Advertise on podcast: Meredith's Husband | SEO for People Who Don't Like SEO

👉 Get the AI Strategy Prompt Episode Summary:  Learn how to use AI as your strategic assistant to break down goals into actionable steps with clear timelines. Meredith's Husband shares a free prompt template that helps you decide what to do, what not to do, and when to stop—turning AI from a productivity tool into a planning partner that helps you follow through on what matters. Timestamps:  [0:00] Introduction  [0:27] Why order matters in achieving goals  [0:57] AI as strategic assistant vs task automation  [2:09] Breaking down goals into momentum-building steps  [2:35] Learning what not to do  [3:17] Making AI your strategic partner  [4:18] Strategy session prompt walkthrough  [5:42] How to get better results from AI planning  [7:42] Honest input creates useful output -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Listeners ask about image galleries and SEO, spammy URLs, linking strategies, Google verification videos, moving cities, and image alt text. We cover when to change URLs (almost never), how page traffic matters more than authority for internal links, and why your address needs to be identical everywhere online. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:47] Do image galleries at the top of pages hurt SEO? [3:47] Why you should (almost) never change your URLs [7:18] Should you link from popular blog posts to other pages? [8:08] What's the deal with Google's new video verification? [9:35] First steps after moving your business to a new city [12:29] Should you include your business name in image alt text? -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

AI+SEO Mentoring → https://www.meredithshusband.com/program/mentoring Avoid these six SEO pitfalls in 2026 to stay ahead of the competition. Learn why relying on AI to do all your work, blogging just for volume, treating AI and SEO separately, and chasing shiny new tactics will hurt your long-term visibility and make you replaceable. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction  [0:31] The do-it-for-me approach  [1:51] Adding no value makes you replaceable  [3:05] Volume over quality  [3:33] Don't blog just to blog  [4:20] Don't treat AI optimization and SEO separately  [4:47] Don't use tools just because they say they have AI  [6:07] Bonus: Don't chase tactics  [8:13] Your job is to provide value -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Get the AI Opt-Out checklist: https://www.meredithshusband.com/blog/177-ai-opt-out In this episode, we revisit how visual artists can protect their work from being used to train AI models without undermining their discovery in AI search. We break down what “training opt-out” really means, why robots.txt blocking can harm visibility, and how to use platform-specific tools and privacy settings from OpenAI, Google Gemini, Meta, Anthropic, DeviantArt, and others. We also highlight advocacy groups working on AI regulation for creators. Timestamps [0:00] Episode Introduction   [0:24] Revisiting AI Training Opt-Out   [1:07] How AI Collects and Uses Creative Content   [1:53] Legal Landscape and Current Laws   [2:37] Why This Matters for Visual Artists   [3:28] Visibility vs. Training Tradeoffs   [4:18] Why Robots.txt Blocking Can Hurt Discovery   [5:21] Platform-Level Opt-out Strategy   [6:59] Real Examples (OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, DeviantArt)   [8:36] How This Helps Future Regulation   -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

This episode looks ahead to 2026 as a transition year for AI, search, and work. It explains why the next stage of AI is less about replacement and more about adaptation, and how small, practical habits now can help website owners, and people, stay relevant and valuable in a rapidly changing environment. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:42] Why 2026 is a transition year for AI [1:31] Job loss fears and historical parallels [2:12] Why AI replaces hesitation, not people [3:32] Learning AI without overwhelm [4:10] Choosing an AI tool to start with [6:14] Why better inputs create better outputs [8:10] Using projects or GPTs for memory [10:19] Where AI memory breaks down [11:26] Using dates to anchor AI context [14:00] Blogging as a practical AI starting point -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

In this year-end episode, Meredith’s Husband and Meredith unpack how AI reshaped search in 2025—and why SEO didn’t die, but changed. They explain the shift from the attention economy to a trust economy, how AI tools now influence search behavior, and what website owners should understand heading into 2026 without panicking or starting over. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:42] Why 2025 marked a turning point for search [1:10] How AI adoption accelerated during the year [1:58] Google AI Overviews vs traditional search [2:27] The rise of AI-powered search tools [3:52] How content creation changed in 2025 [4:37] The shift from attention economy to trust economy [5:51] Why SEO did not die [6:30] Creating content for AI and people [10:16] Why SEO still matters going into 2026 -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Choosing a WordPress theme isn’t just a design decision—it has long-term implications for site speed, stability, and SEO. In this episode, Meredith’s Husband explains why many popular themes create hidden problems, how theme “bloat” happens, and what to look for when choosing a theme that won’t slow your site down or break during updates. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:33] Why WordPress themes matter for SEO [1:14] The problem with too many theme options [2:04] How theme marketplaces work [3:20] What “bloated” themes really mean [3:52] How excess code hurts performance [5:58] The ideal (but unrealistic) custom theme scenario [6:40] Cheap themes vs. quality marketplaces [7:11] Using reviews to spot red flags [8:32] Why Showit can be a safer middle ground -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

This episode shows how to pick the best blog posts to rewrite for stronger SEO and AI search visibility using Google Search Console. You’ll use impressions to spot what Google already surfaces, avoid keyword cannibalization by consolidating overlapping posts, and turn recurring topics into content hubs instead of guessing what to write next. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:28] The goal: choose blogs to rewrite for AI + SEO visibility [1:02] “Follow the breadcrumbs” using Google Search Console [1:20] Why “blogging is good for SEO” is too vague to execute [2:17] Why revisiting old posts is a core blogging skill [3:58] Impressions explained (visibility beyond page one) [4:45] Filter Search Console to view only blog page URLs [5:01] Prioritize the posts with the most impressions [5:46] Spotting keyword cannibalization in the Queries tab [6:38] Consolidate posts + delete the weaker one + 301 redirect -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

This episode breaks down how to structure website content for the emerging trust economy. You’ll learn the three technical steps every site should take (LLMS file, navigation, page length) and how to format blogs so both people and AI instantly understand your content. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] From attention to trust economy [0:56] AI becomes an information filter [1:36] Using AI vs Google [1:57] Why clarity matters  [2:56] The role of an LLMS.txt file [3:44] Navigation that AI can actually read [3:58] Why page length matters [6:21] How to format content for AI and people [10:05] Updating old blogs with AI-first structure Resources How to Create an LLMS file https://www.meredithshusband.com/blog/create-llms-txt-file -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

This Q&A episode covers three big concerns for photographers and small-business owners: whether to batch website changes or make them gradually, how to interpret drops in Google traffic in the age of AI and zero-click search, and how different website platforms (Pixieset, PhotoBiz, Webflow, WordPress, Wix) really stack up for SEO. You’ll learn what to worry about, what to ignore, and when it’s time to plan a platform migration. Timestamps [0:00] Holiday weekend intro and format change [0:45] Google’s new AI shopping and gift-idea features [3:40] Should you batch website changes or make them slowly? [5:55] Why steady traffic declines are normal in the AI era [7:30] How zero-click search and AI change buyer behavior [8:25] Diagnosing sharp, sudden drops in traffic (forensic SEO) [9:35] Is Pixieset actually good for SEO? [11:30] Why PhotoBiz’s SEO advice raises red flags [13:30] When to move off Squarespace or PhotoBiz [14:30] Webflow, Wix, WordPress, and hosting recommendations -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

This episode explores the shift from the “attention economy” to the emerging “trust economy,” why we’re all overwhelmed, and how creators can stand out in an era of AI-generated content. Meredith’s Husband breaks down practical ways website owners can build trust, create pattern-breaking content, and avoid blending in with generic AI blogs. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] The rise of social media and attention as currency [1:33] Spending 110% of our attention [2:28] ADHD-like overwhelm in modern life [3:27] Phones and constant content access [4:27] AI’s coming explosion in content creation [4:51] Oversaturation and the end of the attention economy [5:11] The trust recession [6:07] Trust as the new currency [6:54] How to create content AI cannot replicate -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Sign up for the Semrush Challenge https://seiq.learnworlds.com/course/semrush-challenge In this episode, Meredith's husband explains why there was no show last week and how the very first COVID-era videos he created accidentally led to a 4,000-visitor-per-month blog. He unpacks how “document, don’t create” reshaped his business, why giving away his secret sauce made him happier, and how the new one-week SEMrush Challenge can help website owners dramatically improve their technical SEO scores. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] “Welcome to Smartless” (not really) [0:37] Why there was no episode last week [1:23] Recording close to release because AI changes fast [2:03] COVID boredom → early screen-share SEO videos [2:14] “Document, don’t create” and starting a new blog [3:21] The blog grows to 4,000+ monthly visitors with zero marketing [4:26] Using the SEMrush free trial + blog to reach an A score [5:06] Running the live one-week SEMrush Challenge [7:10] Giving away the “secret sauce” shifted Meredith's husband's career [7:16] “Don’t be afraid to blog — it might make you happier” -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

In this episode, Meredith and her husband break down a misconception in SEO — that you need to be a technical genius to succeed. Meredith’s Husband explains why most modern website platforms already handle the “tech stuff” and why Google actually rewards usability and trust over perfection. You’ll also hear how the new SEMrush Challenge helps you reach “good enough SEO” — an A-level site score that’s more than enough to win. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] SEO isn’t as technical as people think [0:34] How the SEO industry promotes complexity [1:39] “Part of the problem since 2002” [2:03] What “Good Enough SEO” means [2:22] Why Google doesn’t care about technical perfection [3:00] How modern platforms (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress) handle technical SEO [4:12] Thinking like Google: What does Google really want? [5:45] What “good enough” looks like (A-grade site, not 100%) [7:21] Introduction to the SEMrush Challenge -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Did you like this episode? 👉 Cast a vote! https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7 Branded searches convert best. In this lesson, Meredith’s Husband walks local photographers through 12 must-do optimizations for a Google Business Profile—covering name consistency, photos, address vs. service area, products/prices, categories, descriptions, updates, reviews, social links, and image strategy—to boost first impressions and local “photographers near me” visibility. Timestamps[0:00] Introduction [0:24] Why revisit Google Business Profile now [2:05] Branded searches and conversion reality [3:32] How GBP impacts local “near me” rankings [5:01] Step 1 — Business name consistency [6:00] Step 2 — Cover photo that actually crops well [7:25] Step 3 — Service area vs. address (use a real address) [10:15] Step 4 — Logo upload and preview [11:10] Step 5 — Local phone number importance [12:20] Step 6–7 — Products, prices, and categories [15:05] Step 8 — “From the business” as a testimonial [16:20] Step 9 — Monthly updates (why it helps) [18:02] Step 10 — Reviews cadence and request method [20:05] Step 11 — Attach social profiles (they’re back) [21:30] Step 12 — Photos are the attention magnet [23:15] Optional steps teaser + vote link -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7

Many photographers lose inquiries after sending pricing. In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss how to filter out unqualified leads before they contact you — without sounding rude. They share practical SEO and website strategies like using autoresponders, pricing placement, and smart contact-form questions to attract clients who value your work (and your time). ⏱️ Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] The listener’s question: filtering out low-budget inquiries [1:00] SEO isn’t just rankings — it’s attracting the right clients [2:30] Reframing “bad” leads as a timing issue [3:00] The importance of fast (but friendly) responses [4:00] How to write a personable autoresponder [6:00] Why humor and warmth make you memorable [7:00] Where to mention pricing without sounding rude [8:45] Using dropdowns and checkboxes in your contact form [10:00] Alternatives to listing price ranges [11:15] Keeping unqualified leads for future offers [13:00] Why “starting at” pricing works best [14:10] Managing expectations and emotional buying behavior -- CONTACT Leave Feedback or Request Topics: https://forms.gle/bqxbwDWBySoiUYxL7