SEO Agency Survival Guide: Thriving Amid Google Updates and AI Disruption with Steven Schneider [Ep.172]

Jan 21, 2025

Steven Schneider, co-founder and CEO of TrioSEO, shares his insights from years of navigating the SEO landscape. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to fundamentals amidst AI disruptions and Google updates. Schneider explains that SEO requires a long-term vision, as it’s a marathon, not a sprint. He discusses his focus on high-quality content, careful vetting of white label partners, and the crucial role of effective communication. Listeners will find actionable strategies to boost site performance and make sense of the evolving SEO game.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating the SEO Agency Terrain

01:51 • 18min

Navigating Agency Partnerships and White Label Relationships

19:56 • 2min

Effective Onboarding and Client Communication

22:10 • 9min

Navigating SEO in an Evolving Landscape

30:46 • 18min

Unlocking SEO Growth Through Podcasting and Tools

48:18 • 2min

SEO Mishaps and Laughs

50:22 • 5min

SEO has always been a powerful way to drive online traffic, but with the rise of AI and Google algorithm updates, the game has shifted.

So how do SEO agencies combat these new challenges and remain relevant?

Steven Schneider, co-founder of TrioSEO, believes the secret is sticking to the fundamentals, and honing in what you’re good at.

In this episode, Steven shares why he’s still a big believer in SEO, how he’s adapted his agency to make the most of modern SEO, and how AI has reshaped online traffic.

Steven also gives actionable tips on protecting your site from Google algorithm updates, explaining that quality content should be your top priority. He also explains that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. According to Steven,

“ Everyone's trying to shave off time in SEO, but that's not how it works. SEO is a game of delayed gratification. The strategy is to build something that will last for years. And if you're thinking in months and weeks, you're already upside down from the get-go.”

Whether you’re running an SEO agency or looking to boost your site’s performance, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies you can start using today.

Topics Discussed in this episode:

Steven’s background and how he ended up in online business (02:05)
Narrowing down a target audience for your agency (15:03)
Why Steven focused heavily on content through his agency (18:35)
How Steven vets his white label partners (20:54)
Why communication is key to an agency’s success (23:36)
Is SEO enough for most companies or is omnichannel the way to go? (32:24)
SEO best practices to shield yourself from Google algorithm updates (34:33)
How AI is affecting search (38:24)
How Steven has incorporated AI as a tool in his business (44:19)
How to maintain good quality traffic from Google despite AI (46:27)

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Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to build a modern SEO agency.