EDGE of the Web - The Best SEO Podcast for Today's Digital Marketer

Explore UX design optimization for SEO strategies with Ola King. Learn about holistic approaches, storytelling techniques, and the importance of empathizing with users. Discover the role of data in driving user journeys and resources for learning UX design. Dive into the evolution of SEO towards user experience and the significance of design books in digital marketing.

Google Local Services Ads in the Hot Seat Welcome back to the EDGE! No Mordy this week, but no need to worry because the great Cindy Krum of MobileMoxie steps in. A glitch has infiltrated Google’s Local Services Ads and small business owners are NOT happy. Google feels that the U.S government ‘hate us cause they ain't us’, as penalties pile up in post-trial brief. In AI news, Google strikes an AI content licensing deal with Reddit - who’s rankings have been off the charts… coincidence? Don’t miss the action this week, catch up on all the latest SEO news to help you excel each and every week right here on the EDGE! We’re bringing back the EDGE Newsletter!  Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn’t make it to the show but were really interesting!  Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here! News from the EDGE: [00:04:36] Google's latest quest: Investigating a glitch in Local Services Ads [00:09:08] Google also unveils its new AI Assistant called ‘Help Me Write’ for the Chrome Browser [00:17:07] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics  [00:17:50] And here’s a hot take, “DON’T BLAME US IF WE HAVE SUCCESSFUL SEARCH RESULTS!” AI Blitz: [00:22:04] Google explains Gemini’s ‘embarrassing’ AI pictures of diverse Nazis [00:28:02] Tyler Perry halts studio expansion over AI fears [00:32:20] Reddit signs AI content licensing deal with Google [00:40:07] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:41:11] Google Most-Read Articles Search Carousel AI Tools: [00:43:22] Alpaca: A Photoshop Plugin Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site     Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Resources:  Google investigating Local Services Ads bug Google Launches “Help Me Write” AI Assistant For Chrome Browser Google: Don’t punish us for our success in Search Google explains Gemini’s ‘embarrassing’ AI pictures of diverse Nazis Massive Volatility Reported - Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update? Google Most-Read Articles Search Carousel Greeting Cards GPT Talently Mock Interview Alpaca: A Photoshop Plugin Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @CindyKrum Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

Ola King started his career as a music producer, learning SEO along the way to help promote his songs and score millions of views. In addition to hosting several MozCon events, Ola practiced as a UX Researcher at Moz before transitioning into independent consulting. Search experience optimization is more valuable than ever before. Discover what metrics to be most attentive to when prioritizing UX, and learn why user experience is key to achieving sustainable SEO this week on the EDGE!    Key Segments: [00:03:45] Introducing Ola King [00:05:27] Ola’s Rise into the Industry [00:17:34] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:20] AI’s Role in Search [00:21:38] Is SEO Dead?  [00:26:03] Prioritizing User Experience [00:32:345] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix  [00:33:46] What Role Does User Experience Play in Determining Content’s Helpfulness?  [00:34:46] What Metrics Should you Focus on to Grow Search Experience? Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site   Hostinger: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/hostinger Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/justolaking LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaking

The EDGE team covered a slew of news this week. Articles from Search Engine Land, Search Engine Round Table, and Search Engine Journal covered the landscape of digital marketing news, but we were able to get a couple of nice AI pieces in there. Watch Reddit folks, they just doubled down on their value by inking a $60m deal with an “unknown” AI company. Any guesses? You also want to check out Sora, the text-to-video feature from OpenAI (we will soon be in a world of video inception). Lastly, check your Meta Ads expenses this weekend. They spent your money like a teenager at the mall, and now they are sorry. We’re bringing back the EDGE Newsletter! Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn’t make it to the show, but were really interesting! Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here! News from the EDGE: [00:03:33] Google Launches "How Search Works" Series To Demystify SEO [00:07:35] Meta Apologizes After Ad Error Causes Campaigns to Overspend by 'Thousands' [00:10:35] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics  [00:11:31] Reddit Dominates Google Search Discussions/Forums AI News: [00:17:57] Reddit Signs Content Licensing Deal with AI Company Ahead of IPO, Bloomberg Reports [00:21:14] OpenAI Introduces Sora [00:22:58] OpenAI's ChatGPT Is Testing a Memory Feature AI Tools: [00:24:20] FirstPic.ai Unveils New Image Recognition Technology [00:26:47] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:27:52] Google Introduces New Stories in Top Stories Section [00:28:42] Google Emphasizes the Importance of Recovery Timing and Helpful Content Update [00:30:21] Google Refines Search DMA Rich Results Aggregator Units and Refinement Chips Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

Gearing Up for SGE  Welcome back local SEO specialist and COO at Search Lab Greg Gifford. This week Greg joins host Erin Sparks to uncover the myths about local SEO and frequent challenges haunting business owners. Learn the common mistakes small business owners need to keep an eye on while setting up their Google Business Profile, and to wrap it all up Greg & Erin close with some highly necessary SGE talk. It’s time to master your SEO at a local level this week on the EDGE of the Web!     Key Segments: [00:03:13] Introducing Greg Gifford [00:06:08] Challenges and Myths of Local SEO  [00:14:25] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:14:59] Issues with the Google Appeal Process  [00:19:04] Flaws in Google Business Profile  [00:33:17] When are we going to see Google SGE?  [00:45:37] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:46:47] What Does the Spike in Organic Traffic Loss Tell Us?  Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site   Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregGifford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggifford/

Google has taken a stand on fake reviews with a new reviews spam algorithm, claiming to have removed over 170 million policy-violating reviews in 2023 - a 45% spike from years past. But numbers are hard, right? How much did they actually increase?  AI is jumping the gun! As silly as it may sound, you might want to check the web for a premature AI-generated obituary of yours because if you find one… you’re not the first! Please, it’s time to let go of the disavow tool finally.  Catch up on all the greatest SEO news happening this week, as always, here on the EDGE of the Web! News from the EDGE: [00:03:52] New AI Algorithm Takes Down 45% More Fake Reviews In 2023! [00:09:18] Tracking Paid And Organic Traffic In GA 4 Just Got A Little Easier  [00:10:06] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics  [00:11:50] New Bulk Email Regulations from Google and Yahoo AI Blitz: [00:16:43] The UK is Outpacing the US for AI Hiring [00:18:01]  AI-generated Obituaries Litter Google Search [00:21:09] "AI native" Gen Zers are Comfortable with AI AI Tools: [00:24:28] Diet Helper: ChatGPT Prompt for Healthier Living [00:26:26] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:29:08] Google: You Won't Get Your Rankings Back By Disavowing Toxic Links [00:31:48] Google: EEAT Isn't A Ranking Factor Nor A Thing That Factors Into Other Factors Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site     Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio Resources:  Google says it took down 45% more fake reviews in 2023 thanks to new algorithm Google Analytics 4 adds new dimensions for measuring paid and organic traffic New rules for bulk email senders from Google, Yahoo: What you need to know The UK is outpacing the US for AI hiring Websites with seemingly AI-generated obituaries litter Google search, sometimes listing living people as deceased and turning private individuals into clickbait  "AI native" Gen Zers are comfortable on the cutting edge Diet Helper: Your smart, personalized path to healthier eating. Google: You Won't Get Your Rankings Back By Disavowing Toxic Links Google: EEAT Isn't A Ranking Factor Nor A Thing That Factors Into Other Factors #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

Greg Gifford travels the globe speaking to SEO audiences throughout the year, thankfully we were able to rein him in for this week's interview series. If you want to learn the ins and outs of local SEO, Greg Gifford is your guy. With over 20 years of experience in online marketing and web design, the COO at Search Lab joins Erin to discuss fundamental strategies in achieving premium local SEO. Understand the keys to cracking Google’s Ranking Factors at a local level, and take the next step in your local SEO strategy this week on the EDGE!  Key Segments: [00:03:27] Introducing Greg Gifford [00:06:04] Greg’s SEO Journey [00:13:06] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:15:31] Greg’s BrightonSEO Presentation [00:24:04] Google Business Profile Optimization Factors [00:26:11] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Hostinger [00:27:33] Varying Verticals to Industries in the Google Algorithm  [00:33:49] Aligning Business Photos to Google’s Standards [00:39:12] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:40:23] Are Certain Ranking Factors More Dynamic Than Others?  [00:45:25] Biggest Takeaways from Greg’s Study Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site   Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Hostinger: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/hostinger Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregGifford LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggifford/

Hot off the dumping of Bard, Erin, Mordy, and Jacob jump into all the changes happening within Google this week. That’s right… Bard is no more, as Google announces relaunch of chat based AI tool adopting the moniker Gemeni.  The UK is increasing criticism of third party cookies, putting Google on the spot. Plus, Google is testing out a new form of Generative AI, developed to answer local questions on Maps.  Come join us on the EDGE for this week’s latest SEO news, and please remember to keep Bard in your thoughts as we honor the Chat bot’s mediocre legacy.  News from the EDGE: [00:04:36 ] Bard Out, Gemini In: Changelog Confirms the Upcoming Rebrand Effort from Google [00:10:14] Do You Have Some Invisible Pages? Google Addresses Indexing Glitch from Last Week [00:12:03] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics  [00:12:58 ] Tracking Trouble: Can Google Fix its Cookie Alternative in Time? AI Blitz: [00:17:58] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Hostinger  [00:19:21] Experts from 30 nations will contribute to global AI safety report AI Tools: [00:20:28] Books GPT- Your personal AI guide for discovering and recommending books [00:21:22] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:23:34] Google Search officially retires cache link [00:24:52] Google Maps Tests AI Generated Answers For Local Questions With Local Guides [00:29:32] Google Local Service Ads "Highly Rated" Label Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Hostinger: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/hostinger Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

Welcome founder of Content Hacker and president of Content at Scale, AI specialist Julia McCoy, who is back for her second segment this week to understand the evolving landscape of AI content. Julia explains the new roles and opportunities driven by AI optimization that are emerging for SEOs and content writers.  Discover how to set parameters for AI and train these learning models to follow brand guidelines for revolutionized content at scale. Understand how to Incorporate AI into your content while avoiding all of the negative stereotypes out there.  The future of AI is set to expedite the entirety of the content process as we know it. Join us as we dissect AI-assisted content at scale this week on the EDGE of the Web!  [00:03:28] Introducing Julia McCoy [00:04:54] Where Does the Role of SEOs and Content Writers Lay Within AI Optimization?  [00:08:43] How do you Maintain Brand Specifications When Using AI to Develop Content at Scale? [00:13:29] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:15:02] How do you Measure the Success of AI Driven Campaigns?  [00:22:34] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Hostinger [00:23:56] Are There Any Studies Out There That Investigate The Effectiveness of AI Content?  [00:30:09] How to Ensure AI Content Avoids Negative Stereotypes [00:33:58] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix  [00:35:37] Guiding AI With Structured Parameters [00:41:39] Julia McCoy Pro Tip Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site   Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Hostinger: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/hostinger Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaEMcCoy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaemccoy Resources: Content Hacker Julia McCoy Books Content at Scale Content Transformation Podcast

SGE in Timeout When will SGE actually come to life on the SERP? It seems the answer is not any time soon, as Google is letting Microsoft and others take the lead in creating a generative experience while SGE remains in the workshop. Keep your eyes peeled; Google announces a plan to restart the official SEO starter guide in the near future. Meta continues its AI push. What’s next? Plus, the great Barry Schwartz hints at the next confirmed Google search ranking algorithm coming soon. Stay fresh with all the latest SEO awesomeness every week. Join us on this episode of News from the EDGE! News from the EDGE: [00:01:04] Free Ticket to BrightonSEO: us.brightonseo.com/freetickets [00:06:15] SGE is still stuck in Google Labs - will it escape? [00:12:37] WordPress security issue affecting over 1 million sites [00:16:26] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics  [00:18:04] A big update is coming for Google’s SEO Starter Guide AI Blitz: [00:23:46] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Hostinger [00:25:07] Meta expands automated audience targeting options in latest AI push [00:26:58] ChatGPT vs. Google Bard vs. Bing Chat vs. Claude: Which generative AI solution is best? AI Tools: [00:28:45] Jellypod - Transform your inbox into a personalized daily podcast. [00:33:56] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:37:04] Some advertisers are unable to access Google Ads [00:36:12] Report: Custom Google Business Profile Services Impact Rankings Too [00:37:51] Storm Coming: Next Confirmed Google Search Ranking Algorithm Coming Soon? Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site     Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine