Content and Conversation: Organic Growth Insights from Siege Media

‬Ross sits down with A.J. Ghergich, VP of Consulting Services at Botify, to unpack enterprise‬ SEO, AI governance, and why SEOs absolutely need a Bing strategy in 2025.‬‭ A.J. shares the story of how he landed the rare @SEO Twitter handle and what it’s meant for‬‭ his visibility in the industry. They dive into findings from Botify’s latest AI survey, highlighting‬ the disconnect between perceived AI readiness and real-world implementation challenges.‬‭From AI hallucinations and live retrieval limitations to crawl budgets and indexation at scale,‬ this conversation is packed with tactical insights. A.J. also drops a hot take on Bing,‬ explaining why it's now critical for AI visibility—especially in the age of ChatGPT and live‬ search integration.‬‭They also explore practical steps marketers can take to better control their brand‬ messaging in AI outputs, and why technical SEO still reigns supreme at the enterprise level.‬‭ Show Notes:‬‭ 00:00 – Intro & AJ’s @SEO Twitter Handle Story‬‭ 02:00 – The Early Twitter Beta and Getting the Handle‬‭ 04:00 – Value from the @SEO Handle & the Power of Network‬‭ 06:00 – Botify's AI Survey: 94% Claim AI Readiness?‬‭ 08:00 – What AI Readiness Really Looks Like‬‭ 10:00 – Why Governance is the Missing Piece‬‭ 13:00 – Content Hallucinations, Training Data, and eCommerce Pitfalls‬‭ 16:30 – Centralizing Brand Messaging for AI‬‭ 19:00 – Enterprise SEO: Hidden Challenges at Scale‬‭ 22:00 – Indexation Gaps in Enterprise Sites‬‭ 24:30 – Crawl Budget, Canonicals & Technical SEO Realities‬‭ 27:00 – Freshness & Product Page Recency = Revenue‬‭ 30:00 – AI Overviews, CTR Drops, and the Future of Search‬‭ 33:00 – Ghost Clicks & Attribution in an AI-Driven World‬‭ 36:00 – Preparing for Bot-to-Bot Web Traffic‬‭ 39:00 – Are You Ready for ChatGPT Traffic?‬‭ 41:00 – Why You‬‭ Need‬‭ a Bing Strategy in 2025‬‭ 43:00 – How to Push Content into Bing (and ChatGPT) with IndexNow‬‭ 44:30 – AJ’s Hot Take: Optimize for Humans‬‭ and‬‭ AIs‬‭ 45:00 – Where to Connect with AJ‬‭ Show Links:‬‭ AJ on Twitter:‬‭ https://twitter.com/SEO‬‭ Botify AI Survey:‬‭ https://www.botify.com/blog/marketing-leaders-want-to-meet-ai-search-head-on-new-surve‬y-results‬‭ How Many People Search on Google?:‬‭ https://sparktoro.com/blog/new-research-how-often-do-americans-search-google-which-se‬arch-verticals-do-they-use‬‭ IndexNow:‬‭ https://www.bing.com/indexnow‬ Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

Dr. Pete Meyers, a Marketing Scientist at Moz specializing in SEO, discusses the dynamic nature of search marketing and the shift from domain authority to brand authority. He dives into the rise of AI in SEO tools and how Moz is updating its strategies to keep pace. The conversation explores the challenges of measuring brand authority and the impact of brand recognition on search trends, illustrated through examples such as NVIDIA and OpenAI. Pete also highlights the evolving landscape of online engagement and the future of tracking Google's updates.

Ross sits down with Tim Soulo,‬‭ CMO of Ahrefs, to dive deep into content‬ ‭marketing, SEO, and Ahrefs’ evolving approach to growth. Tim shares insights on how Ahrefs‬ built its marketing team, the role of SEO in today’s digital landscape, and why they’re investing‬ in YouTube, LinkedIn, and thought leadership content.‬ ‭ They also discuss the challenges of enterprise marketing, the rise of social-first content, and the‬ impact of backlink trends on the SEO industry.‬ ‭ Show Notes:‬ ‭ 00:00 Intro – Meeting in Chiang Mai SEO‬ ‭ 00:53 Ahrefs’ Marketing Evolution‬ ‭ 06:06 SEO vs. Diversification in Marketing‬ ‭ 10:09 The Role of Technical SEO at Ahrefs‬ ‭ 12:57 LinkedIn & Social Media Strategy‬ ‭ 18:10 Scaling Content & Thought Leadership‬ ‭ 22:31 Going Upmarket: Enterprise Marketing at Ahrefs‬ ‭ 30:38 The Power of Events & Conferences‬ ‭ 32:22 Programmatic SEO & Directory Strategies‬ ‭ 40:31 Backlink Trends & The Changing Web‬ ‭ 46:55 The Future of Ahrefs Marketing‬ ‭ 48:24 Announcing Ahrefs Evolve – West Coast Conference‬ ‭ Show Links:‬ Ahrefs: Top Website:‬‭ https://ahrefs.com/websites‬ Ahrefs: Data & Studies:‬‭ https://ahrefs.com/blog/category/data-studies/‬ ‭Ahrefs YouTube:‬‭ https://www.youtube.com/c/AhrefsCom‬ Tim Soulo’s LinkedIn:‬‭ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsoulo‬Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

Ross welcomes back Rand Fishkin, co-founder of SparkToro and longtime marketing thought leader, for a candid conversation about the evolution of search, audience research, and the shifting tides of digital marketing. Rand shares insights on why SEO’s golden age is behind us, why influence—not traffic—should be marketers’ primary focus, and how PR is making a major comeback. He also discusses SparkToro’s growth, lessons from launching an indie video game company, and why understanding audience behavior is more critical than ever. Show Notes: 00:00 Welcome Back, Rand! 01:10 Reflections on Lost and Founder 02:37 The importance of timing and market demand 06:48 Venture Capital and Market Trends 14:34 The Changing Reputation of SEO 19:27 AI, Search, and Zero-Click Results 28:58 Influence Over Traffic 38:46 How to Prioritize Marketing Channels 43:42 The Rise of Digital PR 49:51 The Future of Search and Content Show Links: SparkToro https://sparktoro.com/blog/traffic-is-down-revenue-is-up/ SparkTogether 2025 https://sparktoro.com/sparktogether Rand’s Blog “Traffic Is Down; Revenue Is… Up?" https://sparktoro.com/ Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

How do you build SEO strategies that mesh seamlessly with product teams? Ross Hudgens chats with Sharanya Srinivasan, Head of SEO, Product at Boatsetter, about combining strong user experience, savvy engineering partnerships, and growth-focused tactics. Learn how Sharanya’s approach to A/B testing, internal links, and UX research can help you unlock new levels of organic traffic, no matter how your team is structured.Show Notes:0:00 Background & Why Product Matters02:47 Landing in Product-Focused Roles07:43 Top of Funnel vs. Bottom of Funnel11:01 A Typical Day in a Product-Led SEO Role16:40 Technical vs. Product Manager SEO21:47 Should SEO Sit in Marketing or Product?26:32 UX & User Research Resources30:47 A/B Testing for Better User Journeys39:37 Tools & Tactics for SEO A/B TestingShow Links:NNGroupUserTesting.comSearchPilotSharanya on LinkedIn Apartments.com related linking exampleWirecutter “Mentioned above” example Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

In this episode of Content and Conversation, host Ross Hudgens sits down with Barry Schwartz, President of RustyBrick and a leading voice in SEO.Barry shares his insights into the latest Google algorithm updates, the future of search rankings, and how businesses can adapt their SEO strategies in 2025 and beyond. Tune in for expert analysis, actionable advice, and a clear  take on the state of search marketing.Show Notes:00:00 Introduction01:03 What’s the best story you have from a webmaster contacting you about their SEO situation?05:44 What’s the biggest ever news story you’ve had on SE Roundtable in terms of visits? Why?07:59 How do SEOs most use your website?14:11 What’s your take on the current state of SEO news given the acquisition of Search Engine Land by Semrush?18:37 What’s your take on what SEO looks like in five years?29:53 What is your philosophy of how people should treat Google updates?33:08 How do you edit your content today?Show Links:Search Engine Roundtable’s most popular article ever: https://www.seroundtable.com/boyfriend-spammed-12909.html21st anniversary post: https://www.seroundtable.com/21-years-old-38395.htmlAIO clickthrough data from Glenn Gabe: https://www.gsqi.com/marketing-blog/how-to-track-aio-performance-gsc-manual-action/Feedly RSS feeder: https://feedly.com/ Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

In this episode, Ross and guest Wil Reynolds, VP Innovation, SEER, discuss the future of search, AI-driven automation, and why organic social is becoming more important than ever. Wil shares bold insights on how agencies must adapt, the power of thought leadership over traditional content marketing, and the evolving landscape of SEO. Plus, they cover why collaboration beats competition in today’s digital world.Show Notes:00:00 Welcome Wil Reynolds, VP Innovation, SEER01:36 Collaboration Over Competition04:04 The Rise of Organic Social vs. Traditional SEO10:53 Content Marketing vs. Journalism15:17 AI, Automation & the Future of Marketing28:22 The Changing Role of Link Building38:14 The Urgency to Adapt: AI’s Impact on Agencies46:36 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Wil Show Links:Wil at Seer: https://www.seerinteractive.com/wil-reynoldsWill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilreynolds/Wil on X: https://x.com/wilreynoldsWil on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/wilreynolds Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

Join Ross as he sits down with SEO expert Cyrus Shepard to explore why brand building has become essential in today’s search landscape. Cyrus shares what happened when he disavowed every inbound link on his site, why Google seems to reward authenticity over traditional SEO tactics, and how focusing on experience and trust can give you the edge in the ever‐changing SERPs.Show Notes:00:00 Welcome Cyrus and brand swag01:10 The Bold Move: Disavowing Every Inbound Link02:00 Aftermath: Results of the Disavow Experiment06:17 When the Disavow Tool Still Matters08:44 Contrarian Takes & Being ‘Right’ in SEO09:43 Why Google Wants Real People14:21 SERP History & Competitive Analysis20:00 Over‐Optimizing vs. Brand Building Show Links:Zyppy's Disavow Experiment  Tom Capper on Brand AuthorityAhref’s SERP history featureCyrus on Bluesky Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

In the latest episode of Content and Conversation, Sam Parr, founder of The Hustle and host of My First Million, joins Ross to discuss the art and science of great copywriting, building viral content, and scaling content-driven businesses. Sam shares actionable insights into hiring creative talent, writing headlines that convert, and why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication in copywriting.Show Notes:00:00 Sam Parr’s journey in copywriting and content creation01:03 Combining Silicon Valley innovation with internet marketing02:45 The Hustle’s Newsletter Success06:12 Hiring Creative Talent10:50 The Power of Copy Work16:00 Writing Headlines That Sell29:05 Simplicity in Writing35:00 AI for Copywriters44:10 Sam’s Favorite Copywriting ResourcesShow Links:Copy That copywork course by Sam ParrInside the Mind of a Newsletter MogulTry RosedaleTo be Great Be Good, ReaptablyHemingway AppWarren Buffet word count by Sam ParrJason Fried’s copywriting - https://www.hey.com/Headline example from The HustleAdweek Guide to Copywriting Scott Galloway Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing

We speak with Dave Gerhardt, founder of Exit Five, who reveals how to build a standout B2B marketing community. He breaks down the impact of AI on SEO and content, his no-nonsense approach to LinkedIn content, podcasting as a content strategy, and why Exit Five moved from Facebook to Circle. It’s a sharp look at staying agile and authentic in modern marketing.Show Notes:0:00 Introduction to Dave Gerhardt and Marketing Insights2:35 The Role of SEO in Modern Marketing5:10 Content Creation and Personal Workflow11:14 Building a Community Around Marketing24:28 Authenticity in LinkedIn Posting29:00 Podcasting as a Content Strategy38:43 Building a Paid Community Experience43:05 The Impact of AI on SEO and Content47:11 Evolving SEO Roles and Future StrategiesShow Links:Dave Gerhardt Exit Five communityKnowatoa AI rank monitoringSubscribe today for weekly tipsFollow Ross on XEmail Ross: ross@siegemedia.com#seo | #contentmarketing Subscribe today for weekly tips: https://bit.ly/3dBM61f Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-and-conversation-seo-tips-from-siege-media/id1289467174 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kiaFGXO5UcT2qXVRuXjsM Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9jT3NjUkdLeA Follow Siege on Twitter: http://twitter.com/siegemedia Follow Ross on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rosshudgens Directed by Cara Brown: https://twitter.com/cararbrown Email Ross: ross@siegemedia.com #seo | #contentmarketing