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E947: Most SEOs are building backlinks the wrong way. I break down the backlink mistake almost every SEO makes: building links purely for rankings instead of credibility, referral traffic, and conversions. This is inspired by a real Reddit post from a B2B SaaS founder who worked with multiple PR agencies, got burned by most of them, but still uncovered why good PR and good link building overlap more than people realize. If you're building links that nobody sees, nobody clicks, and nobody trusts, this will change how you think about SEO. What this covers: - Why backlinks without visibility rarely move the needle - The difference between brand mentions and real features - Why features convert better than most SEO campaigns - How PR shortens the sales cycle without touching your funnel - Why some nofollow links still matter - How high-authority publications increase trust even when users don't find you through them - The SEO value of credibility, branded searches, and referral traffic - Why most PR agencies fail and how to avoid getting stuck with one - What to look for in a publicist or link builder - How viral marketing and linkable assets outperform traditional link building - Using Product Hunt, BetaList, and simple web apps to earn links that actually convert - Why the best SEOs think like publicists Key takeaway: The best backlinks don't just pass PageRank. 
They make people trust you before they ever talk to you. If your link building strategy doesn't: - Drive referral traffic - Increase branded searches - Make conversions easier Then you're leaving real results on the table. This isn't about choosing PR instead of SEO. 
It's about learning the rules of publicity so your SEO actually works. Who this is for: - SEOs building links for clients or their own sites - Founders doing SEO for B2B or SaaS companies - Marketers tired of backlinks that look good in reports but don't produce revenue - Anyone who wants SEO to support real business outcomes If you want more on this, I go deep into link building that drives conversions inside my SEO course, Compact Keywords, including: - Links that are just links - Links that build credibility - Links that generate sales ⭐️ The Reddit comment - https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/15rpl5n/comment/jw9scyd/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction: Maximizing Results with Backlinks 00:07 Backlinks vs. Publicists: A Tough Choice 00:52 The Power of a Good Publicist 01:05 Reddit Case Study: PR Agencies 02:21 PR Agencies: Hits and Misses 05:58 Unexpected Benefits of PR Campaigns 07:49 Key Takeaways and Advice 08:40 Combining SEO with Publicity and Viral Marketing 11:51 Conclusion The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #linkbuilding #backlinks #publicrelations

E946: Google search volatility is hitting hard, and this time the pattern is clear. We break down why Google appears to be cracking down on self-promotional "best of" listicles, especially across SaaS blogs and resource centers. Based on research and analysis shared by Lily Ray and Glenn Gabe, many sites are seeing major visibility losses tied specifically to blog content that prioritizes SEO tactics over usefulness. This episode explains what's happening, why it's happening, and what site owners and marketers should learn from it. Topics covered: - What self-promotional listicles are and why they spread so quickly - Why blog and resource content is driving most visibility losses - How Google's review system may be detecting biased or low-evidence content - Examples of SaaS companies losing 40–50% or more organic visibility - How rapid AI content scaling increases algorithmic risk - Overuse of programmatic templates across hundreds or thousands of pages - Excessive "best X in 2026" style titles without meaningful updates - Misuse of schema and artificial freshness signals - Sales-driven content disguised as informational articles - Why overusing any SEO tactic eventually becomes spam - How Google updates affect AI Overviews and AI Mode - Why drops in search also impact ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity - What long-term, durable SEO actually looks like Key takeaway: SEO shortcuts can work temporarily, but when patterns become obvious, they stop working. Google updates tend to punish overuse, not single mistakes. Sites that focus on genuinely helpful content and balanced strategies tend to hold rankings over time. This episode is especially relevant for: - SaaS founders and marketers - SEO professionals - Content and growth teams using AI - Anyone dependent on Google or AI-driven search visibility If you want to learn my SEO approach that has survived multiple Google updates, you can find it with Compact Keywords (link below). The focus is on building pages that searchers actually want, not tactics that collapse during volatility. Thanks for watching. New episodes every day. ⭐️ Is Google Finally Cracking Down on Self-Promotional Listicles? - https://lilyraynyc.substack.com/p/is-google-finally-cracking-down-on ⭐️ Glenn Gabe's post - https://x.com/glenngabe/status/2018720184148631634 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction: Google's Crackdown on Self-Promotional Listicles 00:23 Understanding Self-Promotional Listicles 01:08 Google's Algorithm Update: Impact and Analysis 01:47 Lily Ray's Insights and Examples 06:02 Common Trends Among Affected Sites 10:12 Avoiding Google's Penalties: Best Practices 15:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E945: I'm joined by Matt Diamante and Jake Tlapek for a long-form, unfiltered conversation about what actually happens after you win on social media. All three of us came up through SEO content on TikTok and Instagram. This episode isn't about going viral - it's about turning attention into durable businesses, building teams, and deciding what you want to scale next. We cover the real mechanics of growing agencies, removing yourself from delivery, using content as leverage, and how AI and social search are changing SEO in practice - not theory. What we talk about in this episode: - How agency founders transition from "doing the work" to leading without breaking the business - The systems required to remove yourself from day-to-day client delivery - Why many SEO agencies stall before seven figures - and how to break through - How creators turn daily content into predictable demand and leads - The difference between chasing views and building lifetime search visibility - Social SEO: why searchable phrases now outperform traditional hooks - Posting consistently without burning out or over-polishing - Editing workflows, tools, and why speed often beats perfection - Why press releases still work for SEO and AI search visibility - How AI agents are being used for keyword research, competitive analysis, and content production - When SEO should be sold alone vs bundled with paid media - Common SEO mistakes clients make (and why they keep making them) - The hardest part of scaling a team - and when letting go is the right move - How creators think about the next phase after audience growth Who this episode is for: - Agency owners trying to scale past themselves - SEOs and marketers using social content to generate demand - Creators thinking about products, services, or SaaS - Anyone curious how SEO, AI, and social search are converging This is a long, candid conversation between people actively operating businesses - not theory, not recycled advice. If you're building an agency, using content to grow, or deciding what to scale next, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what actually works. ⭐️ Jake Tlapek on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewizardmarketing ⭐️ Jake Tlapek on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thewizardmarketing/ ⭐️ Jake Tlapek on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thewizardofmarketing ⭐️ Jake Tlapek's agency - https://finch.com/ ⭐️ Matt Diamante on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heytony.agency/ ⭐️ Matt Diamante on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@heytonyagency ⭐️ Matt Diamante on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@heymattdiamante ⭐️ Matt Diamante's agency - https://heytony.ca/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Agency Growth 00:20 Transition to Content Creation 00:51 Early Days on TikTok 02:20 The Power of Live Streaming 04:23 SEO Journey and Background 06:09 Daily Posting and Consistency 12:27 Social Media Engagement and Editing Tools 15:14 Effective Hooks and Content Creation 21:00 Social SEO and Long-term Strategies 38:42 Combining SEO with Advertising 41:18 Programmatic SEO Challenges 42:02 Core Pages and Content Strategy 43:33 Common SEO Mistakes 44:49 The Power of Press Releases 50:25 AI and Automation in SEO 54:03 Keyword Research Insights 01:11:32 Future Plans and Business Strategies 01:22:39 Disorganized Conference Experience 01:24:09 Unexpected Viral Video 01:25:19 Gary Vee's Heartfelt Apology 01:28:02 Collaborating with Other Creators 01:31:00 Scaling and Managing an Agency 01:41:15 Hiring a Business Coach 01:45:37 Firing Difficult Employees 01:51:17 Marketing and SEO Influencers 02:02:46 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell #agencygrowth #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing #searchmarketing

E944: Google has introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a system that allows merchants to send product data directly to Google so users can discover and buy products inside search, AI Mode, and Gemini - without ever visiting a website. In this episode, we break down what UCP actually is, how agentic commerce works, and what this shift means for e-commerce SEO, CRO, brand authority, and margins. Joining the discussion are Harpreet Singh, Gagan Ghotra, and David Quaid, three experienced SEOs with deep backgrounds in e-commerce, SaaS, B2B, and technical SEO. Together, we unpack what's real, what's overhyped, and what businesses should actually prepare for. Topics covered in this episode: - What Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) really does - Buying products directly inside Google search, AI Mode, and Gemini - Whether product pages, collection pages, and CRO still matter - How rankings work when everyone submits the same product feed - Trust issues with AI checkout and agent-driven purchasing - Why average order value (AOV) may drop in an AI commerce world - The impact on email capture, upsells, and owned customer relationships - Margins, platform fees, and why merchants may opt out of agentic commerce - Google vs OpenAI vs Shopify: who benefits financially - Why brand authority may matter more than ever - Backlinks, internal links, and how AI agents explore the web - Discovery vs brand-aware searches in an AI-first environment - The difference between "AI SEO" and actual SEO - What CMOs are getting wrong about generative search - Whether e-commerce SEO is ending - or just changing shape This episode is essential listening for: - E-commerce founders and operators - SEOs and digital marketers - CMOs evaluating "AI SEO" strategies - Anyone trying to understand where search and commerce are heading If you're thinking seriously about the future of search, AI shopping, and how people will buy online over the next decade, this conversation will help ground you in reality. ⭐️ David Quaid on 𝕏 - https://x.com/DavidGQuaid ⭐️ David Quaid on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquaid/ ⭐️ David Quaid's agency - https://primaryposition.com/ ⭐️ Gagan Ghotra on 𝕏 - https://x.com/gaganghotra_ ⭐️ Gagan Ghotra on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagan-ghotra/ ⭐️ Gagan Ghotra's website - https://gaganghotra.com/ ⭐️ Harpreet Singh's Personal Site - https://harpsdigital.com  ⭐️ Harpreet on X - https://x.com/harpreetchatha_ ⭐️ Harpreet's Newsletter - https://seoespresso.com ⭐️ Harpreet on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/harpreetsingh8/ ⭐️ Harpreet on TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@seoharp ⭐️ Harpreet on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@harpsdigital  💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Guest Introductions 01:06 Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Explained 02:05 Impact of UCP on E-commerce SEO 03:55 Historical Context and Future Predictions 07:10 Financial Implications of AI and E-commerce 10:02 Trust and Consumer Behavior in AI-Driven Commerce 11:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Agentic E-commerce 16:11 The Role of Brand Marketing in AI E-commerce 25:49 Backlinks and Authority in the Age of AI 42:41 The Efficiency of ASCII Content 42:55 Challenges in Detecting AI Content 44:42 The Role of Thoughtful Prompts in AI 46:19 The Hype Around AI Tools 46:26 Google's Investment in AI and Data Centers 47:56 Authority and SEO Strategies 53:39 The Myth of Chunk Optimization 01:00:04 OpenAI's Advertising Strategy 01:07:18 Black Hat SEO Tactics for Valentine's Day 01:15:08 Networking for Initial Clients 01:16:13 AI SEO vs Traditional SEO for CMOs 01:19:09 The CMO's Dilemma: Allocating Budget to AI SEO 01:21:55 Understanding Query Fanout and Its Impact on SEO 01:25:02 The Relaunch of Digg and Its Implications for SEOs 01:36:16 The Rise of Grokipedia: A Competitor to Wikipedia 01:49:47 The Future of User-Generated Content and SEO 01:52:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #ecommerceseo #shopifyseo 

E943: How to get high-quality backlinks from podcast appearances and why podcast guesting is one of the most effective and overlooked SEO strategies available right now. This is based on real experience. In 2022, I went on 30 podcasts in three months before I had an audience, social media presence, or this podcast. Those appearances helped me build backlinks, branded searches, topical authority, and ultimately led to everything I'm doing now. This episode covers why podcast backlinks work, how they affect SEO directly and indirectly, and exactly how to get booked on podcasts consistently. What you'll learn: - Why podcast guest appearances generate strong backlinks - How podcast show notes and transcripts create SEO value - Why many podcast hosts publish your exact description and links - The difference between dofollow and nofollow podcast links - How podcast backlinks support topical authority - Why branded searches matter and how podcasts increase them - How YouTube podcast links fit into a natural backlink profile - How podcast appearances can lead to knowledge panels - A real example of a site using podcasts to recover and grow after the Google Helpful Content Update - Why podcast guesting often leads to additional organic links - How podcasting builds both SEO signals and real business outcomes How to get on podcasts as a guest: - Using podcast guest matching platforms - https://aipodcastmatcher.com/ - How to set up your profile for better matches - Why simple outreach often outperforms long pitches - The exact outreach approach that worked best for me - How having your own podcast helps you get on other shows - How to trade podcast appearances effectively - How podcast guesting can lead to partnerships and referrals Why podcasts are more than just backlinks: - Brand exposure that leads to searches - Increased click-through rate in search results - Natural engagement signals - Repurposable content for short-form platforms - Long-term compounding value If you're focused on SEO, link building, or growing a brand without relying on tactics that don't hold up long term, this episode walks through a strategy that's practical, repeatable, and still widely underused. ⭐️ https://aipodcastmatcher.com/ ⭐️ How to Get On Podcasts as a Guest in 2026: The Easy Way - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/get-on-podcasts-as-guest-2026/ ⭐️ How I've 10x'd My Podcast Growth Year Over Year - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/10x-podcast-growth/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Backlinks from Podcasts 00:39 Advantages of Podcast Backlinks 02:30 Impact of YouTube Backlinks on SEO 05:15 Real-Life Success Stories 08:32 How to Get on Podcasts 10:30 Leveraging Your Own Podcast 12:23 Conclusion The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #linkbuilding #backlinks #publicrelations

E942: A real case study showing how an $80 press release from Matt Diamante (Hey Tony Agency) ranked #1 on Google for a non-branded keyword and influenced Google's AI Overview. This isn't theory. This actually happened. I walk through exactly how a single press release, distributed through AB Newswire, showed up at the top of Google search results, was cited by a publication, and continued to influence AI search results weeks later - even after the original press release was no longer publicly accessible. This episode explains why press releases still matter, how they influence search engines and large language models, and how they can be used responsibly to build real topical authority. What this covers: - The difference between branded vs non-branded search keywords - Why purchase-intent keywords behave differently in search - How an $80 press release ranked #1 for "best selling SEO book" - How press releases influence Google AI Overviews - Why authority publications still rank syndicated press releases - What happened after the press release was removed - The role of search behavior and user interaction in rankings - ABNewswire vs PR Newswire vs PRLog - When press releases help SEO and when they don't - The difference between legitimate press releases and link spam - How press releases reinforce entity credibility and topical authority - Why company announcements have always mattered in SEO - How press releases influence AI systems like Google AI and ChatGPT - How to use press releases as part of a broader content strategy Key takeaway: Press releases are not about gaming algorithms. When used correctly, they document legitimate business activity, create citation consistency, and help search engines and AI systems understand what your business is actually about. This also explains how press releases fit into my broader SEO framework and why they are just one tactic among many. ⭐️ How to use press releases for SEO and LLMs - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/how-to-use-press-releases-for-seo-and-llms/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Press Releases and SEO 00:46 Case Study: Matt Diamante's Press Release Strategy 03:58 The Power of Press Releases in SEO 06:10 Maximizing Press Release Impact 10:22 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #publicrelations #generativeengineoptimization #growthhacking

E941: Edward is joined by Charles Floate and David Quaid for a deep, technical conversation about what is actually happening in search right now - and why many long-held SEO assumptions no longer hold. We discuss a growing pattern of manual actions that appear to be permanent, rejected reconsideration requests even after large-scale cleanups, and why some businesses may never fully recover organic traffic from Google. From enterprise sites to small publishers, the rules are shifting fast. The conversation moves into AI search, ChatGPT visibility, Reddit's dominance in the SERPs, and how Google's own behavior is pushing SEOs toward tactics that were once considered off-limits. This is not theory. It's based on live examples, experiments, client data, and firsthand experience. Topics covered: - Why manual actions are increasingly permanent and what that means for long-term SEO strategy - What to do when reconsideration requests keep getting rejected - The risk of relying on a single branded domain for all organic traffic
 - Multi-domain strategies, exact match domains, and when they still work
 - Why Reddit now occupies multiple positions on page one
 - How Reddit SEO is being used to offset traffic losses from Google updates
 - The difference between SEO and AI search optimization
 - How ChatGPT, Bing grounding, and source consensus actually work
 - Why most AI visibility still depends on traditional SEO foundations
 - The real role of links in modern SEO and AI surfacing
 - Common SEO tactics that no longer move rankings
 - Underrated techniques that still produce results
 - Internal linking mistakes that kill performance
 - Why "just write good content" is not a strategy
 - How misinformation and tribalism are hurting the SEO industry
 - The growing gap between white hat theory and what actually works
 - Who is winning right now: white hats or black hats - and why This episode is intended for SEOs, founders, CMOs, and operators who want a realistic view of search in 2026, not recycled advice or surface-level commentary. ⭐️ David Quaid on 𝕏 - https://x.com/DavidGQuaid ⭐️ David Quaid on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquaid/ ⭐️ David Quaid's agency - https://primaryposition.com/ ⭐️ Charles Floate on 𝕏 - https://x.com/Charles_SEO ⭐️ Charles Floate on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesfloate/ ⭐️ Charles Floate on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesFloate ⭐️ Charles Floate on Facebook - https://facebook.com/thecharlesfloate ⭐️ Charles Floate's PressWhizz - https://presswhizz.com/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:22 Manual Actions and Permanent Bans 01:08 SEO Strategies for Corporate Clients 02:09 The Risks of Relying on a Single Domain 10:48 The Power of Reddit in SEO 18:44 Challenges in the SEO Community 31:02 Experimenting with AI and SEO 46:07 Link Building Strategies and Challenges 46:30 Cool Link Acquisition Stories 50:10 PressWhizz Revolutionizing Link Building 56:38 SEO Techniques: What's Worth It and What's Not 01:13:20 Understanding YMYL and Its Impact 01:25:22 Maximizing SEO with Short Pages 01:26:17 The Power of Internal Linking 01:27:06 Link Building Strategies and Challenges 01:28:04 The Evolution of Link Building Costs 01:29:38 Adapting to AI and SEO Changes 01:32:03 Common Internal Linking Mistakes 01:35:05 Effective URL Slug Changes 01:38:09 White Hat vs. Black Hat SEO 01:48:03 The Role of Private Blog Networks (PBNs) 01:58:52 SEO Consulting and Agency Recommendations 02:05:46 Final Thoughts and Farewell The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #blackhatseo #linkbuilding #generativeengineoptimization

E940: Google penalties are no longer feeling like temporary setbacks. More and more site owners are fixing everything they're told to fix, submitting reconsideration requests, and still getting rejected. In this episode, I break down why Google manual actions appear to be becoming semi-permanent, what multiple SEO practitioners are seeing in real data, and why Google may no longer be asking "did you fix it?" - but instead "should we ever trust you again?" We cover what's changing, what's being reported by people deep in the weeds, and what this means if you're using aggressive SEO tactics, gray-area strategies, or anything that relies on shortcuts. Topics covered: - Why reconsideration requests are being rejected more often - How Google appears to be shifting from behavior-based penalties to perception-based penalties - What "perceived spam" means and why fixing the site may no longer be enough - Why manual actions are starting to look permanent instead of temporary - Similar rejection patterns now showing up in Bing - The risk of tying multiple domains to the same Search Console - Why black hat shortcuts often take longer than doing things correctly - What actually works long term in SEO and marketing - Where press releases, listicles, and self-promotion fall on the rules spectrum - How white hat SEO compounds over time when done consistently This episode is not about fear-mongering. It's about understanding the current landscape so you can make informed decisions about risk, durability, and long-term growth. If you've ever considered pushing the limits, this is worth paying attention to. ⭐️ Charles Floate's post w/ comments - https://x.com/Charles_SEO/status/2016582913043882107 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Google's Permanent Penalties 00:17 Charles Floate's Insights on Reconsideration Requests 02:44 Gagan Ghotra's Perspective and Bing's Similar Issues 04:54 White Hat SEO vs. Black Hat SEO 10:27 The Importance of Long-Term SEO Strategies 12:07 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #googlepenality #googlemanualaction #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E939: If you've just launched a website and have no backlinks, this episode walks through how to build links the right way - without shortcuts, spam, or jumping into strategies that don't work for new sites. This episode is based on a real thread from Charles Floate's r/linkbuilding subreddit, where someone asked how to build high-quality backlinks for a brand-new beauty blog with no existing authority. I break down the best answers, add real-world context, and explain what actually matters when you're starting from scratch. We cover why most people make link building harder than it needs to be, what to focus on first, and how to build trust before worrying about scale. What you'll learn: - Why foundational backlinks matter for new websites - Which links you should build before guest posting - How social profiles and directories help establish trust - When manual outreach actually makes sense - How community participation leads to natural link opportunities - Why referral traffic matters more than domain metrics - How partnerships and link exchanges can work when done properly - Why press releases are still useful for brand-new sites - How press releases influence search results and brand visibility - Expert quote platforms that work well for early link building - Why quality beats volume every time for new domains - How podcast guesting can be used for link building - Why consistency matters more than doing everything at once This is especially useful if: - You've launched a new site with no backlinks - You're unsure which link-building tactics to start with - You want to avoid wasting time on low-value links - You're building a real brand, not a disposable site ⭐️ How can I effectively build backlinks for a brand-new website with no existing authority? - https://www.reddit.com/r/linkbuilding/comments/1mew9qs/how_can_i_effectively_build_backlinks_for_a/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Backlink Building 01:02 Exploring Foundational Backlinks 01:44 Engaging with Online Communities 03:27 Leveraging Press Releases 04:59 Expert Advice from Charles Floate 06:44 Social Media and Local Directories 07:26 AI Tools and Podcasting for Backlinks 07:55 Final Tips The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #linkbuilding #backlinks #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E938: I break down new data showing that YouTube has officially overtaken Reddit as the most cited social platform in AI search, including large language models like ChatGPT. We'll cover what this shift means for SEO, brand visibility, and how to actually get your content cited by AI using YouTube. What changed in AI search - YouTube is now cited more frequently than Reddit in AI-generated answers - Transcripts and descriptions make YouTube content easy for LLMs to read - AI systems increasingly rely on YouTube for explanations, reviews, and comparisons Why YouTube now beats Reddit for AI visibility - Videos include readable transcripts and metadata - Titles and descriptions can target exact search queries - YouTube content is easier for AI to summarize and compare - Ranking videos also builds long-term brand authority How AI systems find and cite YouTube videos - AI prompts are broken into multiple search queries - Videos need to match at least one of those queries - Titles, descriptions, and filenames influence discovery - Clear answers increase the chance of citation How to optimize YouTube videos for AI search - Target one primary keyword per video - Put the keyword in the video title - Put the keyword at the beginning of the description - Use the keyword in the video filename - Answer the question directly and concisely How to structure descriptions so AI can understand them - Put the full answer in the description - Use headings to organize information - Use consistent sections for comparisons - This makes it easier for AI to generate tables Using YouTube alongside traditional SEO - Create a video for each SEO landing page - Target the same keyword in the page and the video - Publish both while the topic is top of mind - Videos often rank faster than pages Branded vs non-branded keywords - Branded keywords are easier to rank for - Brand name plus review keywords convert well - Brand name plus rating keywords convert well - Non-branded keywords are still viable with video Building topical authority on YouTube - Cover related topics consistently - Watch time and engagement matter - Comments help reinforce relevance - Channels behave similarly to websites in search Practical advice for getting started - Start recording with what you have - You do not need to post daily - Weekly or monthly is enough to start - Editing does not need to be complex - Shorts can be reused across platforms Why this matters - YouTube is the most clicked site in Google search - YouTube is now a top citation source for AI - You build brand equity while ranking - You own the asset you are growing ⭐️ My Exact Social Media Posting Strategy - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/social-media-posting-strategy/ ⭐️ EXCLUSIVE: YouTube Overtakes Reddit as Go-To Citation Source on AI Search - https://www.adweek.com/media/youtube-reddit-ai-search-engine-citations/ ⭐️ State of Search Q4 2025: Behaviors, Trends, and Clicks Across the US & Europe - https://datos.live/report/state-of-search-q4-2025/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 YouTube Overtakes Reddit in AI Citations 00:19 The Rise of YouTube as a Citation Source 01:31 Optimizing Videos for AI and SEO 04:56 Practical Tips for Creating Effective Videos 06:18 Building and Growing Your YouTube Channel 08:22 Leveraging AI and Video for SEO Success 10:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E937: Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e13R_Z1pFwk A deep, practical look at how Claude Cowork is changing the way SEO work is actually executed. This is not a theoretical discussion about AI. The focus is on real workflows: how Claude Cowork performs hands-on SEO tasks that normally require hours of manual effort, and how agencies can realistically use it today. The conversation walks through live examples of Claude Cowork performing local SEO audits, Google Business Profile analysis, competitor research, and on-page SEO evaluations by directly interacting with the browser and SEO tools. Sarvesh Shrivastava joins the show! He shares how he's actively testing Claude Cowork inside agency-style workflows and what this means for SEO teams. What we cover: - What Claude Cowork is and how it differs from tools like ChatGPT and Gemini - How Claude Cowork operates directly on your computer instead of requiring manual data uploads - A walkthrough of a Google Business Profile competitor analysis - How Claude Cowork audits Google Maps listings and identifies ranking patterns - How competitor data is collected and analyzed across local search results - How reviews are analyzed for volume, ratings, and keyword usage - How business hours and availability signals affect local rankings - How profile completeness, photos, videos, and posts are evaluated - How pattern recognition can surface niche-specific local ranking factors - How automated SEO audit reports can be generated and reviewed - How on-page SEO audits are performed automatically - How title tags and heading structure issues are identified - How schema and local business markup gaps are detected - How page speed and image optimization issues are flagged - How agencies can reduce time spent on audits, research, and reporting - Where automation works well and where human review is still required - Credit limits, permission prompts, and current limitations of the tool - How Claude Cowork fits into real agency workflows today Who this is for: - SEO professionals and consultants - Agency owners and operators - Local SEO specialists - Business owners managing their own SEO - Anyone interested in practical AI-driven automation for SEO work Sarvesh also explains how he plans to roll this into agency processes, which tasks provide the biggest time savings, and which areas still benefit from hands-on SEO judgment. ⭐️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e13R_Z1pFwk ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's Claude Cowork prompts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/13x8O8P-SWl-Wm3c2JpHtH4iWk3I5L8qo0SjP862zNV8/edit?tab=t.0 ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on 𝕏 - https://x.com/bloggersarvesh ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarvesh-shrivastava-blogger/ ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seowithsarvesh/ ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bloggersarvesh ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's agency, Alventra Marketing - https://alventramarketing.com/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Claude and SEO 01:03 Exploring Claude Cowork's Capabilities 03:05 Live Demonstration of Claude Cowork 05:20 In-Depth Analysis and Insights 19:49 On-Page SEO Audit with Claude 24:51 Detailed Prompt for On-Page SEO 24:57 Schema Audit and SEO Tools 25:43 Automating SEO Tasks with Claude Cowork 28:13 Permissions and Limitations of Claude Cowork 30:14 Live Demonstration of Claude Cowork 32:16 Automating Content Creation and Backlink Analysis 34:50 Challenges and Future of Claude Cowork 41:03 Going Viral with Claude Cowork 44:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #localseo #localmarketing #googlebusinessprofileoptimization #searchengineoptimization

E936: Local SEO lives or dies by local authority - and one of the biggest drivers of that authority is local backlinks. I break down exactly how to build high-quality local backlinks that help search engines see your business as an authority in a specific city or region. This applies whether you're starting a local business, competing in a crowded market, or expanding into new locations. I cover practical strategies that send real referral traffic, strengthen local topical authority, and support long-term ranking improvements - not theory. What you'll learn: - Why local backlinks matter for local SEO and topical authority - How partnerships with local businesses create real traffic and stronger links - How to find and evaluate local sponsorship opportunities (and when they're worth it) - When to accept nofollow links or brand mentions - and when not to - How to use ChatGPT agent mode to research local sponsorships and partners - How to properly vet local partners to protect your brand and reputation - Core local citations you need for local SEO - How to track citations and backlinks correctly (and why tracking matters) - How citation language and context impact local topical authority - How to vary location and service language without hurting consistency - Why anchor text matters less than contextual language for local SEO - How to structure location hub pages to support link building - How to build links to pillar pages to strengthen weaker service pages This is especially useful if: - You're launching a local business and need to build authority from scratch - You're competing in a high-competition city - You're expanding SEO into new locations - You want a clear system for local link building 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Building Local Backlinks 00:59 Partnerships for Local Backlinks 01:16 Sponsorship Opportunities 01:59 Using ChatGPT for Sponsorships 04:03 Local Citations and Directories 04:30 Tracking and Managing Citations 05:21 Language and Context in Citations 07:36 Hub Pages for Local SEO 08:54 Conclusion and Wrap Up The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #localseo #localmarketing #searchengineoptimization #linkbuilding

E935: I break down a recently funded AI startup that is scaling SEO with unchecked, fully AI-generated financial content - and why this strategy has already failed before. I've seen this exact playbook play out with AInvest: rapid traffic growth driven by AI content, press, and links… followed by a sharp collapse after Google's spam and quality updates. Now we're watching the same model surface again, almost step for step. This episode is not about hating on AI. It's about understanding where AI actually helps - and where it quietly puts your entire domain at risk. What's covered: - How a low-authority domain was able to spike to tens of thousands of clicks per month - Why press, link velocity, and brand mentions can temporarily mask serious SEO issues - The dangers of scaling AI-generated financial content without human fact-checking - How Google evaluates unchecked AI content, especially in YMYL niches - Why sites often get away with this approach for a few months before getting hit - The long-term SEO damage most founders and marketers don't see coming - What this means for your tools, brand terms, and real linkable assets - How AI can be used responsibly in SEO without putting your site at risk Also, what this company is doing well, including: - Press and link acquisition - Brand trust signals and accessibility - Interactive AI tools and on-page engagement features If you're a founder, marketer, or SEO considering AI to scale content, this episode is a clear warning - and a roadmap for how to avoid repeating the same mistake. 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Frustrations 00:13 The Rise and Fall of AInvest 01:03 Introducing The New AInvest - Here We Go Again 02:52 SEO Strategies and Risks 04:22 AI Content and Google's Guidelines 07:56 Practical AI Applications 11:23 Final Thoughts and Warnings 12:25 Conclusion and Episode Wrap-Up The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #programmaticseo #scaledcontentabuse #blackhatseo

E934: Google's quiet removal of the num=100 parameter sent shockwaves through the SEO tooling ecosystem. Many called it an apocalypse. Others barely noticed. I sit down with Jonathan Berthold, VP of Revenue at Moz, to unpack what actually happened, why Google made the change, and how it connects to a much bigger shift happening across search, AI, and zero-click results. We cover how SEO is evolving under pressure from AI Overviews, LLMs, and generative search - and why most of the panic is misplaced. Topics covered: - What the num=100 parameter was and why Google removed it - Whether this change was aimed at SEOs, tool providers, or OpenAI - How rank tracking, impressions, and average position were distorted before the change - Why keyword positions beyond page one rarely matter for real business outcomes - The rise of zero-click search and what it actually means for traffic - How AI Overviews and LLMs are reshaping informational search - Why commercial and transactional queries are far less impacted - The difference between SEO as a strategy vs SEO as a channel - Why brand is becoming the strongest long-term advantage in search - How Moz has adapted its product and analytics approach - What SEO agencies need to change when rankings stop being the primary KPI - Whether AI tools threaten SEO careers - or force better ones - Google vs OpenAI vs other LLMs and what's really at stake - Why "GEO" mostly looks like good SEO done correctly Key takeaways: - The num=100 removal didn't break SEO - it exposed bad measurement habits - Traffic quality matters more than traffic volume - Informational content still matters, even when clicks decline - Brand visibility now extends beyond Google into AI systems - SEO success is increasingly tied to business outcomes, not rankings This conversation goes deep into how search is changing without resorting to hype or fear. If you work in SEO, marketing, analytics, or product - and want a grounded view of where things are heading - this episode is for you. ⭐️ Jonathan Berthold on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanberthold/ ⭐️ Jonathan Berthold on 𝕏: https://x.com/j_bertho ⭐️ Moz (my affiliate link): https://edwardsturm.com/refer/moz/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:09 SEO Industry Insights 04:19 Impact of LLMs on SEO 10:47 Brand Importance in SEO 11:14 Discussion on Topical Authority 16:06 The Num Equals 100 Parameter Change 29:14 Google's Strategy Against OpenAI 32:13 The Rise of Claude Code and LLMs 33:06 Comparing ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude 35:27 OpenAI's New Ad Model 36:15 Challenges in Scaling OpenAI's Ad System 41:38 SEO and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) 54:07 The Future of AI in the Job Market 01:00:30 Will AI Mode Become the Default? 01:02:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #performancemarketing #digitalmarketing

E933: How URL structure directly impacts SEO performance, topical authority, and whether Google views your site as legitimate or spammy. I walk through two common URL structure approaches that many sites use when targeting similar keywords - and explain why one of them often triggers spam signals, ranking cannibalization, and doorway page issues, even when the content itself is solid. If you're building feature pages, use-case pages, programmatic SEO, or scaling content across keyword variations, this episode will help you avoid structural mistakes that quietly limit rankings. What you'll learn: - Why certain URL patterns raise red flags for Google - How search engines interpret keyword-heavy slugs vs hierarchical structures - The difference between doorway page patterns and real topical depth - How nested subfolders help establish clearer parent-child topic relationships - Why documentation-style URL structures tend to perform better long term - How poor URL structure can cause ranking cannibalization - How to structure feature and use-case pages without looking manipulative - How internal linking should work when using nested URL hierarchies - Why this approach makes link building and topical authority easier Real-world examples discussed: - How a top mattress affiliate structures pages to rank for thousands of keywords - How legal SEO sites organize practice-area pages by accident type - Why these structures scale without triggering spam classifications Who this episode is for: - Founders and marketers building SEO-driven landing pages - SEOs working on programmatic or scaled content - Anyone restructuring a site for better topical authority - People confused about why similar pages keep competing with each other This episode focuses entirely on information architecture, not content tricks or shortcuts. The goal is to help Google understand what your site is actually about - and reward it accordingly. ⭐️ Google's update on Doorway pages - https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/03/an-update-on-doorway-pages 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to URL Structures and SEO Impact 00:09 Fictional Email Client and URL Structure Examples 00:51 Comparing Two URL Structures 01:59 Real-World Examples and SEO Insights 02:59 Google's Perspective on URL Structures 04:39 Advantages of Hierarchical URL Structures 07:00 Case Studies: NapLab and Legal SEO 09:06 Best Practices for Internal Linking 10:40 Wrapping URL Structures The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #informationarchitecture #topicalauthority #digitalmarketing