to SEO tools from JavaScript requirements, DeepSeek updates, site reputation abuse enforcement in Germany, and Google AI Overviews offering coding assistance. Tune in for essential SEO insights! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Feb 03, 2025•29 min
In this solo episode of SEO 101, Scott analyzes the December 2024 Google Spam Update and its effects on site rankings. He discusses the reintroduction of continuous scroll for Image and Video results and explores the importance of blogging for authority and fresh content, along with best practices for optimizing your website. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Jan 27, 2025•26 min
In this episode of SEO 101, Ross and Scott share their predictions for 2025, and Bing's removal of the cache link and Google's December 2024 core update; analyzing their potential impacts on search rankings. They also explore the features of ChatGPT Search now available to free users, highlighting its usefulness for research and its limitations for commercial queries. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Jan 20, 2025•32 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore key insights from ChatGPT's search results, discuss ongoing volatility following Google's core update, and examine recent indexing issues. We also cover the importance of long-form content, local SEO, and Google's Gemini 2.0 and what Project Mariner may mean for search in 2025. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Jan 06, 2025•30 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss the ongoing November Core Update and its ranking volatility, the recently launched Google Search Console Recommendations that suggest SEO actions, and John Mueller's insights on why generic names struggle to rank. We also provide essential tips for a successful domain rebranding transition. Tune in for essential tips to navigate these critical SEO developments! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/...
Dec 30, 2024•34 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss recent Google Analytics data issues, the importance of both page-level and site-wide ranking signals, and the updated policies against site reputation abuse. Tune in for insights on how these changes impact SEO strategies and best practices for maintaining strong website rankings. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 25, 2024•29 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss the November 2024 Core Update's impact on search results, updated crawl budget guidelines for mobile and desktop sites, and six outdated SEO practices to abandon. We also cover the implications of the FTC's new review policy and a fundamental tip on how to be found with SearchGPT. Tune in for practical insights to enhance your SEO strategy and improve your website's visibility in search engines! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy &a...
Nov 18, 2024•33 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore Google’s upcoming search ranking update and the frustrations voiced by content creators affected by the Helpful Content Update. We discuss a recent Google Search Console bug that caused panic among site owners and provide insights into the evolving landscape of SEO best practices. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 11, 2024•21 min
I n this episode of SEO 101, we explore October's search ranking volatility, potential penalties for Fortune Recommends due to site reputation abuse, and the removal of the sitelinks search box. We also discuss Google's new "People's Insights," expandable knowledge panels, and John Mueller’s insights on Core Web Vitals and ideal content length. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 04, 2024•26 min
In this episode, we discuss SEMRush's acquisition of Third Door Media, including Search Engine Land. We explore the pending uproar around Google and Bing using recipes without permission, the removal of key fields from Google Business Profiles, and insights from Martin Splitt on multilingual SEO. Tune in for valuable updates! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we analyze the Department of Justice's discussions on breaking up Google and what it could mean for SEO. We also examine a case study that highlights the severe negative impact of interstitials on organic traffic and keyword rankings, along with best practices for their use. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 21, 2024•30 min
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore Google’s controversial data practices and the implications of mobile-first indexing. We discuss the phasing out of the no-archive meta tag, provide insights on Bing's generative search experience, and highlight warnings about JavaScript-generated product markup in SEO strategies. Stay informed on the latest trends! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 14, 2024•33 min
Explore the latest Google updates in SEO, including the recognition of content creators in search results, fixes in the Google Search Console, removal of the cache feature, warnings about fake reviews on Google Maps that will likely prove disastrous, and the display of blue map pins in search snippets. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Oct 07, 2024•24 min
Discover the latest from Google with AI image labeling updates and insights into optimizing for user intent. Learn about the EXIF data in SEO, more Google bugs, the results of a deep dive into AI Overviews, and other optimization insights in this episode. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Sep 30, 2024•25 min
Unpack Google's SEO milestones: Wayback Machine, enhanced video regions, and commercial query optimizations. Understand Google AI Overviews' influence on top results and the significance of ethical practices for local rankings. Explore effective traffic management strategies and tactics for elevating search rankings in this must-listen SEO primer! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Sep 23, 2024•29 min
Uncover the impact of Google's August 2024 core update, forum content displays, and AVIF format support. Learn essential SEO practices and valuable insights from John Mueller's Q&A session. Gain expert advice on enhancing search performance and optimizing online visibility in this insightful episode. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Sep 16, 2024•30 min
Join hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte as they dissect Google's August algorithm update, unraveling traffic fluctuations and analytics intricacies. Explore the reasons behind vanishing gains and drops, including bugs, update phases, and data misinterpretation. Learn about Google Discover's manual actions, content penalties, and the impact of noindex and nofollow tags on site performance. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Sep 09, 2024•38 min
Listen to this SEO 101 episode with soloing host Scott Van Achte, focusing on Google's latest updates. Explore the ongoing August 2024 core update roll-out and the quick resolution of a search ranking bug. Gain insights on Google AI Overviews expanding to signed-out US users. Uncover essential tips on website load times, review snippets, and addressing indexing issues. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Sep 02, 2024•28 min
Join us in this insightful SEO 101 podcast episode where we cover the latest Google updates, SEO trends, and reveal handy AI quick tips. Dive deep into discussions on Google Trends enhancements, Search Console data insights, URL parameter optimization plans, and challenges affecting hotel listings. Stay informed on essential SEO strategies! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Aug 26, 2024•29 min
Explore pivotal digital shifts in SEO in our latest episode. From Google Analytics updates to peeks into generative AI at Perplexity and Google, this episode covers essential topics like YouTube video management tips, WordPress vulnerabilities, and questions from listeners. Gain expert advice on refining SEO strategies for online growth and performance. Tune in for valuable insights! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Aug 19, 2024•37 min
