How to Fix Your SEO Strategy
The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)
Navigating the Future of SEO in an AI World
This chapter explores the implications of AI on the future of SEO and the potential challenges it presents to Google. The conversation highlights essential adaptations marketers must make and includes insights from a valuable slide deck by an SEO expert.
#224: Website Teardown | In this episode, Danielle (Head of Content at Exit Five) hosts a panel with top SEO and content marketing experts: Rita Cidre, Head of Academy at Semrush; Ross Simmonds, CEO at Foundation & Distribution.ai; and Tom Whatley, CEO of Grizzle.
Together, they break down real B2B websites, exposing the biggest SEO mistakes and sharing data-driven strategies for improving rankings, content, and conversion rates.
Danielle, Rita, Ross, and Tom cover:
- The most common SEO mistakes B2B marketers are making right now
- Why ranking for the wrong keywords is hurting your pipeline
- How to optimize content for scanners, search intent, and conversions
Timestamps
- (00:00) - – Introduction to Rita, Ross, and Tom
- (04:05) - – Why SEO has changed and what marketers are getting wrong in 2024
- (07:06) - – The impact of AI on SEO and why standing out is harder than ever
- (08:48) - – Case study: How Pipedrive increased signups by 33% with bottom-of-funnel SEO
- (11:14) - – The difference between top-of-funnel and bottom-of-funnel content strategies
- (13:41) - – Why glossary pages aren’t enough and what to do instead
- (16:17) - – The biggest homepage SEO mistakes (live website teardown)
- (21:00) - – How to structure product and category pages for better rankings
- (23:54) - – The problem with keyword stuffing vs. real search intent optimization
- (29:55) - – Why internal linking and URL structure matter for SEO success
- (34:31) - – How backlinks, brand authority, and digital PR impact rankings
- (38:25) - – The role of content quality, readability, and formatting for scanners
- (41:50) - – Common mistakes in blog strategy and how to fix them
- (46:20) - – Why getting to the point faster improves rankings and engagement
- (48:56) - – Final SEO takeaways recommendations
Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.com
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Today’s episode is brought to you by Zuddl.
We’re halfway through 2025, and one thing’s clear: events continue to be one of the highest performing marketing channels. Niche meetups, conferences, curated dinners, networking - you name it. Everyone’s leaning in.
Events are a core part of our playbook this year at Exit Five. So far, we’ve hosted two virtual sessions each month, one large virtual event, one in-person meetup, and we’re deep in the weeds planning our Drive conference coming back to Vermont this September.
Zuddl helps us run a smarter event strategy - from driving registrations, managing invites, automating comms, reminders, analytics, tracking. Their Salesforce integration also makes it simple to report on pipeline and revenue from events without pulling in ops.
On top of that, the differentiator with Zuddl is how their team is insanely good at supporting us. They always go above and beyond for us - and that’s how we’ve been able to keep the momentum going with 12+ events already this year, with plenty more to come.
If events are part of your marketing strategy, you need to look at Zuddl to see how companies like Zillow, CrowdStrike, and Iterable are using the top event platform for Business events in 2025.
Head over to zuddl.com/exitfive to learn more.
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