Join us as Cyrus Shepard shares the evolving relationship between brand and SEO, setting the stage for businesses to thrive in today's digital landscape. Explore the profound shifts that are shaking up the old-school SEO world. From understanding Google's reliance on brand as a filter to discovering which digital strategies can enhance your site's authority without solely focusing on keywords, we've got the latest insights. Care to rethink your link strategy? Discover how anchor texts can shape ...
Mar 08, 2025•36 min•Ep 749•Transcript available on Metacast Greg Finn jumps into the Paid Ad news focus this week. Friend of the show; it’s always a good time when he is around! What do you think about Google's ambitious prediction that AI will craft mesmerizing customer journeys while the search giant navigates through over 5 trillion searches a year? And what is going on with Google Ads and their announcement that they will use well-performing Headlines in Sitelinks? That’s confusing for us, but it will also be confusing for consumers. What gives, Goog...
Mar 05, 2025•46 min•Ep 748•Transcript available on Metacast Everyone’s lit up with AI advancements, but what about our privacy? Erin Sparks and Michael Lewittes dive into the ethics and privacy concerns surrounding AI, shedding light on the rapid information exchange and the potential risks looming over our data. Explore how hedge funds are making daring AI moves, with new platforms demanding personal information in return for supposedly superior features. The question lingers: Are we too quick to exchange privacy for convenience? Michael shares insights...
Feb 27, 2025•40 min•Ep 747•Transcript available on Metacast Duncan Alney of Firebelly joins the EDGE to give his take on Social Media news and trends. A long-time friend of the show, we got him on board to dig into what we should be paying attention to in Social Media right now. Google Business profiles took a hit but are on the mend, while LinkedIn's newest analytics features help professionals find their path to visibility. On this jaunt down the digital lane, Erin Sparks and Duncan Alney unravel the enigma of social media updates and the shenanigans b...
Feb 21, 2025•33 min•Ep 746•Transcript available on Metacast Michael Lewittes swings back around to the EDGE to discuss a current and concerning topic, AI content and its effect on journalism. Michael brings his quarter-century of media experience to the table, sharing his journey from a seasoned journalist to spearheading cutting-edge SEO tools like Rankify. Discover how transparency, fact-checking, and expertise are more critical than ever in the era of AI-generated content and rampant misinformation. Explore the vital role of journalistic integrity in ...
Feb 14, 2025•38 min•Ep 745•Transcript available on Metacast Sara Taher joins the EDGE team this week to have a focused discussion of AI and SEO in the news. From China's deep-sea AI shake-ups to Meta monetizing threads and Google's evolving search Quality Raters Guidelines, this week promises a feast of intriguing insights and digital dilemmas. We unpack the repercussions of Deepseek—a Chinese AI marvel shaking Silicon Valley with its low-cost, high-performance delivery, and what that means for the global tech landscape. OpenAI's new operator agent takes...
Feb 07, 2025•50 min•Ep 744•Transcript available on Metacast Busy doesn't always mean productive. How do you balance the need for continued content with the need for quality? Paula Mejia, VP of Enterprise Marketing from WIX Studio, shares her insights on maintaining engagement without compromising on content value. Erin Sparks and Paula dive into the core philosophy of enterprise marketing strategies, focusing on effective goal-setting, the fine balance between creativity and productivity, and the pivotal role of AI in modern marketing. They tackle the of...
Jan 31, 2025•40 min•Ep 743•Transcript available on Metacast Is your brand braced for the seismic shifts that Large Language Models (LLMs) are creating in the search landscape? Cindy Krum from Mobile Moxie joins us for her new regular spot in SEO News from the EDGE! We dissect the latest in SEO news from key stories and insight over the last few weeks, punctuated by a sharp decline in HubSpot’s SEO traffic. We explore how LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are rewriting the rules of search and reshaping zero-click results. Also, Cindy spills her insights...
Jan 30, 2025•46 min•Ep 742•Transcript available on Metacast We dive into enterprise marketing management with Paula Mejia, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing at WIX Studio in this episode. Paula brings a wealth of knowledge from her nine-year journey with WIX, where she has spearheaded growth, brand, and product marketing initiatives, significantly contributing to the platform's expansion. Paula shares her insights on balancing strategic planning with daily management, highlighting the importance of aligning every team effort with the broader long-te...
Jan 24, 2025•34 min•Ep 741•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we've got a jam-packed session covering the latest and most pressing news in digital marketing and SEO. Top Stories: we discussed the recent merger of Getty and Shutterstock and its implications for image licensing, alongside the backlash Automattic is facing from the WordPress community. Adding to this, we explored how Google's search market share has hit its lowest since 2015! We have a special segment “In Local News” with friend of the show and Local SEO specialist, Darren Shaw, fo...
Jan 18, 2025•50 min•Ep 740•Transcript available on Metacast Our EDGE Tool Series continues with the second episode with Ryan Jones, Marketing at SEOTesting.com. Dig into this thing, it’s a blast! We dive deep into the world of SEO testing with Ryan as we explore essential metrics beyond rank tracking, such as impressions, click-through rates, and how these relate to business outcomes like revenue and user behavior. Learn the importance of creating a testing culture within an organization and securing stakeholder buy-in for meaningful results. Ryan shares...
Jan 17, 2025•37 min•Ep 739•Transcript available on Metacast We continue our EDGE Tool Series with Ryan Jones, Marketing at SEOTesting.com. This is a fantastic tool for A/B testing for your SEO efforts. We discuss Ryan’s nearly decade-long tenure in digital marketing and his journey from apprenticeship to SEO expert. From embedding YouTube videos to boost blog traffic to meticulously controlled SEO experiments, Ryan shares strategies that have seen dramatic successes—and some surprising setbacks. Ryan underscores the value of using Google Search Console d...
Jan 08, 2025•38 min•Ep 738•Transcript available on Metacast Mark Williams-Cook continues on the EDGE with the last show of 2024 - discussing his recent findings of a Google bug exploit that shows us a HUGE insight into ranking factors. Learning from the endpoints that send data to micro-services that influence features on Google, Mark was able to discover a way to modify the requests that output JSON data. From that - they saw a slew of “properties that Google was collecting from their ranking systems and query classifiers as to certain scores they were ...
Dec 31, 2024•50 min•Ep 737•Transcript available on Metacast Our LAST News show of the year! Thanks to all of our listeners for making this year another successful year for EDGE of the Web! Let us know your thoughts of the show at https://ratethispodcast.com/EDGE Stories! “As the WordPress Turns” (you gotta check out the YouTube on this one). The Mullenweg Meltdown continues. Musk wants to bring a challenge to GMail, DM style. A huge exploit documented by friend of the show, Mark Williams-Cook . Please check out our second episode of our interview with Ma...
Dec 20, 2024•31 min•Ep 736•Transcript available on Metacast Mark Williams-Cook is back on the EDGE, diving into the shifting landscape of search engines and SEO, where generative AI tools like Search GPT and ChatGPT are trying to steal the spotlight. But let’s be real—people still turn to Google for a reality check, like that friend who promises to help you move but never shows up. Mark reveals how Google’s financial motivations drive AI advancements, introducing ads that are more integrated than your Aunt's fruitcake recipe. He also highlights the const...
Dec 18, 2024•37 min•Ep 735•Transcript available on Metacast We reached out across the pond, and we got him, Andrew Optimisey joins us on the EDGE this week! We tackle a lot in a short time frame: marketing shortcuts and data ownership are at the top of the heap. Companies like HubSpot and Google are creating "walled gardens" of data, stirring legal and ethical concerns about who truly owns consumer information. We also cover an article from Search Engine Journal by Shelly Walsh, getting takes from 7 top SEO experts and their take on AI Overviews and wher...
Dec 12, 2024•41 min•Ep 734•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of EDGE of the Web, we sit down with Jon Gillham, the seasoned entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Originality AI, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and content strategy. Jon stresses the importance of companies establishing explicit policies regarding the use of AI in their content strategies. Without clear guidelines, companies risk uncontrolled AI usage, which can compromise the authenticity and trustworthiness of their content. He also discusses the role of A...
Dec 11, 2024•40 min•Ep 733•Transcript available on Metacast We’re joined by Jon Gillham, a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of Originality AI, a cutting-edge tool designed to detect human vs. AI-generated content. We'll explore Originality AI's impressive accuracy rate in detecting AI-generated content, including from tools like ChatGPT, and discuss the industry's shift towards AI integration in content creation. Jon will shed light on the rising skepticism among consumers regarding online content, the struggle to manage false positives, and the evolvin...
Dec 06, 2024•38 min•Ep 732•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Going To Be OK! Kevin Indig jumped into the host seat for Erin while he was away! Kevin and Jacob discuss the DOJ's continued push for Google's break-up of products, specifically Google Chrome. They dissect Google's new Search Console features and their broader implications for data control and AI dominance. They also critique Google's latest moves, from real-time site notifications that miss the mark to the continued saga of Mullenweg’s crusade against WPEngine with an update to his WPEngi...
Dec 06, 2024•42 min•Ep 731•Transcript available on Metacast Ori Zilbershtein joins the EDGE as a guest to go over the news this week. We crack open a number of Google News pieces from around the marketing space. Some quick takeaways: Make sure you use WhatsApp as a conversion in Google Ads—you better be there. We discuss the report on shifting trends in CTR per industry and how the data could be interpreted another way, i.e. AI Overviews viciously rearranging the landscape. Is OpenAI actually thinking about developing a browser now? They hired an ex-Goog...
Nov 28, 2024•40 min•Ep 730•Transcript available on Metacast We have started a new series on EDGE of the Web. We’re focusing on marketing tools that we love! Hopefully, you’ll love them just as much as we do. First up: SEOGets.com Mathew Mellinger, Co-Founder of SEO Gets, joins the show to talk about his journey into software development from local SEO, and the needs he saw in the industry. SEOGets is a Google Seach Console alternative for SEO professionals and agencies managing multiple sites. Imagine linking several GSC accounts effortlessly, exporting ...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 729•Transcript available on Metacast What is Google's latest shake-up? The Page Experience Report's exit from Search Console. This week, we are joined by the insightful Lidia Infante from SurveyMonkey, as we explore the headlines in the SEO and Marketing world. The DOJ has some audacious demands for Google to sell Chrome, and ads have finally hit the AI Overview pages: We even unpack the drama-filled lawsuit between WP Engine and Automattic, questioning the ethical boundaries of open-source communities. This is the stuff that only ...
Nov 22, 2024•47 min•Ep 728•Transcript available on Metacast We’re in the second segment of our interview with the AI engineering powerhouse Britney Muller. We discuss the fascinating interplay of creativity and technical prowess in AI prompt engineering Brittany sheds light on the SEO industry's common missteps, emphasizing that AI language models aren't search engines and thrive on randomness. She’s even crafting a user-friendly guide to demystify these tech marvels, urging us to experiment and learn from mistakes. Brittany warns against using AI for da...
Nov 21, 2024•45 min•Ep 727•Transcript available on Metacast Literally, if you have to check your legalese, check the site you have on the package, Mattel! Top news of the week in digital marketing and AI. Matt Mullenweg gets trolled by a mock website based on his own website, trying to show departures from WPEngine. There’s a core algorithm update happening right now - watch your stats! What is the potential scenario of a Google break up, as it applies to the Google Ad section of their business? AI news and a really cool AI tool on this episode (can you ...
Nov 14, 2024•31 min•Ep 726•Transcript available on Metacast This is the first for EDGE of the Web, which has the top brass from Search Engine Land! Erin welcomes the impressive panel featuring: Marc Sirkin, CEO of Third Door Media, Danny Goodwin, Editorial Director, Search Engine Land & SMX Barry Schwartz, contributor to SEL and owner of Search Engine Roundtable. They discuss the huge news of Semrush’s recent acquisition of Search Engine Land (a Third Door Media property). The discussion highlights the ongoing mission to maintain editorial integrity amid...
Nov 12, 2024•48 min•Ep 725•Transcript available on Metacast Mordy’s back with the EDGE after his holiday and throws out hot takes and Captain Obvious moments on the show. We cover the news of the week: AI Overviews that are rolling out in 100+ countries (except for those in the EU, oddly), Google’s perspective on Core Web Vitals and ranking, and the communication from Google about content that starkly differs from the rest of the domain - it ain’t gonna fair well, folks! Check out our jump into AI News and Tools with this episode—seriously concerning and...
Nov 01, 2024•47 min•Ep 724•Transcript available on Metacast Britney Muller rejoins the EDGE to weigh in on the progress of AI and LLMs for use in marketing, the over-hyped announcements to Google's transformative papers, and the ethical dilemmas in AI development. Discover how emergent properties of AI models are often misunderstood and why ethical integrity is paramount in technology communication. Plus, get an inside scoop on Google's AI controversies and the practical uses of AI technology in everyday tasks. Britney underscores the need for human over...
Nov 01, 2024•45 min•Ep 723•Transcript available on Metacast We’re back from Tech SEO Connect! And we brought Mark Williams-Cook to pinch-hit for Mordy while he was on holiday….and last minute, so there’s that. We dialed into some things that we missed while we were away. For starters, the Semrush buyout of Search Engine Land is huge news, and we have even bigger news! Marc Sirkin, Danny Goodwin, and Barry Schwartz will be on the show soon to discuss the event. Matt Mullenweg seems to be melting down about First Amendment claims against WP Engine. The Wor...
Oct 25, 2024•48 min•Ep 722•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of EDGE of the Web, Erin welcomes the talented Akvile DeFazio to discuss the exciting world of AI in marketing. Akvile shares advice for small businesses looking to harness the power of AI, emphasizing the importance of beginner AI courses and webinars. Akvile shares her thoughts about the dynamic nature of marketing, the intricate balance between AI tools and human creativity, and the necessity of human oversight in AI-generated content. Akvile also announces her upcoming free w...
Oct 23, 2024•38 min•Ep 721•Transcript available on Metacast Erin Sparks interviews Akvile DeFazio, founder and president of Akvertize Inc., an award-winning agency specializing in paid social media advertising. Akvile shares her rich experience managing social media adverts across various sectors, including e-commerce, events, and apps, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok. Key discussion points include: Ad Strategies and Targeting Changes in Consumer Behavior Importance of Conversion Tracking AI and Advertising ...
Oct 09, 2024•39 min•Ep 720•Transcript available on Metacast 
