Advertise on podcast: Sara Does SEO Podcast - Wedding SEO Podcast for Wedding Pros, Photographers, and Creatives by Sara

Yeah, I've seen it too: YouTube videos and TikToks declaring that "keywords are dead" in 2026. I have some thoughts about this one! I went and watched a few of the videos to understand what they're saying. And while I agree with some of the advice underneath those dramatic claims, I absolutely don't agree with the headline. Let's talk about what keywords actually do for SEO, how they're being used in AI searches through tools like ChatGPT, and if the keyword strategies you've already learned are still going to matter in 2027. What I Cover: - Why SEO experts are declaring keywords "dead" and what they're actually trying to say - The importance of understanding the person and search intent behind a keyword - How longer, more detailed AI searches are changing the way couples look for wedding vendors - A real ChatGPT search experiment that shows how AI uses keyword-based "fan out queries" to recommend photographers - Why blogging about specific venues and experiences can help your business show up in AI search results Recommended Episodes: - Episode 45: How Does a ChatGPT Search Work? How We Can Help: 🔧 Wedding SEO Bootcamp for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ 🔧 Rank for Revenue for Web Designers, Copywriters, Virtual Assistants: https://saradoesseo.com/rank-for-revenue/ Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I know you want to talk about getting found on ChatGPT! But before we get into strategies for showing up in AI recommendations, I think it's really important to understand how a ChatGPT search actually works. Because when someone asks ChatGPT to recommend a wedding venue or vendor, it's doing something pretty different from a traditional Google search. I'm walking you through a real test search I did for wedding venues in North Carolina. We'll look at the multiple searches ChatGPT ran behind the scenes, how it decided which businesses to recommend, and what all of this means for your wedding business's AI visibility! What I Cover: - How couples search differently on ChatGPT compared to Google - What actually happens behind the scenes when ChatGPT searches the web - The concept of "query fan out" and why one ChatGPT prompt can trigger multiple searches - What I discovered when I tested ChatGPT's recommendations for a wedding venue search - How ChatGPT pulls together information from multiple sources to decide which businesses to recommend Resources Mentioned: - Backlinko's free ChatGPT Query Fan Out Chrome extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/chatgpt-query-fan-out-too/gmjegihghagkoepemkaaojbgajempdoe?hl=en&pli=1 Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO + AI search optimization services for wedding pros, venues, and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I've been getting a lot of questions from wedding pros who are opening up their SEO rank trackers and seeing some scary stuff: keywords that fell 50 spots or "not ranked" at all. Well, I have some encouraging news for you! Your Google rankings might actually be just fine. Let's talk about what's happening with rank tracking tools and how I recommend checking your SEO progress today. What I Cover: - Why your rank tracker might show a big drop even when your actual Google rankings haven't changed - The recent Google search changes that are making it harder for SEO tools to track rankings accurately - What I've personally noticed when comparing Semrush reports to actual Google search results - How to use Google Search Console to check whether your search traffic and visibility are actually declining Resources Mentioned: - Google Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-console/ How We Can Help: 🔧 Wedding SEO Bootcamp for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I’ve had a few photographers ask me the same question recently: Should I create a separate website just for my wedding photography? I totally understand the idea behind having a wedding-focused website, especially if you also offer commercial photography, travel photography, or other types of creative work. But from an SEO perspective, splitting your business across two websites can make things a lot harder! I’m sharing a real client example of what happened when a photographer launched a separate wedding website, why building rankings on a new domain takes so much work, and what I recommend doing instead. What I Cover: - Why photographers are tempted to create separate wedding websites (I do get it!) - What happened when one of our clients moved her wedding photography to a brand-new domain - How having two websites can create confusion for Google, AI search tools, and potential clients - My recommendation for showcasing multiple types of photography without starting your SEO over from scratch Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Are those paid listing sites promising that paying them will help you show up in AI search? Oh boy, let's talk. Before you pay for a membership because a salesperson says it will help you show up on ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, I want you to listen to this first. In this episode, I’m walking through how I evaluate those sources, why a paid listing isn’t automatically valuable, and how you may be able to earn the right mentions without paying for them at all. What I Cover: - Why more online mentions don’t automatically mean more AI search visibility - How to test the searches your ideal clients might actually make in AI tools - What to look for in the source material ChatGPT uses for its recommendations - How to decide whether a paid vendor listing could actually be worthwhile - Two ways to build AI visibility without paying for listings Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I keep noticing Instagram profiles showing up on page one of Google for competitive wedding industry searches. And yes, that means your Instagram profile could potentially rank right alongside websites! So why is Google choosing certain Instagram profiles over all the others? There are a few things the profiles I’m seeing in search results have in common. In this episode, I’m breaking down those patterns and the three tweaks I’d make to give your Instagram profile a better chance of getting found on Google. What I Cover: - Why Instagram profiles are showing up in Google search results for wedding industry keywords - What I noticed about the profiles ranking for searches like “DC makeup artist” and “Dallas wedding photographer” - Why follower count doesn’t seem to be the deciding factor - How to use your most important keyword in your Instagram profile name and bio - Why optimizing your first pinned post may give Google even more context about your location and services Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

Some people are just naturally good at social media. They enjoy making content, they know what gets attention, and it actually brings them business! So if that’s you, do you really need to add SEO too? In this episode, I’m talking about why your marketing strategy doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. I also share a few situations where SEO can still be useful, even if social media is already working really well for you. What I Cover: - Why I think some people are naturally better suited to social media than others - What I’ve noticed about creators who seem genuinely good at getting attention online - Why you don’t necessarily need SEO if social media is bringing you enough bookings - When it might make sense to add SEO as another source of inquiries - Why your Google presence still matters when someone discovers you on social media - Why SEO may feel easier if you prefer written, educational content over social media content Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

A commenter recently said on one of my Instagram posts: "Unfortunately, you can't just quit social media if your SEO is good." I want to talk about it! (and you might be surprised by my thoughts on this 😉) There’s a big difference between using social media to prove you’re still in business, versus relying on it to constantly reach new people and bring in every lead. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when SEO becomes a reliable source of inquiries. Can you quit social media entirely? Press play for what I'm seeing. What I Cover: - The difference between using Instagram as a “vibe check” and relying on it as your main lead source - What I’m seeing from clients who get strong SEO results without being very active on social media - When quitting social media entirely might actually be possible Recommended Episodes: - Episode 38: SEO vs Social Media: Which One is Easier? Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much harder social media feels than it used to. Creating one post can mean filming video, editing clips, writing hooks, choosing audio, and hoping you grab someone’s attention fast enough for them to keep watching. At the same time, SEO actually feels easier to me than it did years ago. AI can support so much of the content creation process, and search is expanding beyond Google in ways that give small businesses more opportunities to get found. If social media is starting to feel like a LOT, you need to press play on this episode! What I Cover: - Why social media content feels more demanding than it did 10 years ago - The amount of work that now goes into creating short-form video and getting the hook right - Why SEO can feel calmer and more flexible than social media - How AI tools are making parts of the SEO content process easier - Why you still need a smart strategy instead of handing your entire SEO process over to AI - The new opportunity of AI search and GEO Resources Mentioned: - Blogging with AI workshop: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/ai-blog-workshop How We Can Help: 🔧 Wedding SEO Bootcamp for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ Recommended Episodes: - Next episode #39: Can I Quit Social Media if I Do SEO? Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I get asked about this a lot: can you use SEO to expand into a bigger market where you’d love to book more weddings? The answer is yes, sometimes! But ranking in a new city is very different from ranking in a market where your business is already established. In this episode, I’m sharing a real client situation that shows why a big competitive market may not be the best SEO target. I also talk through where my Multi-Location Strategy can make a lot more sense. What I Cover: - Why ranking in a brand-new market is harder than simply creating a location page - The local signals Google looks for when deciding which businesses to rank - Why established local competitors have a major advantage in competitive cities - When I would and wouldn't recommend SEO as a strategy for expansion How We Can Help: 🔧 The SEO Fix for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/ 🔧 Content Intensives for wedding pros: Available for SEO Fix clients Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

In this second part of my Ask Me Anything series, I’m answering five questions about how we deliver SEO behind the scenes at Sara Does SEO! I’m getting into what ongoing SEO support looks like for our clients, how we approach content after an SEO Fix, and the tool I’m liking right now for tracking visibility in AI search. I’m also sharing the resources I personally use to keep up with SEO changes. What I Cover: - What our SEO retainers actually look like and why most clients don’t need monthly SEO work - The ongoing audit and optimization work we offer after an SEO Fix - How Content Intensives help past SEO Fix clients keep building their search visibility - The tool I'm testing for tracking client visibility in AI search - The most important lesson I’ve learned about setting expectations with SEO clients Resources Mentioned: - Ubersuggest: https://saradoesseo.com/ubersuggest* - Sterling Sky and LocalU - Near Media - Whitespark Local Update Podcast - Search Engine Roundtable with Barry Schwartz Recommended Episodes: - Episode 33: Sara, How Does Your Business Actually Work? (You Asked, Part 1) How We Can Help: 🔧 The SEO Fix for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/ 🔧 Content Intensives for wedding pros: Available for SEO Fix clients who want to continue growing their SEO with strategic content. Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo! *This is an affiliate link, so I may earn commission. Please note that I always recommended Ubersuggest to my students because it's an affordable tool to get started with.

I can totally understand why SEO can feel like it’s always changing if your entire strategy is focused on ranking for one big keyword. But that’s exactly why I don’t want you putting all of your SEO effort into one search! A strong SEO strategy uses a mix of higher competition keywords and lower competition keywords that can bring the right people to your website in different ways. In this episode, I’m walking through how I think about lower competition keywords for photographers and wedding venues. I’m also sharing how these keywords can help you build an SEO strategy that keeps bringing in qualified traffic for years. What I Cover: - Why focusing on one high competition keyword can make your SEO strategy less steady - How to diversify where your search traffic comes from - Examples of lower competition keyword opportunities for wedding photographers and venues - What to create to target these keywords - How I find lower competition keyword ideas using brainstorming and SEO data Recommended Episodes: - Episode 34: Is SEO Really “Always Changing”? How We Can Help: 🔧 Wedding SEO Bootcamp for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I keep hearing business owners say they don't have time to keep up with SEO because it's "always changing." That idea frustrates me because, in my experience, sustainable SEO should work for the long-term! In this episode, I share real client examples that are still getting thousands of targeted Google clicks from SEO work we did years ago. I also explain why focusing on timeless best practices and the right keywords can help your SEO keep working long after the initial setup. If you've been wondering whether SEO is something you'll constantly have to chase, this ep is for you. What I Cover: - Why I don't believe SEO changes as much as people think - Two real client examples of websites still getting thousands of Google clicks years after their SEO was set up - What I mean by "timeless" SEO best practices that continue to work - Why creating genuinely helpful content matters more than trying to outsmart search engines - How targeting lower competition, more specific keywords leads to stronger long-term results Recommended Episodes: - Episode 35: What are Lower-Competition Keywords? (How You Rank for Years) Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

I never expected people to start asking me for business advice... but those conversations got me thinking! It sounds like you might be curious about what actually happens behind the scenes at Sara Does SEO. It blows my mind too that this business has grown to a team of 11, serving over 130 SEO clients and 500 students each year. So, in this Ask Me Anything episode, I'm answering your listener questions: how my services have changed, how I built a team, and what my day-to-day role looks like now. What I Cover: - How I went from web design to SEO and why my services have changed over the years - Why I stopped offering SEO audits as a standalone service and created The SEO Fix instead - How I gradually transitioned from doing all the client work myself to leading a team - What my job actually looks like today, from SEO strategy to marketing and teaching - The workshops, webinars, and marketing strategies I use to grow the business - What I look for when hiring new team members and why I only hire full-time employees Recommended Episodes: - Episode 1: Sara, Why Are You So Obsessed with SEO?? (How I Got Started) - Episode 19: Can I Hire You for an SEO Audit? (Nope 😉 Here’s Why) Services I Discussed: 🔧 Wedding SEO Bootcamp for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ 🔧 The SEO Fix for wedding pros: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-services/seo-fix/ Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!

One of my favorite things we created last year is coming back, and I couldn't be more excited! Join me for a few minutes as I share more about the fun and collaboration of SEO Summer Camp. If you've been wanting dedicated time to finally work on your SEO with support, community, and live coaching, this is it. Whether you're brand new to SEO or ready to make more progress, I'd love to have you join us starting August 4, 2026! What I Cover: - How SEO Summer Camp got started and why it's become one of my favorite events - What you'll learn during this year's live SEO demo for a wedding planner - Why live demos, co-working sessions, and community make SEO easier to stick with - Who SEO Summer Camp is designed for and how to join SEO Summer Camp: - All the details: https://saradoesseo.com/seo-summer-camp/ - Join Wedding SEO Bootcamp for access to Summer Camp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ Your Next Steps: 👉 Learn more about Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/ 👩‍💻 Check out our SEO services for wedding pros and photographers: https://saradoesseo.com/get-more-info/ 💌 Connect with me on Instagram @saradoesseo!