Join us as Cyrus Shepard shares the evolving relationship between brand and SEO, setting the stage for businesses to thrive in today's digital landscape.  Explore the profound shifts that are shaking up the old-school SEO world. From understanding Google's reliance on brand as a filter to discovering which digital strategies can enhance your site's authority without solely focusing on keywords, we've got the latest insights. Care to rethink your link strategy? Discover how anchor texts can shape your brand's perception and influence your rankings in this domain-driven age. Erin and Cyrus explore fresh approaches that every good SEO should consider adopting. Don't miss out on this Zippy discussion where we explore the starting point for building a brand that impacts SEO.  We would always love a review! Go to RateThisPodcast/EDGE and let us know what you think about this interview! Key Segments: [00:07:33] Measuring Brand Impact in SEO [00:15:54] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:53] Essential Brand Marketing Basics  [00:21:47] Off-Site Brand Engagement Strategies [00:24:47] Evolving SEO: Personal Experience Matters [00:27:23] Future-Proof Your Content Strategy [00:30:43] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:33:37] Mirror, Image, and SEO Authority Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest: X: @CyrusShepard X: @ZyppySEO LinkedIn: Cyrus Shepard Resources: Zippy SEO Company List

Greg Finn jumps into the Paid Ad news focus this week. Friend of the show; it’s always a good time when he is around! What do you think about Google's ambitious prediction that AI will craft mesmerizing customer journeys while the search giant navigates through over 5 trillion searches a year? And what is going on with Google Ads and their announcement that they will use well-performing Headlines in Sitelinks? That’s confusing for us, but it will also be confusing for consumers. What gives, Google? Greg, Erin, and Jacob dive deep into the world of paid ads, dissecting Google's latest move to serve triple ads on a single SERP and introducing the bewildering Mystery Shopping Rating. As Greg unleashes his fiery insights, they tackle the challenges of Google’s evolving auction dynamics and the perplexities of manipulating ad placements and bids for high-value prospects. Not to mention our newest discovery, the Grinning Indomitable Greg Finn Yeti! We’ve seen it in the wild, and he’s pissed! A must-listen-to podcast for the avid Paid Ad advertiser - today on the EDGE! Key Segments: [00:01:51]    The Grinning Indomitable Greg Finn Yeti! News from the EDGE: [00:03:37]  Reddit for SMBs [00:08:28] Google now sees more than 5 trillion searches per year [00:11:06]  EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:12:06] Google VP of Ads bets on AI to transform ads into tailored consumer journeys Paid Ad News: [00:15:35]  Google is Making Headlines (AKA sitelinks) once Again with Some New Developments. [00:22:07] Google Ads run different auctions for each ad location [00:26:46] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks [00:27:43] Google Ads Triple Serving Ads On Same Search Results Page [00:33:59] Google Ads Mystery Shopping Rating - What? [00:41:22] Google Ads High Value New Customer Mode Live For Some Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Thanks to our Social News Expert: Greg Finn X: @gregfinn LinkedIn: Greg Finn Marketing O’Clock X: @MarketingOClock Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

Everyone’s lit up with AI advancements, but what about our privacy? Erin Sparks and Michael Lewittes dive into the ethics and privacy concerns surrounding AI, shedding light on the rapid information exchange and the potential risks looming over our data. Explore how hedge funds are making daring AI moves, with new platforms demanding personal information in return for supposedly superior features. The question lingers: Are we too quick to exchange privacy for convenience?  Michael shares insights on discerning fact from fiction in AI-generated content and offers advice for content creators striving to stand out in a saturated market. His expert analysis offers a roadmap to uphold authenticity and authority in a sea of homogenized content. Alongside, the EDGE team muses about the consumer's role in safeguarding personal data against the intrusive AI gaze. Emphasizing the mantra "verify, then trust," they urge listeners to sharpen critical thinking in the flood of AI-generated content. [00:05:36] AI Ethics and Privacy Concerns [00:13:05] Simplified User Agreements Needed [00:15:36] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:17:43] Use Privacy Mode Online [00:18:51] AI Literacy and Consumer Responsibility [00:22:46] Trusting AI: Balancing Use and Skepticism [00:26:17] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:27:53] Improving AI Grounding and Differentiation [00:31:08] Balancing AI Efficiency and Authenticity [00:32:50] AI as a Brand Building Tool Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest X: https://x.com/MichaelLewittes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lewittes/

Duncan Alney of Firebelly joins the EDGE to give his take on Social Media news and trends. A long-time friend of the show, we got him on board to dig into what we should be paying attention to in Social Media right now. Google Business profiles took a hit but are on the mend, while LinkedIn's newest analytics features help professionals find their path to visibility. On this jaunt down the digital lane, Erin Sparks and Duncan Alney unravel the enigma of social media updates and the shenanigans behind Google’s latest moves. Did Facebook really decide our live videos were just taking up space? And what about TikTok's stealthy climb back up the app store mountain? We uncover the backstory of these head-scratching occurrences and pinpoint what it means for brands caught in the evolving digital landscape. Plus, a dash of Pinterest's audacious predictions for 2025, because who wouldn't want a sardine tattoo or chainmail chic in their sartorial repertoire? Duncan lends his expert eye to elucidate these potential trends with Erin’s ever-enthusiastic endorsement of authenticity and innovation. Key Segments: [00:01:12]  Introducing Duncan Alney of Firebelly News from the EDGE: [00:02:40]  OpenAI may pay Reddit $70M for licensing deal [00:06:27]  Facebook Now Deletes Live Videos After 30 Days [00:11:47] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:13:05] GBP Reviews Outage Is Over [00:13:32] Bug: Google Business Profiles Management Pages Currently Broken [00:14:02] Joy Hawkins X Post: Google is Demoting Search Rank if in Local Pack [00:15:48] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Social News: [00:17:11]  Social: LinkedIn Adds 'Where You Appeared' to Show Users Where Their Profile Is Showing Up Across the Platform [00:19:35]  Social: Supercharge your campaign performance with new Advantage+ AI features [00:21:50] Social:  TikTok Rises to the Top of the App Download Charts in January [00:24:24] Social: Meta is Launching a Video Editing App [00:26:28]  Social: Pinterest Predicts: 20 bold trends for 2025 Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Thanks to our Social News Expert: Duncan Alney X: @firebelly LinkedIn: Duncan Alney Firebelly Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

Michael Lewittes swings back around to the EDGE to discuss a current and concerning topic, AI content and its effect on journalism. Michael brings his quarter-century of media experience to the table, sharing his journey from a seasoned journalist to spearheading cutting-edge SEO tools like Rankify. Discover how transparency, fact-checking, and expertise are more critical than ever in the era of AI-generated content and rampant misinformation. Explore the vital role of journalistic integrity in an age of deepfakes and echo chambers. With tales of newsroom dynamics and content homogenization, the conversation takes an intriguing turn toward how AI, if unchecked, could drastically alter the content landscape. Key Segments: [00:05:38] Early 2000s Fact-Checking Pioneer [00:06:28] Emphasizing Transparency in Journalism [00:12:10] Newsroom Lessons and Exclusive Stories [00:15:00] Deepfake Verification and Digital Responsibility [00:17:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:41] Journalism Integrity vs. AI Challenge [00:22:25] Overreliance on Generative Text Models [00:29:15] Legal Updates Require Human Expertise [00:30:56] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:33:36] AI's Imperfect Progress and Journalism Integrity [00:36:19] Client-Driven Adaptation Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix Studio: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest X: https://x.com/MichaelLewittes  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lewittes/

Sara Taher joins the EDGE team this week to have a focused discussion of AI and SEO in the news. From China's deep-sea AI shake-ups to Meta monetizing threads and Google's evolving search Quality Raters Guidelines, this week promises a feast of intriguing insights and digital dilemmas. We unpack the repercussions of Deepseek—a Chinese AI marvel shaking Silicon Valley with its low-cost, high-performance delivery, and what that means for the global tech landscape. OpenAI's new operator agent takes automation to a new level, independently performing tasks on the web as Google's latest SERP experiments blur the lines between genuine and generated content. Amid water-guzzling AI models and potential copyright conundrums, we question the future of internet search and ponder the implications of AI-altered reality. Can SEO maintain its footing in an AI-dominated world?  News from the EDGE: [00:02:57]  Meta Launches Ads on Threads [00:06:23]  Google Updates Search Quality Rater Guidelines: What To Know [00:12:27] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics AI/SEO News: [00:13:57] What Is China’s DeepSeek and Why Is It Freaking Out the AI World? [00:22:08]  OpenAI’s new Operator AI Agent [00:26:46]  Google Testing AI-Generated What People Are Saying [00:32:12] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks [00:33:17]  Google Can Show Sites With Manual Actions In AI Overview [00:35:43]  ‘Thirsty’ ChatGP [00:41:57]  AI Means the End of Internet Search as We’ve Known It Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @SaraTaherSEO X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio

Busy doesn't always mean productive. How do you balance the need for continued content with the need for quality? Paula Mejia, VP of Enterprise Marketing from WIX Studio, shares her insights on maintaining engagement without compromising on content value. Erin Sparks and Paula dive into the core philosophy of enterprise marketing strategies, focusing on effective goal-setting, the fine balance between creativity and productivity, and the pivotal role of AI in modern marketing. They tackle the often tricky conversations about budget allocations and staying the course amidst tempting trends. Paula shares her perspective: "You as a marketer want to be in front of your customer as often as possible... but if we do that, we are burning our marketing team and using budget inefficiently." Exploring the nuances between brand efforts and tangible ROI, Paula provides invaluable advice for navigating the complex landscape of marketing attribution. Key Segments [00:05:42] Strategic Marketing Amid Digital Noise [00:08:44] Balancing Creativity and Business Needs [00:12:00] Align Goals with Measurable Metrics [00:15:36] "Improving Communication in Project Processes" [00:17:36] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:48] AI's Impact on Content Creation [00:23:10] AI Integration in Marketing Teams [00:24:38] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:26:43] Optimizing Tech Stack in Marketing [00:30:04] Beyond Last-Touch Attribution [00:34:47] Building Inbound Brand Awareness Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix Studio: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaxmejia

Is your brand braced for the seismic shifts that Large Language Models (LLMs) are creating in the search landscape? Cindy Krum from Mobile Moxie joins us for her new regular spot in SEO News from the EDGE! We dissect the latest in SEO news from key stories and insight over the last few weeks, punctuated by a sharp decline in HubSpot’s SEO traffic. We explore how LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are rewriting the rules of search and reshaping zero-click results. Also, Cindy spills her insights on the massive 73% SEO traffic dip at HubSpot, scrutinizing the potential thin content and lack of topical authority as probable culprits. News from the EDGE: [00:02:43] Is Your Brand Prepared for what LLMs are doing to Search? [00:12:17] What is happening to HubSpot with their SEO traffic?? [00:17:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics SEO News from the EDGE: [00:18:40] Yahoo Search Testing AI Chat Feature [00:21:18] Google's Page Annotation Opt-Out Form [00:25:20] Google Drops Breadcrumbs From Mobile Search Result Snippets [00:27:15] Google AI Overviews Now In Circle To Search [00:30:08] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks [00:30:52] Google Ads PMax Category Report Displaying "Private Search Term" [00:36:13] Google Breakup Likely Off The Table Under Trump   Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks X: @Suzzicks X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio Resources: Mobile Moxie Cindy’s Duda Presentation on SEO and Content Strategy Phase II of Google's Mobile-First Indexing is just Chrome

We dive into enterprise marketing management with Paula Mejia, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing at WIX Studio in this episode. Paula brings a wealth of knowledge from her nine-year journey with WIX, where she has spearheaded growth, brand, and product marketing initiatives, significantly contributing to the platform's expansion. Paula shares her insights on balancing strategic planning with daily management, highlighting the importance of aligning every team effort with the broader long-term goals. Paula shares how she manages to strike a balance between short-term performance metrics and long-term growth strategies. She emphasizes the crucial role of continuous evaluation and optimization within the marketing funnel. Paula also discusses how her team experiments with various marketing tactics, detailing their rigorous approach to optimizing for quality leads and testing new initiatives. Another key takeaway from the episode is the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, particularly in aligning marketing initiatives with product and sales teams. Paula underscores the value of constant communication and real-time feedback in ensuring strategic alignment across all levels.  Key Segments: [00:02:50] Paula Mejaya: WIX Studio Growth Leader [00:05:08] Transitioning from B2C to B2B Markets [00:08:31] Strategic Alignment in Marketing [00:11:58] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:14:13] Balancing Short-Term Metrics with Long-Term Growth [00:16:02] Enterprise Migration Challenges & Long-Term Strategy [00:18:36] Optimizing MQL Pipeline Tactics [00:23:47] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix Studio [00:26:38] Wix's E-commerce Pivot During COVID [00:27:57] Cross Departmental Marketing Context Needs Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix Studio: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wixstudio Follow Our Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaxmejia

This week, we've got a jam-packed session covering the latest and most pressing news in digital marketing and SEO. Top Stories: we discussed the recent merger of Getty and Shutterstock and its implications for image licensing, alongside the backlash Automattic is facing from the WordPress community. Adding to this, we explored how Google's search market share has hit its lowest since 2015! We have a special segment “In Local News” with friend of the show and Local SEO specialist, Darren Shaw, founder and president of WhiteSpark. He'll be sharing his insights on local search ranking factors, mapping exploits, and the evolving landscape of Google’s local and LSA ads. Whether you manage a digital marketing agency or optimize your own business's online presence, this episode is loaded with invaluable tips and updates to help you navigate your digital marketing journey in 2025.  So, buckle up and let’s get to the EDGE—of the Web! News from the EDGE: [00:02:44] The Getty-Shutterstock merger: A new era for image SEO and licensable content [00:11:54] Automattic Turns Against WordPress Community Itself [00:17:19] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:52] Google’s search market share drops below 90% for the first time since 2015 In Local News w/ Darren Shaw:[00:24:05] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks[00:25:21] Google Map Pin Attack Exploit Fixed [00:28:14] Near Media - Google is replacing the UGC Google Q&A with "Ask Maps."  [00:31:26] Mike Blumenthal - Details” on the “Review Badge of Shame” [00:35:52] Mike Blumenthal - LSA ads are becoming ever more visible [00:38:15] Anthony Higman - Google Is Getting Rid Of Crediting Back Leads, Message Leads, Booking And Call Recording For The Tax Specialist Vertical [00:41:47] Antoine Cameron - new AI tool under the Products section in Google Business Profiles [00:45:28] January 2025 Google Local Ranking Update (Unconfirmed Bug) Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: X: @ErinSparks BluSky: Darren Shaw (https://bsky.app/profile/whitespark.ca) X: @TheMann00 X: @EDGEWebRadio