Search with Candour

Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Amanda King for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of SEO and the implications of AI-generated content.Amanda shares insights from her 15 years in the industry, discussing the challenges of maintaining relevant, high-quality content in a world where AI is increasingly prevalent. The episode covers a range of topics, including content consolidation, Google's move away from lexical search, and Amanda’s new tool - Topic Compass.Jack and Amanda also touch on the importance of balancing traditional SEO practices with modern digital marketing strategies to stay ahead in 2026.00:00 Introduction01:39 Welcome to Search With Candour04:35 Interview with Amanda King07:16 The Evolution of SEO and Content Strategies17:40 Challenges and Future of SEO34:21 Exploring Topic Compass and Content Relevance51:49 The Evolution of Google's Search Technology55:00 The Impact of AI on SEO and PPC56:11 Exploring Paris: Beyond the Usual Attractions01:01:35 The Importance of Updating Existing Content01:03:38 Tools and Strategies for Modern SEO01:08:31 Fun Recommendations: Movies, Games, and More01:23:29 Upcoming Episodes and Future PlansFollow Amanda:⭐Website: https://floq.co/⭐Topic Compass: https://topiccompass.io⭐LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaecking/⭐Amanda's writing for SEL: https://searchengineland.com/author/amanda-king⭐Amanda's speakerdeck: https://speakerdeck.com/amandafloqLinks to resources/references:🎧Amanda’s previous episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3fWiAJwcO8🎧Discussing MUVERA with Egor Golovin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STcV-Y3KTAs📄Google’s MUVERA: https://research.google/blog/muvera-making-multi-vector-retrieval-as-fast-as-single-vector-search/

Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this episode of Search With Candour as he discusses the critical difference between strategy and tactics in SEO with special guest Derek Hobson from Brain Labs.Jack and Derek get super nerdy using everything from The Avengers to adult diapers to explore how to effectively structure your thinking around SEO strategies and tactics. They also discuss the importance of ongoing testing, adapting to industry changes like AI advancements, and building strong off-page SEO.Follow Derek:Brainlabs: https://www.brainlabsdigital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dereknhobson/SEO Humorist: https://seohumorist.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seohumoristResources:https://www.brainlabsdigital.com/navigating-the-new-era-of-ai-search/Greenshot: https://getgreenshot.org/The Sellout by Paul Beatty https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22237161-the-selloutThis is Strategy by Seth Godin https://open.spotify.com/show/0UggtiAbVMtoXAR3nhg2fK?si=14f33156e5ce4df700:00 Introduction01:38 Welcome to Search With Candour03:10 Guest Introduction: Derek Hobson from Brain Labs04:14 Defining Strategy and Tactics in SEO08:05 The Avengers Analogy: Strategy vs. Tactics21:42 SEO Strategy Development Process24:46 Marvel vs. DC: A Lesson in Strategy34:31 Unexpected Marketing Wins: Grommet Mug Case Study37:52 Client Strategy and Adaptation38:52 Creative Marketing Ideas40:54 The Importance of Brand Visibility44:07 SEO and Content Strategy48:55 Adapting to Industry Changes59:16 Off-Page SEO and Influencer Marketing01:08:36 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In this episode, Jack Chambers-Ward interviews Ade Holder, frontman of Phinius Gage and owner of 427 Marketing. They explore how punk values can influence business practices, the challenges of maintaining authenticity, and the importance of constructive capitalism. Ade shares insights from his experience in marketing and as a musician, highlighting the intersection between creativity and analytical thinking. Tune in for discussions on music, SEO, client relations, and actionable tips for blending personal passions with professional life.Follow AdeWebsite: https://www.427marketing.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-holder-3a010914/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/adeholder.bsky.socialPhinius Gage: https://phiniusgage.bandcamp.com/track/masquerade RecommendationsRank Caddy - https://rankcaddy.io/The Ritual by Adam Nevill - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10239382-the-ritualMalevolence - https://mlvltd.com/00:00 Balancing Punk Rock Ethics with Marketing00:55 Introduction01:25 Meet Ade Holder: Punk Rock Legend and Marketing Expert03:07 The Intersection of Punk Rock and Business Ethics03:28 Ade Holder's Journey: From Punk Rock to Marketing04:46 Authenticity and Business: A Personal Journey07:25 Navigating Client Choices and Ethical Dilemmas18:21 The Creative and Analytical Balance in SEO37:32 The Role of Ethics in Modern SEO43:00 Honouring SEO Pioneers43:20 The Importance of Testing Hypotheses44:10 Client Collaboration and Experimentation45:28 SEO Testing and Real-World Results47:01 Navigating SEO Challenges48:06 Understanding Client Issues50:59 Technical SEO Insights54:05 The Gap Between Cutting-Edge and Basic SEO57:43 The Importance of Authenticity in Networking01:01:12 Balancing Band Life and Business01:04:18 Recommendations

In this episode of Search with Candour, Ben Goodey, founder of Spicy Margarita, joins Jack to discuss how to create revenue-driven SEO strategies.The discussion explores how effective audience research impacts conversion rates, differentiating between top-of-funnel and bottom-of-funnel content, and the evolving role of SEO in the age of AI.Ben shares his insights on creating revenue-driving strategies and the importance of client communication in achieving long-term success.Follow Ben:Spicy Margarita: https://www.spicymargarita.co/How the f*ck: https://www.thefxck.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamingoodey/Resources:https://marketingcyborg.com/p/the-lema-framework-how-anyone-canhttps://withcandour.co.uk/podcast/how-to-create-content-that-stands-out-with-lily-ugbajahttps://seo.thefxck.com/interviews/product-positioning-april-dunford/https://seotesting.com/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221251872-when-the-cranes-fly-south00:00 How to make money from SEO00:56 Introduction02:04 Welcome, Ben Goodey02:51 The Importance of Revenue-Driven SEO09:39 Understanding Audience and Customer Research13:10 The Role of Content in Building Trust17:06 Leveraging Customer Insights for Effective SEO29:39 Competitor Analysis and SEO Strategy35:48 SERP Insights and Competitor Awareness37:15 The Importance of Tracking Conversions41:29 Integrating SEO with Broader Marketing Strategies51:13 The Impact of AI on SEO Strategies58:33 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

In this week's episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Leah Hart to explore the future of sustainable marketing in 2025.They delve into the importance of both environmentally and personally sustainable practices. Topics include the pitfalls of greenwashing, the energy costs of AI tools like ChatGPT, and effective ways to avoid burnout and maintain personal well-being in the industry. Follow Leah:Website: https://www.fourfront.us/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartleahc/Recommendationshttps://www.thriftbooks.com/w/algorithms-to-live-by-what-computers-can-teach-us-about-solving-human-problems_brian-christian_tom--griffiths/10740830/item/25388624/ https://ground.news/https://www.fourfront.us/blog/sustainable-digital-marketing/00:00 Introduction04:43 Welcome Leah Hart07:08 Defining Sustainable Marketing08:01 Challenges and Strategies in Sustainable Marketing08:39 AI and Sustainability in Marketing12:24 Identifying Genuine Sustainable Practices22:06 Balancing Sustainability and Performance23:35 Hybrid Work Models and Sustainability27:12 Measuring Success in Sustainable Campaigns29:35 The Role of AI in Sustainable Marketing39:44 Personal Sustainability and Career Longevity42:52 Balancing Work and Personal Life44:00 Implementing Quitting Time and AI Tools45:24 Building Team Relationships and Communication49:52 Understanding Team Dynamics and Personality Types58:04 Advice for New Marketers01:05:50 Personal Habits for Reducing Stress01:10:17 Recommendations and Conclusion

Jacob Cass, an award-winning brand consultant and designer, shares his journey from losing 95% of site traffic to rebuilding his brand, Just Creative. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of the traffic crash and the strategies he employed to adapt, including content pruning and focusing on evergreen topics. Jacob emphasizes the importance of personal branding in 2025, providing actionable insights on diversifying channels and maintaining consistent messaging. He also introduces practical brand exercises, urging listeners to start building their personal brand now.

Egor Golovin, Chief Commercial Officer at Serpzilla and a link-building expert, dives into the transformative impact of Google's MUVERA on SEO. He discusses the shift from sheer link volume to the critical importance of contextual relevance and trust. Egor highlights how AI-generated content can still thrive if it offers value. He emphasizes the rising significance of brand mentions and nofollow links as trust signals. Finally, he offers insights on refining backlink strategies and advises running relevance audits to align with the evolving digital landscape.

Join us LIVE from Brighton as the teams from ⁨@SEOMindsetPodcast⁩ and Search with Candour come together for an engaging and informative podcast.In this special episode, the trio of hosts explore the importance of intentional social connections for career progression, and practical tips on maintaining good social health.The episode also features insights from the audience, real-life stories, and a detailed analysis of Google's take on 'social health.’Don't miss out on expert advice, heartfelt stories, and actionable tips designed to enhance your personal and professional growth in the SEO world!Headline sponsor - SISTRIXSISTRIX is the all-in-one SEO toolbox for those who want to succeed on Google, Amazon and Facebook. With SISTRIX's market-leading tools, you can optimise your website according to the latest Google guidelines, track competitors on Amazon and easily generate and perform research across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.Food sponsor - MajesticMajestic maps the web to bring you the Link Intelligence data you need to dominate your market. Established in 2004, Majestic is dedicated to serving worldwide backlink data and analysis.Drinks sponsor - Good Signals and WhitworthGood Signals help brands that deserve to do better online – do just that. They use what makes your business unique and interesting to help you grow online in new and exciting ways – connecting your brand with the people who matter most to you.Whitworth SEO specialise in authentic SEO without the jargon. Just proper SEO consultancy, no fluff and purely focused on delivering return on investment from your organic channel.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:21 The SEO Mindset Podcast Origins02:33 Introducing Search with Candour03:45 SISTRIX: How does Google define social health?04:40 Sponsor Acknowledgements12:10 Exploring Social Health and Loneliness17:01 Maintaining Work-Life Synergy27:51 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome37:09 Choosing Your Influential Five37:36 Using the 5-3-1 Model39:27 Quality Time and Presence40:13 Balancing Social Health and Solitude42:44 Tips for Social Health42:58 Overcoming Fear and Trying New Things54:49 Navigating Social Interactions and Remote Work01:00:03 Q&A and Personal Stories01:04:51 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

Jack Chambers-Ward dives into the evolving world of SEO, AI, and branding with guest Yordan Dimitrov, SEO Manager at Reflect Digital. They discuss the importance of brand consistency, the role of LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT in shaping user experiences, and the pivotal strategies for maintaining visibility and relevance in an ever-changing digital landscape. If you're curious about how AI is impacting SEO or want tips on optimising your brand’s digital presence, this episode is packed with valuable insights and recommendations.Don't miss out on Yordan's upcoming talk at Brighton SEO and the exciting discussions around these crucial topics!Follow Yordan:Reflect Digital: https://www.reflectdigital.co.uk/ Website: https://yordandim.com/BioLink: https://yordan.bio.link/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitrovy/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/yordan-dimitrov.com BrightonSEO talk: https://brightonseo.com/talks/forget-seo-vs-ai-build-a-brand-people-trust-or-get-left-behind 00:00 Embracing AI: The Younger Generation's Journey01:14 Introduction to the Podcast01:29 Interview with Yordan Dimitrov01:41 The Importance of Brand in SEO02:20 Upcoming Brighton SEO Event04:15 SEO Strategies and User Behaviour06:17 The Role of Brand and Visibility10:05 Impact of AI on SEO Metrics13:49 User-Generated Content and Reviews22:21 Personalisation and AI in Search25:14 The Future of Search and AI31:06 Meta's AI Integration and User Consent32:01 The Shift in Digital Marketing Metrics33:04 The Impact of LLMs on User Conversion34:32 E-commerce Strategies for Better User Experience37:44 The Importance of Consistent Branding38:39 Personalisation and Localisation in Marketing45:55 The Role of User-Generated Content51:31 Adapting SEO Strategies for AI and LLMs54:17 Tool and Content Recommendations59:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Get ready for valuable insights from the upcoming Brighton SEO conference! Discover the importance of human connection in digital PR and dive into AI's impact on SEO strategies. Learn about using vector embeddings for better content analysis and why building a trusted brand is essential in an AI-driven world. Explore new perspectives on attribution models and hear recommendations on making content machine-readable. Tune in for expert commentary on navigating the evolving landscape of digital marketing!